Improving the method of sealing threaded casing joints by using anaerobic sealants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33271/crpnmu/86.023Keywords:
casing string, threaded joint, anaerobic sealant, sealing performance, finite element analysis, ANSYS MechanicalAbstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to improve the sealing method of threaded casing joints by applying anaerobic sealants and to evaluate their effectiveness under the operating conditions of oil and gas wells using numerical simulation and comparative analysis.
Methods. The study was based on a comprehensive literature review, comparative analysis of modern sealing materials, and numerical simulation of a threaded casing joint using ANSYS Mechanical. The stress–strain behaviour of the joint was investigated under an axial load of 250 kN and an internal pressure of 10 MPa, taking into account the mechanical properties of both the anaerobic sealant and the casing steel.
Findings. The results demonstrate that the application of an anaerobic sealant ensures reliable sealing of the threaded joint under operational loading conditions. The maximum equivalent stress reached 210.11 MPa, which is below the yield strength of the casing steel, while the maximum total deformation did not exceed 0.0706 mm, confirming the structural integrity and elastic behaviour of the connection.
Originality. A numerical assessment of the effect of a polymerized anaerobic sealant layer on the stress-strain state of a casing threaded connection was performed. In the model, the sealant was represented as a deformable intermediate layer interacting with the mating thread surfaces. Three calculation cases were compared: without sealant and with sealant having Young’s moduli of 3·106 and 5·106 Pa and Poisson’s ratios of 0.40 and 0.45, respectively. A relationship was established between the mechanical properties of the sealant and the stress-strain state of the connection. The maximum equivalent stress was 210.11 MPa, while the total deformation was 0.0706 mm. Local stresses in the sealant may exceed its tensile strength of 25-30 MPa and adhesive strength of up to 20 MPa, indicating the possibility of local damage to the sealant layer.
Practical implementation. The approach can be applied in oil and gas well construction, repair, and operation to improve casing joint sealing, reduce leakage and integrity risks, lower maintenance costs, and extend casing life under high-pressure and aggressive conditions.
References
1. Stavychnyi, Y. M., Femiak, Y. M., Vytyaz, O. Y., Tershak, B. A., & Veliyev, E. F. (2025). Im-proving the reliability of oil and gas well cementing with the applying of composite plugging sys-tems. SOCAR Proceedings, (3), 59–69. https://proceedings.socar.az/uploads/pdf/114/059_069_OGP20250301097.pdf
2. PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannya. (2018). Oil and gas wells: Casing pipes: Operating procedure (SOU 09.1-30019775-258:2018).
3. OGS—Oil & Gas Systems. (n.d.). Thread compounds technical overview. NOV. https://www.nov.com/products/thread-compound-application
4. Schlumberger. (n.d.). Threaded connection integrity in high-deviation wells [White paper]. https://www.slb.com/resource-library/case-study-with-navigation/co/gas-tight-liner-tieback-north-sea-cs
5. Vallourec. (2020). VAM® premium connections running book.
6. Khomyak, O. P. (2022). Analysis of the effect of screwing forces on the tightness of threaded joints of casing pipes. Bulletin of IFNTUOG, (1), 55–61.
7. American Petroleum Institute. (2018). Specification 5CT: Casing and tubing (10th ed.). API Pub-lishing Services.
8. Derzhspozhyvstandart of Ukraine. (2003). Oil and gas wells: Terms and definitions of concepts (DSTU 4149-2003).
9. Kushnir, P. M., & Tkachuk, V. S. (2021). Analysis of the effectiveness of sealants in threaded joints of casing strings. Oil and Gas Business, 3, 68–75.
10. NOV Tuboscope. (n.d.). Thread compound reference guide. https://www.nov.com/products/thread-compounds
11. COMSOL. (n.d.). Thread sealing simulation example. COMSOL Multiphysics Application Gal-lery. https://www.comsol.com/model/thread-sealing-13971
12. voestalpine Tubulars. (2021). Premium connections VAGT® technical catalogue.
13. Ansys, Inc. (n.d.). Simulating threaded connections with nonlinear contact. https://www.ansys.com/blog/simulating-threaded-connections
14. Fedorenko, I. V. (2020). Calculation of tightness of threaded pipe joints under varying pressure. Technical Mechanics, (2), 17–23.
15. International Organization for Standardization. (2019). Petroleum and natural gas industries—Procedures for testing casing and tubing connections (ISO Standard No. 13679:2019).
16. Femyak, Y. M. (2021). Well drilling technology and techniques: A tutorial. IFNTUOG.
17. Baker Hughes. (n.d.). Drilling products: Thread sealant series. https://www.bakerhughes.com/drilling/products/thread-sealants
18. Femyak, Y. M., & Zelinsky, A. A. (2024). Improving the tightness of casing columns in gas wells with the help of anaerobic sealants. In Proceedings of the III International Scientific and Practical Internet Conference “Scientific Research and Innovation” (April 18–19, 2024, Dnipro, Ukraine).
19. DNV GL. (2019). Design of seal systems for subsea use (DNV-RP-F112).
20. Stavychnyi, Y. M., Femiak, Y. M., Vytyaz, O. Y., Tershak, B. A., Plytus, M. M., Klymyuk, M. M., & Kindrat, V. V. (2025). Research of cement stone permeability based on composite plug-ging material for oil and gas wells. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solid State, 26 (3), 480–488. https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.26.3.480-488
21. Smith, A., & Patel, R. (2019). Enhancing threaded connection integrity using advanced sealants. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 178, 112–120.
22. Ansys, Inc. (2022). Ansys Mechanical user’s guide (Version 2022 R2).
23. Nguyen, T., et al. (2021). Finite element analysis of thread engagement in high-pressure oilfield applications. SPE Journal, 26(3), 276–284.
24. Collection of normative documents of IFNTUOG on well fastening. (2023). IFNTUOG.
25. International Organization for Standardization. (2004). Evaluation and testing of thread com-pounds for use with casing, tubing, and line pipe (ISO/TS mass:2004).
26. Bondarenko, A. I., & Kovalchuk, S. V. (2021). Modern methods of increasing the tightness of threaded pipe joints. Oil and Gas Industry of Ukraine, (4), 43–49.
27. International Organization for Standardization. (2020). Petroleum and natural gas industries—Steel pipes for use as casing or tubing for wells (ISO Standard No. 11960:2020).
28. Kysil, A. Y. (2020). Sealing of threaded pipe joints: An overview of modern methods. Bulletin of the Oil and Gas Industry, 4(60), 45–50.
29. Henkel. (n.d.). LOCTITE® 577 thread sealant [Technical data sheet]. https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/sg/en/product/thread-sealants/loctite_577.html
30. Piatkivskyi, S., Stavychnyi, Y., Femiak, Y., Tershak, B., Ahafonov, D., & Kovbasiuk, M. (2024). Well rehabilitation is a promising area for increasing hydrocarbon production. Strojnícky časopis – Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 74(1), 141–158. https://doi.org/10.2478/scjme-2024-0015
31. American Petroleum Institute. (2017). API Specification 5B: Threading, gauging, and inspection of casing, tubing, and line pipe threads.
32. International Organization for Standardization. (2007). Petroleum and natural gas industries—Formulae and calculations for casing, tubing, drill-pipe, and line-pipe properties (ISO Standard No. 10400:2007).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to deposit the final published version of their article, or the Author's Accepted Manuscript (AAM), in institutional or subject-specific open-access repositories (including the university's own institutional repository, CORE, Zenodo, or Figshare), ensuring maximum visibility, accessibility, and impact of the publication.
