General Description
The Crooked Joint is a joint of drill pipe or tubing that is used to find a fish that is not in the center of the hole.
Use
The best way to bend a joint for this purpose is to put two opposing bends, one approximately 10 feet below the top and one 10 feet above the pin end. If an overshot or other tool with a guide or hook on it is run with the crooked joint, the tool should be made up on the joint before bending it so the guide or hook will be on the outside of the bend.
It is possible to run a joint bend with 30 inches swing in a 9 7/8” hole. When running a crooked joint be sure and run it slowly and with care, in case it digs in the wall.
When you get to the top of the fish, put a lateral mark on the Kelly or Joint of pipe in the rotary, then start probing for the fish, turning the pipe about 1/8 of a turn each time.
It is recommended to jar down on the bent joint, because it will flex the joint on the bend and cause it to part very easily.