Comprehensive evaluation of threaded casing connection integrity under well conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31471/1993-9868-2026-1(45)-146-158Keywords:
threaded connection; anaerobic sealant; horizontal well; finite element modeling; stress-strain state; combined loads.Abstract
An analysis of modern approaches to casing string sealing has been conducted, revealing that as drilling complexity increases, particularly in horizontal wells, traditional methods of sealing casing threaded connections become ineffective. Even advanced thread designs do not guarantee reliability due to the risk of local seal failure caused by a complex stress-strain state. Approaches to improving the tightness of casing strings, combining anaerobic sealants and finite element modeling (FEM), have been investigated. The stress-strain state of thread contact zones under combined operational loads has been analyzed. Basic technological solutions for this issue are presented – the use of anaerobic sealants capable of polymerizing in an oxygen-free environment and providing tight contact with metal surfaces, even in the presence of micro-irregularities. They are characterized by high adhesion, resistance to aggressive fluids and temperatures up to 230 °C, and maintain their properties under vibrations and cyclic loads. The work aims to deepen previous studies through detailed modeling of the sealant behavior in a confined environment. Based on the analysis of physical and mechanical characteristics, patterns of the stress-strain state of connections have been established. It is proven that anaerobic materials ensure sealing while simultaneously effectively redistributing loads in threaded connections. The application of anaerobic sealants increases the reliability of casing strings in horizontal wells by reducing stress concentrations, improving thread contact stability, and preventing micro-leakage in challenging geological conditions. Comprehensive studies and the results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of implementing anaerobic sealants into casing assembly practice as an effective means of enhancing the reliability and operational safety of casing strings in horizontal wells.
Downloads
References
1. American Petroleum Institute. Specification 5CT: Casing and Tubing. Washington : API Pub-lishing Services, 2018. 250 p.
2. American Petroleum Institute. API Specification 5B: Threading, Gauging and Inspection of Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe Threads. Washington : API, 2017. 200 p.
3. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 13679:2019. Petroleum and natural gas industries – Procedures for testing casing and tubing connections. Geneva : ISO, 2019.
4. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 10400:2007. Petroleum and natural gas industries – Formulae and calculations for casing, tubing and drill pipe properties. Geneva : ISO, 2007.
5. Bourgoyne A. T. Applied Drilling Engineering. SPE, 1991.
6. Zienkiewicz O. C., Taylor R. L. The Finite Element Method. Elsevier, 2005.
7. Bathe K. J. Finite Element Procedures. MIT Press, 1996.
8. Cook R. D. Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis. Wiley, 2001.
9. COMSOL Multiphysics®. Thread Sealing Simulation Example. Electronic resource. Availa-ble from: https://www.comsol.com/model/thread-sealing-13971
10. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 15156. Materials for use in H₂S-containing environments in oil and gas production. Geneva : ISO, 2015.
11. Oil & Gas Systems. Thread Compounds: Technical Overview.
12. NOV Tuboscope. Thread Compound Reference Guide.
13. American Petroleum Institute. API RP 5C5: Recommended Practice for Thread Compounds for Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe. Washington : API, 2017.
14. Henkel AG & Co. Loctite Anaerobic Adhesives and Sealants Overview. Electronic re-source. Available from: https://www.henkel-adhesives.com
15. Henkel AG & Co. Technical Data Sheet: LOCTITE® 577 Thread Sealant.
16. Baker Hughes. Thread Sealant Series. Electronic resource. Available from: https://www.bakerhughes.com
17. Logan D. L. A First Course in the Finite Element Method. Cengage Learning, 2012.
18. Belytschko T. Nonlinear Finite Elements for Continua and Structures. Wiley, 2013.
19. Ansys Inc. Ansys Mechanical User’s Guide. Version 2022 R2.
20. Schlumberger. Threaded Connection Integrity in High-Deviation Wells.
21. ASTM International. ASTM A370-21: Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechani-cal Testing of Steel Products. ASTM International, 2021.
