Casing Pipe – Octalsteel https://www.octalsteel.com Steel Pipe, OCTG, Casing and Tubing Supplier - Octal Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:27:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 API 5CT Casing and Tubing Specification https://www.octalsteel.com/api-5ct-specification/ https://www.octalsteel.com/api-5ct-specification/#respond Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:40:52 +0000 https://www.octalsteel.com/?p=4664 API 5CT is standard technical specifications for steel casing and tubing pipes used for oil wells in petroleum and natural gas industries.

Besides casing and tubing, it also includes pup joints, coupling stock, coupling material, and accessory materials, and establishes requirements for three product specification levels (PSL-1, PSL-2, and PSL-3). The requirements for PSL-1 are the basis of this standard.

This page summarizes how API 5CT casing and tubing are specified, including common grades, product specification levels (PSL), and standardized connection types. For product pages with size ranges and typical ends, refer to Steel Casing Pipe API 5CT and OCTG Tubing, API 5CT Tubing. For thread inspection and gauging references aligned with API connections, refer to API Coupling and Threads for Casing and Tubing.

Common Grades

• J55/K55
• N80/N80Q/L80
• C90
• R95/T95
• P110/C110
• Q125

Connections

API 5CT applies to the following connections which comply with API SPEC 5B:
SC: Short round thread casing
LC: Long round thread casing
BC: Buttress thread casing
NU: Non-upset tubing
EU: External upset tubing
IJ: Integral tubing connections

4 Groups of Grade

• Group 1: All casing and tubing in Grades H, J, K, N, and R
• Group 2: All casing and tubing in Grades C, L, M, and T
• Group 3: All casing and tubing in Grade P
• Group 4: All casing in Grade Q

View more information for API Couplings and Connections.

Manufacture

General

According to the API 5CT standard, steel material used for making the pipe billet shall undergo grain refining treatment. This steel shall contain one or more grain refining elements, such as a certain amount of aluminum, niobium, vanadium, or titanium, so that the austenite grains of the steel Grain refinement.

• Pipes supplied shall be manufactured in seamless type or EW type.
• Couplings, coupling stock, and coupling materials shall be seamless.
• Cold-drawn tubing pipe shall be properly heat treated; otherwise, it is not acceptable.
• Casing and tubing attachment materials shall be seamless pipes unless other types are stated on the order.

Casing and Tubing is a kind of OCTG pipe

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment methods for API 5CT casing and tubing are a key factor to differ in each grade. Products requiring heat treatment shall be subjected to full-body and full-length heat treatment. The heat-treated upsetting product should be heat-treated in terms of its full body and full length after upsetting.

A separately heat-treated coupling blank is acceptable. If the finishing temperature is higher than the upper critical temperature of the treated steel and the pipe is air-cooled, it shall be normalized.

in the case of welding type, the weld seam shall be heat treated to a minimum temperature of 540 ℃(1000°F), or a certain treatment method shall be used to make the no untempered martensite structure in the weld.

N80 Type 1 and Type Q

Steel grade N80 type 1 products shall be normalized or normalized and tempered at the option of the manufacturer.
N80Q steel-grade products shall be quenched and tempered.

R95

R95 steel grade shall be quenched and tempered.

L80

When tempered at temperatures below 620 ℃(1150°F), grade L80 grade 13 Cr may be embrittled.

Straightening

R95

R95 casing and tubing shall not be stretched or expanded cold working after final tempering, except for cold working which is necessary for normal straightening and not more than 3% of compression cold working.

M65 and L80

Steel grade M65 and L80 products shall not be cold worked after final heat treatment except for the cold working required for normal straightening.

C90 and T95

C90 and T95 products can be cold-rotated straightened, but the pipe must be heated to a minimum temperature of 480 ℃(1000°F) degrees for stress relief after straightening. Light gag straightening for steel grade C90 and T95 products is allowed if necessary.

C110

If necessary, the product shall be cold-rotated straightened and subsequently stress-relieved at temperatures between 30℃to 55℃ (50°F to 100 °F) below the final specified tempering temperature, or hot-rotated straightened at temperatures not more than 165℃ (300°F) below the final specified tempering temperature. If necessary, it is allowed to do light gag straightening.

