Make-up acceptance rules for VAM Premium ... - VAM Services

Vallourec GroupMake-up acceptance rulesfor VAM PremiumConnections24/08/2011

Make-up acceptance rules for VAM Premium Connections For public distribution1 BackgroundVAM Connections were designed in the 1960's to meet the most demanding well conditions at the time. Asoperations have desired to drill more severe wells, modern VAM designs have stayed one step ahead of themarket needs.In order to have well integrity, it is more important than ever to ensure that the manufacturer's installationinstructions are followed. For VAM connections these instructions are called the 'VAM Book'. This book issupplied free when ordering pipe with VAM connections, as a free download from the VAM Services website,or as a paper copy which can be purchased from the same website.Some recent changes have been made to the VAM Book and this notification is to make VAM users aware ofthese changes.2 Standard make-up rules for VAM connections2.1 InterchangeabilityOnly connections that are interchangeable can successfully be made-up. VAM connections are notcompatible or interchangeable with VAM connections from a different family, with competitor'sconnections or with 'copy cat connections'. For more information on interchangeability refer tosection 2.9 of the VAM Book2.2 Visual Appearance2.3 TorqueBefore a successful make-up VAM connections must be in good condition and free from defects. Formore information refer to section 2.4 of the VAM Book.The connections should be tightened to the optimum torque which is dependent on size, thickness,steel grade, thread type and sometimes chrome content. As it is not possible to achieve theoptimum torque value at all times a minimum and maximum torque are also provided. The finaltorque for each make-up must be between the minimum and maximum torque. These torquefigures are all listed in the connection specific sections of the VAM Book or on Connection DataSheets (CDS) available from VAM Services website.2.4 Shoulder torqueMost VAM connections have a torque shoulder which locates the male and female connections (pinand box) at the correct position. The point at which the shoulders contact must be between 5% and70% of the optimum torque value.2.5 Make-up profileBy measuring torque verses turns during make-up a graphical display, known as a make-up ortorque/turn graph, can be achieved. Since computers became common place on a drill floor in the1990's most VAM connection now require that such a graph forms part of the make-up acceptancecriteria. The profile of the graph can indicate good or bad make-up conditions. For moreinformation refer to section 2.6 of the VAM Book2.6 CalibrationThe equipment used to measure both torque and turns must be calibrated at a sufficient frequencyto ensure accurate measurement and repeatability. Details of this are found in section 2.4.3.2 of theVAM BookRev 2011-08-19 Page 2 of 4

Percent of optimium torqueMake-up acceptance rules for VAM Premium Connections For public distribution3 New make-up rules for VAM Connections3.1 Make-up computer equipmentIt is expected that, from 2011, casing crews supply torque/turn display equipment with a large highresolution display and a large make-up graph within the display area. For more information refer tosection 2.4 of the VAM Book3.2 Delta TurnsThe number of turns applied to the connection after shouldering is known as delta turns. It is now arequirement that these are within set parameters for the VAM connection with a torque shoulder.The rule is that delta turns must be between 0.01 and 0.10 turns. For high torque connections themaximum delta turns can be higher and the specific value is given in the relevant section of the VAMBook.4 Best in class practices for VAM connections4.1 Live overlay of make-up graphsSome casing crews now have the ability to overlay the most recent make-up profile on top of theprevious ones after each make-up as shown below. This can highlight any unusual profiles whichshould be questioned, and, if necessary, backed out and the pin and box ends checked. Some casingcrews already offer this feature.120110Deltaturns limit10090807060Unusual profile shallbe backed out andinspected50403020100-2 -1 0 1Turns to Shoulder TorqueAnother method is to create an average graph of all the accepted make-ups during a job andhighlight any make-ups that differ considerably from the average graph.4.2 Shoulder slopeThe slope of the graph between the shoulder point and the final torque must be a straight line with aslope greater than 5 x optimum torque. This can be expressed with the formula below.5 VAM Field ServiceSome make-up companies do this calculation with their software and identify any make-ups thathave a slope out with the criteria.VAM Field Service Technicians are available to ensure that the above rules are followed. The contact detailsfor all VAM Field Service Centres are in the VAM Book Section 4.3.Rev 2011-08-19 Page 3 of 4

Make-up acceptance rules for VAM Premium Connections For public distributionRev 2011-08-19 Page 4 of 4