Aluminum Drill Pipes Replace Steel Pipes, Giving Oil RIGS a New Look

With the development of oil and gas exploration to deep wells, ultra-deep wells, directional wells, horizontal wells, H2S and CO2 oil and gas wells, offshore wells and other complex wells, it becomes an inevitable trend to study drilling tools suitable for exploration and development of complex well conditions. The research shows that aluminum drill pipe has significant advantages in improving drilling depth, corrosion resistance, reducing hook load and drilling operations in directional and horizontal wells.

The characteristics of aluminum drill pipe are as follows:

1. Improve the ability to drill deep

The density of the aluminum drill pipe is about 1/3 that of the steel drill pipe, and the ratio of strength to mass of the aluminum drill pipe is 1.5 ~ 2.0 times that of the steel drill pipe. Under the condition of certain drilling capacity, the application of the aluminum drill pipe can reach the depth of the well which cannot be reached by the steel drill pipe.

2. Good corrosion resistance

The chemical properties of aluminum and its alloy elements are relatively active. When it reacts with oxygen, a stable oxide film will be formed on the surface to prevent it from further reaction with the surrounding environment. Aluminum drill pipe will not corrode in saturated CO2 solution for a long time. After practical use, the aluminum drill pipe can effectively prevent the corrosion of H2S and CO2 at any temperature.

3.  Suitable for large curvature directional wells and horizontal wells
When the extended reach drilling operation is carried out under the same drilling conditions, the torque on the drill string with steel drill pipe is too large, and the torque has exceeded the service limit of the drill pipe. However, when aluminum drill pipe is used, the torque on the drill string decreases obviously. The hanging weight of the drill string of the steel drill pipe exceeds the service limit of the upper drill pipe, and there is the problem of overload tensile fracture. However, the hanging weight of the drill string with aluminum drill pipe is obviously decreased, and the tensile load of the upper drill pipe is still in the safe use range.

4. Significantly reduce hook load

The density of aluminum drill pipe in air is less than 1/2 of that of steel drill pipe. In drilling, aluminum drill pipe shows good buoyancy characteristics. Therefore, the use of aluminum drill pipe can significantly reduce hook load and greatly improve the service life of drilling rig and wire rope.