The Simple Process for Saving Cash in Oil Drilling
Drill string assemblies are complex, sophisticated, and utterly essential systems in the oil and gas industry, down to the smallest parts.
The importance of the connections that keep these systems running is not only key for environmental and work efficiency, it’s also crucial to saving costs – according to reports, a failed connection in offshore drilling comes with an average price tag of $250,000 a day.
Cold root rolling, an independent mechanical process that strengthens the connections in question, may offer the most innovative solution the industry has seen yet.
The Basics
Cold root rolling involves a specialized set of tools that burnish the root radius of a cut thread in a rotary shouldered connection. The tools are versatile, affordable and compatible with the existing equipment at most companies.
Burnishing changes the structure of steel material on a fundamental, atomic level. The work-hardening effect on the surface results in a shift from typical, crystalline steel structure to a dislocated, interlocked steel. The resulting material is less susceptible to shallow cracking and wider structural flaws and damage.
The Perks
With this increased strength, studies have shown an increase of three to five times in the joint life of cold root rolled connections. In an unsteady oil and gas industry, less maintenance and downtime promise major advantages for equipment manufacturers. For more information about the benefits of cold root rolling, visit coldrootrolling.com.
This article was submitted by CJWinter.