Wondering if masses is short for masses-tiges which Moreau&Brace give as "drill collar" in their Dictionnaire du forage et des puits".

It certainly goes hand in hand with tête de levage which is given by the same as "handling sub, lifting sub".

DRILL COLLAR LIFT SUBS are of one-piece construction and manufactured from alloy steel fully heat-treated. This heavy-duty type DRILL COLLAR LIFTING SUB is ...
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The LIFTING SUB comes as tapered or square shoulder types and is available in all diameters and lengths. When ordering, please specify: DRILL COLLAR OD ...
www.dhoiltools.com/liftsubs.html

DRILL COLLAR a heavy, thick-walled tub, usually steel, placed between the drill pipe and the bit in the drill steam.
SUB a short, threaded piece of pipe used to adapt parts of the drilling string that cannot otherwise be screwed together because of difference in thread size or design.

LIFTING SUB a short piece of pipe with a pronounced upset, or shoulder, on the upper end, screwed into drill collars to provide a positive grip for the elevators. Also called a lifting nipple or a hoisting plug.
http://www.heiresources.com/glossary_body2.htm

MASSE-TIGE/- DRILL COLLAR, a very heavy drill rod connected to thé end of thé drill string to put weight on thé bit ...
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