Remet Engineers - Details

Remet Engineers manufactures an array of quality assured drilling equipment and components.

Drill Rods – RC, RAB, Drill & Blast, Cubex, AWJ, BWJ, Inseam Directional, L8
Side entry swivels
Sample swivels
Crossover subs
Digout subs
Saver subs
Blow up-down subs
Head drive shafts
Stabiliser rods
Diamond Subs

Remet Company Standard

Remet and Metzke style RC Drill rods and threads have dominated the industry since their inception and are by far the most popular and reliable.

Materials used in Remet Engineers manufactured tool joints, inner tube ends and drill subs are of high quality 4140 alloy steel quenched and tempered up to approximately 320 BHN. The mid body material is grade ST52 high tensile seamless tube with a maximum working pressure of 3020psi (19058 kPa at 100°C) when new. The inner tube mid body material is grade 1541 high tensile seamless tube, providing consistent straightness, minimal bending and significantly extended wear life. Each tool joint has an interference fit extension in excess of 100mm long fitted into the outer tube, prior to pre heating and welding using NiCrMo wire.

With the use of air booster systems becoming accepted practice, the grade of material is critical, as the drill pipe outer tube is subjected to high volume air flow and the inner tube is required to resist abrasion from the rock sample as it is carried in the airflow to the surface. The inner tube connections have various configurations, each with salient differences that have their own patrons and virtues of design.

Remet have standardised on the established style of 'O' rings on the pin in the box of the rod. The advantage of this configuration is that the driller is able to see the 'O' rings without putting his hand under the rod when suspended. Additionally, the rings will not be damaged by hooking, the tool joint does not wear as quickly, as the sample passes through the pin bore with less disruption than a box. The locating lugs are now part of the joint and not welded on as earlier configurations.

The additional length of taper thread on the Remet design enhances the stability and strength of the join, with 4.5" RC Remet drill rods having recently been drilled to a depth of 600m using 1200cfm and 1000psi – with no hint of separation. The longer contact area between pin and box on the inner tube allows for less wear and, when removing circlips, prevents exposing the 'O' rings during tube movement.

The case for standardisation

There are many factors to support the case for standardisation; however, the most notable advantages can be summarised as follows:

Standardisation can allow for a reduction in inventory holdings.
Standardisation can reduce confusion or error when ordering and manufacturing replacement parts.
Standardisation can lower downtime by having access to like components.
Standardisation can provide for smoother operations as personnel only require experience and familiarity with one set of components.

The most notable disadvantage is that there can be a cost associated with standardisation. However, if the cost of standardisation is quantified against the likely benefits identified, on a cost basis over a reasonable period of time it is sound business practice to move towards the standardisation of drilling equipment and components, particularly in larger drilling companies where economic scale can be brought into play.