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Title: Degradation of titanium drillpipe from corrosion and wear

Journal Article · · SPE Drilling and Completion; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/23532-PA· OSTI ID:6018268
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
  2. Metallurgical Consultants Inc., Montebello (United States)

Drilling deeper than 35,000 ft is limited by the extreme hook loads of steel drillpipe and temperature constraints of aluminum drillpipe. Titanium Alloys Ti-6Al-4V and Beta C have been proposed for use in drillpipe for wells deeper than 35,000 ft because of their high strength/weight ratios, superior high-temperature corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. Their suitability in drilling environments, however, has not been evaluated. To determine the corrosion and wear characteristics of two types of titanium-alloy drillpipe under dogleg conditions, a test cell was constructed to test titanium drillpipe joints in contact with API Spec. 5CT Grade P-110 casing in different drilling muds. Titanium-alloy pipe and Grade P-110 casing wear rates were measured, and tests showed that both titanium-alloy pipes exhibited much greater wear than did steel drillpipe in water-based mud under the same conditions. Test data showed that the total wear rate of Alloys Ti-6Al-4V and Beta C in a drilling environment is a combination of mechanical wear and corrosion.

OSTI ID:
6018268
Journal Information:
SPE Drilling and Completion; (United States), Vol. 8:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English