SPECIFICATION

SHEET 1

OF

8
Compiled by:

HOS/FOX/20

C. Wilson
Approved by:

DATE

11.2.94

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REPAIR & RE-USE OF

FOX PREMIUM THREAD CONNECTIONS

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REPAIR AND RE-USE

OF FOX PREMIUM THREADED CONNECTIONS

The following recommendations have been assembled to act as a guide for the repair and re-use of the FOX
Premium Threaded Connection. The information contained herein is for guidance purposes only and has been built
up from field experience and test information. Any queries concerning thread conditions falling outwith the scope
of this document should be addressed to the FOX Technical Control Department.

SPECIFICATION
HOS/FOX/20

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

CONTENTS

1.0

INTRODUCTION - FOX DESIGN

2.0

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

3.0

FOX THREADS

4.0

FOX SEAL

5.0

FOX VISUAL INSPECTION CRITERIA AND ACTIONS

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

1.0

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

INTRODUCTION - FOX DESIGN

By the use of innovative pitch change thread geometry, the FOX sealing pre-load is reacted initially
by teeth towards the centre of the thread length, with an increasing gap at the pin and coupling
thread load flanks between the centre threads and those at the seal end. At full make-up torque
these gaps are closed and the pre-load is reacted by more teeth with a more even thread load
distribution. This design concept avoids the high initial thread loads experienced by conventional
constant pitch threads.
In a similar way the thread profile between the centre and the pin run out threads are designed with a
pitch change that allows applied tensile load to be more evenly distributed.
As the above design allows more even thread loading, then no single area of the thread is more
critical than another.

2.0

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Inspection gauges shall not be used on connections previously made-up to power tight. Some
deviation from the specified tolerances may be possible and surface coatings (e.g. copper plating)
affects the gauge measurements. Excessive loading of the threads (thread stretch) during prior use
can be evaluated with an API type thread comb gauge.
Only mechanical damage and corrosion will change the make-up characteristics of the connection.
The pipe or coupling material grade being inspected may need special consideration when deciding
on acceptability for re-use. Some carbon steel grades designed to work in a corrosive environment
may be sensitive to tong gripping marks or indentations making them more likely to corrode.
High chrome tubulars are sensitive to galling and great care should be taken to avoid rough
contacting surfaces.
Deep tong marks on pipe or couplings of high chrome material should be suitably inspected for
cracks which can occur in higher hardness materials.

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

3.0

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

FOX THREADS
FOX threads can be repaired and dressed without affecting the connections performance.
In a FOX connection the threads are used for the transfer of loads from pipe to pipe via the
coupling and are not used for sealing purposes at all.
a)

Rust - There should not be any rust on the thread profile before any make-up. Any
rust or discolouration can easily be removed by the use of emery cloth or scotchbrite.

b)

Pitting - Can be described as depressions on the threaded profile and normally

caused by inclusion or porosity exposed after machining or by corrosive attack
during storage or previous service of the pipe.

c)

Mechanical Damage - Threads must be free of all mechanical damage during makeup to avoid galling. Minor thread damage may be repaired with a fine file or emery
cloth. All high spots from the defects MUST be completely removed. The extent of
thread damage that may be repaired will generally be, light damage on all threads and
for more severe damage max of 3 full threads or equivalent. Local thread repair can
be carried out, where required. The dressing/repair of threads will necessitate the
local removal of surface coatings e.g. copper plating/phosphate treatment, but this
should not affect the connections make-up performance or increase its tendency to
galling.

Impact damage of the coupling end face shall render the component reject.
All burrs and sharp edges must be removed from the threaded profile prior to make-up.

4.0

FOX SEAL
The FOX triple radius provides a smooth continuous profile that improves sealing performance,
reduces stress concentrations and provides for increased overtorque resistance.
The FOX triple-radiused seal cannot be repaired or dressed without affecting the sealing integrity
of the connection.

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

E
E

i)

Seal Area D
Effective seal repair is not possible whether the damage is caused by corrosion or from handling. The seal
area covers the full triple-radius profile from the torque shoulder (E) to the pin/box parallel diameter (C).
This metal to metal seal profile must be free of pitting and indentations and it is important that there is no
leak path across the seal to allow internal pressure to be released into section C and the threads.
Burnishing on the seal area, caused by prior make-up of the connection will not affect subsequent sealing
integrity.
Any question as to whether a seal needs repair renders the connection as a reject.

ii)

Shoulder E
The FOX shoulder, besides limiting the depth of pin penetration and hence limiting the hoop stresses
generated in the connection, provides pre-compression in the pin nose which will allow pressure to be
maintained at the seal under the action of applied loads.
Small dents, light corrosion and pitting at the shoulder are of no importance providing they do not interfere
with full shouldering of the connection.

iii)

Parallel Diameter C
Corrosion or pitting on the parallel diameters is permissible provided it does not infringe the seal area.
Slight mechanical damage can be dressed out with a fine file or emery cloth without touching the seal area.

iv)

Overtorque
Overtorqued connections shall be rejected.
Inspection of the coupling/internal diameter interface must be checked if there has been an overtorque or
overtorque is suspected. If the connection has been overtorqued then a lip will have been formed by
material deformation into the internal diameter of the coupling. This deformation can be easily detected in
the central bore by touch.
The mating pin should also be rejected as experience has shown that the pin nose tends to open out on
overtorque and will increase seal interference at the seal faces.

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

SUMMARY
5.0

FOX PIN VISUAL INSPECTION CRITERIA AND ACTIONS

(TUBING AND CASING)

E
Minimum length of full
crested thread

Surface Profile

Permitted black
crested threads

Corrosion/
Rust

Pitting/
Burrs

Scratches/
Burrs

Galling/
Mechanical Damage

Black Crested
Threads

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Accepted light damage on all

threads. More severe damage, max
of 3 full threads or equivalent

Perfect Thread
Length

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Accepted light damage on all

threads. More severe damage, max
of 3 full threads or equivalent

Diameter Between
Seal and Thread

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Light Amount Accepted

Triple-Radius Seal

Reject

Reject

Reject,
Burnished
Surface
Allowed

Reject

Torque Shoulder

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Light Amount Accepted

N.B.
i)

Damage from whatever source, if acceptable, can be removed using fine tooth files and/or
emery cloth.

ii)

All raised metal must be removed and there should be no burrs or sharp edges.

iii)

Local thread repair will necessitate the local removal of surface treatment (e.g. phosphate)
which is acceptable.

SPECIFICATION

HOS/FOX/20

SHEET

OF

Compiled by:

DATE

C. Wilson

11.2.94

SUMMARY
5.0

FOX COUPLING VISUAL INSPECTION CRITERIA AND ACTIONS

Surface Profile

Corrosion/
Rust

Pitting/
Burrs

Scratches/
Burrs

Galling/
Mechanical Damage

Thread Length

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Accepted light damage on all

threads. More severe damage, max
of 3 full threads or equivalent

Diameter Between
Seal and Thread

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Light Amount Accepted

Triple-Radius Seal

Reject

Reject

Reject,
Burnished
Surface
Allowed

Reject

Torque Shoulder

Light Amount
Accepted

Light Amount
Accepted

Accepted

Light Amount Accepted

N.B.
i)

Damage from whatever source, if acceptable, can be removed using fine tooth files and/or
emery cloth.

ii)

All raised metal must be removed and there should be no burrs or sharp edges.

iii)

Local thread repair will necessitate the local removal of surface treatment (e.g.
phosphate) which is acceptable.