THREAD GAUGING TECHNIQUES

API Tubing and Casing

Threads
 Connection Thread Styles
Straight Threads

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 API Connection Names

 EUE – External Upset Tubing  STC – Short Thread Casing

 NUE – Non-Upset Tubing  LTC – Long Thread Casing

 BTC – Buttress Casing

Datum

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 What are Tubing & Casing Threads

 Purpose: Join two pieces of pipe together to produce a gas tight seal

 API Specification 5B covers all Tubing and Casing dimensions

 There are two types of pipe sizes

◦ Tubing sizes: 1” – 4½”

◦ Casing sizes: 4½” – 20”

 There are two cone angles or tapers

◦ All 8-round threads are ¾” Taper Per Foot (TPF)

◦ Buttress sizes 4½”- 13⅜” are 1” TPF

◦ Buttress sizes 16”- 20” are 1” TPF

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 How Threads Lock Up and Seal

 There are no lock washers or jam nuts on tapered threads to lock them together

 The pin and box tapered threads interfere and allow them to form a seal when
torqued together as the flanks of the threads compress against each other.

 However, a clearance remains between the crests and roots of the threads,
resulting in a helical leak path

 Thread compounds or “pipe dope” plug up this helical path to produce a seal
under high pressures

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

8R Thread Form

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 What is a “Datum Plane”?
 Datum Plane- a starting point or reference location. Also referred to as
the face or end of pipe. Datum
Datum A Datum B

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 How do we get started?
 Request the product thread drawing

 Verify the thread form is correct

 Verify the threading insert is correct for the thread on the drawing

 Request a gage set up report

 List all the gage serial numbers used to inspect the part

 Verify the ball contact sizes are correct

 Set the gages to a zero on a calibrated standard

 Thread the part and start the inspection

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

TDWIN TAPER Drawing 7” LTC Pin

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Thread Lead Inspection with an LG-5002

Measuring the part

The LG-5002 measures the same way on the

part as on the standard.
 Set using a Standard
1. Place the fixed ball contact in the first full
 Double-check your zero setting
depth thread.
 Measure the part
2. Move the fixed ball back one thread and
 Compare the standard to the machined lead check again.
3. Record your measurement for comparison.

Note: Lead setting standards designs are based on the taper of the connection.

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Thread Height Inspection

 Set using a setting standard The TH-3002 is used the same

way on the part as on the
 Double check your zero setting standard.

 Measure the part 1. Measure only within the

perfect thread length. Perfect
thread length is labeled “L2”
on the product drawing.

2. Align the gage base parallel

to the thread axis and tilt the
base back and forth to obtain
the lowest reading.

3. Record your measurement.

8 Round thread height = .072125”
10 Round thread height = .05560”
Buttress ¾”TPF thread height = .0620”
Buttress 1”TPF thread height = .0620”

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Pin Taper Inspection with an ET-7000

Zero the dial on the first thread.

Do not lock the bezel clamp!

To inspect, move the gage up the taper 1”

(8-round = 8 threads, Buttress = 5 threads)

After moving back 1” up the taper, double-check

your radial position of the gage to the part or chuck

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Pin PD Inspection with the MRP-2001
(Crest Cone Diameter Inspection)
While holding the gage against the
part face, sweep left and right to find
the largest indicator value. Then,
rotate the gage 90° and repeat “B”
Standard
The MRP Shoe makes contact with the
crest cone
MRP-2001 is preset to size by the use
of “A” & “B” Rod Standards
The MIC TRAC can be used instead of
the standards
“A” Standard

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 What do you do with the MRP readings?
Largest and smallest indicator readings provide data for calculating Average Cone
Diameter (ACD) and Thread Ovality. They both use the same data but calculate
the readings in different ways.

Average Cone Diameter Ovality

The diameter of the part would be, How egg-shaped or out of round
if it were round the pipe is

(Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter) = ACD Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter = Ovality
LARGE
2 READING

SMALL
READING

Largest Smallest Averaged Largest Smallest

Ovality
Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
+.005 -.010 -.0025 +.005 -.010 .015
Largest Smallest Averaged Largest Smallest
Ovality
Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
-.005 -.010 -.0075 -.005 -.010 .005
Largest Smallest Averaged Largest Smallest
Ovality
Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
-.015 +.001 -.007 -.015 +.001 .016

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Average Cone Diameter
Average Cone Diameter is the distance across the face of the pipe or coupling.

