Oilfield Wellhead Drill Pipe Slips Secure Clamping Drill String Parts

Drill pipe slips are essential tools used to clamp and suspend the drill string in the wellbore during drilling operations. A slip assembly typically consists of the slip body, gripping teeth (or removable inserts), handles, and connectors. Different drill string sizes require different slip sizes or interchangeable liners.

Classification of Slips

The wellhead drill pipe slip most commonly refers to the three-piece slip. It consists of three fanshaped bodies hinged together with pins, but not fully closed – allowing free access to the drill string. Each slip body has a circumferential dovetail groove that holds removable liners and slip inserts. By changing the liners and inserts, the same slip body can accommodate a limited range of drill pipe sizes.

Product Features – Type B Drill Pipe Slips

Our Type B drill pipe slips are available in three body lengths:

B Short – For shallower wells (up to ~8,000 ft)

B Long – For medium depths (up to ~18,000 ft)

X Long – For deep wells (up to ~28,500 ft)

Key design advantage:
A unique torque-transmitting design transfers all torque directly to the slips, not to the drill pipe. This reduces abrasion on the pipe body and significantly extends the service life of both the slips and the drill string.

All Type B slips are designed and manufactured according to API SPEC 7K requirements.

Technical Specifications & Available Sizes

B Short – For well depths up to 8,000 ft

Note: B short slips are sized for the most common small-to-medium drill pipe sizes. No larger sizes available in this model.

B Long – For well depths up to 18,000 ft

Note: The B long model covers both smaller and larger pipe sizes. Note that 4" and 4½" appear twice – this indicates different liner/slip insert combinations for the same body.

X Long – For well depths up to 28,500 ft

Note: X Long slips are optimized for deeper wells, using longer slip bodies to distribute load over more pipe surface area, reducing the risk of pipe crushing or slipping.

How to Choose the Right Drill Pipe Slip?

Match the drill pipe OD – Select the slip model that includes your pipe size.

Consider well depth – Deeper wells mean higher hook loads. Use B Long or X Long for depths beyond 8,000 ft.

Check liner compatibility – Our three-piece slips use replaceable dovetail liners. One slip body can often handle 2–3 adjacent pipe sizes by changing inserts.

Why Choose Our Drill Pipe Slips?

Interchangeable liners: One slip body covers multiple pipe sizes, reducing inventory cost.

Torque transfer design: Protects your drill pipe from abrasive wear, lowering pipe replacement frequency.

API 7K certified: Full compliance and traceability.

Long body options: Long slips distribute load over a larger pipe area, ideal for deep wells and heavy strings.

Fast delivery from stock: Common sizes (3½", 4", 4½", 5") available for immediate shipment.