Product Safety Alert

Date: 19 December 2018

Bulletin Number: 1000012802-SA Revision: 01

Top Drive

Subject: Dropped Hang-off Link Shackle

Product Model: TDH-250, TDS-9SA, TDS-11SH, TDS-11HD, TDS-11SA, IDS-350, IDS-350PE,

IDS-4A, and TDS-8SGB Top Drive Drilling Systems

Effectivity: All TDH-250, TDS-9SA, TDS-11SH, TDS-11HD, TDS-11SA, IDS-350, IDS-350PE,

IDS-4A, and TDS-8SGB Top Drive Drilling Systems with Quick Rig-Up Guide
Beam Kit (Multiple Part Numbers)

Affected Assemblies: Assembly, Hang-off Link (P/N 30154900)

Objective
To inform customers of a dropped shackle from a TDS-11SA Quick Rig-up Guide Beam kit, and recommend
inspection procedures.

Issue
NOV has received a report of a Shackle, Anchor (P/N 118868), which had been in service for eight days,
failing and falling through the driller’s habitat onto the rig floor (Figure 1). The failure of the shackle
caused the guide beam assembly to drop until the assembly became bound to the lower tieback. No
injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

The anchor shackle, hang-off bracket, hang-off link plate, and hardware are part of the Assembly, Hang-
off Link (P/N 30154900), which attaches the Quick Rig-up Guide Beam assembly to the mast crown
padeye (Figure 2). The orientation and location of the crown padeye, as well as proper installation of the
hang-off link assembly, is provided in the service manual and general arrangement drawing provided in
the technical drawing package (TDP).

Solution
The incident is under investigation. The anchor shackle rating, application, and interfaces are consistent
with the manufacturer’s guidelines. The visual inspection of the anchor shackle revealed no indications
of yielding or overload. The fracture face appearance is consistent with a fatigue failure starting at the
inside surface of the bow. Although the installation orientation or prior history of use is not known for

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the shackle, there are signs of side loading, which reduces the working load limit by 50% (Figure 3). The
guide beam hang-off components are not subjected to significant cyclic loading. The indications that this
is a fatigue failure may suggest unexpected vertical loading of the guide beam due to binding or
unexpected drilling practices.

In the interim, NOV recommends that customers inspect their anchor shackle for deformation or cracks
using magnetic particle inspection (MPI) “wet method,” dye-pen, or similar form of non-destructive
examination (NDE) either within a month of receiving this safety alert or during the next monthly
“Crown Padeye and Hang-off Link” inspection (Figure 4). If cracks are found, then immediately replace
the anchor shackle prior to resuming operations. The replacement shackles should be new or verified
using NDE prior to installation.

NOV also recommends the review of drilling operations for signs of unusual repeated vertical loading or
unloading of the guide beam. The following is a proposed review method:

• Temporarily hang a weighted string from the bottom of the beam that stops just short of the
drill floor.
• Watch the weight during drilling and hoisting for vertical motion.

This inspection should be performed for a sample period for each type of rig activity (drilling, tripping,
casing, etc.). If unusual motion is detected, record the approximate length of motion and conditions that
creates the motion. Report the findings to the designated NOV Service Center.

Ordering and Contact Information

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center, with reference to PB
1000012802-SA, for further assistance.

Economic Impact

No Economic Impact.

Customers should also refer to previous NOV Product Bulletins for additional information regarding safe
operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria by signing in to your MYNOV account at
https://portal.mynov.com and then searching with the Product Bulletin Search available below the
heading ‘Application Groups’. For information on registering, please visit
https://www.nov.com/Search/register.aspx.

Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Manuals and Product Bulletins may
result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center if you have any questions
regarding this bulletin.

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 Product Safety Alert

Figure 1 (Left) Broken shackle; (Right) Fracture surface

Anchor Shackle Padeye

Hang-off Link
Plate

Hang-off Link
Bracket

Guide Beam
Assembly

Figure 2 (Left) Front view; (Right) Side view of hang-off link installation

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 Product Safety Alert

Figure 3 Plastic deformation suggesting side loading of shackle

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 Product Safety Alert

Figure 4 Excerpt of maintenance schedule from service manual

Revision History
Revision Date Change Description
00 Month 0000 (vertical line to the side of a paragraph indicates a change)
01 19 December 2018 Initial release

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