Professional Documents
Culture Documents
: TDS-04-05
Release Top Drive Drilling Systems
Date: April 8, 2004
Problem: The main factors that affect washpipe life are standpipe pressure, TDS rpm, the
washpipe diameter and mud temperature.
Pressure, rpm and washpipe diameter affect how much heat the seals generate
while operating, and the mud temperature affects how the seal is cooled. Too
much heat can result in rapid seal wear and premature failure of the Washpipe
Assembly.
Solution: Varco has been working on numerous initiatives to improve performance of the
Washpipe Assemblies. While the main focus has been the large bore (4-inch)
assemblies (Ref: Product Bulletin TDS-01-02), benefits have been realized on
all Varco Washpipe Assemblies.
In most cases, operating hours consistently exceeding 400 rotating hours for
large bore Washpipe Assemblies and up to 2,000 hours with small bore (3-inch)
assemblies is are obtainable by following the latest Varco recommended
practices.
All new Washpipe Assemblies are packed with Shell Cyprina RA when
assembled. Before substituting grease from an alternative manufacturer, be
sure to verify that it has properties compatible with Shell Cyprina RA.
Greasing frequency has proven to have a minor affect on seal life. Customers
have followed schedules as rigorous as greasing their washpipes once every
stand to never greasing assemblies at all after initial installation.
Seal Packing
All Varco packing has been redesigned for improved performance. It has been
observed that the previous standard seal packing design provided
approximately twice the life of high pressure seal packings when drilling
pressures were low (< 5,000 psi).
Varco’s standard Washpipe Assembly has been proof load tested to 11,250 psi
to increase the pressure rating to 7,500 psi. Varco now offers only standard
pressure packing for washpipe operating pressures up to 7,500 psi. Consult the
Washpipe Assembly Service Manual for the latest part number configurations.
High pressure washpipes may be used with either high or standard pressure
packing. Eventually, the high pressure (Tungsten carbide-coated) washpipes
and high pressure packings will no longer be available and will be replaced by
standard components. Varco now uses only non-Tungsten carbide coated
washpipes as standard in all Washpipe Assemblies shipped with new Top
Drives.
• The increased pressure drop across the small bore vs. the large bore
washpipe is equivalent to less than one stand of 5” ID drill pipe.
• When used in non HTHP (High Temperature High Pressure) applications,
this substitution results in approximately a 30% improvement in washpipe
life.
• Life improvement while operating with HTHP conditions can be as much as
10 times, as compared to an otherwise equivalent large bore assembly.
• The large to small bore washpipe is now standard on all Varco large bore
top drives.
Ongoing Development
Varco is continuing the effort to develop new and improved sealing
technologies. We will provide updates to this product bulletin to advise our
users as future developments arise related to washpipe design.
Please contact your local Varco Service Center if you have any questions regarding this
product bulletin.
TDS-02-17 - - PH-50 and PH-75 Pipehandler Unclamp Speed 12/13/02 All TDS-9SA, -11SAA and -11HP Top Drive Drilling
Improvements Systems
TDS-02-18 Yes - Report of Roller Assembly Falling from PH-60 12/13/02 All Top Drive Drilling Systems w/ PH-60 Pipehandlers
Pipehandler IBOP Actuator Shell (Single Crank IBOP Design only
TDS-03-01 - - Proper Setup for Siemens DB Choppers 1/16/03 All TDS-8SA, -9SA, -10SA & -11SA Top Drives with
Varco Control Systems utilizing Siemens 70 series
VFD’s
TDS-03-02 Yes - Report of Falling End Plate on Becket Assembly 1/17/03 All Varco Becket Assemblies
TDS-03-03 Yes - Report of Damaged Elevator Drill Pipe 1/20/03 All Varco TDS-9SA, -10SA and -11SA Top Drive
Assembly Drilling Systems w/ Type GG Drill Pipe Elevator
Assemblies
