At Balsam, we carry out the following methods of inspection on BHA/Drill Pipe Inspection:
Visual Tube
Full length visual inspection of the inside and outside surfaces of tubes. Evaluated by straightness, mechanical or corrosion damage, scale and drilling mud.
OD Gage Tube
Full length mechanical gauging of the outside diameter (O.D) of used drill pipe. Evaluated by diameter variations caused by excessive wear or mechanical damage, expansion caused by string shot, reductions caused by overpull.
UT Wall Thickness
Measurement of the wall thickness around one circumference of the drill pipe using an ultrasonic thickness gage.
Evaluated by tube wall thickness below the specified acceptance limits, minimum cross-section area of tube.
MPI Slip / Upset
Examination of the external surface of drill pipe and HWDP upsets and slip areas using the active-field AC yoke dry visible magnetic particle technique.
Evaluated by flaw such as fatigue cracks, corrosion pits, cuts, gouges, and other damage that exceed the specified acceptance limits.
UT Slip / Upset
Examination of drill pipe and HWDP upsets and slip area using shear wave ultrasonic equipment.
Evaluated by flaw such as fatigue cracks, corrosion pits, cuts, gouges, and other damage that exceed the specified acceptance limits.
Visual Connection
Visual examination of connection, shoulder, and tool joints and profile check of threads.
Evaluated by handling damage, galling, washouts, fins, visibly non-flat shoulders, corrosion, weight /grade marking on tool joint.
Dimensional
Measurement or Go-No-Go gauging of pin and box OD, pin ID, shoulder width, tong space, box counterbore.
Evaluated by torsional capacity of pin and box, adequate shoulder to support make-up stress, adequate gripping space for tongs.
Black light Connection
Fluorescent wet magnetic particle inspection using DC current. Evaluated by existence of fatigue cracks.