Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

Inspection Frequencies
Revision Number: 0
Effectivity Date: 01/03/2013

Rev Date Description Change Note

0 01/03/13 First online publication

General
For the purpose of this document the drillstring is assumed to extend from the drill bit connection up to
but not including the top drive or kelly. These Guidelines presume that all inspections are performed as
described in the body of this document.

Analysis of autopsy data indicates that the majority of these failures are attributable to BHA connec-
tion fatigue, and that it is essential that the drillstring, and especially the BHA components, are inspected
at clearly defined intervals.

The inspection interval, or frequency, is set at a predetermined level to ensure that cracks are detected early
enough to prevent component failure downhole. Inspection is optimised at the most cost effective frequency
to avoid unnecessary inspections and to achieve the maximum detection rate. To minimise the possibility
of drillstring failure, regular inspection and/or replacement of drillstring components should be carried out
within the ’Window of Detection by Inspection’.

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 Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

In the past, drillstring inspections were set at arbitrary intervals based on rotating hours or footage drilled.
These inspections were performed on the basis of "experience" of an area or the use of a particular type
of component. Rarely were these inspection intervals any better than wild guesses; the need for drillstring
inspection depends on how severely (not how long) a component has been used.

These Drillstring Inspection Frequency Guidelines were developed from a detailed fatigue analysis study
of historical data from Shell Expro wells using the computer program NS-INSPECT:

NS-INSPECT assumes that each component in the drillstring already has a crack just small enough to
avoid having been detected at the last inspection. After the component goes into service, the program keeps
track of where it is in the drillstring and estimates how fast the hypothetical crack is growing. When the
program calculates that a component or group of components is approaching the end of its reliability curve
the user is alerted and an inspection can be scheduled for that component or group of components.

For critical wells (high build angles or rates), severe service wells or wells which fall outside these guidelines,
NS-INSPECT can provide a precise analysis of fatigue crack growth and produce a well specific drillstring
inspection program.

Bottomhole Assemblies
This is the area where historically the majority of drillstring failures investigated by Fearnley Procter have
occurred. Today, with the increasing use of top drives and the need for extended reach wells, BHA compo-
nents are being exposed to far greater levels of stress. It is essential that these components are inspected
on a regular basis to reflect the severity of their use. It is also important to ensure that rental items are
included in these inspections.

The BHA includes but is not limited to the following components:-

Heavyweight Drill Pipe, Drill Collars, Drilling Jars/Accelerators, MWD tools, Turbines/Mud Motors, Sta-
bilisers, Subs, Reamers, Hole Openers, etc.

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 Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

All Wells

• Inspect prior to spud of the first well on contract.

• Inspect after every 150 to 250 rotating hours.

Note: This is the Window of Detection – after a BHA component accumulates 150 rotating hours,
the component should be inspected at the next operationally convenient time. 250 rotating hours is
the absolute maximum upper limit of the window and BHA components reaching this limit shall be
inspected prior to further use.

When severe service has been encountered, BHA inspections should be performed as soon as practical and
certainly before the next well. Severe service is defined as:
High Static Loads

• Tension loads near pipe body yield strength (e.g. pulling on stuck pipe). BHA seldom sees this but
drill pipe does.
• Compressive loads greater than the buckling limit (e.g. dropped drillstring).
• Rotating torque that exceeds connection make-up torque.
• Unexpected doglegs (e.g. side tracks).

High Dynamic Loads

• Extensive jarring-over 12 hours.

• Evidence of severe vibration (e.g. high torque fluctuations, slip-stick, abnormal bit wear).
• Unexpected failures of downhole tools (e.g. MWD tools failing prematurely).
• Fatigue failures occurring prematurely in BHA components.

Drill Pipe
Vertical Wells

• Inspect prior to spud of the first well on contract.

• Inspect after every 35,000 ft M.D. of hole drilled (or each half year if footage records are not kept).
• Inspect after drilling a single well with a measured depth greater than 20,000 ft M.D.

Directional Wells

• Inspect prior to spud of the first well on contract.

• Inspect after every 30,000 ft M.D. of hole drilled (or each half year if footage records are not kept).
• After drilling a well greater than 13,500 ft M.D., remove and inspect all drill pipes which have been
rotated in or through the uppermost build zone after reaching 13,500 ft M.D. (see Figure A3.1).

The above inspection frequency guidelines do not apply under the following circumstances and NS-INSPECT
should be used to develop a well-specific inspection frequency program when the well plan or drilling opera-
tions exceed any one of the following:
– Rate of Penetration below 13,500 ft M.D averages less than 10 ft/hr.
– Surface R.P.M. below 13,500 ft M.D. averages more than 150 rpm.
– Rate of Build of uppermost build angle zone averages more than 3.0 degree/100ft.

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 Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

– T.V.D. greater than 10,500 ft.

Horizontal Wells

• Inspect prior to spud of the first well on contract.

• Inspect after every 30,000 ft M.D. of hole drilled (or each half year if footage records are not kept).
• After drilling a well greater than 13,500 ft M.D. remove and inspect all drillpipe which has been rotated
in or through the lowermost build zone after reaching 13,500 ft M.D. (see Figure A3.2).

The above inspection frequency guidelines do not apply under the following circumstances and NS-INSPECT
should be used to develop a well-specific inspection frequency program when the well plan or drilling opera-
tions exceed any one of the following:
– Rate of Penetration below 13,500 ft M.D averages less than 20 ft/hr.
– Surface R.P.M. below 13,500 ft M.D. averages more than 60 rpm.
– Rate of Build of lowermost build angle zone averages more than 5.0 degree/100ft.

Photocopying or reproducing this page in any way constitutes as an infringement of the license
agreement for the continued supply of the NS-2™ Service
 Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

Photocopying or reproducing this page in any way constitutes as an infringement of the license
agreement for the continued supply of the NS-2™ Service
 Drillstring Inspection Standard

Once printed this specification becomes an uncontrolled copy of the online version.

Photocopying or reproducing this page in any way constitutes as an infringement of the license
agreement for the continued supply of the NS-2™ Service