How to Store, Transport and Inspect Water Well Drill Pipes Before the Next Drilling Project

The service life of a water well drill pipe depends not only on drilling conditions.

Damage can also occur during transportation, loading, unloading, outdoor storage, and improper handling.

Protect Thread Connections

Pin and box threads are precision components.

Use suitable thread protectors during:

• Transportation

• Warehouse storage

• Long-term outdoor storage

• Loading and unloading

Never allow threaded ends to repeatedly strike the ground or other drill pipes.

Keep Drill Pipes Properly Supported

Long drill rods should be stored on stable supports.

Poor stacking can increase the risk of:

• Bending

• Rolling

• Impact damage

• Unsafe handling

Control Corrosion

Before long-term storage:

• Clean drilling residue.

• Dry wet components.

• Inspect exposed steel surfaces.

• Apply suitable corrosion protection where required.

Inspect Before Returning to Service

Before the next drilling project, check:

Pipe Body

• Bending

• Severe abrasion

• Dents

• Cracks

• Corrosion

Threads

• Wear

• Deformation

• Contamination

• Damaged shoulders

Connections and Weld Areas

• Visible cracking

• Abnormal wear

• Deformation

Separate Damaged Rods

Do not mix questionable drill pipes back into the normal drill-string inventory without inspection.

A failure at the surface is inconvenient. A failure hundreds of meters inside a borehole can be much more expensive.

Improve Inventory Management

Professional drilling companies can mark or record drill pipes according to:

• Specification

• Purchase batch

• Operating history

• Inspection status

YKDRILL supplies water well drill pipes for contractors and distributors serving water well, geothermal, mining, and construction drilling markets.

Correct storage and inspection help protect the investment already made in the drill string and prepare equipment for the next project.