BESTOLIFE recommends the following procedures for the application and use of our thread compounds on rotary-shouldered connections:

COMPOUND PREPARATION AND CONTAMINATION

Upon opening the container, stir the product with either a dope brush or other suitable device to blend the oil and/or the component solids that may have settled during shipment and storage. Stirring is particularly critical for high-density materials such as lead and zinc, and for high-temperature (>90ºF) storage conditions. After opening, take care to protect the compound from contamination such as drilling fluids, water, dirt, and other debris. Never add material (diesel fuel, kerosene, motor oil, etc.) to the compound to improve ease of application — such contamination or adulteration can change the friction factor and degrade galling resistance properties.

CONNECTION SURFACE PREPARATION

All connection contact surfaces should be clean and free of drilling fluids and other contaminant residues prior to the application of the compound. Contamination with drilling fluids, which contain large amounts of solids and cutting residues, can substantially change the friction factor of the thread compound and, consequently, alter the amount of makeup for a given applied torque. In addition, the solids present in drilling fluids and muds can promote galling and degrade the thread compound’s galling resistance properties. Polymer-based mud systems can leave residue on the connection that will adversely affect its adherence. A substantial amount of water will also negatively affect the compound’s adherence to the connection surfaces. (Small amounts of moisture, which often are unavoidable, will not affect compound performance.)

COMPOUND APPLICATION

Apply the thread compound liberally and uniformly to the entire contact surface of both the pin and box. The frequent practice of slapping a “gob” of pipe dope on one side of the bin or box and trusting the pipe rotation during makeup to distribute the compound over the connection surface is not sufficient for uniform application. Work the compound into the thread roots to completely cover the shoulder surface. When doping pins during tripping or when the pipe is on a rack, take care to ensure that the compound does not pick up floor contaminants (dried mud, cuttings, etc.) when standing the string on the rig floor prior to running. Ideally, install protectors on the pins after doping and remove them just prior to stabbing on the rig floor to eliminate a source of compound contamination and also reduce pin nose damage during pipe stand-up.

CONNECTION BREAK-IN / NONMAGNETIC MATERIALS

Establish a break-in procedure for new or newly refaced connections consisting of 2-3 low-torque, slow-speed makeups at 50-75% of final makeup torque prior to running. This practice will burnish and harden the connection surfaces prior to the application of full contact stress, and will greatly improve resistance to galling. Nonmagnetic materials such as Monel and martensitic chromes are extremely prone to galling. Depending on operating conditions, these materials may require a 60% lead-based compound to resist galling damage. Lead is particularly effective for galling resistance due to its inherent lubricity and ability to “smear out” and plate on the connection contact surfaces during makeup.