Elongation of drillstring

In drilling operations, it is normal to run various pipes in the hole; strings consist of
drillpipes, drillcollars, heavy-weight drillpipes, etc. what happens when we tag the
bottom with these strings? Sometimes we tag the bottom of the hole higher and
sometimes lower, and it is due to the elongation of the suspended pipe caused by the
buoyancy factor and weight of string. This elongation, if not considered, can be
problematic in thin layers where a casing or liner must be seated and separate the low
and high-pressure zones. If the thin layer is mistakenly washed away by this theory
that: “We are cleaning the bottom hole!” at least two high-cost problems would appear
1) Entering into an inappropriate pressure zone; if you want to seat the casing
or liner in a high-pressure zone and wash the formation seat away, then you will
enter the low-pressure zone with heavy mud! That will lead to loss of circulation
and afterward problems (not to mention the limitations of curing loss of
circulation with the casing or liner, and the mud cost that you lose every minute!).
Vice versa, entering into a high-pressure zone with water or other lightweight
fluids will result in hundreds of barrels of kick fluid into your mud tanks (if you are
unlucky, a blowout!). Then you should control your well with the liner or casing,
which is a time-consuming and dangerous procedure.

2) Losing one size of the hole; in either case of the above item, a casing or liner
should inevitably be run to cover mistakenly exposed layer, which means a
smaller hole would start a layer that had to be covered with a larger casing or
liner.

It seems necessary to calculate the exact elongation of each string that enters the
hole, especially before running the casing or liner. These formulas and procedures are
presented in Well Engineers Notebook, 2nd edition, January 2001 (page C-24), and
help calculate pipe elongation. I will explain it with an actual field data example.
Drillstring data:

Section 1: 4-3/4” drillcollars, 147m (482.3 ft), 43.6 lbs/ft

Section 2: 3-1/2” drillpipe, 2800m (9186.8 ft), 13.3 lbs/ft
Section 3: 5” drillpipe, 1900m (6233.9 ft), 19.5 lbs/ft
Mud weight: 62.4 PCF → buoyancy = 0.872
Mud gradient: 0.433 psi/ft

The elongation due to a tensile load:

The elongation of a section of pipes due to an applied tensile
load in field units is given by:

𝐿 ×𝑇
𝑒=
735000 𝑊
e = elongation, inches, L = length of section, feet
T = tensile load (buoyed weight of lower element), pounds, W = unit weight of
tubular, lbs/ft

The unit weight for drill pipe can be taken as the "approximate weight" as
tabulated on pages C-6/7(attached), for Hevi-Wate drill pipe, take the
"approximate weight" as tabulated on page C-25 (attached) and for drill
collars use the values tabulated on pages C-44/45 (attached).
The elongation of the string due to an applied tensile load should be obtained by
adding together the individual elongations of each section due to that same load.
This load does not change along the string (excluding the effect of friction), unlike the
self-load dealt with below.
The elongation of a string due to its own weight:

The elongation of a suspended section of tubulars of uniform composition due to its

own weight is given by the equation:

2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 )

𝑒=
107

Where: e = elongation, inches, L = length of section, feet

𝜌𝑑𝑓 = drilling fluid gradient, psi/ft
The calculation should be Bottom-up, meaning the lowermost element elongation
calculations are first (usually collars).

a) Drillcollar elongation:

The only elongation that happens in the drill collar is due to its own weight:

2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 ) 2 ∗ 482.32 (3.40 − 1.44 ∗ 0.433)

𝑒𝑎 = = = 0.129 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
107 107
𝑒𝑎 = 0.129 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ

b) 3-1/2” drillpipe elongation:

This section of string deals with two elongations:
1- Elongation due to its own weight (eb1),
2- Elongation due to tensile load by hanging drillcollars (eb2)

2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 ) 2 ∗ 9186.82 (3.40 − 1.44 ∗ 0.433)

𝑒𝑏1 = = = 46.87 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
107 107
𝑒𝑏1 = 46.87 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

𝐿 × 𝑇(𝐵. 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑠) 9186.8 × (482.3 ∗ 46.3 ∗ 0.872)

𝑒𝑏2 = = = 18.3 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
735000 𝑊(𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑃) 735000 ∗ 13.3
𝑒𝑏2 = 18.3 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

c) 5” drillpipe elongation:

1- Elongation due to its own weight (ec1),

2- Elongation due to tensile load by hanging 3-1/2” drillpipes (ec2)
3- Elongation due to tensile load by hanging drillcollars (ec3)

2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 ) 2 ∗ 6233.92 (3.40 − 1.44 ∗ 0.433)

