A drill pipe is a seamless steel pipe that is at the core of drilling for oil and gas. It constitutes a major part of the drill string, transmitting torque and transporting drilling fluid or mud from the surface down to the drill bit.
However, for specific drilling requirements, increased weight on the bit and better strength and durability are necessary to penetrate challenging formations and bear extreme drilling conditions. That is where a heavy weight drill pipe comes in.
Read on to learn more about heavy weight drill pipe weight, including factors influencing its weight.
| (Nominal Size/ Outer Diameter) (inches) | Inner Diameter(Inches) | Tool Joint Outer Diameter(Inches) | Connection Type | Tool Joint Inner Diameter(Inches) | Weight (lbs/ foot) |
| 2 7/8 | 1 1/2 | 3 3/8 | NC 26 | 1-1/2 | 17 |
| 3 1/2 | 2 1/16 | 4 3/4 | NC 38 | 2 1/4 | 25 |
| 4 | 2 9/16 | 5 1/4 | NC 40 | 2 9/16 | 29 |
| 4 1/2 | 2 3/4 | 6-1/4 | NC 46 | 2 3/4 | 41 |
| 5 | 3 | 6-5/8 | NC 50 | 3 | 50 |
| 5 1/2 | 3 1/4 | 7 | 5 1/2 FH | 3 1/4 | 61 |
| 6 5/8 | 4 1/2 | 8 | 6 5/8 FH | 4 1/2 | 70 |
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe Usage
A heavy weight drill pipe is similar to a conventional drill pipe but is a specialized pipe with increased strength and weight, featuring walls that could be up to thrice as thick and longer tool joints for added weight on the bit. It also features a center upset or wear pad, making it less prone to differential sticking by preventing the external surface of the pipe from rubbing against the wellbore walls.
The high-strength steel pipe is placed near the top of the drill string, and its function is to provide extra weight and stiffness on the drill string and serve as an intermediary piece to reduce stress concentration between the drill pipe and drill collar.
That helps enhance the rate of penetration, offer more stability and accuracy, reduce downhole vibration, and prevent drill string fatigue failures by alleviating stress between the drill pipe and drill collar.
Its higher tensile strength and durability make it suitable for challenging drilling projects to counter added stress and pressures, such as penetrating tough formations.
A spiral heavyweight drill pipe features spiral grooves machined into its external surface. That reduces the contact area between the pipe and the wellbore wall, helping better mitigate the risk of differential sticking problems during vertical and directional drilling.
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe Size
A heavy weight drill pipe comes in diameters, lengths, and weights to suit unique drilling operations.
The standard sizes for heavy weight drill pipe as defined by API Spec 7-1 range from 2 3/8 to 6 5/8 inches in outer diameter while the length could be anywhere between 18-31 feet, which falls under range 1 and 2.
However, depending upon the drilling operation requirements, a heavy weight drill pipe could be as long as 38-45 feet, such as for deep well drilling, and these lengths come under range 3.
How Much Does a Heavy Weight Drill Pipe Weigh?
When it comes to weight, a heavy weight drill pipe is heavier than a standard drill pipe to withstand the added pressures and axial loads. It weighs more per foot due to its thicker walls, even though the outer diameter is the same as the standard drill pipe. A heavy weight drill pipe weight can vary based on certain specifications, but it generally falls between the drill pipe and drill collar.
On average, a heavy weight drill pipe can weigh 17 to 70 lbs per foot, depending on key dimensions and specifications like the outer diameter, nominal wall thickness, and several other factors.
What Other Factors Affect the Weight of a Heavy Weight Drill Pipe?
Besides the outer diameter and thicker walls, the heavy-duty alloy steel pipe’s weight is also mainly influenced by factors including:
Steel Grade
A heavy weight drill pipe undergoes a specialized manufacturing process and is made from high-strength materials, typically 4145H alloy steel. These materials are denser and heavier than carbon steel pipe or galvanized steel pipe and are designed to offer exceptional tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
The high-strength alloy provides better mechanical properties and excellent wear resistance but also increases the weight of the pipe.
Tool Joints
The heavy weight drill pipe features larger and heavier tool joints than a standard drill pipe. The tool joints are the threaded ends of the pipe that connect to the drill collars and the drill string. These tool joints contribute significantly to the overall weight of the pipe.
Added Features
Additional features like hard banding and internal plastic coating also increase the weight of the heavy weight drill pipe. Hardbanding is a protective layer on the tool joints or center wear pad that protects it from wear and abrasion and minimizes casing wear. Likewise, internal pipe coating prevents corrosion in the inner surface of the pipe.
Both of these enhance the durability and lifespan of the heavy weight drill pipe.
Choosing the correct drill pipe for your project often requires consulting a drill pipe classification chart to ensure you are using the proper specifications for your needs. These charts help guide decisions about compatibility and performance based on detailed pipe specifications.
About Sophia Oilfield Supply Services
As a leading distributor of drilling products and equipment, SOSSUSA takes pride in providing the highest quality new and used drill pipe for sale.
We fully understand the importance of the right-sized drill pipe for any drilling project. Accordingly, our experienced team is available to assist you in selecting the appropriate heavy weight drill pipe for your specific drilling needs, minimizing the risk of failures while ensuring maximum operational efficiency on the oilfield.
Contact us today for a customized estimate for our heavy weight drill pipe, and we will be more than happy to discuss further!