Procedure 1K233 Rev.

04
ECN: 66350

August 23, 2022

Grant Prideco™
NOV Wellbore Technologies
Product Management Dept.
10100 Houston Oaks Dr.
Houston, TX 77064
+1 (281) 921‐3600 main
nov.com/grantprideco/

FIELD INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR USED DELTA™ AND wDELTA™

CONNECTIONS

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 This document defines the field inspection procedure for used Delta and wDelta
connections.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 The following procedure stipulates the equipment, inspection methods, and
acceptance/rejection criteria for field inspection, as well as repair of Delta and
wDelta connections. This inspection encompasses both visual and dimensional
methods. Any questions or concerns should be referred to Grant Prideco™ for
resolution.

2.1.1 For instructions for the inspection of the connection attributes affected by
the installation of the IntelliServ™ components on wired connections,
please refer to the IntelliServ documentation. These attributes are not
covered by this procedure.

3.0 REFERENCES

3.1 The latest edition or revision of the following specifications, standards, and
drawings shall form part of this specification:

3.1.1 Delta and wDelta Connection Field Inspection Dimensions Drawing

3.1.2 Product Performance Datasheets

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4.0 DEFINITIONS

4.1 Damage: Includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions: galls, nicks,
washes, fins, dents, scratches, pits, or cuts. Excludes discoloration or other
superficial anomalies that alter the appearance only.

4.2 Refacing Operation: All process(es) performed to remove material from the
make-up shoulders of a connection for refacing repair (this does not include
rethreading), from the time it is removed from service, until it is put back into
service. This may be performed in a single pass or multiple passes.

4.3 Licensed and Qualified Facilities: Grant Prideco™ facilities or third party
workshops, which are licensed and qualified to thread Grant Prideco connection
technologies. The following link (https://wbtapps.nov.com/gp/facility-
locator/index.html) can be used to identify a nearby workshop and find out, in
real time, contact information and which technologies each facility is licensed and
qualified to thread, as well as confirm if the facility is current with its qualification
to thread.

4.4 Minimum service tool joint OD: The minimum service tool joint OD shall be
provided by the product user/owner, based on the drilling program requirements,
with the request for the inspection, and shall be equal to or greater than:

4.4.1 The minimum OD dimension defined on the “Field Inspection Dimensions”

drawing, latest revision AND

4.4.2 The Premium OD on the performance datasheet

4.5 Thread Surfaces: The thread surfaces include roots, crests, and flanks.

4.6 Pit Free Zone: Area of the connection where pitting is not permitted in the
thread roots. Reference “Field Inspection Dimensions” drawing, latest revision.

4.7 Effective Tong Length: Effective Tong Length is the length of the cylindrical
section of the tool joint OD as measured from the primary make-up shoulder that
is free of hardbanding and/or raised features, as shown in Figure 1. Recessed
features, such as mill flats, grooves, RFID tags, etc. are disregarded for this
measurement.

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 Figure 1: Tong Length Measurements

5.0 Procedure

5.1 Equipment: The equipment listed below shall be required to perform these
inspections.

5.1.1 Generic
5.1.1.1 12” Steel Rule graduated in 1/64”

5.1.1.2 Outside and Inside Diameter Spring Calipers

5.1.1.3 Long Stroke Depth Micrometer

5.1.1.4 Setting Standards for Depth Micrometer

5.1.1.5 Lead Gauge (ref. Section 5.1.2.3 for contacts)

5.1.1.6 Pit Gauge

5.1.2 Acquired through Grant Prideco™

5.1.2.1 Delta™ Thread Profile Gauge for both Delta or wDelta™

5.1.2.2 Lead Gauge Setting Standard

5.1.2.3 Lead Gauge Contacts (0.165” diameter)

5.1.2.4 Please address all inquiries to the applicable email address below:

5.1.2.4.1 Americas: GPFieldInspectionAmericas@nov.com

5.1.2.4.2 Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa: GPFieldInspectionESSA@nov.com

5.1.2.4.3 Middle-East & Northern Africa: GPFieldInspectionMENA@nov.com

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 5.1.2.4.4 Russia and CIS: GPFieldInspectionRCIS@nov.com

5.1.2.4.5 Asia Pacific and India: GPFieldInspectionAPAC@nov.com

5.2 Preparation: All thread, make-up shoulders, and seal surfaces shall be cleaned
sufficiently to allow for visual inspection. The starting threads of the pin and box
connections should be cleaned using a “soft wheel” or other buffing method.

