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Showing posts from July, 2025

Slip Flex Handles: Little Tool, Giant Impact on Rig Safety

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On the oil and gas rig, where a rig has a huge weight and a lot of stakes, sometimes even a small tool can make a massive difference. It surely is with slip flex handles: an element that might seem so simple at first, but is one of the major components in reducing risk and increasing control in drilling operations. Some may say time stops for accidents on rig floors with tongs or slips. Sudden torque or imbalance of the footing: disgruntled workers are alongside any of the perils to deal with. Worse yet, with massive and heavy drill pipes, the slightest mishandling may mean injury or costly downtime. That's why the application of tong safety handles became the standard practice in the industry—because safety on the rig is non-negotiable. What Are Slip Flex Handles? Slip flex handles are a type of specially made flexible handle that is mounted on tongs or slips. Their primary function is to ensure a secure grip and improved distance between the operator and the tool when ha...

Bucking Units vs. Breakout Machines: Choosing the Right Tool for Pipe Torque Applications

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What Are Bucking Units and How Do They Work? Bucking units are powerful torque devices for tightening or loosening threaded connections on oilfield tubulars. Before they leave the shop or rig to go to the field, these tools are typically set up in shops or rigs to assemble tool joints, drill pipes, or collars, or even to put together MWD or LWD tool strings. Their hydraulic clamping tools are highly precise, and repeated use is important for safe, reliable well performance. Breakout Machines: Key Functions and Field Use The main purpose of breakout machines is to release pipe connections that are too tight, jammed, or over-torqued. They are useful in the field when you need to rapidly and safely break down tools and pipelines. They are also often used during disassembly or maintenance. Breakout machines are sometimes available in portable forms, which makes them an excellent alternative for jobs that need to be done on-site. Differences in Torque Control and Speed Torque con...