TDS-03-04 - - Possible Dowel Pin and Bolt Failures on 1/20/03 All TDS-4S Powered Rotating Head Assemblies
Powered Rotating Head Assemblies
TDS-03-05 Yes A Report of Sheared Hinge Joint Pin on TDS-11SA 2/27/04 All Varco IDS, TDS-9SA, -10SA and -11SA Top Drive
Guide Beam Assembly Drilling Systems
TDS-03-06 Yes - Potential Dropped Object from Link Tilt 2/5/03 All Top Drive Drilling Systems with PH-50, -55, -60, -
Intermediate Stop Release Cable 75, -85 and PH-100 Pipehandlers
TDS-03-07 - - Bumped/Broken Directional Control Valve Handle 2/7/03 TDS-11HP Top Drive Drilling Systems
TDS-03-08 Yes - Sheared Hinge Pin on PH-60 Pipehandler 2/18/03 All PH-60 Pipehandlers
TDS-03-09 Yes - Report of Stabbing Guide Falling from PH-50 2/19/03 PH-50, PH-75 and PH-100 Pipehandlers
Pipehandlers
TDS-03-10 Yes - Report of Broken Fasteners on TDS-11SA Motor 3/3/03 All TDS-11SA Top Drive Drilling Systems
Housing Guard
TDS-03-11 - - All Operators of PH-85 Upper IBOP Quick Change 3/21/03 PH-85 Pipe Handlers Using Upper IBOP Quick
Systems Change Systems (P/N 127700)
TDS-03-12 - A All Top Drive Operators with PH-50 and PH-75 3/27/03 PH-50 and -75 Pipe Handlers Used with TDS-9SA
Pipe Handlers and -11SA Top Drive Systems
TDS-03-13 - - All Operators of TDS-9SA and TDS-11SA Top 3/28/03 TDS-9SA and –11SA Top Drive Systems
Drive Drilling Systems
TDS-03-14 Yes - All PH-60 and PH-85 Pipe Handler Operators 3/28/03 PH-60/PH-85 Pipe Handlers
TDS-03-15 - - To Advise DC Top Drive Users of Motor Inspection 4/3/03 TDS-3H, -3S, -4H, -4S, -5 and -6S Top Drive Drilling
Following Jarring Systems
TDS-03-16 - - To Advise Users of Revised Lube Pressure Switch 4/10/03 Electrical Package, TDS-9SA, TDS-11SA and TDS-
Settings 11HP
TDS-03-17 - - To Advise Users of Proper Setup and Capabilities 4/15/03 TDS-11SA and 11HP Top Drives with PH-50/75
of Link Tilt Pipehandlers
TDS-03-18 Yes - Installation of Incorrect Parts in Swivel/Bail 5/12/03 TDS-3, TDS-3H, TDS-4H and TDS-5H Top Drives
Pin/Swivel Link Assemblies
TDS-03-19 - - Torque Values for TDS Drill String Load 5/16/03 All PH-50, -60, -75, -85 and PH-100 Pipehandlers
Carrying Components
TDS-03-20 - A Damaged Lower Guide Beam Tieback Link 6/3/03 All TDS-9SA, TDS-10SA, and TDS-11S Top Drive
During Saver Sub Break Out Drilling Systems w/PH-50 Pipehandlers
TDS-03-21 Yes - Counterbalance Mounting Bolts Falling from a 6/19/03 TDS-4S Units with the Remote Counterbalance (P/N
Top Drive 122549-100)
TDS-03-22 Yes A Damage to Attachment Bolts on TDS-11SA 12/16/03 TDS-9SA and TDS-11SA Top Drive Drilling Systems
Carriage Assembly
TDS-03-23 - - Operation of AC Top Drives in Encoder Bypass 6/22/03 Digital Encoder Assembly
Mode
TDS-03-24 - A Secondary Retention of Pins & Fasteners on Top 11/18/03 TDS-3, 4, 5, 7, 8SA, 9SA, 11SA, 11HP, IDS-1, IDS-3
Drive Drilling Systems and Top Drive Drilling
Systems PH-50, 55, 60,
75, 85 and 100 Pipe
Handlers
TDS-03-25 - - Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) Requirements 10/17/03 All Varco Top Drive Primary Load Carrying
Components
TDS-03-26 - - Maintenance of Hydraulic Piston Accumulators 10/20/03 All Varco Top Drive Drilling Systems
TDS-03-27 - - Upgrade of TDS-4S and TDS-8SA Oil Circulating 10/27/03 TDS-4S and TDS-8SA Oil Circulating Kits
Systems
TDS-03-28 - A Periodic Lubrication of TDS-9SA and -11SA AC 11/21/03 TDS-9SA and -11SA Motor Housing Assemblies
Drilling Motors
TDS-03-29 Yes - Falling Extension Spring from PH-85 Pipe Handler 12/2/03 All Top Drive Drilling Systems with PH-85 Pipe
Stabbing Guide Assembly Handlers
TDS-04-01 Yes - Sheared Retaining Pin on Torque Arrestor 2/20/04 TDS Torque Arrestor Assemblies (P/N 90471, 90471-1
and 90471-2)
TDS-04-02 Yes - Roller Assembly Failure Resulting in a Dropped 2/20/04 External Crank Assembly (P/N 98898)
Cam Follower from the IBOP External Crank
Assembly
TDS-04-03 - - Inductive Voltage Buildup on AC Top Drive Service 2/23/04 Power Service Loop Assemblies
Loops
TDS-04-04 Yes - Falling Stabilizer Liner on PH-75 Pipehandler 3/29/04 Clamp Cylinder Assembly, PH-75 (P/N 30157287)