22. Bickford J. H. An Introduction to the Design and Behavior of Bolted Joints. CRC Press, 2007.
23. Johnson K. L. Contact Mechanics. Cambridge University Press, 1985.
24. Dowson D. Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication. Elsevier, 1998.
25. American Petroleum Institute. API RP 5C1: Care and Use of Casing and Tubing. Washing-ton : API, 2016.
26. American Petroleum Institute. API TR 5C3: Technical Report on Casing and Tubing Per-formance. Washington : API, 2018.
27. Lysak O. V. Sealing of threaded casing connections: current state and prospects. Oil and Gas
Industry. 2022. No. 2. P. 59–67.
28. Hrytsenko I. I., Kovalenko A. S. Strength modeling of threaded connections using the finite element method. Scientific Bulletin of IFNTUOG. 2021. No. 3. P. 77–84.
29. Zelinskyi A. A. Improvement of casing string tightness in gas wells : Master’s thesis. Ivano-Frankivsk : IFNTUOG, 2022. 85 p.
30. Zelinskyi A. A. Industrial internship report: Oil and Gas Engineering specialty. Ivano-Frankivsk : IFNTUOG, 2020. 42 p.
31. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Rudyi S. M., Femiak Ya. M. et al. Influence of acid systems on bot-tomhole zone decolmatization and set cement stability. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solid State. 2024.
Vol. 25, No. 3. P. 664–674. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.25.3.664-674
32. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Femiak Ya. M., Vytyaz O. Yu. et al. Improving the reliability of oil and gas well cementing using composite plugging systems./ SOCAR Proceedings. 2025. No. 3. P. 59–69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5510/OGP20250301097
33. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Femiak Ya. M. et al. Research of cement stone permeability. Journal of
Physics and Chemistry of Solid State. 2025. Vol. 26, No. 3. P. 480–488. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.26.3.480-488
34. DSTU 4149-2003. Oil and gas wells – Terms and definitions. Kyiv : Derzhspozhyvstandart of Ukraine, 2003.
35. DSTU B V.2.7-212:2009. Sealing materials – General specifications. Kyiv : Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine, 2009.
36. Tenaris. Premium Connections for OCTG. Electronic resource. Available from: https://www.tenaris.com
37. Vallourec. VAM® Connections Catalog. Electronic resource. Available from: https://www.vallourec.com/en/products/oil-gas/connections
38. Nippon Steel Corporation. Oilfield Tubular Goods Catalog. Tokyo, 2021. 110 p.
39. Femiak Ya. M., Zelinskyi A. A. Ensuring the tightness of casing strings in gas wells using
anaerobic sealants. Proceedings of the III International Conference “Modern Research in World Science”. Lviv, 2024.
40. Femiak Ya. M., Zelinskyi A. A. Improvement of casing string tightness in gas wells using anaerobic sealants. Scientific Research and Innovation. Dnipro, 2024.
41. Zelinskyi A. A., Femiak Ya. M. Features of sealing threaded casing connections in direc-tional wells. Modern Research in World Science. Lviv, 2024.
42. Budynas R., Nisbett J. Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design. McGraw-Hill, 2015.
43. Timoshenko S. Strength of Materials. McGraw-Hill, 1955.
44. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Femiak Ya. M., Vytyaz O. Yu., Ziaja J. Features of drilling and improv-ing the quality of well cementing in conditions of abnormally low reservoir pressures. Nauka–Technika–Technologia. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7494/978-83-68219-19-7
45. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Romaniv M. V., Femiak Ya. M. et al. Complex units for sectional cas-ing of oil and gas wells. Naftogazova Energetyka. 2024. No. 2(42). P. 85–98. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31471/
1993-9868-2024-2(42)-85-98
46. Stavychnyi Ye. M., Mykhailiuk V. V., Femiak Ya. M. et al. Application of cement plugs in well construction. Prykarpatskyi Visnyk NTSh. 2024. No. 19(73). P. 155–174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31471/
2304-7399-2024-19(73)-155-174.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Oil and Gas Power Engineering
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
.png)
1.png){kind=logo}