𝑒𝑐1 = = = 21.58 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
107 107
𝑒𝑐1 = 21.58 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

𝐿 × 𝑇(𝐵. 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 3.5"𝐷𝑃) 6233.9 × (9186.8 ∗ 13.3 ∗ 0.872)

𝑒𝑐2 = = →
735000 𝑊(𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 5" 𝐷𝑃) 735000 ∗ 19.5
𝑒𝑐2 = 46.34 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

𝐿 × 𝑇(𝐵. 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝐶) 6233.9 × (482.3 ∗ 46.3 ∗ 0.872)

𝑒𝑐3 = = = 8.47 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
735000 𝑊(𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 5" 𝐷𝑃) 735000 ∗ 19.5
𝑒𝑐3 = 8.47

𝑒𝑎 = 0.129 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ , 𝑒𝑏1 = 46.87 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 , 𝑒𝑏2 = 18.3 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠, 𝑒𝑐1 = 21.58 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠,
𝑒𝑐2 = 46.34 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 , 𝑒𝑐3 = 8.47

Elongation in drillcollars: 0.129 inch

Elongation in 3-1/2” drillpipes: 46.78 inches + 18.3 inches = 65.08 inches
Elongation in 5” drillpipes: 21.58 inches + 46.34 inches + 8.47 inches = 76.39 inches
Total elongation: 0.129 inch + 65.08 inches + 76.39 inches = 141.6 inches
= 11.8 ft = 3.6 m !
It means when you run in hole with this string configuration, you will tag the bottom
3.6 m shorter than you should!
Assume that an 18ppf, 5” production liner should be run in hole immediately after a
condition trip with this string; what would be the difference in elongation of two
tubular configuration?
(Liner running string consist of 3000m liner and 1847 m 5” drillpipe 19.5ppf)
Elongation in liner (length = 3000m):
2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 ) 2 ∗ (3000 ∗ 3.281)2 (3.40 − 1.44 ∗ 0.433)
𝑒𝑙𝑛𝑟1 = = = 53.8 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
107 107

Elongation in 5” drillpipe (1847m):

2𝐿2 (3.40 − 1.44 𝜌𝑑𝑓 ) 2 ∗ (1847 ∗ 3.281)2 (3.40 − 1.44 ∗ 0.433)
𝑒𝑑𝑝 = = = 20.39 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
107 107

𝐿 × 𝑇(𝐵. 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟) 6060 × (482.3 ∗ 46.3 ∗ 0.872)

𝑒𝑑𝑝 = = = 65.32 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
735000 𝑊(𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 5" 𝐷𝑃) 735000 ∗ 19.5

Total elongation: 139.44 inches

141.6 – 139.44 = 2.16 inches

References:
1 – Shell, Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001, pages C6-7, C24 and
C45.
2- RIG#70FA, Kupal#25 BHA Sheet.
 E75 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.37 27.34 16.74 ± 1.63 24.91 ± 2.43 14.31 ± 0.80 21.29 ± 1.19
16.60 X95 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.62 27.71 16.98 ± 1.63 25.27 ± 2.43 14.55 ± 0.80 21.65 ± 1.19
G105 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.62 27.71 16.98 ± 1.63 25.27 ± 2.43 14.55 ± 0.80 21.65 ± 1.19
41/2" IEU S135 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.83 28.02 17.19 ± 1.64 25.58 ± 2.43 14.76 ± 0.80 21.96 ± 1.19
NC46 E75 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.12 32.92 20.04 ± 2.08 29.83 ± 3.09 16.96 ± 1.01 25.24 ± 1.50
20.00 X95 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.62 33.66 20.54 ± 2.08 30.57 ± 3.09 17.45 ± 1.01 25.98 ± 1.50
G105 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.81 33.95 20.73 ± 2.08 30.85 ± 3.09 17.64 ± 1.01 26.26 ± 1.50
S135 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.98 34.20 20.90 ± 2.08 31.11 ± 3.10 17.81 ± 1.01 26.51 ± 1.50
E75 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 21.35 31.77 19.40 ± 1.94 28.88 ± 2.89 16.51 ± 0.95 24.57 ± 1.41
19.50 X95 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 21.87 32.55 19.93 ± 1.94 29.66 ± 2.89 17.03 ± 0.95 25.35 ± 1.42
G105 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 22.24 33.09 20.29 ± 1.95 30.19 ± 2.90 17.39 ± 0.95 25.88 ± 1.42
5" IEU S135 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 22.56 33.57 20.61 ± 1.95 30.67 ± 2.90 17.70 ± 0.95 26.35 ± 1.42
NC50 E75 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 27.35 40.70 24.68 ± 2.67 36.73 ± 3.97 20.72 ± 1.29 30.84 ± 1.93
25.60 X95 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 28.07 41.77 25.40 ± 2.67 37.79 ± 3.98 21.43 ± 1.30 31.89 ± 1.93

SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001

G105 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 28.28 42.08 25.60 ± 2.67 38.10 ± 3.98 21.63 ± 1.30 32.19 ± 1.93
E75 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 22.30 33.19 20.35 ± 1.95 30.28 ± 2.90 17.44 ± 0.96 25.96 ± 1.42
19.50 X95 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 22.56 33.58 20.61 ± 1.95 30.67 ± 2.90 17.71 ± 0.96 26.35 ± 1.42
G105 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 22.56 33.58 20.61 ± 1.95 30.67 ± 2.90 17.71 ± 0.96 26.35 ± 1.42
5" IEU S135 5.000 127.0 0.362 9.19 4.276 108.6 23.43 34.86 21.47 ± 1.96 31.94 ± 2.92 18.55 ± 0.96 27.60 ± 1.43
51/2" FH E75 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 28.30 42.11 25.62 ± 2.68 38.13 ± 3.99 21.64 ± 1.30 32.20 ± 1.94
25.60 X95 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 28.54 42.48 25.86 ± 2.68 38.49 ± 3.99 21.88 ± 1.30 32.56 ± 1.94
G105 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 29.11 43.32 26.42 ± 2.69 39.32 ± 4.00 22.43 ± 1.31 33.38 ± 1.94
S135 5.000 127.0 0.500 12.70 4.000 101.6 29.38 43.73 26.69 ± 2.69 39.72 ± 4.00 22.69 ± 1.31 33.77 ± 1.94
E75 5.500 139.7 0.361 9.17 4.778 121.4 23.79 35.41 21.66 ± 2.13 32.23 ± 3.17 18.48 ± 1.05 27.50 ± 1.56
21.90 X95 5.500 139.7 0.361 9.17 4.778 121.4 24.41 36.33 22.28 ± 2.13 33.16 ± 3.18 19.10 ± 1.05 28.42 ± 1.56
G105 5.500 139.7 0.361 9.17 4.778 121.4 25.26 37.59 23.12 ± 2.14 34.40 ± 3.19 19.93 ± 1.05 29.65 ± 1.56
51/2" IEU S135 5.500 139.7 0.361 9.17 4.778 121.4 26.37 39.25 24.22 ± 2.15 36.05 ± 3.20 21.02 ± 1.06 31.28 ± 1.57
51/2" FH E75 5.500 139.7 0.415 10.54 4.670 118.6 26.31 39.16 23.87 ± 2.45 35.52 ± 3.64 20.22 ± 1.20 30.10 ± 1.78
24.70 X95 5.500 139.7 0.415 10.54 4.670 118.6 27.74 41.29 25.29 ± 2.46 37.63 ± 3.65 21.63 ± 1.20 32.19 ± 1.79
G105 5.500 139.7 0.415 10.54 4.670 118.6 27.74 41.29 25.29 ± 2.46 37.63 ± 3.65 21.63 ± 1.20 32.19 ± 1.79
S135 5.500 139.7 0.415 10.54 4.670 118.6 28.85 42.94 26.39 ± 2.47 39.27 ± 3.67 22.71 ± 1.21 33.80 ± 1.80
E75 6.625 168.3 0.330 8.38 5.965 151.5 27.55 41.00 25.20 ± 2.35 37.50 ± 3.50 21.69 ± 1.16 32.27 ± 1.73
25.20 X95 6.625 168.3 0.330 8.38 5.965 151.5 27.55 41.00 25.20 ± 2.35 37.50 ± 3.50 21.69 ± 1.16 32.27 ± 1.73
G105 6.625 168.3 0.330 8.38 5.965 151.5 28.60 42.56 26.24 ± 2.36 39.05 ± 3.51 22.72 ± 1.16 33.81 ± 1.73
65/8" IEU S135 6.625 168.3 0.330 8.38 5.965 151.5 30.03 44.70 27.66 ± 2.37 41.17 ± 3.53 24.13 ± 1.17 35.91 ± 1.74
65/8" FH E75 6.625 168.3 0.362 9.19 5.901 149.9 29.40 43.75 26.82 ± 2.58 39.92 ± 3.84 22.98 ± 1.27 34.20 ± 1.89
27.70 X95 6.625 168.3 0.362 9.19 5.901 149.9 30.45 45.32 27.87 ± 2.59 41.47 ± 3.85 24.01 ± 1.27 35.73 ± 1.89
G105 6.625 168.3 0.362 9.19 5.901 149.9 30.45 45.32 27.87 ± 2.59 41.47 ± 3.85 24.01 ± 1.27 35.73 ± 1.89
S135 6.625 168.3 0.362 9.19 5.901 149.9 31.88 47.44 29.28 ± 2.60 43.58 ± 3.86 25.41 ± 1.28 37.82 ± 1.90