5.2.1 NOTE: The cleaning should not buff off or remove the phosphate coating.

5.3 Visual inspection:

5.3.1 Refer to the latest revision of the appropriate “Field Inspection Dimensions”
drawing for terminology and shoulder locations.

5.3.2 Primary Make-up Shoulder (External Sealing Shoulder): The seal surface
shall be free of any damage that exceeds the limits of Sections 5.3.2.1,
5.3.2.2, or 5.3.2.3 (below).
5.3.2.1 Damage that exceeds 3/64” in depth is not acceptable.

5.3.2.2 Any location where the seal surface has damage that cumulatively
covers more than 1/3 of the radial width (ref. Figure 2) is not
acceptable. See Figure 3 for a few examples of damage.

Figure 2: Radial Width of Primary Make-up Shoulder

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 Accepted Damage Rejected Damage

𝑊 𝑊
𝐸 𝐹 𝐴
3 3
𝑊
𝐺 𝐼
3
𝑊
(Hw is not located at the same radial 𝐵 𝐶 𝐷
3
position as Gw and Iw, and is therefore not
added to the total width at this location)

Figure 3: Examples of Damage on Primary Make-up Shoulder

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 5.3.2.3 Any metal protrusion above the seal surface is not acceptable. (Filing
on the Primary Make-up Shoulder is not permitted.)

5.3.2.4 If the damage exceeds any of these limits, repair by refacing (per
Section 5.5.2) or rethreading (per Section 5.5.3), as applicable.

5.3.3 Secondary Make-up Shoulder (Internal Mechanical Stop or Torque

Shoulder): The Secondary Make-up Shoulder is not a sealing surface.
Damage is not critical unless it exceeds the limits of Sections 5.3.3.1 or
5.3.3.2 (below).
5.3.3.1 Damage around the circumference, to the extent that there is no
position where the connection length can accurately be measured in
two locations approximately 180° apart, is not acceptable.

5.3.3.2 Any metal protrusion above the surface is not acceptable and shall
be removed by filing, soft wheel, or other buffing method, and
protected by applying coating to the repaired areas per Section 5.5.4.

5.3.3.3 If the damage exceeds any of these limits and cannot be repaired per
Section 5.3.3.2, repair by refacing (per Section 5.5.2) or rethreading
(per Section 5.5.3), as applicable.

5.3.4 Thread Surface: The thread surfaces shall be free of damage that exceeds
the limits of Sections 5.3.4.1, 5.3.4.2, 5.3.4.3, or 5.3.4.4 (below).
5.3.4.1 Any metal protrusion above the thread surface is not acceptable and
shall be removed using filing, soft wheel, or other buffing method,
and protected by applying coating to the repaired areas per Section
5.5.4. (Filing is not permitted in the thread roots.) Care shall be taken
to prevent damaging adjacent thread surfaces while attempting to
repair the damage.

5.3.4.2 The thread flank surfaces shall be free of damage that exceeds 1/16”
in depth or 1/8” in diameter/width. (For damage that is not round, the
1/8” requirement applies to the width of the damage, and shall not
apply to the length of the damage along the circumference. See
Figure 4.)

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 Figure 4: Dimensions of Damage on Thread Flanks

5.3.4.3 Any damage in the thread roots located within the Pit Free Zone
designated on the “Field Inspection Dimensions” drawing, latest
revision, is not acceptable.

5.3.4.4 For thread roots outside the designated Pit Free Zone, damage that
exceeds 1/32” in depth or 1/8” in diameter/width is not acceptable.
(For damage that is not round, the 1/8” requirement applies to the
width of the damage, and shall not apply to the length of the damage
along the circumference.)

5.3.4.5 If the damage exceeds any of these limits and cannot be repaired per
Section 5.3.4.1, repair by rethreading (per Section 5.5.3).

5.3.5 Thread Profile: The thread profile shall be verified along the length of the full
form threads in two locations at least 90° apart. The profile gauge shall
mesh evenly in the threads and show normal contact. If the profile gauge
does not mesh in the threads, lead measurements shall be taken (ref.
Section 5.4.2).

5.3.6 Cracks: Any cracks identified during the inspection process are not
acceptable. If possible, repair by rethreading (per Section 5.5.3).

