DRILL RODS

DRILL

ROD
SIZE

O.D.

I.D.

WEIGHT 10 FOOT ROD

ROD RADIUS

DRILL ROD DRAG FACTOR

DRILL ROD DRAG COMPARED TO BQ (PERCENT)

AQTK

1.760

1.470

24.000

0.880

21.120

46%

ATW

1.750

1.440

26.000

0.875

22.750

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTW

2.230

1.910

34.500

1.115

38.468

84%

BQTK

2.188

1.910

32.000

1.094

35.000

76%

BQ

2.188

1.810

42.000

1.094

45.938

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NTW

2.880

2.530

50.500

1.440

72.050

158%

NQ

2.750

2.380

52.400

1.375

72.050

157%

HTW

3.580

3.210

67.800

1.790

121.362

264%

HQ

3.500

3.060

76.900

1.750

134.575

293%

PQ

4.500

4.000

117.000

2.250

263.250

573%

 

This chart uses the dimensions and weights of the various drill rods to predict how much torque is required to turn the different sized drill rods. (in proportion to other sized drill rods). The frictional drag is assumed to be proportional to the weight of the rod times the radius of the dragging surface of the rod.

The chart shows that it will take about half as much torque to turn an A size rod string as a B sized one. This does not mean it will take half the horsepower, because an A rod string usually has to turn faster as well.

The chart predicts that it will take 24% less torque to turn a BQTK rod string as a BQ one, because of the lighter weight. While NQ only takes about 57% more torque than BQ it is amazing that HQ will probably take almost three times the torque of BQ.

I realize that often the drag from the drill string can be cut in half just by greasing the rods, but this chart might I think give an idea of the amount of drag from different rod sizes.

Nigel Spaxman