Guillaume Plessis

High Performance, Slim-hole Drilling with 4 in. Drill Pipe and a Streamline Connection

Saudi Aramco and Total Indonesia used 4-in. drillpipe with streamlined double-shoulder connections to drill wells for which 31/2-in. drillpipe was unsuitable. The 4-in. drillpipe with enhanced torsional, tensile, and hydraulic characteristics was used to drill longer slimholes at a lower overall cost. The selected double-shoulder connection has an outside diameter (OD) similar to standard 31/2-in.-drillpipe tool joints while maintaining the fishability of the 4-in. pipe in casing and open hole. The streamline-connection design provides 22,000 ft-lbf of working torque, a 47/8-in. OD, and an oversized internal bore that promotes hydraulic efficiency.