VAroughneck –
Enhanced Torque
Casing Connection
voestalpine Tubulars
www.vatubulars.com
voestalpine
ONE STEP AHEAD
VAroughneck –
A robust casing connection
with enhanced torque
VAroughneck is a joint development between
voestalpine Tubulars and RAG, an Austrian oil
company, especially for well applications where
rotation of the casing is required.
It combines the strengths of API Buttress with the
advantages of VAroughneck.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF
API BUTTRESS AND VAroughneck
API Buttress connection at full make-up
Gap in the middle of the coupling (”J-Distance“)
In deviated well applications, bending loads
in the build zone result in axial tension
and compression loads on the connection.
■ Advantage:
Minimal risk of jump out failures under
bending loads.
Due to the thread profile (3° angle on the load
flank, 10° angle on the stabbing flank), the
Buttress connection is able to handle axial loads
without inducing high radial forces to pin and
box.
■ Disadvantage:
Limited torque due to the J-Distance. The
make-up distance of the Buttress connection
is not controlled by a torque shoulder.
VAroughneck connection at full make-up
In order to achieve high torque transfer
through the connection, the make-up distance
has to be fixed. In addition to the minimal risk
of thread jump out under bending loads,
VAroughneck has the following advantages.
Advantages
■ With the VAroughneck thread design, the
make-up is controlled by pin-to-pin contact.
■ Double torque capability compared to
API Buttress.
Compatibility of
VAroughneck with API Buttress
VAroughneck and API Buttress can be madeup together without the use of a crossover.
If the higher torque properties are needed
in specific parts of the string, they can be
2
achieved with the use of a spacer ring to
occupy the J-Distance or with the use of a
thread locking compound, such as Bakerlok®
or Tubelock.
Advantages of
VAroughneck
VAroughneck –
Designed
for the following
applications
■ Higher torque transfer
than API connections
■ Deviated wells
■ Compatible with API Buttress
■ Suitable for tough field applications
■ Completion of
extended-reach wells
■ Offers the opportunity to rotate the
casing string during installation
■ Drilling with casing
■ Rotating during cementing
leads to improved quality of
the cement bond
■ Thread efficiency greater than 100 %
guaranteed for each wall thickness
VAroughneck accessories
Licensed machine shops can provide
threading services worldwide for
accessories and repair if needed.
Comparison of
API Buttress with VAroughneck
API Buttress
Outside diameter
VAroughneck
[inch]
4 1/2
5 1/2
6 5/8
4 1/2
5 1/2
6 5/8
[mm]
114.30
139.70
168.28
114.30
139.70
168.28
SI Units
Nose length
[mm]
n/a
n/a
n/a
6.00
6.00
6.00
Standoff pitch diameter
[mm]
113.13
138.53
167.11
113.13
138.53
167.11
Lead
[mm/rev.]
5.08
5.08
5.08
5.08
5.08
5.08
Taper
[mm/1inch]
1.58
1.58
1.58
1.58
1.58
1.58
Thread length
[mm]
92.40
97.16
101.92
98.40
103.16
107.93
Coupling length
[mm]
225.40
235.00
244.50
218.00
228.00
237.50
Position triangle stamp
[mm]
100.01
104.78
109.54
106.00
111.00
115.75
Size triangle stamp
[mm]
9.52
9.52
9.52
6.00
6.00
6.00
USC Units
Nose length
[inch]
n/a
n/a
n/a
0.236
0.236
0.236
Standoff pitch diameter
[inch]
4.454
5.454
6.579
4.454
5.454
6.579
Lead
[inch/rev.]