Q125

Gag-press straightening or hot-rotating straightening can be performed for straightening, but the temperature at the end of the rotary straightening should not be less than 400 ℃ (750°F) (unless a higher temperature minimum is specified on the order). If the hot rotary straightening method cannot be used, the product can also be cold-rotated straightened, but the stress relief must be performed at 510 ℃ (950°F) after straightening. The product cannot be subjected to stress relief after cold rotary straightening only by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer.

Chemical Composition in API 5CT Specification

The product shall comply with the requirements specified in the chemical composition table for the specified steel grade and type. For the C110 steel grade, the manufacturer shall report when the purchaser asks for the lowest and highest ratios of all elements intentionally added to each batch (regardless of the purpose of its addition).

api 5ct chemical composition

Tensile Properties

The product shall meet the tensile performance requirements specified in this standard. The tensile properties of the upset casing and tubing (except for elongation) shall be consistent with the requirements of the pipe body. In case of any dispute, the properties of the upset area (except for the elongation) shall be determined by cutting the specimen from the upset.

api 5ct mechanical properties

Dimension, Masses, Pipe Ends, and Defects

API 5CT Casing dimensions and weight chart
API 5CT Tubing dimensions and weight

For field selection and take-off, dimensional references are often used together with application context. The API tubing and casing chart helps cross-check common tubing ODs against typical casing ODs and connections when the completion requires matched casing-tubing programs.

Labels and Sizes

In the dimensional table of this standard, the pipe is named with the labels and sizes (outer diameter). The outer diameter of the external upset pipe refers to the outer diameter of the pipe body, not the outer diameter of the upset portion.

Dimensions and Masses

The pipe shall be supplied by the sizes, wall thickness and tolerance masses specified in the order. Other plain end pipe sizes and wall thicknesses are available upon purchase and manufacturer agreement. Coupling stock, coupling materials, and accessory materials shall be supplied in the required size of the order or the size of the coupling material shall be as specified in the manufacturer’s internal requirements.

The accuracy of all measuring equipment used for receiving or rejecting shall be verified at least once per operating shift, apart from threaded ring gauges, plug gauges, and weighing implements.

According to the provisions of this standard, if a measuring device that is calibrated or verified is subject to abnormal or severe conditions sufficient to affect its accuracy, it should be re-calibrated or re-verified before further use.

Outside diameter tolerances

The following tolerances apply to the outside diameter, D, of casing and tubing:

For upset integral tubing connection

The following tolerances apply to the outside diameter of the pipe body immediately behind the upset for approximately 127 mm (5.0 in) for sizes Label 1: 5-1/2 and smaller, and a distance approximately equal to the outside diameter for sizes larger than Label 1: 5-1/2. Measurements shall be made with calipers or snap gauges.

Wall thickness

Tolerance for casing and tubing wall thickness is -12.5%.

Products end

Flat-end pipe

Flat-end pipe is a pipe supplied with unmachined threads, and it may be, or not be upset, in whichever case, it shall comply with all requirements of a specific steel grade in this standard.

Product with API Threads

Steel grade H40, J55, K55 or M65 casings are available in short or long threads. However, if the purchaser requests a long-threaded casing, it should be specified in the order.

Rounded Nose

The “round” or “bullet-nose” type of pipe end may be provided by the manufacturer or specified by the purchaser to replace the conventional corner breaks on the threaded ends of external upset tubing. The improved end should be rounded so that the coating is applied and the inner and outer surfaces are rounded and smooth, without sharp corners, or burrs.

Threading

Product threading, gauging practice, and thread inspection shall be in accordance with API Spec 5B. The product end shall not be hammered but may be slightly shaped to meet the requirements of thread machining. For steel grades of C90 and higher strength, such forming shall only be carried out with the consent of the purchaser.

Workmanship of ends

All product ends shall be free of burrs on the inside and outside edges. And sandblasting shall be applied to both male and female threads of C110 steel grade.