5.4 Dimensional Inspection:

5.4.1 Measurements shall not be taken in areas where surface condition prevents
accurate measurements.

5.4.2 Lead: The thread lead shall be measured, if required by Section 5.3.5. The
lead shall be measured over a 2” interval and shall not exceed 0.006”. If the
measured lead exceeds these limits, repair by rethreading (per Section
5.5.3).

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 5.4.3 Box Outside Diameter: The outside diameter of the box shall be measured
at a distance of 5/8” ± 1/4” from the primary make-up shoulder. The box OD
shall be verified around the circumference to meet the minimum service tool
joint OD.

5.4.4 Box Counterbore Diameter: The inside diameter of the box counterbore
shall be verified in two locations 90° apart. Diameters shall not exceed the
limits of the “Field Inspection Dimensions” drawing, latest revision. If the
diameter exceeds these limits, repair by rethreading (per Section 5.5.3).

5.4.5 Box Counterbore Wall Thickness: The wall thickness between the “Box
Outside Diameter” and “Box Counterbore Diameter” shall be measured to
ensure that it exceeds the minimum dimension, as stated on the “Field
Inspection Dimensions” drawing, latest revision.

5.4.6 Box Connection Length: The distance between the primary and secondary
make-up shoulders shall be verified in two locations 180° apart. This
distance shall be compared to the requirement on the “Field Inspection
Dimensions” drawing, latest revision, to determine acceptance or rejection.
If the connection length exceeds these limits, repair by refacing (per Section
5.5.2) or rethreading (per Section 5.5.3), as applicable.

5.4.7 Pin Nose Diameter: The outside diameter of the pin nose shall be verified
in two locations 90° apart. Diameters shall not exceed the limits of the “Field
Inspection Dimensions” drawing, latest revision. If the diameter exceeds
these limits, repair by rethreading (per Section 5.5.3).

5.4.8 Pin Connection Length: The distance between the primary and secondary
make-up shoulders shall be verified in two locations 180° apart. This
distance shall be compared to the requirement on the “Field Inspection
Dimensions” drawing, latest revision, to determine acceptance or rejection.
If the connection length exceeds these limits, repair by refacing (per Section
5.5.2) or rethreading (per Section 5.5.3), as applicable.

5.4.9 Effective Tong Length: In order to ensure sufficient tong length, the
effective tong length is verified, rather than the overall tool joint tong length
as defined on new product (ref. Section 4.7). The minimum effective tong
length shall meet or exceed the requirements in Sections 5.4.9.1 and
5.4.9.2.
5.4.9.1 The absolute minimum effective tong length requirement for boxes
shall be at least equal to a minimum of the connection length + 1”.
There is no absolute minimum effective tong length requirement for
pins.

5.4.9.2 Users/owners shall establish the minimum effective tong lengths for
pins and boxes based on tonging equipment capabilities, accounting

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 for the tong free area as defined in the Grant Prideco™ Running and
Handling Procedures.

5.4.9.2.1 If information regarding tongs to be used is not available, the

minimum effective tong length requirement for pins shall be 6"
and the minimum effective box tong length, in addition to
Section 5.4.9.1, shall be 6 ½”.

5.5 Methods of Repair

5.5.1 Any repair operation shall be performed on connections that have been
cleaned as per standard industry practice.

5.5.2 Refacing: Repair by Refacing may only be used to attempt to repair make-
up shoulder damage less than or equal to 3/64” in depth, and/or connection
length discrepancies that are less than 1/32” out of spec.
5.5.2.1 As typical of the rotary shoulder connection reface process, a
maximum of 1/32” of material may be removed from the primary
make-up shoulder during each refacing operation, after which the
joint shall be placed back into service prior to performing any
additional refacing repair.

5.5.2.2 The cumulative total material removal from the primary make-up
shoulder for all refacing operations shall not exceed 3/32” before
rethreading is required.

5.5.2.3 Repair by refacing methods shall only remove sufficient material to

repair the damage. However, when damage is less than 1/32” deep,
all damage shall be removed from the primary make-up shoulder.

5.5.2.4 After the maximum reface allowance is met, any remaining damage
on the primary make-up shoulder shall not be deeper than 1/64” and
shall meet all other requirements of this procedure.