0.200
0.200
0.200
0.200
0.200
0.200
Taper
[inch/1inch]
0.062
0.062
0.062
0.062
0.062
0.062
Thread length
[inch]
3.638
3.825
4.013
3.874
4.061
4.249
Coupling length
[inch]
8.874
9.252
9.626
8.583
8.976
9.350
Position triangle stamp
[inch]
3.937
4.125
4.313
4.173
4.370
4.557
Size triangle stamp
[inch]
0.375
0.375
0.375
0.236
0.236
0.236
3
VAroughneck CONNECTION DATA SHEET
Outside Diameter / Weight
4 1/2'' 11.6 lb/ft
Grade
4 1/2'' 13.5 lb/ft
J55
L80
N80
P110
J55
L80
N80
P110
SI Units
Pipe body
Outside diameter
[mm]
114.30
114.30
114.30
114.30
114.30
114.30
114.30
114.30
Wall thickness
[mm]
6.35
6.35
6.35
6.35
7.37
7.37
7.37
7.37
Weight
[kg/m]
17.26
17.26
17.26
17.26
20.1
20.1
20.1
20.1
Yield strength
[KN]
816
1189
1189
1632
938
1367
1367
1877
Internal yield pressure
[bar]
368
537
537
737
428
623
623
856
Collapse pressure
[bar]
342
438
438
523
443
589
589
737
Outside diameter
[mm]
127
127
127
127
127
127
127
127
Inside diameter
[mm]
101
101
101
101
99.55
99.55
99.55
99.55
Drift diameter
[mm]
98.43
98.43
98.43
98.43
96.39
96.39
96.39
96.39
Coupling length
[mm]
218
218
218
218
218
218
218
218
Make-up loss
[mm]
106
106
106
106
106
106
106
106
Tensile efficiency
[%]
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Compression rating
[%]
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
Connection
[KN]
816
1189
1189
1632
938
1367
1367
1877
[KN]
1001
1294
1352
1713
1150
1486
1552
1971
[bar]
368
537
537
737
428
623
623
856
[°/100ft]
28
41
41
56
28
41
41
56
[Nm]
6950
8850
8850
11200
8150
11000
11000
13200
Minimum torque
[Nm]
5000
6400
6400
8050
5850
7900
7900
9500
Optimum torque
[Nm]
5550
7100
7100
8950
6500
8800
8800
10550
Maximum torque
[Nm]
6100
7800
7800
9850
7150
9700
9700
11600
Joint strength
API joint strength
2)
Internal yield pressure
Max. uniaxial bending
1)
Connection yield torque
Field make-up
USC Units
Pipe body
Outside diameter
[inch]
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
Wall thickness
[inch]
0.250
0.250
0.250
0.250
0.290
0.290
0.290
0.290
Weight
[lb/ft]
11.60
11.60
11.60
11.60
13.50
13.50
13.50
13.50
Yield strength
[lbs]
183000
267000
267000
367000
211000
307000
307000
422000
Internal yield pressure
[psi]
5344
7783
7783
10690
6202
9034
9034
12410
6352
7580
6425
8542
8542
10690
[psi]
Collapse pressure
4960
6352
Connection
Outside diameter
[inch]
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Inside diameter
[inch]
3.796
3.796
3.796
3.796
3.919
3.919
3.919
3.919
Drift diameter
[inch]
3.875
3.875
3.875
3.875
3.795
3.795
3.795
3.795
Coupling length
[inch]
8.583
8.583
8.583
8.583
8.583
8.583
8.583
8.583
Make-up loss
[inch]
4.173
4.173
4.173
4.173
4.173
4.173
4.173
4.173
Tensile efficiency
[%]
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
50
50
50
50
Compression rating
[%]
50
50
50
Joint strength
[lbs]
183000
267000
267000
367000
211000
307000
307000
422000
[lbs]
225000
291000
304000
385000
258000
334000
349000
443000
[psi]
5344
7783
7783
10690
6202
9034
9034
12410
28
41
41
56
28
41
41
56
[ftlbs]
5150
6550
6550
8250
6000
8100
8100
9750
[ftlbs]
3700
4750
4750
5950
4300
5850
5850
7000
6600
4800
6500
6500
7800
7250
5300
7150
7150
8600
API joint strength
2)
Internal yield pressure
Max. uniaxial bending
1)
Connection yield torque
[°/100ft]
Field make-up
Minimum torque
Optimum torque
[ftlbs]
4100
5250
5250
Maximum torque
[ftlbs]
4500
5800
5800
1)
2)
4
Uniaxial bending rating is based on compression rating
Calculation according to API 5C3
5 1/2'' 17 lb/ft 5 1/2'' 20 lb/ft 5 1/2'' 23 lb/ft
6 5/8'' 20 lb/ft
6 5/8'' 24 lb/ft
6 5/8'' 28 lb/ft
6 5/8'' 32 lb/ft
P110
P110
P110
L80
N80
L80
N80
L80
N80
L80
N80
139.70
139.70
139.70
168.28
168.28
168.28
168.28
168.28
168.28
168.28
168.28
7.72
9.17
10.54
7.32
7.32
8.94
8.94
10.59
10.59
12.06
12.06
25.3
29.76
34.23
29.76
29.76
35.72
35.72
41.67
41.67
47.62
47.62
2426
2850
3242
2040
2040
2471
2471
2893
2893
3266
3266
733
871
1001
420
420
513
513
608
608
692
692
516
765
1002
234
234
397
397
563
563
712
712
187.7
153.7
153.7
159.0
187.7
187.7
187.7
187.7
187.7
187.7
187.7
123.75
121.40
118.60
153.2
153.2
150
150
147.35
147.35
145.7
145.7
121.08
118.19
115.44
150.47
150.47
147.22
147.22
143.92
143.92
140.97
140.97
228
228
228
237.5
237.5
237.5
237.5
237.5
237.5
237.5
237.5
111
111
111
115.75
115.75
115.75
115.75
115.75
115.75
115.75
115.75