Defects

All pipes and fittings made of pipes shall not have the following defects:
a. Any quenching crack
b. Any arc burn
c. Any surface cracking defect that reduces the net effective wall thickness to less than 87.5% of the specified wall thickness can be confirmed.
d. When the non-destructive inspection is specified in this standard or on an order, any non-surface cracking defects on the outer surface having an area greater than 260 mm2 (0.41 in2) are detected.
e. Any non-surface cracking defect that reduces the effective wall thickness to less than 87.5% of the specified wall thickness can be confirmed within 1.6 mm (1/16 in) of both sides of the weld.
f. Any internal upset structure on all upset products may have sharp corners or drastic change of sections that can cause the 90 ° hook type tool to hang up.
g. Any non-linear surface cracking defects on the inner surface of the externally threaded part of the sanitary tube with a depth greater than 10% of the specified wall thickness.

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What is OCTG? It includes Drill Pipe, Steel Casing Pipe and Tubing https://www.octalsteel.com/octg-steel-casing-pipe-and-tubing/ https://www.octalsteel.com/octg-steel-casing-pipe-and-tubing/#respond Mon, 20 Aug 2018 12:40:01 +0000 http://www.octalsteel.com/?p=4428 OCTG is the abbreviation of Oil Country Tubular Goods, it mainly refers to the piping products that are applied in oil and gas production (drilling activities). OCTG pipe is normally manufactured based on API or related standard specifications. It could also be taken as a collective name for Drill pipe, Steel Casing Pipe and Tubing pipe, Couplings, Connections, and Accessories, used in petroleum industries both onshore and offshore.

In well construction, casing and tubing are the two primary OCTG strings that define integrity and production flow. Casing is the structural liner that supports the borehole and isolates formations after cementing, while tubing is the retrievable flow conduit installed inside casing. For API-grade selection and standard compliance, refer to API 5CT Casing and Tubing Specification, and for product-level size and connection options, refer to Steel Casing Pipe API 5CT and OCTG Tubing, API 5CT Tubing.

According to the API (American Petroleum Institute) standardized specifications, through the control of the chemical properties and adopting different heat treatments, OCTG pipe is classified into different performances material with more than ten grades.

Types of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG pipes)

There are three main types of Oil Country Tubular Goods, which include Drill pipe, Casing pipe, and Tubing pipe.

To give you a better understanding, we will explain the meaning of each of the three to help you understand their work and their use.

OCTG Drill pipe – Pipe for Drilling

Drill pipe is a heavy, seamless tube that rotates the drill bit and circulates drilling fluid. It allows the drilling fluid to be pumped through the bit and back up the annulus. The pipe can withstand axial tension, extremely high torque and high internal pressure. That is why the pipe is extremely strong and vital in OCTG endeavour.

Drill Pipe normally means the Durable steel pipe used in drilling, standards in API 5DP and API SPEC 7-1.

If you don’t understand the annulus of oil well, it is the space between the casing and the piping or any piping tubing, casing or piping immediately surrounding it. Annulus allows the fluid to circulate in the well. So when we are talking about strong or heavy-duty OCTG pipe, we are talking about Drill pipe.

Steel Casing pipe – Stabilize the wellbore

Steel casing pipe is a type of pipe used in the construction of wells, particularly in the oil and gas industry. It is used to line the borehole that is being dug into the ground to get oil. Just like the drill pipe, the steel pipe casing can also withstand axial tension. This is a large-diameter pipe inserted into a drilled borehole and held into place with cement. The casing is subject to the axial tension of its dead weight, the external pressure of the rock surrounding it, and the internal pressure of the purging fluid. When it is well cemented in place, the drilling process is aided in the following ways:

1. Structural Support: Casing sticks the drill string and prevents unstable upper formation from caving in, provide structural integrity to the wellbore, preventing it from collapsing during drilling and production.
2. Isolation: It prevents water well zone contamination, they isolate different geological formations to prevent the migration of fluids between them. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the well and protecting groundwater resources.
3. Protection: Casing provides a smooth internal bore for the installation of production equipment, safeguards the well from external contaminants and environmental factors, and ensures that the extracted resources remain uncontaminated. It also seals off high-pressure zones from the surface, preventing fluid loss in production areas.
4. Facilitating Production: Casing allows for the installation of production tubing and other equipment necessary for extracting oil or gas from the well.

