Aluminum pipe?

Alcoa has announced it will start producing aluminum pipe for well drilling.  They say the lighter weight will allow deeper holes and they will be more corrosion resistant.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/alcoa-pipes-idINL2E8J2DZM2...

That should help create more American jobs, especially if they start to export pipe or the technology.

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Permalink Reply by Ragnars Repo on August 11, 2012 at 3:01am
Time to invest in bauxite mines?
Permalink Reply by paleface on August 11, 2012 at 3:25am

 You won't have to worry about rusty old well caseings leaking,if Aluminum works its good step in the right direction.

Permalink Reply by Mike Knapp on August 11, 2012 at 4:13am

its drill pipe, not casing.... and this isn't new, we've been using it for years.  Good to see an American company getting some more work though!!!

Permalink Reply by Ragnars Repo on August 11, 2012 at 7:18am
Why is it not used in casing? Is it just a matter of strength?
Permalink Reply by craig on August 11, 2012 at 2:22pm

More like the problem is cost....drilling pipe is re-used many times which makes it cost effective and is lighter which allows smaller rigs to do the same job, or longer lengths with the big rigs.

Permalink Reply by Dan on August 12, 2012 at 2:10am

Mike,

Isn't this actually extruded tubing with machined ends, not pipe?  Many aluminum alloys that are high strenth can not be welded or bent as much as steel.  I would guess they offer a straighter pilot and less vibration and wobble but if damaged can't be repaired.  Do they flex enough to make the radius to horizontal?

Dan 

Permalink Reply by Mike Knapp on August 12, 2012 at 9:53am
Dan,

I'd usually refer to it as drill steel but as were talking Aluminum.... But yes, it's tubing with threaded ends the same as any other drill steel. Dont know about vibration... We use it to extend the depth capability of our top hole rigs. don't know if it's used in horizontal wells or not, but with the depths we see here I doubt that most big rigs have a problem tripping out.
Permalink Reply by Dan on August 12, 2012 at 3:54pm

Thanks Mike,

I don't know anything about drilling practices but if the aluminum tubing "pipes"  are a quality alloy, great care of the threads would be needed to keep them in good shape above and beyond using steel.  The cost would be many times more for aluminum and if field repairs are made on the steel threads, aluminum would tear the dies up way quicker.  Cheap aluminun would really require more care but I can't imagine that is used.  Do you know what a piece of aluminum drill tube costs?  Are the steel and aluminum pipes universal in size, interchangable?  If so steel could still be used to bend the radius and cut the horizontal using aluminum on the vertical if it is to stiff to make the bend.

In another discussion, Jack pointed out how the word "Fracking" was irratating to O&G profesionals.  I am not a machinist or metalurgist but if O&G pros refer to tubing as pipe I have no remorse for wrongly using the term "fracking". 

I have to ask, and please tell us, if casing is tubing, not pipe?

Dan

Permalink Reply by jason smith on August 12, 2012 at 6:30pm
Jim is the Litwinovich well permit in Pulaski township? I was told it was but can't confirm it.
Permalink Reply by Jim Litwinowicz on August 13, 2012 at 1:56am

There are a couple of large tracts of land owned by the Litwinovich family (surprisingly, we are not related) some are in Pulaski some are not. Not sure where the pad for that permit is located.

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