Proposition of Methodology for Accreditation of Destruction Tools of Column Parts Used in Oil Wells

Exploration and production of oil and gas mobilize large sums of economic and human resources and, therefore, require a reasonable success perspective. Once an oil-well exploration is analyzed and its viability is demonstrated, the drilling starts. However, even the oil well is initially viable; it can suffer odds events that could stop the exploration. Then, in order to restore the oil production, it is necessary to proceed to the destruction operation, which aims to clean up the well. This operation requires special tools, normally with tungsten carbides, so-called destruction tools. Due to the high costs involved in oil exploration, it is essential that these tools fulfill their functions, i.e., they do not fail and clean up the oil well. Within this context, it is important to assure the quality of manufacturing the destruction tools, which is carried out by brazing process of a stick made of tungsten carbide in a alpaca matrix (alloy of Cu-Zn-Ni). Therefore, this work aims to propose a methodology for accreditation of destruction tools of column parts used in oil wells, through the assessment of consumables, manufacturing process (brazing) and the final tool (simulative test). Computational routines were developed, as well as gravimetric, impact and simulative tests. The results showed that image processing and analyses are effective in the consumable assessment. Gravimetry showed capable of distinguish mass percentage of tungsten carbide and alpaca in the stick (consumable). The modified Izod impact test is a suitable approach for analyzing the fracture shape and local of the brazed deposit. The simulative test highlighted the carbide granulometry and tool rotation that is more appropriated for using during the destruction operation of oil wells.