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
2426
2850
3242
2040
2040
2471
2471
2893
2893
3266
3266
2531
2972
3375
2177
2265
2628
2736
3089
3207
3481
3619
733
840
1001
420
420
513
513
608
608
677
677
45
45
45
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
20000
25500
30000
21000
21000
28800
28800
34500
34500
38000
38000
15300
18000
22050
15100
15100
20750
20750
24850
24850
27350
27350
17000
20000
24500
16800
16800
23050
23050
27600
27600
30400
30400
22000
26950
18500
18500
25350
25350
30350
30350
33450
33450
18700
5.5
5.5
5.5
6.625
6.625
6.625
6.625
6.625
6.625
6.625
6.625
0.304
0.361
0.415
0.288
0.288
0.352
0.352
0.417
0.417
0.475
0.475
17.00
20.00
23.00
20.00
20.00
24.00
24.00
28.00
28.00
32.00
32.00
546000
641000
729000
459000
459000
555000
555000
651000
651000
734000
734000
10640
6090
6090
7440
7440
8810
8810
10040
10040
8170
8170
10320
10320
12640
14530
7480
11100
14540
6.050
6.050
6.260
7.39
7.39
7.39
7.39
7.39
7.39
7.39
7.39
4.872
4.780
4.669
6.031
6.031
5.906
5.906
5.801
5.801
5.736
5.736
4.767
4.653
4.545
5.924
5.924
5.796
5.796
5.666
5.666
5.55
5.55
8.976
8.976
8.976
9.35
9.35
9.35
9.35
9.35
9.35
9.35
9.35
4.370
4.370
4.370
4.557
4.557
4.557
4.557
4.557
4.557
4.557
4.557
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
50
50
3390
3390
5760
5760
100
100
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
546000
641000
729000
459000
459000
555000
555000
651000
651000
734000
734000
568000
667000
759000
489000
509000
592000
615000
693000
721000
783000
814000
10640
12360
14530
6090
6090
7440
7440
8810
8810
9820
9820
45
45
45
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
14750
18800
22150
15500
15500
21250
21250
25450
25450
28050
28050
11300
11150
11150
15300
15300
18300
18300
20150
20150
22400
22400
24650
24650
13300
16250
12550
14750
18050
12400
12400
17000
17000
20350
20350
13800
16250
19850
13650
13650
18700
18700
22400
22400
Other dimensions and grades as well as 20° beveled couplings available on request.
5
VAroughneck –
Tested in order to verify
the product specifications
■ Make-and-break tests
All torque-turn-diagrams show the same
characteristics until the optimal torque has
been reached. No galling was observed after
several make-ups.
■ Connection yield torque tests
Connection yield torque value includes
sufficient safety factors for field application.
■ Tension to failure tests
Neither connection leakages nor structural
failures were detected after the tests.
■ Initial tests related to CAL I Series B
according to ISO 13679
Structural integrity was successfully
demonstrated. The connection did not exhibit
a hydrostatic leak through the test program,
which incorporated the 95% VME envelope.
■ Fatigue tests
In deviated wells the pipes are subject to
bending stresses that vary depending on the
well design. Additionally, if the string is rotated
during installation or cementing, the pipe
connections are subject to cyclic compression
and tensile loads.
To study this fatigue scenario, voestalpine
Tubulars built a fatigue testing machine and
tested the connection under bending and
rotating conditions that simulated different
well deviations. The maximum deviation tested
was 34° per 100 ft.
Connections have been tested in a rotating
fatigue test frame up to 1,100,000 revolutions
without failure.
Fatigue limit test with rotating fatigue test frame at voestalpine Tubulars
6
First field installation of 4 1/2”
VAroughneck at RAG well
in Winkl (Austria)
Due to the high torque values anticipated in the well design, a
connection with torque capabilities higher than API connections
was needed.
Well design:
D
E
P
T
H
[m]
EXTENDED REACH [m]
During installation of VAroughneck, torque-turn-monitoring
was used to demonstrate proper make-up, identify possible
difficulties and reveal any possible risks.
Typical torque-turn-diagram of
a VAroughneck connection
T
O
R
Q
U
E
TURNS
The recorded torque-turn-diagrams from field make-up showed
good and reproducible results. Therefore, the make-up can be
done without a torque-turn-monitoring system, if it is ensured
that the given yield torque is not exceeded.
7
1st Edition printed December 2011
voestalpine Tubulars GmbH & Co KG
Alpinestrasse 17
8652 Kindberg-Aumuehl, Austria
T. +43/50304/23-0
F. +43/50304/63-531
[email protected]
www.vatubulars.com
www.voestalpine.com