Analysis of the Causes of Cracks in 5-Inch Drill Pipes in the Raisis Rig Work Area

Abstract

Oil and gas drilling operations require highly durable equipment, one of which is the drill pipe. Drill pipes serve as a connection between the surface and the drill bit at the bottom of the well, and also function as a circulation channel for drilling fluids.  During operational processes, drill pipes are prone to damage such as cracking due to repeated loads, material fatigue, and extreme environmental conditions. This study aims to analyze the causes, impacts, and control of cracking in 5-inch drill pipes at the Rig Raisis worksite. The method used in this study is Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) using the Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) technique on three drill pipe samples. The test results showed that the three 5-inch drill pipe samples, which had been used for 2000 hours, were found to have cracks. These cracks were located at the tool joint section of the pipe. The type of crack found was longitudinal cracking, which is typically an indication of material fatigue (fatigue failure) and stress due to repeated loads (cyclic loading). The analysis revealed that the factors causing the cracking include material quality, excessive operational loads, environmental corrosion, and lack of regular inspections. The impact of drill pipe cracking is significant, including increased non-productive time (NPT), costs of repair or replacement, and safety risks. Crack control requires routine inspections, pipe rotation, monitoring of operating parameters, and workforce training. Proper control can extend the service life of drill pipe and maintain operational efficiency.