Paper: REASONS TO INSPECT SUCKER RODS

Sucker rods performance greatly impacts fluid lifting efficiency, and rod failure lead to lost production. Therefore, proper attention to the condition of new and used rod strings can assure optimum operating efficiency and reduce total production costs. The performance of the string depends on the proper integrity of each individual rod. These rods are subjected to severe operational conditions and down hole conditions such as corrosion, cyclic loading, and stresses which can ultimately lead to material break down. It is of utmost importance to investigate the condition of new and used rods to ensure the absence of stress raisers and manufacturing imperfections. Nondestructive testing (NDT) is used in this application. It will be our intent to show pictures of what defects we have found in new and used sucker rods. And not to point a finger at any rod manufacture. We will evaluate both manufacturing and service induced flaws in sucker rods and couplings. That would cause premature rod failures and thereby avoiding the time and labor costs associated with work-over operations.