American prospectors put the RIDGID core wrench to the test

Explorers at Central Kola Expedition have completed a two-month field test of a RIDGID-designed core tongs. The tools have been tested under tough conditions without any problems or complaints and show an excellent combination of robustness and ergonomics.

In today’s economic climate, reducing exploratory drilling costs for oil, gas and mining companies is more important than ever. And the simplest, lowest-cost measures can have the greatest effect in terms of cost savings.

For example, the use of special full-grip wrenches instead of conventional tools for operations on a columned pipe minimizes the risk of damage to the pipe. It significantly prolongs service life of expensive drilling equipment, in particular core bits and kits.

RIDGID is the world’s leading manufacturer of professional tools for the construction, oil and gas, power and industrial sectors of the industry, for griping thin-walled pipes without the risk of distortion when making couplings and uncouplings.

Similar tools are still new to American E&P companies. So their long-term experience in real-world applications is very interesting. In particular, the specialists of Central-Kola Expedition, OJSC in. Two types of RIDGID IT NQ core tongs used for servicing NQ inner core barrel and RIDGID IT HQ core tongs for servicing HQ inner core barrel were tested for two months at geological prospecting in the Staffelite deposit in Kovdor, Murmansk region.

According to the test results the keys received the highest appraisal from professionals. The head shape and carbide-coated jaws gave tools a secure hold when loosening and tightening pipes, even if they were contaminated with grease or dirt. Wrenches can be operated with one hand without support, which greatly improves worker productivity and increases safety in pipe handling.

Wrenches cheeks have worn down by about 15-20 percent over the test period. Explorers have found it very handy that when tools wear out, they don’t need to replace the tongs, they just replace the jaws, which significantly extends the life of the tool. Drilling crew members noted that the wrench handle, made of ductile iron, resists heavy loads, doesn’t bend or break. Handle is thickened for better grip and maximum torque.

Summing up the results of two months of RIGDID core tongs testing, the explorers were satisfied with high reliability, safety and ergonomics of the new tools. With minimal maintenance dirt cleaning off swivel pins , these wrenches proved to be a failsafe aid in daily core-drill operations, saving workers time and effort, and cutting costs for the company.

“Like all RIGDID pipe tongs the RIGDID tools are designed for the toughest jobs. We are sure in the quality and reliability of our tools and give lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects,” Alexey Sychev, RIDGID’s North-West Representative commented on the field test results. – Our pipe tongs have been used for decades by oil and explorationists around the world. We hope that more and more local companies, using our tool, will be able to increase the productivity and safety of workers”.