The nominal dimensions and weights of the body, and upsets, of new drill pipe have been taken from API Spec 5D, 4th Edition, August 1999. Approximate weights have been calculat-

C–7
ed by the method specified in API RP 7G 16th Edition, August 1998 using tool joint dimensions as specified in API Spec 7, 39th Edition, December 1997.
 DP specification Nominal dimensions of pipe body (new) Approximate weight of a string of drill pipe including tool joints

C–6
Size/style Nominal Grade Wall
Tool joint weight OD thickness ID New pipe Premium class Class 2
lbs/ft inches mm inches mm inches mm lbs/ft kg/m lbs/ft kg/m lbs/ft kg/m
23/8" EU E75 2.375 60.3 0.280 7.11 1.815 46.1 7.02 10.44 6.31 ± 0.71 9.39 ± 1.05 5.26 ± 0.34 7.83 ± 0.51
NC26 6.65 X95 2.375 60.3 0.280 7.11 1.815 46.1 7.11 10.57 6.40 ± 0.71 9.52 ± 1.05 5.35 ± 0.34 7.96 ± 0.51
G105 2.375 60.3 0.280 7.11 1.815 46.1 7.11 10.57 6.40 ± 0.71 9.52 ± 1.05 5.35 ± 0.34 7.96 ± 0.51
E75 2.875 73.0 0.362 9.19 2.151 54.6 10.89 16.21 9.78 ± 1.11 14.56 ± 1.65 8.14 ± 0.53 12.12 ± 0.79
27/8"EU 10.40 X95 2.875 73.0 0.362 9.19 2.151 54.6 11.08 16.49 9.97 ± 1.11 14.84 ± 1.65 8.33 ± 0.53 12.40 ± 0.79
NC31 G105 2.875 73.0 0.362 9.19 2.151 54.6 11.08 16.49 9.97 ± 1.11 14.84 ± 1.65 8.33 ± 0.53 12.40 ± 0.79
S135 2.875 73.0 0.362 9.19 2.151 54.6 11.55 17.18 10.43 ± 1.12 15.52 ± 1.66 8.78 ± 0.54 13.07 ± 0.80
9.50 E75 3.500 88.9 0.254 6.45 2.992 76.0 10.59 15.76 9.64 ± 0.96 14.34 ± 1.42 8.21 ± 0.47 12.22 ± 0.70
E75 3.500 88.9 0.368 9.35 2.764 70.2 13.95 20.76 12.57 ± 1.38 18.71 ± 2.05 10.53 ± 0.67 15.67 ± 0.99
13.30 X95 3.500 88.9 0.368 9.35 2.764 70.2 14.61 21.75 13.23 ± 1.38 19.69 ± 2.06 11.18 ± 0.67 16.64 ± 1.00
31/2" EU G105 3.500 88.9 0.368 9.35 2.764 70.2 14.71 21.89 13.32 ± 1.38 19.83 ± 2.06 11.27 ± 0.67 16.77 ± 1.00
NC38 S135 3.500 88.9 0.368 9.35 2.764 70.2 14.92 22.21 13.54 ± 1.38 20.15 ± 2.06 11.48 ± 0.67 17.09 ± 1.00
E75 3.500 88.9 0.449 11.40 2.602 66.1 16.57 24.65 14.89 ± 1.68 22.16 ± 2.50 12.40 ± 0.81 18.46 ± 1.20
15.50 X95 3.500 88.9 0.449 11.40 2.602 66.1 16.83 25.05 15.16 ± 1.68 22.55 ± 2.50 12.67 ± 0.81 18.85 ± 1.20
G105 3.500 88.9 0.449 11.40 2.602 66.1 17.05 25.37 15.37 ± 1.68 22.87 ± 2.50 12.88 ± 0.81 19.16 ± 1.20
31/2" EU 15.50 S135 3.500 88.9 0.449 11.40 2.602 66.1 17.59 26.17 15.90 ± 1.69 23.66 ± 2.51 13.39 ± 0.81 19.93 ± 1.21
NC40
E75 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 15.05 22.39 13.64 ± 1.41 20.29 ± 2.10 11.53 ± 0.69 17.16 ± 1.03
4" IU 14.00 X95 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 15.28 22.74 13.87 ± 1.41 20.63 ± 2.10 11.76 ± 0.69 17.50 ± 1.03
NC40 G105 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 15.85 23.59 14.43 ± 1.42 21.48 ± 2.11 12.32 ± 0.69 18.34 ± 1.03
S135 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 16.13 24.00 14.71 ± 1.42 21.89 ± 2.12 12.59 ± 0.69 18.74 ± 1.03
E75 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 15.89 23.65 14.46 ± 1.43 21.53 ± 2.12 12.34 ± 0.70 18.37 ± 1.04
4" EU 14.00 X95 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 16.19 24.10 14.77 ± 1.43 21.98 ± 2.12 12.64 ± 0.70 18.82 ± 1.04
NC46 G105 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 16.19 24.10 14.77 ± 1.43 21.98 ± 2.12 12.64 ± 0.70 18.82 ± 1.04
S135 4.000 101.6 0.330 8.38 3.340 84.8 16.42 24.44 14.99 ± 1.43 22.31 ± 2.13 12.87 ± 0.70 19.15 ± 1.04
41/2" IU 13.75 E75 4.500 114.3 0.271 6.88 3.958 100.5 15.11 22.48 13.80 ± 1.31 20.53 ± 1.95 11.84 ± 0.65 17.62 ± 0.96
NC46
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF DRILL PIPE

