An intermediate weight drill string member, which consists of a heavy wall tube attached to extra length tool joints and has drill pipe dimensions for easy handling. The centre pad protects the outside diameter of the tube from abrasive wear. The end section of the extra length tool joint allows ample space for recutting the connections and reduces the rate of wear on the outside diameter.
The critical zone of the first part of the drillpipe string can also be mechanically protected by placing heavyweight drillpipe above the drill collars. Heavyweight 5" drillpipe has roughly the same outside dimensions as 5" drillpipe, except for extra thickness and extra long tool joints.