Environmentally Acceptable Thread Compounds:Requirements Defined
Authors: Stringfellow W.D. , Hendriks R.V. , Jacobs N.L. 
Published: October 2008

New environmental regulations on thread compounds are now being enforced in several areas with strong maritime tradition and a sensitive environment. These areas include Indonesia, Alaska and portions of Norway. The industry generally recognizes the environmental concerns but, with wider enforcement of regulations imminent, has not been able to define clearly the requirements for environmental compliance.

This paper, written in collaboration with The Netherlands State Supervision of Mines, is based on the "National Policy on Thread Compounds" of The Netherlands.1 This national policy is representative of policies being followed by other North Sea governments. Similar policies might well be adopted by other governments worldwide. These policies will affect the operator, drilling contractor, and supplier.

This paper provides a specific and detailed definition of thread compound requirements by addressing four relevant categories. The categories of interest are regulatory approval, environmental, health, and performance.

Introduction

Thread compounds have been a topic of much interest in recent years. Interest arose because of anticipated enforcement of environmental regulations. The basic environmental problem has been in defining what environmental requirements apply to thread compounds.

It is a mistake to dismiss thread compounds as only a minor part of drilling and producing. Though consumption volume is low compared to mud or cement, traditional thread compounds may contain around 50% metallic powder. Virtually all drill-pipe compound and a substantial fraction of casing compound eventually incorporate into circulating fluids. This is now the largest single source of heavy metal contamination in drilling.

In addition, even the cleanest operators now face the risk of inheriting an environmental problem from a previous rig user, a steel mill, or a rental company. Lead compounds used on previous jobs or for tubular storage accumulate in mud pits, on the drill floor, and on the connections themselves.

The paper is informational in nature. It details one advanced environmental policy covering thread compounds. These particulars provide the end user and manufacturer with a clear definition of thread compound requirements that can be applied everywhere. It does not identify, or discuss, specific thread compounds, environmentally acceptable or otherwise.

There are four specific requirements for an acceptable thread compound:It must be approved. Here are some specific requirements for obtaining acceptance or notification of compounds.It must be "environmental." Here are the key factors to identify controlled and prohibited substances (along with specific methods to assess environmental acceptability of controlled substances). The impact of persistence, dispersibility, and bio-acceptability of substances along with point source and waste management enforcement techniques is also discussed.It must meet health and safety requirements. Toxicity and chemical stability testing requirements for safe field applications are presented.It must perform. Specific methods for assessing the functional performance2 of thread compounds, when used with API 8-round, buttress, and proprietary connectors, are provided.