Why Does The Drill Pipe Bend? How To Deal with It?

In oil production, the drill pipe, casing pipe and tubing together constitute a complete wellbore system. The drill pipe drives the drill bit to rotate and circulate the drilling fluid. There are often some problems in the use process, such as the drill pipe may bend under certain circumstances.

In drilling operations, the drill pipe, as one of the key equipment, undertakes the important task of transmitting power to the drill bit. However, in actual use, the drill pipe may bend, which will not only affect the drilling progress, but also may cause safety accidents. So, why does the drill pipe bend? How should we deal with it?

Causes of drill pipe bending

1. Geological factors

During the drilling process, factors such as the unevenness of the formation and the alternation of soft and hard rocks may cause the drill pipe to be subjected to uneven resistance, resulting in bending. In addition, factors such as changes in groundwater levels and formation inclination may also affect the stability of the drill pipe.

2. Improper operation

The skill level and operating experience of drilling operators have a direct impact on the stability of the drill pipe. For example, improper operation such as too fast drilling speed and too high drilling pressure may cause uneven force on the drill pipe, which may lead to bending.

3. Equipment failure

The performance of the drill rig, the material and manufacturing process of the drill pipe, and other factors may also cause the drill pipe to bend. For example, when the drill rig fails, it may cause unstable force on the drill pipe; and poor material or poor manufacturing process of the drill pipe may cause it to bend after a certain pressure.

‌4. Problems with drill pipe material‌

Poor material of the drill pipe may cause it to bend easily when under pressure‌.

‌5. The drill pipe has been used for too long‌

The drill pipe used for a long time may become fragile and easy to bend due to wear and fatigue‌.

‌6. Uneven force on the drill pipe‌

During the drilling process, if the drill pipe is unevenly stressed, it is easy to cause it to bend‌.

‌7. The drill rig is not leveled‌

If the drill rig is not installed firmly or the vertical axis is not in the right direction, it may cause uneven force on the drill pipe, which will bend‌.

Countermeasures for drill pipe bending

1. Strengthen equipment inspection and maintenance

Inspect and maintain the drilling rig regularly to ensure that it is in good working condition. At the same time, regularly inspect the drill pipe and replace damaged or aged drill pipe in time.

2. Optimize drilling operations

Improve the skill level and operating experience of drilling operators to ensure that parameters such as drilling speed and drilling pressure are controlled within a reasonable range. In addition, choose a suitable drilling method according to geological conditions to reduce the risk of drill pipe bending.

3. Take effective preventive measures

When selecting drill pipes, choose high-quality materials according to the usage. During the drilling process, some effective preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of drill pipe bending. For example, adjust the drilling parameters in time during the drilling process, use equipment such as shock absorbers to reduce the impact and vibration of the drill pipe, etc.

Summary

In short, drill pipe bending is one of the common problems in drilling operations, and the main reasons include geological factors, improper operation and equipment failure. By strengthening equipment inspection and maintenance, optimizing drilling operations and taking effective preventive measures, we can reduce the risk of its occurrence and improve the safety and efficiency of drilling operations.