Tripping Out: Breaking Out Pipe
In this process, the crew uses the tongs and cathead to breakout the pipe.
The floor crew sets slips around the drill stem.
The rotary table may be used to spin out the pipe after breaking the connection. It is critical that roughnecks know their jobs because things can go wrong very quickly, with little time to respond.
Potential Hazards
- being struck by swinging tongs if they break free from the pipe
- being struck by the slip handles if the rotary table is used to spin the drill string
- being struck by reverse backlash of tongs (backbiting) during breakout operations
- being struck by the tongs if a snub line breaks or the tongs come unlatched
Possible Solutions
- Implement an effective breakout pipe procedure:
- Personnel other than tong operators stand outside the tong swing radius when breaking pipe.
- No one should stand in the red zone.
- Use proper tong latching techniques and use proper hand and finger placement on tong handles.
- Stand clear of the rotary table when it is rotating.
- Use special procedures when making high torque connections.
- Inspect tong dies and snub lines each tour.
- Maintain good communication between floor hands and driller.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-7. Where are roughnecks forbidden to stand while breaking out pipe?
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