DRILL COLLARS

The primary function of the drill collars is to provide sufficient WOB (Weight
on bit). The weight of the collars also ensures that the drill pipe is kept in
tension to prevent buckling.

Drill collars are heavy, stiff steel tubulars. They are used at the bottom of a
BHA to provide weight on bit and rigidity.

Flush or spiral drill collars are available.

In directional drilling, spiral drill collars are preferable. The spiral

grooves machined in the collar reduce the wall contact area by 40%
for a reduction in weight of only 4%, thus reducing the chances of
differential sticking.

The Spiral drill collars usually have slip and elevator recesses. Stress-relief
groove pins and bore back boxes are optional.
SHORT DRILL COLLARS
Short Drill Collars (SDC's) are also called a pony collar.

It is simply a shortened version of a steel drill collar.

Short drill collars may be manufactured or a steel drill collar may be cut to make two or more
short collars.

For a Directional Driller, the SDC and the short non-magnetic drill collar (SNMDC) have their
widest application in the make-up of locked BHAs. SDCs of various lengths (e.g. 5’, 10’, 15’)
are normally provided by the DD company.

NON-MAGNETIC DRILL COLLARS (NMDC)

Non-magnetic drill collars are usually flush (non-spiral).

They are manufactured from high-quality, corrosion-resistant, austenitic stainless steel.

Magnetic survey instruments (MWD / Magnetic Single Shots / Multi Shots) run in the hole
need to be located in a non-magnetic drill collar of sufficient length to allow the measurement
of the earth’s magnetic field without magnetic interference.

Survey instruments are isolated from magnetic disturbance caused by steel components in
the BHA and drillpipe.

SHORT NON-MAGNETIC DRILL COLLARS (SNMDC)

SNMDC is a short version of the NMDC.

They are often made by cutting a full-length NMDC.

The SNMDC may be used between a mud motor and an MWD collar to counteract magnetic
interference from below.

It is also used in locked BHAs, particularly where the borehole's inclination and direction give
rise to high magnetic interference.

Finally, BHAs for horizontal wells often use a SNMDC.

The amount of bending a drill collar can undergo will depend on the material
and the dimensions of the collar.

The stiffness of the collar is the product of the collar's moment of inertia (I)
and the modulus of elasticity for that material (E).

The moment of inertia (I) for a hollow cylindrical pipe is given by :

I = Π (D4 – d4) / 64
Where :
I = Moment of Inertia (in inch4)
D = Outside diameter (in inches)
d = Inside diameter (in inches)
The modulus of elasticity for various materials can be obtained from manufacturer's
specifications.
E.g. for steel E = 29 X 106 psi; for aluminium E = 11 X 106 psi; for monel E = 26 X 106 psi.
Thus, an aluminium drill collar will be more flexible than a steel drill collar of similar
dimensions.

IMAGES :

Flush Drill Collar

Non-Magnetic Drill Collar
Non-Magnetic Drill Collars
Spiral Drill Collars
 Used Spiral Drill Collars
Drill Collar Manufacture Process
(Click on the image for a high resolution)

Figure below shows the cross sections of the drill collars and the reduced contact area with
the wall of the hole.

Spiral Drill Collar Typical Size :

Note: Note: Loss of weight is approximately 4% compared to slick drill collars.

Length of spiralled section allows reconditioning of connections.

Drill Collar Material Table :

Elevator and Slip Recess Specification :
Drill Collar Data - 2-7/8” - 6-1/2” :
Drill Collar Data - 6-3/4” - 11-1/4” :
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he Drill Collar Moment Theory
The drill collar moment theory states that when a bit drills from a soft formation to
an inclined hard formation, it will support a great portion of bit weight.

This causes a moment at the bit that tends to buckle the collar and deflect them from
centre line of the hole. It may also shorten the active assembly length and can reduce
any existing pendulum effect. The resultant tendency is up dip.

Now, it can be argued that when drilling from harder to softer formation, forces are
reversed and constitute a down dip deflection.

Buckling and corresponding deviation forces increase with smaller size collars.
greater annular clearance and high weight on bit. As more bit weight is applied,
buckling increases.

The length of assembly between bit and first point of drill collar to wall contact, tends
to shorten. This section is called active drill string length. Usually not more than 150
ft (45m) of assembly affects it's deviation characteristics and with build up assemblies
using high bit weight probably less than 25 ft (7.5 m) is involved.
The active drill string length is usually determined by the position of the first full
gauge item in assembly above the bit (reamer or stabilizer). When the distance of bit
to first stabilizer or reamer is short (5 to 12 ft), buckling will be induced in next drill
collar above. The full gauge tool becomes a fulcrum or pivot point. The shortened
effective length increases the angular difference between axis of hole and axis of
assembly, and promotes hole deviation.

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