HANDLING
The pipe should be lifted from the pipe rack to the vee door with
both pin and box protector in place. The box protector should be
removed when the joint of pipe is in the vee door of the rig.
Lift the joint of pipe in the vee door into the vertical stabbing
position with the use of a single joint pick-up elevator.
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
Vertical alignment is the position of pin connection in relationship
to the coupling in the rotary table. True vertical alignment must
be maintained during make-up of the connections.
THREAD COMPOUND APPLICATION
Prior to stabbing the pin into the box, the connection should be
covered with a thin coat of API Modified (or customer approved )
thread compound. The thread compound should cover the entire threaded
area, shoulders and seal area.
- NS-CC, NS-HC and NS-CC-M connections should have thread compound
applied to both PIN and BOX connections.
- NS-CC-K1, NS-CC-FGL and all NS-CT family connections should have
thread compound applied to PIN Only.
THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND
Torque adjustment or correction factor for locking compounds should
be done according to the compounds manufacturers recommendation.
Application of thread locking compound should be applied to the
imperfect thread area of the pin connection. Thread locking compound
should not be applied to the seal areas of the connections.
STABBING
Install the stabbing guide on the coupling connection before attempting
to stab the pin into the box connection. During stabbing, lower
the pipe carefully to avoid thread damage. Stab vertically with
the assistance of the man in the stabbing board. Remove the stabbing
guide at this time. Do NOT rock the pipe during the stabbing or
make-up operations. If the pipe tilts to one side after stabbing,
lift out, clean, inspect and correct any damage to the threads or
lay down the joint for further repairs.
HAND TIGHT MAKE-UP (High Alloy)
After stabbing High Alloy connections it is recommended that the
connection be made up hand tight. If the weight of the pipe being
made up prohibits turning by hand, turn very slowly with a strap
wrench ( or chain tong for larger diameter ) to assure proper engagement.
The connection should be able to be turned with minimal effort when
proper alignment is maintained by the person on the stabbing board.
Continue to make-up the connection by hand for 4 to 5 turn before
using power tongs.
POWER MAKE-UP
Using power tongs, make-up the connection at a speed of not more
than 10 rpm. Torque build-up does not normally start for 4 to 5
complete rotations of the connection, and then gradual torque will
build-up until the two torque shoulders contact, after that the
torque will increase very quickly.
- Make the connections up to the recommended torque values.
- When required torque is obtained, as read from the torque gauge
then disengage tongs.
- Verify that the make-up stamp is in proper position after make-up.
JUDGEMENT OF MAKE-UP GRAPHS
For premium connections, it is strongly recommended that make-up
be controlled by torque-turn or torque time systems. Make-up graphs
should be judged as follows: Final Torque shall be within the minimum
and maximum torque.
- Shoulder torque shall be clearly defined on the chart.
- Shoulder torque shall be less than or equal to 75 % of the final
torque applied to that connection.
- Shoulder torque shall be greater than 5 % of the final torque
applied to that connection. If the make-up results or
conditions are out of the above criteria, the connection
should be carefully broken-out, cleaned and inspected, then made-up
to acceptable criteria.
BACK-UP TONG
Back-up tongs or slips should be set as close to the box to prevent
bending during make-up or break-out operations. The back-up tongs
should be of sufficient width and length to prevent crushing the
pipe body.
|