Casing pipes are typically made from steel and come in various sizes and grades, depending on the specific requirements of the well and the conditions it will encounter, it is an extremely heavy-duty pipe vital to OCTG.

Casing and Tubing Manufacturing Video

OCTG Casing Pipe standard

Steel Casing pipe standards usually referred to API 5CT, Common Grades in J55/K55, N80, L80, C90, T95, P110 etc. Common length in R3 which nominal at 40 ft / 12 meters. Casing pipe ends connection types are usually in BTC and LTC, STC. And premium connections are also required in large quantities in an oil and gas piping project.

Steel Well Casing Pipe Price

Steel Casing Pipe cost is lower than drill pipe or the OCTG tubing cost, it is usually higher 200 USD than the regular API 5L pipe. Considering the Threading + Coupling cost or the heating treatment.

OCTG Tubing Pipe – Transporting Oil and Gas to the Surface Ground

OCTG Tubing pipe is a type of pipe used in the oil and gas industry, specifically within wells, to transport fluids (such as oil, gas, or water) from the production zone to the surface. Tubing is the simplest part of OCTG and it is normally found in the segment of 30 ft (9 m), with threaded connections at both ends. The pipe is either used to transport natural gas or crude oil from the producing formation to the facilities where it will be processed after drilling is complete. Here are some key characteristics and functions of tubing pipe:

1. Fluid Transport: Tubing serves as the conduit for the extracted fluids, allowing them to flow from the reservoir to the surface facilities for processing and storage.

2. Smaller Diameter: Tubing pipes typically have a smaller diameter compared to casing pipes, which allows for efficient flow rates and easier handling during installation.

3. Pressure Resistance: Tubing is designed to withstand the pressures encountered during production, ensuring safe and reliable transport of fluids.

4. Installation: Tubing is installed inside the casing and can be easily removed or replaced if necessary, facilitating maintenance and repairs.

5. Production Optimization: The design and material of tubing can be optimized for specific production conditions, enhancing the efficiency of fluid extraction.

This tubing must be able to withstand pressure during the extraction process and adequately resist loads and deformations that have to do with production and workovers. Just like casing is manufactured, tubing is also manufactured the same way, but an additional upsetting process is applied to make it thicker.

OCTG Tubing pipe standard

Same as casing pipe standard, OCTG tubing in API 5CT is also in the same material grades (J55/K55, N80, L80, P110 etc), but the tubing’s diameters are up to 4 1/2”, and it ends in various types such as BTC, EUE, NUE, and premium. Most commonly, thickened connections EUE.

Tubing Seamless Manufacturing Video

How steel casing pipe and tubing work together

OCTG pipe Casing and Tubing Specifications

Casing and Tubing Chemical composition in API 5CT
API 5CT Casing and Tubing Data Sheet Download

Mechanical Properties Tensile Strength and Yield Strength

Features for OCTG pipe

All OCTG pipes have a standard requirement of dependable hardness. So, whether it is OCTG tubing, OCTG pipe or OCTG drill pipe, there is a certain required standard that is always about super hardness. To meet the standard, manganese and chromium are used as the main alloys to confirm cohesion and durability.

There has been recent developments to eliminate sulfide stress cracking, which is the major problem with manganese and chromium. Alloy and Molybdenum are blended together to overcome the chromium and manganese limitations. So OCTG pipes are now harder than ever, and the fear of sulfide stress cracking has been eliminated.

Looking to buy OCTG Pipe with assured quality at a good price?

Unlike in the past when sulfide stress cracking is a major issue, OCTG pipes are now harder than ever before and are well protected against cracking. If you are looking for the best OCTG distributor, look no further because we – one of the most responsible OCTG distributors – are here.

