OCTG PIPING

INSPECTION
METHODS

Prepared by :
Inspect.ALI HASHIM
OIL COUNTRY TUBULAR GOODS
(OCTG)
Definition:

Pipe and tube products used in petroleum

industry, such as:
 drill pipe.
 casing (lines the wellbore).
 tubing (transport the oil and gas to the
surface).
DRILL PIPE
Drill pipe, is hollow, thin-walled, steel or
aluminium alloy piping that is used on
drilling rigs. It is hollow to allow drilling
fluid to be pumped down the hole through
the bit and back up the annulus. It comes
in a variety of sizes, strengths, and wall
thicknesses, but is typically 27 to 32 feet in
length (Range 2). Longer lengths, up to 45
feet, exist (Range 3).
DRILL PIPE
Drill pipe is a portion of the overall drill string. The
drill string consists of both drill pipe and the
bottom hole assembly (BHA), which is the tubular
portion closest to the bit. The BHA will be made
of thicker walled heavy weight drill pipe (HWDP)
and drill collars, which have a larger outside
diameter and provide weight to the drill bit and
stiffness to the drilling assembly. Other BHA
components can include a mud motor,
stabilizers, and various specialty down hole
tools. The drill stem includes the entire drill
string, plus the Kelly that imparts rotation and
torque to the drill pipe at the top.
DRILL PIPE
HEAVY WEIGHT DRILL PIPE
(HWDP)
DRILL COLLARS
MUD MOTOR
STABILIZERS
KELLY
OCTG PIPING INSPECTION
METHODS

An OCTG inspection can involve nothing more

than a trained human eye, or it can entail a
complex variety of special tools and
techniques. Inspections apply to rigs, drill
piping, drill tools, casing and tubing.
OCTG PIPING INSPECTION
METHODS
First and foremost, inspectors aim to identify
potential damage and deterioration of the
piping through cracks, dents, and corrosion.
Inspectors go on to measure the thickness
and straightness of the tubing, as well as
inspect the threading for gaps or flaws at the
thread roots.
NDT METHODS TO INSPECT
OCTG
 Visual Inspection (VI).
 Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI).
 Electromagnetic Inspection (EMI).
 Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
 Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI).
 Hydrostatic Test.
VISUAL INSPECTION (VI)

Flag off Damaged thread

Pitting on thread

Galled thread
MAGNETIC PARTICLE
INSPECTION (MPI)
By magnetizing a pipe, the presence of a
surface or slightly below-surface flaw in the
pipe allows the magnetic flux to leak, since
air cannot hold as much magnetic field as
metals. Iron particles are then applied to the
pipe; if there is a crack present, the
particles will be attracted to this area of the
pipe. This spot is called an indication.
MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION (MPI)

cracks on L80-13Cr casing

ELECTROMAGNETIC INSPECTION
(EMI)

Process of inducing electric currents or magnetic

fields or both inside a test object and observing
the electromagnetic response. If the test is set
up properly, a defect inside the test object
creates a measurable response.
ELECTROMAGNETIC INSPECTION
(EMI)
ELECTROMAGNETIC INSPECTION
(EMI)
ULTRASONIC TESTING (UT)

 LEFT: A probe sends a sound wave into a test material.

There are two indications, one from the initial pulse of the
probe, and the second due to the back wall echo. RIGHT: A
defect creates a third indication and simultaneously
reduces the amplitude of the back wall indication. The
depth of the defect is determined by the ratio D/Ep
ULTRASONIC TESTING (UT)
DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
(DPI)

DPI is based upon capillary action, where low

surface tension fluid penetrates into clean and
dry surface-breaking discontinuities.
DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION
(DPI)
HYDROSTATIC TEST
The test involves filling the vessel or pipe
system with a liquid, usually water, which
may be dyed to aid in visual leak detection,
and pressurization of the vessel to the
specified test pressure. 
HYDROSTATIC TEST