Visual Inspection

Scope

It covers the visual examination, of the internal and external surfaces of drill pipe, to determine, the general condition.

Apparatus

Paint marker

Depth gauge

Light capable of illuminating the full length of the internal surface

Preparation

1. All pipe should be numbered sequentially
2. Surface shall be clean and the metal surface clean. NO surface particle larger than 1/8” that can be broken loose by hand.

Procedure & Acceptance Criteria

1. The pipe is examined upset to upset. Any indentations that exceed the requirements are cause for rejection. Any protrusion should be removed to allow for measuring the depth of penetration.
2. Pipe with raised metal at the slip area may be pulled and laid aside without any further inspection at the discretion of the inspector.
3. Pipe to be used for snubbing shall not have any raised metal above normal surface. Raised metal may be removed.
4. Illumination of the ID will determine pitting. Pitting should not exceed 1/8” depth as measured or visually estimated.
5. If the ID is coated than it shall be inspected for deterioration.
6. The tube shall NOT be visibly crooked.

OD GAUGE TUBE

Scope

It covers the full length mechanical gauging of tubing for diameter variations.

Apparatus

1. Direct measurement GO-NO-GO gauges. Must be capable of measuring the maximum and minimum permissible diameters.
2. Any electronic dial or vernier device must be properly calibrated and certified. Certification should come from NIST and not be more than 4 months old. The device itself must display some form of identification that proves it has been certified.
3. Tolerances should be set to +002 inch.

Preparation

1. All pipe shall be sequentially numbered.
2. The OD shall be free from scale or coatings greater than 0.03 inches thick.

Procedure & Acceptance Criteria

1. Tube body shall be inspected upset to upset. The gage is dragged along perpendicular to the tube. The pipe shall be rotated at a rate of 5 rpm for every 5 feet of pipe inspected.
2. Pie with an OD increase or reduction exceeding tolerable values are to be rejected.

Calibration

1. The OD gauges shall be verified at the maximum and minimum tolerable levels.
2. Gauges are to be verified:
   • At the start of each inspection
   • Every 25ft of pipe inspected
   • When OD variance exceeds acceptable limits.
   • If gauge is suspect to having been damaged.
   • At the completion of the job.
3. If a deviation of more than +002in is found upon re-certification of the gauge then all lengths after the previous certification process must be re-examined.
4. All gauges are to be calibrated by NIST. They are to include a stamp, tag or some form of ID that shows that they are certified and the date of re-certification.