D6B1004410 MKT 001
D6B1004410 MKT 001
D6B1004410 MKT 001
6-2007Jan26-EXT
Rev. 6 – 29 March 2018
Grant Prideco™
NOV Wellbore Technologies
Product Management Dept.
10100 Houston Oaks Dr.
Houston, TX 77064
+1 (281) 921-3600 main
nov.com/grantprideco/
Design Consideration
Grant Prideco has designed GPDS connections to be fully interchangeable with API connections
of similar size. Please refer to table 1 in appendix for reference on the interchangeability. Further
details on this interchangeability could be found in another product bulletin (PR-5.XX-2009Feb13-
EXT).
Let us first start with considerations on double shoulder connections and the possible
streamlining that engineers could use when optimizing the drill stem products design. Figure 1
illustrates the cross sectional view of typical double-shouldered connection. Its secondary torque
shoulder provides increased torsional capacity compared to a standard API rotary shoulder
connection; across drill pipe sizes GPDS connections show a 33 to 71% maximum make up torque
increase over API connection, with similar tool joint outside and inside diameters.
In most cases, this torque requirement exceeds driller’s need and connections are often
streamlined. Internal diameter is typically enlarged to improve hydraulic performances of the
drill pipe assembly. The outside diameter could also be reduced to improve the fishability and
reduce impact on ECD.
Please refer to the tables 2 to 6 for actual torsional values applicable to the various configurations
(API to API, GPDS to GPDS, and GPDS to API) for GPDS sizes 31, 38, 40, 50 and 55. For other sizes
or other tool joint OD/ID configurations, please enquire from Grant Prideco technical marketing
group.
It is essential to understand that the make-up torque value can be different and that the right
torque shall be applied at every connection interface. In particular, one should understand that
the weakest point may be when connecting a GPDS pin (with a large ID) into an API box that is
normally connected to an API pin with a smaller ID.
Example:
If the string is mixing drill pipe with NC 38 connections (5” OD x 2 1/8” ID) with the interchangeable
GPDS 38 (5” x 2 7/16”), the maximum make up torque (MUT) for the API to API connection is
15,900 ft-lb. The GPDS 38 to GPDS 38 is rated at 17,500 ft-lb. However, the GPDS 38 pin to NC 38
box has a maximum MUT of 13,200 ft-lb. See yellow highlighted cells in the table 3 below.
If the reduction of make-up torque at the interface point is an issue, we recommend keeping the
GPDS and API pipe in different sections of the string and not mixing them randomly. Since the
GPDS connection would typically deliver higher torque, this pipe would more likely be at the top
of the string. The “weak point” at the interface could easily be eliminated by using one crossover
sub (GPDS box up x API pin down) between the drill pipe sections, cut in a material having the
same specified minimum yield strength as the pipe tool joints.
Note that subs cut in raw material matching API Specification 7 for drill stem subs have properties
that are different from those of drill pipe tool joints and generally come with a lower material
specified minimum yield strength (SMYS), which would reduce the torsional properties of
connections accordingly.
Example:
With the above example, we would not have the connection association that was bringing the
lowest MUT of 13,200 ft-lb anymore. If the sub uses a material with a SMYS of 120,000 PSI, the
Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Prideco™ representative for further data relating to the
connections you wish to use.
Conclusions
If this torsional “weak” point is seen as a limiting factor, an easy mitigation consists of keeping
the various connections (GPDS and API rotary shouldered connections) in separate sections of
the string and using a crossover sub at the interface with appropriate yield properties.