Fred Newman, Parallinx Services Inc.
The primary function of a well service rig during the well maintenance process is to retrieve and run drill pipe, tubing, and/or sucker rods. Producers recognize that the proper assembly of these well components is critical to maximizing the time between maintenance jobs, and to maximizing profitability. Producer and contractor management alike, have the expectation that rig personnel can meet optimum torque requirements specified by manufacturers of these tubular goods. However, the equipment available to crews to accomplish their work has not significantly changed in decades. Generally, there is a minimal understanding at any level of the many affects that various rig components have on the assembly process. This paper will describe and illustrate some of the factors affecting the critical process of torque application to both shouldered and non-shouldered connections.