We make sure our drill pipe, casing and tubing are made to the best quality from guaranteed raw steel material, with competitive prices all over China. All the Oil Country Tubular Goods we supply comply with API standards and are under witness inspection from third parties. They can be used for decades to save your cost in the long run.

As a recognized professional manufacturer, supplier, and distributor, we provide a piping solution for oil and gas companies. Contact us for top-quality OCTG pipe today.

OCTG Delivery from Octal

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API Coupling and Threads for Casing and Tubing https://www.octalsteel.com/api-coupling-and-threads/ https://www.octalsteel.com/api-coupling-and-threads/#respond Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:42:02 +0000 http://www.octalsteel.com/?p=4243 API Coupling refers to the steel couplings that used in connecting casing pipe and tubing. Also known by OCTG coupling, it is usually manufactured in seamless type, material grade same with the pipe body (API 5CT K55/J55, N80, L80, P110 etc), same PSL or providing higher grades than requested. Same heat treatment also applicable, except there is an special requirements.

Steel Coupling Definition

As we know steel pipe coupling is a short pipe or tube that with threads on both ends, used to connect pipelines. So It is a kind of pipe fittings that with threaded connection, the advantage is easy for pipeline maintenance or to replace the broken pipe.

What is API coupling used for?

To be simple, it is the internally threaded cylinder for joining two lengths of threaded pipe.

With this purpose, API 5CT standard coupling plays an important feature in connecting casing and tubing line pipes. On the contrary, the biggest different with general steel pipe coupling is: API coupling manufacturing processes is more rigorous, requires a precisely control in the different processes as blew listed.

Raw material selection
Mechanical test including tensile strength
Impact test
Chemical properties control
Sulfide stress cracking test (for Material grades in C90 or T95)
Size tolerances, OD, Wall Thickness, Length and Straightness
Threads control, threads quantity per inch, threads angle etc (Premium threads option will be more rigorous)
Heat treatment
Additional markings
Material certification
Product Specification Level (PSL-2 or PSL-3)

API coupling specification

As we told, one of the important figure of API coupling, that it shall be made of seamless, another is the same grade as the casing or tubing pipe body, and these materials are used for manufacturing the blank coupling.

Coupling should be processed from coupling blanks or from coupling stock, including manufactured in hot forging. (Except Grade C110 and Q125 couplings shall not be in hot forging. These two grades material are typically different from other grades, so if you are purchasing couplings in this grades, should pay more attention to read regulations in API 5CT spec.)

API Coupling raw material type

Coupling raw material called as or divided to:
• Coupling stock
• Coupling material
• Coupling blanks
• Accessory material
All of these could be taken as the unthreaded material used to produce an individual coupling.

Coupling Blanks as below picture

Heat treatment or substitute material grades (Special requirements)

In case purchase order did not specified heat treatment types, J55/K55 casing or tubing coupling shall be furnished either in as rolled, normalized, normalized and tempered, or quenched and tempered.
• J55 EU tubing shall be with Grade L80 type 1 special clearance couplings when specified on the order.
• J55 and K55 BTC casing shall be furnished with L80 Type 1 couplings when specified on the PO.
• N80 type 1 normalized casing or tubing pipe shall be furnished with either normalized and tempered N80 type 1 or N80Q couplings.
• N80 type 1 and N80Q EUE tubing shall be furnished with P110 special clearance couplings, in case specified in the PO.
• N80 Type 1 and N80Q buttress casing pipe shall be furnished with Grade P110 couplings, in case specified in the PO.

Coupling Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties of casing or tubing coupling shall comply to the clauses 7 and 10, covers test frequency, retest provision, etc. And this test records could be shown to third party inspector assigned from the client.

How many types for the API couplings

There are several types covered in API 5CT standard for coupling specifications, classified in regular couplings, special clearance couplings, combination couplings, reducing couplings, seal ring couplings, and special bevel tubing regular couplings.