Determining the “round” diameter of a connector requires locating the largest and the smallest
diameter readings on the part and taking the average of these two readings.
Largest Smallest Averaged Largest Smallest Averaged
Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
+.005 -.010 -.0025 +.005 -.005 .000

LARGE
READING

SMALL
READING

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Thread Ovality
Thread Ovality is the amount of out-of-roundness in a piece of pipe or a coupling.
Determining ovality requires locating the largest and the smallest diameter readings
on the part and adding the smallest reading to the largest reading. The ovality is the
difference between these values. Ovality readings are always positive (no sign
attached).
Largest Smallest Total Largest Smallest Total
Diameter Diameter Ovality Diameter Diameter Ovality
+.005 -.010 .015 +.005 -.005 .010

LARGE
READING

SMALL
READING

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Thread Form Inspection
TP-8R Profile inspecting pin and coupling thread. Always check the first starting thread.

Remember: When deburring the thread with a flapper wheel, burrs can be rolled into the thread groove.
When the connections are made up on the rig, burrs will cause galling.
Pin Length Inspection

Always keep the scale

parallel to the pipe axis.
(Note: A digital depth gage can be used in
place of a scale.)

L2=Perfect thread length.

Crest of thread must have a
full radius top.
L2
L4 L4=Last scratch length.

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

15 Minute
Break
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Datum A
Coupling Threads Datum B

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 How do we get started?
 Request the product thread drawing

 Verify the thread form is correct

 Verify the threading insert is correct for the thread on the drawing

 Request a gage set up report

 List all the gage serial numbers used to inspect the part

 Verify the ball contact sizes are correct

 Set the gages to a zero on a calibrated standard

 Thread the part and start the inspection

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

TDWIN TAPER Drawing 7” LTC Coupling

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Coupling Thread Lead Inspection with an LG-5002
 Set to zero using a standard
 Double check your zero setting
The LG-5002 measures the same way on the
 Measure the part part as on the standard.

1. Place the fixed ball contact in the first full

depth thread.
2. Move the fixed ball back one thread and
check again.
3. Record your measurement for
comparison.

Remember: Each different taper requires a different lead setting standard

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Coupling Thread Height Inspection with a TH-3006
 Set to zero using a standard
 Double check your zero setting

 Measure the part The TH-3006 is used the same way on the part as on the
standard.

1. Align the gage parallel to the thread axis.

2. Lift up and down to obtain the lowest reading.
3. Record your measurement.
Thread Heights: 8-Round = .0721”
Buttress = .0620”
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Coupling Taper Inspection with an IT-6000

Zero the dial on the first thread.

Do not lock the bezel clamp!
To inspect, move the gage down
the taper 1” or:
Note the radial location of the gage
8 threads for 8-round
to the part or chuck.
5 threads for Buttress
(6 or 12 o’clock is best)
After moving 1” down the taper,
double check your radial position of
the gage to the part or chuck.

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Coupling PD Inspection with an MRP-2002
(Crest Cone Diameter Inspection)

“B”
Standard

While
MRP-2002
holdingisthe
preset
gagetoagainst
size with the
use
the of “A”
part & sweep
face, “B” Rodleft
Standards
& right
to find the largest indicator value
The MIC TRAC can be used instead
of rod standards.
Rotate the gage 90° and repeat

“A”
Standard

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 MRP Reading Refresher

The Average Cone Diameter and Thread Ovality are calculated the
same for the coupling as for the pin
Refer to the previous slides for more detail
Ovality
How egg-shaped or out of round
Average Cone Diameter the pipe is
The diameter the pipe would be,
LARGE
if it were round READING

SMALL
READING

(Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter) = ACD Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter = Ovality
2

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

 Coupling Length Inspection
Q
“Q” is measured from the
coupling face to the start of
the 35° chamfer.

Always keep the scale

parallel to the coupling
axis.

NL/2 NL/2 = ½ the coupling

Coupling Length length.
(NL) NL = Length of coupling.

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
 Gagemaker Thread Inspection

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