13.75 E75 4.500 114.3 0.271 6.88 3.958 100.5 15.88 23.63 14.56 ± 1.32 21.67 ± 1.97 12.59 ± 0.65 18.73 ± 0.97
E75 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.47 27.49 16.83 ± 1.64 25.05 ± 2.44 14.39 ± 0.80 21.42 ± 1.19
16.60 X95 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.85 28.05 17.21 ± 1.64 25.61 ± 2.44 14.77 ± 0.80 21.97 ± 1.19
41/2" EU G105 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 18.85 28.05 17.21 ± 1.64 25.61 ± 2.44 14.77 ± 0.80 21.97 ± 1.19
NC50 S135 4.500 114.3 0.337 8.56 3.826 97.2 19.11 28.44 17.47 ± 1.64 26.00 ± 2.44 15.03 ± 0.80 22.36 ± 1.19
E75 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.11 32.91 20.03 ± 2.08 29.81 ± 3.10 16.93 ± 1.01 25.20 ± 1.51
20.00 X95 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.58 33.60 20.49 ± 2.08 30.50 ± 3.10 17.40 ± 1.01 25.89 ± 1.51
G105 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 22.58 33.60 20.49 ± 2.08 30.50 ± 3.10 17.40 ± 1.01 25.89 ± 1.51

SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001

S135 4.500 114.3 0.430 10.92 3.640 92.5 23.06 34.31 20.97 ± 2.09 31.20 ± 3.11 17.86 ± 1.02 26.59 ± 1.51
 ELONGATION OF THE DRILL STRING

The elongation due to a tensile load

The elongation of a section of tubulars of uniform composition due to an applied tensile
load is given by the equations:
In field units In SI units

Where : e = elongation in inches in mm

L = length of section in feet in metres
T = tensile load in pounds in kN
W= unit weight of tubulars in lbs/ft in kg/m
The unit weight for drill pipe can be taken as the "approximate weight" as tabulated on
pages C-6/7, for Hevi-Wate drill pipe take the "approximate weight" as tabulated on
page C-25 and for drill collars use the values tabulated on pages C-44/45.
The elongation of the string due to an applied tensile load should be obtained by
adding together the individual elongations of each section due to that same load.
This load does not change along the string (excluding the effect of friction), unlike the
self-load dealt with below.

The elongation of a string due to its own weight

The elongation of a suspended section of tubulars of uniform composition due to its
own weight is given by the equations:
In field units In SI units

Where e = elongation in inches in mm

L = length of section in feet in metres
ρdf = drilling fluid gradient in psi/ft in kPa/m
Note that this cannot be done in one step if the string contains more than one section.
The following procedure must be followed (numbering the sections from the bottom up):
1) Calculate the elongation of Section 1 due to its own weight.
2a) Calculate the elongation of Section 2 due to its own weight
2b) Calculate the elongation of Section 2 due to the applied load that is the buoyant
weight of Section 1, as described above.
2c) The total elongation of Section 2 is the sum of those obtained in 2a and 2b
3a) Calculate the elongation of Section 3 due to its own weight
3b) Calculate the elongation of Section 3 due to the applied load that is the buoyant
weight of Section 1 plus Section 2, as described above.
3c) The total elongation of Section 3 is the sum of those obtained in 3a and 3b
etc. etc.

The above equations are taken from API RP 7G 16th Edition, August 1998.

C–24 SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001