TORQUE TURN CHART INTERPRETATION FOR PREMIUM CONNECTIONS

DONALD OBIKA

MARCH 11, 2011
Concept of Premium Connection Make-Up

INTRODUCTION:
During the early sixties, an exxon research programe was initiated to
discover why pipe strings has so many leaks. At this time oilfield tubular
connections used mainly a taped API thread called 8 round which was
made up to a specified torque only. The sealing effects in this connection
were provided by action of the threads wedging together and pipe dope
filling the helical pathways/thread roots. Their findings were, leaks
incidence in the connections tested during the research programme were
greatly reduced if the connection was made up to a position whereby a
minimum allowable amount of thread engagement was applied, as well as
being made up to the specified torque.
The basic principle of torque turn therefore is to ensure that a connection
is correctly made up within the appropriate range of torque and turns,
sufficient thread engagement has occurred to carry the rated axial loads,
and sufficient bearing pressure between pin and box has been applied.

The torquing of the connection results in a stored pre-load energy in the
seal mating faces ensuring that the compressive seal stays intact under
tensile loads.
TYPICAL SCHEMATIC OF TORQUE TURN SYSTEM RIG UP ON THE RIG
TORQUE TURN SYSTEM COMPONENTS ACCESSORIES
MAKE-UP AND TORQUE / TURN TREND AND RESULT DISPLAYED ON GRAPH
TYPICAL TORQUE COMPUTER DISPLAY SHOWING TORQUE VS TURN
TYPICAL TORQUE COMPUTER DISPLAY SHOWING TORQUE VS TURN WITH
JOINT INFORMATION
TYPICAL DISPLAY SHOWING TORQUE VS TURN AND TIME
TYPICAL PREMIUM CONNECTION MAKEUP GRAPH FEATURES
Shoulder
Torque
Seal
Interference
Shoulder Section
Delta Turns Value
MAX MAKE-UP TORQUE
OPTIMUM MAKE-UP TORQUE
MIN MAKE-UP TORQUE
MAX SHOULDER TORQUE OR HIGH SHOULDER
MIN SHOULDER TORQUE OR HIGH SHOULDER
A: INTERFERENCE TORQUE, B C: DELTA TORQUE
ACCEPTABLE CURVES
IDEAL CURVE

This result will be achieved if the
recommended Guidelines for running,
dope and thread lock compound
application are followed
ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH SLIGHT
OSCILLATIONS

This result will be achieved if the
recommended Guidelines for running,
dope and thread lock compound
application are followed
ACCEPTABLE CURVES
ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH HUMP EFFECT
NOT EXCEEDING MAXIMUM SHOULDER LIMIT

POSSIBLE CAUSE:

Running compound excess
Dirt between threads.
Wrong running compound
Contaminated compound
RECOMMENDATION:

Breakout the connection. Check ,clean,
dope and rerun the connection to verify
that the hump effect is produced by
excess running compound thus ensuring
no damage has been caused.
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVES
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH HIGHER
THAN MAXIMUM FINAL TORQUE

POSSIBLE CAUSE:
Load cell problem
Dump Valve problem.
Tong Operator error
Inertia high RPM
POSSIBLE EFFECTS
Too much Stress
Galling on Thread and/or Seal
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH LOWER
THAN MINIMUM MAKE-UP TORQUE

POSSIBLE CAUSE:
Torque Interruption.
Load cell problem
Dump Valve problem.
Backup slip & dump delay
POSSIBLE EFFECTS
Connection leak
Poor energization.
Backoff
RECOMMENDATION: Break out, clean and perform visual inspection (drift if possible). If
result from the inspection are acceptable, re-apply running compound and make-up again.
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVES
NON- ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH HUMP EFFECT
EXCEEDING MAXIMUM SHOULDER LIMIT

POSSIBLE CAUSE:

Running compound excess
Dirt between threads.
Wrong running compound
Contaminated compound
RECOMMENDATION: Breakout the connection and check if cause by excess running compound.
Reduce the amount for next make-up to confirm.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS:

Thread damage.
Seal damage.
Shoulder Damage.
Connection Leaks.
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVES
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH HIGH
SHOULDER TORQUE.

POSSIBLE CAUSE:
Wrong Torque
Wrong running compound.
Contaminated running compound
Load cell problem.
High thread interference
POSSIBLE EFFECTS
Leakage due to connection preload
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH LOW
SHOULDER TORQUE.

POSSIBLE CAUSE:
Wrong Torque
Wrong running compound.
Contaminated running compound
Load cell problem.
High thread interference
POSSIBLE EFFECTS
Backoff.
High localized stress.
RECOMMENDATION: Break out, clean and perform visual inspection (drift if possible). If
result from the inspection are acceptable, re-apply running compound and make-up again.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Misalignment between pin & box.
Not enough freedom between pin &
box.
Cross thread.
Bad stabbing.
Connection out of specification (thread,
taper etc.)
Running speed too high or too low.
Threads not clean.
Insufficient thread compound.
Undue friction in elevator.
Tong die reaching coupling face.
Load cell problem

POSSIBLE EFFECTS:
Galling of the thread.
Risk of leaking.
Back-off

RECOMMENDATION:

Breakout, clean and perform visual
inspection (drift if possible)
If the results from inspection are
acceptable, re-apply running compound
and make-up again.
CURVE WITH NON-DEFINED TORQUE SHOULDER
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE WITH TOO MUCH STRESS APPILED ON SHOULDER
Connections which show a
"bending-over" of the spike on the
torque/turn graph must be broken
out and examined for over torque
damage, which causes yielding of
the pin, or more commonly
the coupling, torque shoulders. If
yielding has occurred connections
shall be rejected.

POSSIBLE REASONS
Wrong Torque.
Wrong thread compound.
Load cell need calibration.
Incorrect measurement
.
NON-ACCEPTABLE CURVE TONG DIES OR BACKUP DIE SLIPPING ON PIPE
Connections which show a lateral movement on the turn axis of the torque/turn graph may have
slipped in the jaws and shall be broken out.
WHEN REACHING OPTIMUM TORQUE WHEN BUILDING UP THE TORQUE
POSSIBLE REASONS:
No suitable dies on tong or backup
Dirty or worn dies.
Hydraulic pressure in backup too low.
Pipe body coating too thick.
CONSEQUENCES:
Damage on pipe body.
Wrong diagram even with correct make-up
DIAGRAM SHOWING TOO MUCH ROTATION AFTER SHOULDER HAS
BEEN REACHED
When the turn system takes the
rotation directly between pin and
box, these curves are not possible.

POSSIBLE REASONS
1. Rotation of the pre-assembled
factory side of the coupling.
2. Turns transmitter gives the
rotation of the tong body
around the joint when tension
is applied.
3. Rotation between tong body
and backup body.

SAMPLE OF GRAPHS FOR NEW CONNECTION ON OKWORI 21
The following data should be acquired and loaded into the computer.

Reference Torque.
Minimum Shoulder Torque.
Maximum Shoulder Torque.
Minimum Make-up Torque.
Optimum Make-up Torque.
Maximum Make-up Torque.
Sensitivity Value of the Load Cell.
Turns Count.


DATA OR PARAMETER NEEDED FOR TORQUE MONITORING SYSTEM
The Make-up curves shown throughout this presentation are
schematic. Some variations may be observed in real make-up graphs.

For a correct interpretation of make-up graphs, it is important to
consider the behavior exhibited by the joints that were previously run
into hole.

Any graph reflecting anomalies should be investigated (i.e. back out
and inspect the joint).


CONNECTION / GRAPH INTERPRETATION
END