Washover Safety Joints The Crossover washover safety joint is used in connecting drill pipe to your washover string. It provides a dependable means of releasing the drill pipe from the washover pipe if the washover string becomes stuck. The lower half of the washover safety joint remains with the washpipe when parted and is full bore to match the washpipe, making subsequent re-entry of other tools possible. A coarse pitch safety thread, in combination with the friction ring, assures prpoer release when required. Washover safety joints are made from heat treated alloy steel and are stronger than the pipe that they are designed to run on. The safety joint should be made up properly in the string. This is done by making up the lower half into the washpipe. Make up the top half into the lower half with the same torque as applied to the washpipe connections. To release the safety joint, bump down sharply on the safety joint with drill striing while holding a safe, left hand torque. Raise the string slowly while maintaining torque. The upper half will unscrew from the lower half, and the friction ring will remain with the retrieved upper half. ‘To re-engage the joint, carefully feel for contact with the lower half, then appply a small amount of weight. Make one revolution to the left, then turn slowly to the right, while maintaining the small amount of weight. An increase in torque will signify that the joint has made up.