The USC 21 from EMAG is a high-performance special-purpose machine for the precise machining of pipe ends and OCTG components. It reliably and flexibly handles the full range of API, GOST, integral and premium threads – with maximum production accuracy.
Whether for the development of new oil fields or the reliable extraction of natural gas, pipes and couplings are among the most critical components in the drilling process. They carry immense loads, transmit high torques and must remain permanently sealed.
But what makes a perfect threaded connection? What challenges are involved in manufacturing OCTG components – and why are specially designed machine tools so essential? We explore these questions with Udo Lauer, OCTG specialist at EMAG, who shares his insights into the technical world of pipe and coupling machining.
Drilling rigs are complex systems that are used to drill deep boreholes into the ground – for example to extract crude oil or natural gas. The central element is the drill string, which consists of numerous steel pipes that are bolted together via threaded connections. These pipes and the connecting threaded sockets (couplings) must be able to withstand enormous mechanical stresses and seal absolutely reliably. In this blog post, we shed light on how a drilling rig and its pipe systems work and, in particular, how the machining of the pipes and couplings takes place. The focus is on machine tools from the EMAG Group – in particular the series USC (for pipes) and VSC (for couplings), which are used in the machining of OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) components.