What are Safety Clamps?

Safety clamps are an essential component of any drilling site! They are primarily used as a backup safety mechanism for slips and other gripping devices against drill pipe slippage. In a component failure, safety clamps can also provide additional control.

 

This blog post will go over safety clamps in detail and how they should be used on your drilling site to get the best results. Let's get started!

 

Safety Clamp Implementation 

Slips are made to taper and wedge tightly against the rotary bushings. The serrated teeth inside the slips were designed to grip the pipe and stabilize and suspend the drill string in the rotary table. However, if the slips do not have enough grip, the pipe may slip and cause significant damage, so safety clamps were developed.

 

Safety clamps are used in conjunction with slips as an added precaution against costly damage and lost production time. Individual, tapered links that are hinged for flexibility are used to make safety clamps. Individual sections of a safety clamp can be added or removed to accommodate different-sized pipes, making them a versatile solution for various drill sites.

 

Each link in the safety clamps has its own set of spring-loaded teeth to firmly grip the pipe. If the slip fails or the pipe begins to fall, the spring-loaded teeth absorb the impact, and the safety clamps wedge tighter against the pipe. This prevents any further slippage and protects the pipe from damage.


Looking for oilfield pump parts? How about you visit our website and kickstart your search?

 

How Does It Work?

It is, as the name implies, a "safety" device. It takes extra effort to keep a single joint or an entire pipe string from falling down the hole.

 

 

Little weight is transferred to the slips when a drill- or casing crew starts running the first pipes in the hole. The slips are tapered to fit the rotary bushings and will not sink in very far. The slips will firmly set with a more aggressive bite on the pipe as the weight increases. With so little pipe weight in the slips, they are not biting the pipe sufficiently, and slippage is possible.

 

This is where the safety clamp comes into play. It is made up of segments with spring-loaded dies (shock-absorbing). When the pipe slips, the safety clamp absorbs the impact and forces the slips deeper into the rotary, preventing the pipe from falling down the hole.

 

No Banging on the Clamps, Please!

Most rig crews believe that you must tighten the safety clamp to its maximum limit, which is a major misconception (banging with a sledgehammer). This is poor form, and this causes the clamp to become too tight and compresses the springs behind the dies. If the safety clamp comes into contact with the slips, it will lose its ability to absorb shock.

 

Safety Clamps, Do’s And Don’ts.

  • Typically, the safety clamp is used until the string reaches sufficient weight. This will depend on the tubular specifications.

  • If the Casing/Tubing/Drill pipe is flush, meaning there is no upset or coupling, the safety clamp should be used for the entire string.

  • A safety clamp should not be used in conjunction with automated slips. This creates a hazard rather than a safety factor. If you use automated slips and a manual safety clamp, you risk major equipment damage in the event of an impact. Although Company Representatives may insist on using the clamp in this configuration, it is strongly advised against doing so.

  • Never use a safety clamp to hoist anything. Therefore, this device was not designed for lifting and is not rated as such. The clamp's handles are for manual handling only and should not be used as pad eyes.

  • Never use a single-joint elevator as a "safety clamp". This may be a faster solution than installing the actual clamp. Still, it is not designed for that purpose and could cause serious equipment damage.

 

Different Models & Makes

There are three types of safety clamps that various companies worldwide manufacture. On the drill floor, the most common nickname is "Dog Collar."

 

 

Again, as we mentioned in the slip blog, avoid mixing parts from different manufacturers, even if they appear compatible. The tool's warranty is no longer valid, and because tolerances on the parts may differ slightly, you could be in big trouble.

 

When it comes to safety, clamps are classified into three types. The smallest size is a "T" type, the intermediate and larger sizes are "C" types, and the "MP" type stands for Multi-Purpose. The sizes of the "C" and "MP" types overlap, but the "MP" is generally heavier and more difficult to handle.

 

So, if you are looking for oilfield tools, Drilling Parts is the perfect place to start with.