Regular couplings

Regular couplings diameters complied with API 5CT Tables C.32 to C.35 or Tables E.32 to E.35. Coupling bearing contact face inside and outside edges shall be rounded or broken, but shall not significantly reduce the width of the bearing face (dimension b), since less thickness will not be safe to support the pipe weight. The ends of couplings shall be faced exactly at right angles to the axis.

Special clearance couplings

In case specified in the contract, special-clearance (reduced outside diameter Wc) couplings for buttress (BTC connection) casing and external upset (EUE connection) tubing shall be furnished. Unless otherwise specified, special-clearance external upset tubing couplings shall have a special bevel on both ends. The inside and outside edges of the bearing face shall be rounded or beveled. The ends (or root face when beveled) of couplings shall be faced at right angles to the axis.

Special-clearance coupling dimensions and tolerances shall comply to as given in Tables C.33 and C.35 or Tables E.33 and E.35 and as shown on Figures D.3 and D.5. Color identification see clause 11.

Combination couplings

Combination couplings with different types of thread of the same specified size shall be furnished when specified on the contract. The minimum length and minimum OD of this coupling shall be sufficient to work with the specified size specified threads.

Reducing couplings

Reducing coupling is also kind of pup joint, used to connect two pipes of different diameter with the same or different types of thread
on the two ends. Same with combination coupling, minimum length and minimum diameter of reducing couplings shall be sufficient to support the specified size and threads.

Seal-ring couplings

Sealing-ring couplings conforming to the requirements shall be furnished when specified in the PO. Grooves may be cut before or after threading at manufacture’s option. Grooves and threads shall be free of fins, wickers and ribbons that are loose or can become loose and fold into the thread dorm. Couplings shall be inspected after final machining of the groove.

Special clearance coupling

When specified in the order, special-clearance (reduced outside diameter) couplings for buttress casing and external upset tubing shall be furnished.

Combination coupling

Reducing coupling are used to connect two pipes of different diameter with the same or different types of thread on the two ends, and shall be furnished when specified on the agreements. The minimum length and minimum diameter of reducing couplings shall be sufficient to accommodate the specified size and type of threads.

Differences between Casing coupling and tubing coupling

There are couplings for casing and couplings for tubing, the function is the same that to connect the pipe each other. On the other hand, still there are some differences between the two.

Coupling selection is typically driven by the connection family (round thread vs buttress vs premium) and the service role of each string in casing and tubing programs. For the standard definition of API connections and acceptance practice, refer to API 5CT Casing and Tubing Specification. For product-level casing ends and common tubing ends used in oil and gas wells, refer to Steel Casing Pipe API 5CT and OCTG Tubing, API 5CT Tubing.

Tubing coupling

Normally tubing coupling OD maximum is 4 1/2”, as the tubing pipe is applied for the drilling activities (Inside the tubing is the sucker rod to drill/pump the oil), couplings type is more various and rigorous than casing, mostly used is thicken type upset coupling (Internal upset and external upset), for short is EUE coupling, it is the most favorable in tubing connections. Tubing with EU end (EUE) coupling connection also called UPTBG. Because of the end of the tubing is thickened (upset), the connecting stress is better than buttress coupling.
Buttress coupling another type used for tubing connections, it has the same thickness of the pipe body, called NU end (NUE)tubing or TBG.

Features

The oil tubing coupling can solve the problem of fatigue fracture in the existing coupling due to stress concentration. Oil tubing end is connected to the inside wall of the coupling in a tapered thread. The coupling body end and oil tubing are connected with same thread pitch flat thread. The coupling is not easy to produce fatigue fracture, and has good connection effect. It can prevent the accident of oil well pipe string break effectively.

Casing coupling

Casing coupling is for the dimensions more than 4 1/2 inch. Differently than tubing coupling is, casing coupling normally does not need to be thickened (Non-upset), which means no upset casing coupling, so it has following types:
• BTC: Buttress coupling
• LTC: Long buttress coupling
• STC: Short buttress coupling
All three types has same thickness of the casing pipe body, just have different lengths.

The oil casing coupling is a necessary piece used to connect the two casing. The coupling manufacturing method is the same as seamless pipe. The steel pipe ends with internal thread to connect with the upper and lower casing. In order to ensure the joint tightness, the precision of screw thread is strictly required.