5.5.2.5 If the connection cannot be brought back within the acceptable limits
outlined in this procedure without removing more than 1/32” of
material from the primary make-up shoulder, then rethreading shall
be required.

5.5.2.6 Both the primary make-up shoulder and secondary make-up

shoulder shall be skimmed/machined during a refacing operation for
all double shoulder connections.

5.5.2.7 Machine refacing in a lathe is the preferred method.

5.5.2.8 If the portable field refacing unit method is used, the variability of face
flatness and squareness is introduced and shall be monitored by

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 taking the connection length measurements in a minimum of four
locations, equally spaced around the circumference. Each
measurement shall be within the limits of the “Field Inspection
Dimensions” drawing, latest revision.

5.5.2.9 Xmark + Benchmark: After refacing repair, a visible step on the

benchmark shall remain on the primary make-up shoulder. The step
is a necessary indicator that a benchmark is still present.
Rethreading is required if there is no visible benchmark. See Figure 5
below.

New Benchmark Max. Removed per Max. Reface

Reface (With visible step)
Figure 5: Refacing with the Xmark + Benchmark

5.5.2.10 GPmark + Benchmark: After refacing repair, a minimum length of

1/16” (0.063”) shall remain on the box refacing benchmark, and 3/16”
maximum (0.188”) shall remain on the pin refacing benchmark, as
shown in Figure 6. Rethreading is required if excess material is
removed.

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 New Benchmark Max. Removed per Max. Reface
Reface
Figure 6: Refacing with the GPmark™ + Benchmark

5.5.2.11 After refacing repair, apply coating per Section 5.5.4

5.5.3 Rethreading: This method shall be used to repair connections that fail to
meet the requirements stipulated in this inspection procedure, and shall be
performed by Grant Prideco™ or a qualified licensee of Grant Prideco.
Performance of this operation may not require complete removal of the
thread body, if sufficient material can be removed to comply with the new
product requirements. The connection does not have to be “reblanked”,
however both make-up shoulders and thread elements shall be machined to
100% “bright metal”. This is not necessary for cylindrical diameters.
5.5.3.1 Benchmark: When the tool joint outer diameter has worn down to the
extent that a complete Xmark™ + benchmark can no longer be
remachined, it shall be replaced by a GPmark + benchmark.

5.5.3.2 If cracks were identified prior to rethreading, the area containing

cracks shall be cut off prior to rethreading the connection. After
rethreading, the connection shall be inspected by magnetic-particle
inspection to verify no cracks remain.

5.5.3.3 After rethreading, apply coating per Section 5.5.4.

5.5.4 Coating: All repaired surfaces shall be protected by:

5.5.4.1 Threads and make-up shoulders that are repaired by filing or refacing
shall be protected by hot phosphate coating, or by using copper

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 sulfate or other commercially available effective surface etchant
products suitable for rotary shoulder connections.

5.5.4.2 All rethreaded connections shall be protected by hot phosphate

coating only.

5.6 Post Inspection and/or Post Repair Connection Protection: Following inspection
and/or repair, connections shall be prepared for use or storage, and protected
per product user/owner requirements.

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6.0 REVISION HISTORY

Revision Revision Completed Description of Change(s) Checked Approved

Date by: by: by:
Rev: 01 01-Dec-16 Emily Initial Release Ben Fisher Jason
ECN# 54055 Watson Howell
Rev: 02 24-Mar-17 Emily Added contacts for gauge inquiries, Jason Ben
ECN# 54071 Watson added clarification that filing is not Howell Fisher
permitted on the primary make-up
shoulder or thread roots, added
revision tracker, and made some
minor additional clarifications.
Rev: 03 22-Sept-17 Hector Added definitions, new figures, Jossette Russ
ECN# 54113 Handal requirements regarding cracks, Aguilar Moncrief
reformatted numbers, and made
some other minor clarifications.
Added requirement to clean prior to
repair, and added Post
Inspection/Repair section.
Rev: 04 23-Aug-22 Emily Added wDelta™ into list of Michelle David
ECN# 66350 Watson connections throughout document Diefenbach Chin
and added exception to scope for
attributes affected by wiring. 27-Sep-22 6-Oct-22
Removed metal-to-metal seal note
from Section 4.3 and updated logo.

Author Product Engineering: Emily Watson

Approval Product Engineering Manager: John Price
Field Service and Claims: Dan Morgan
Marketing and Product Management: Glenn Brown

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