Definition
Power Tongs — Power tongs are hydraulically or pneumatically driven gripping jaws that make up and break out threaded tubular connections to a controlled torque, replacing manual rig tongs on drill pipe, casing and tubing.
Also known as: power tong, hydraulic tongs, casing tongs
What power tongs do
Power tongs clamp around a tubular and rotate one joint relative to another to make up or break out a connection. A backup tong holds the lower joint stationary while the powered tong turns the upper joint, so the reaction torque is contained rather than transferred to the rig floor. Tongs are driven hydraulically or pneumatically and are available for drill pipe, casing and tubing sizes.
Modern power tongs integrate a torque-turn monitoring system that records applied torque against rotation. This lets the crew apply the connection’s recommended make-up torque precisely and produces a torque-turn graph that verifies a good make-up on premium and rotary-shouldered connections.
Torque control and connection integrity
Applying the correct make-up torque is essential: too little and the connection can back off or leak; too much and threads or shoulders can gall or yield. API RP 7G-2 and connection manufacturers specify torque ranges, and torque-turn signatures are used to accept or reject casing and premium connections during running.
Why it matters for rentals
Reliable, calibrated tongs protect both the connection and the crew. Rental tongs should carry current calibration on their torque-turn system and jaws matched to the tubular size. See our handling tools or tell us your connection and torque spec and we’ll recommend a suitable unit.