API Threads

API Threads is for the threads manufactured and inspected under API 5B. Couplings shall not be expanded to provide required threads taper under API specifications.

(NOTE Couplings with API threads may not have a leak resistance as high as the internal yield pressure of the pipe body, due to inadequate bearing pressure between the coupling and pin.)

API 5B

API 5B is the standard specification for threading, gauging, and inspection of Casing, Tubing and line pipe threads.

Threading and Gauging

API 5B covers dimensions, tolerances, and marking for API threads and the gauges that control the acceptance criteria for the threads. It includes thread element gauges, instruments, and requirements for the inspection of threads for line pipe, casing and tubing (round threads), and buttress casing connections. Thread dimensions shown without specifications (or shown as NA) are not subject to inspection of diameter, ovality, and addendum. Thread dimensions shown without tolerances are related to the basis for connection design and are not subject to measurement to determine acceptance of product.

Coverage—Inspection

Thread inspection is conducted at the point of production before shipment, as well as at intermediate points, at the destination, or by a third-party inspection company hired by the buyer or the manufacturer.

The manufacturer also has the right to use other instruments or methods to control manufacturing operations. However, the material must be accepted or rejected based on whether the inspection results comply with the standard or not. Thread inspection is carried out using instruments designed to measure either the functional relationship of multiple thread elements or an individual thread element.

The inspection requirements include measurements of standoff, diameter, ovality, addendum, taper, lead, height, and thread angle. It should be noted that these specifications are only applicable to threads with a quantity less than or equal to 11 1/2 per inch (which is 0.45 or less turns per mm). Ring and plug gauges are designed to measure the functional size of an internal or external thread. Individual thread elements listed in API 5B are measured using one or more specific instruments.

Premium coupling and threads type

A premium connection is a higher-class type of connection used to connect casing or tubing pipelines. The reason for using a premium connection is due to its high sealing performance, strength, and durability.

Premium couplings and premium threads are patented products that can only be produced or sold with manufacturer authorization. Below are some common brands or models of premium connections:

• Vam Top, VAM FJL: Threads from Vam Services company.
• Tenaris (TSH) wedge Series W511, W533; Blue Series; Hydril Series HYD CS.
• Hunting Connections Seal-Lock-Flush (SLX), Seal-Lock Semi Flush (SLSF).
• BGT threads connection from Baosteel
• TPCQ from TPCO

API Coupling dimensions

API casing and tubing coupling dimension ranges from OD 1.05 inch to 20 inch (26.7 mm to 508 mm), wall thickness normally ranges from 0.16 inch to 1 inch (4.2 mm to 22 mm).

Dimensions and tolerances

There are several groups defined in API 5CT for coupling types, which are detailed as follows:

  • For Group 1, 2, and 3: Unless specified in the purchase agreement, coupling dimensions and tolerances shall comply with API 5CT tables C.32 to C.35 or tables E.32 to E.35.
  • For Group 4: Internal machining can be done to the coupling, and external machining is also allowed. However, if other connection couplings or threads (Premium connection) are used, the coupling sizes shall be specified in the agreement. API couplings and threads must comply with C.32 and C.33, or E.32 and E.33.

Below are two common API coupling dimensions: BTC for casing, and EUE for tubing.

API buttress casing couplings dimensions (BTC Casing Coupling)

API buttress BTC coupling dimensions

API external upset tubing coupling dimensions (EUE Tubing Coupling)

API EUE tubing coupling dimensions

Other requirements in API 5CT Standard

1). Appearance quality

According to API 5CT specification, the internal and external surface of coupling shall not have folding, cracks, separation, scaling or other defects.

2). Test methods

The tests conducted for making couplings are similar to those carried out for casing and tubing, which includes: Tensile test, flattening test, hydrostatic pressure test, sulfide stress corrosion cracking test, grain size determination, transverse impact test and hardness test.

Octal supplies API couplings for casing and tubing connections, feel free to contact us for any of the request refer to the API or premium connections.

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