Patent Application
20140231076
1. Field of the Disclosure
The invention relates to a method and apparatus to install pipe string and control lines secured to the pipe string in a drilled borehole. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus to position control lines to facilitate securing control lines to a string of pipe as the pipe string is being made-up and run into a borehole.
2. Background Art
A pipe string is generally installed in a drilled borehole by lowering a distal end of a pipe segment or a pipe string into the borehole, supporting the pipe segment or the pipe string from its proximal end using a pipe engaging apparatus, threadably coupling a pipe segment to the proximal end of the pipe string above the rig floor, and again lowering the lengthened pipe string into the borehole. This process is repeated until the pipe string achieves the desired length, after which it may be positioned within a targeted interval of the drilled borehole and cemented into the borehole.
The pipe string is generally supported within the borehole from its proximal end using a stationary spider or a collar load support (CLS) landing spear at or adjacent to the rig floor so that an additional pipe segment may be coupled to the proximal end of the pipe string to lengthen the pipe string. A vertically movable elevator assembly, such as a string elevator or casing running tool (CRT), may be movably suspended above the spider or CLS landing spear to engage and support the pipe string from its new proximal end (at the proximal end of the newly added pipe segment) to unload the spider or CLS landing spear. After the spider or CLS landing spear is disengaged from the pipe string, the pipe string may be lowered into the borehole by lowering the elevator assembly, and the spider or CLS landing spear may be reengaged just under the new proximal end of the pipe string.
The spider or CLS landing spear is supported by a rig in a manner that distributes the load of the pipe string to structural components in or under the rig floor. Alternately, when the load of the pipe string is supported by the elevator assembly, the load of the pipe string is distributed to structural components of the rig through a block, a draw works and a derrick to unload the spider or CLS landing spear so that it can be disengaged and opened to permit enlarged portions of the pipe string, such as pipe joints, to pass through the spider or CLS landing spear into the borehole. Specifically, to transfer the load of the pipe string from the elevator assembly back to the spider, the slips of the spider must engage and grip the exterior surface of the pipe string so that the pipe string can be supported by the spider and then released by the elevator assembly. Similarly, to transfer the load of the pipe string from the elevator assembly to a CLS landing spear, the halves of the CLS landing spear must close on and surround the exterior surface of the pipe string just below a pipe joint so that the pipe string can be supported by the CLS landing spear and then released by the elevator assembly.
Oil and/or gas wells may be equipped with control lines for electrically, fluidically or optically linking various downhole devices to the surface. For example, control lines may be used to receive data from downhole instruments and to selectively operate, from the surface, downhole devices such as valves, switches, sensors, relays or other devices. One use of control lines may be to open, close or adjust downhole valves in order to selectively produce or isolate formations penetrated by the borehole. A control line may also transmit data gathered downhole to the surface, and control lines may transmit commands from the surface to downhole devices.
Control lines may comprise conductive wires or cables for electrically controlling downhole devices, fibers for optically controlling downhole devices, or small-diameter tubing for fluildically (e.g., hydraulically or pneumatically) controlling downhole devices. Control lines are generally of a small diameter compared to the diameter of the pipe string to which they may be secured, and are generally between 0.5 and 6 cm. in diameter. Control lines may be generally aligned along the length of a portion of the outer surface of a pipe string, generally parallel to the center axis of the bore of the pipe string, and secured to the pipe string using clamps, ties, straps, etc. Although pipe strings generally comprise a plurality of pipe segments coupled together at pipe joints, a control line is generally continuous or has few joints along its length in order to eliminate or minimize couplings along the control line. Control lines may be stored on a reel that may be brought to the rig and unreeled as the control line is secured to the pipe string and installed in the borehole.
A pipe string is generally made-up and run into the borehole using a spider supported in or on a rig floor. The spider may comprise a tapered bowl that movably receives pipe slips that converge to engage and grip the pipe string, and retract to release the pipe string. Alternately, a collar load support (CLS) landing spear may comprise a pair of halves that can be closed around the pipe string to support a load transfer sleeve that engages an upper collar of the pipe string, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,737, a patent that is assigned to and owned by the owner of the patent rights related to this disclosure. An elevator assembly, such as a string elevator or a casing running tool (CRT), is generally vertically movable above the spider or the CLS landing spear, and may be used to engage and movably support the pipe string so that the pipe string can be released at the spider or CLS landing spear, and so that the lengthened pipe string can be lowered further into the borehole. Whether a spider or a CLS landing spear is used to support the pipe string, during this critical “hand-off” step, the one or more control lines must be positioned and protected so that they will not become damaged. A control line secured to a pipe string is subject to being damaged and rendered useless if it is pinched or crushed between the tapered bowl and the slips of a spider, two adjacent slips of a spider, the halves of a CLS landing spear, or the pipe string and another structure. For example, but not by way of limitation, a control line may be damaged if it is pinched between the pipe string and the pipe slips that may be movably received within the tapered bowl of a spider to engage and grip the pipe string. Similarly, a control line may be damaged if it is crushed between the pipe string and the wall of the borehole as the pipe string is lowered into the borehole. If a control line is pinched or crushed, it may be necessary to remove the entire pipe string from the borehole in order to remove and replace the damaged control line, thereby resulting in a substantial loss of valuable rig time.
The control line may be secured to the pipe string using a clamp, tie, strap, band or other device. For example, but not by way of limitation, a protective clamp may be applied to secure the control line to the pipe string and also to protect the control line at critical positions along the pipe string, such as at pipe joints. Some control line clamps comprise an elongate guard member, shaped to cover and shield a portion of the control line adjacent to a pipe joint, and end portions that may couple to the guard member to secure the guard member to the pipe string and to secure the control line to the pipe string.
When running one or more control lines into a borehole along with the pipe string, it is important that the pipe slips of the spider engage and grip the pipe string in a manner that prevents crushing or damaging the control line while making up the pipe string. It is advantageous if the control lines can be positioned out of the zone of operation of the spider, or the CLS landing spear, when the spider is engaged to grip, or the CLS landing spear is closed to support, the pipe string. A control line positioning apparatus, such as a pivotable arm, may be used to position a portion of one or more control lines to prevent exposure of the control lines to crushing or pinching by the spider or by the CLS landing spear. Optionally, a rig floor, a shock table, the tapered bowl of a spider, or some other structure to support the spider or the CLS landing spear may comprise a groove, bay or recess into which the control lines can be positioned using the control line positioning arm to protect the control lines during operation of the spider or the CLS landing spear. After the load of the pipe string is transferred to the elevator assembly to unload the spider or the CLS landing spear, the control line positioning arm may then be actuated to reposition the portion of the control lines from the groove, bay or recess to a raised position proximal the pipe string but above the disengaged spider or the opened CLS landing spear so that a portion of the length of the control lines lie along the exterior surface of the pipe string to facilitate application of a clamp.
One or more reels on which control lines are stored may be disposed on or near the rig floor, and unreeled to supply control lines to the control line positioning apparatus that is on the rig floor proximate the pipe string. In order to prevent a hazard to personnel and equipment on the rig floor, the control lines may be directed overhead to one or more guide members, such as a sheave or roller, supported above the rig floor. For example, control lines may be fed from a reel, and one or more guide members supported from the derrick and redirected toward the control line positioning apparatus on the rig floor. Alternately, the control lines may be routed through a radially more direct path to the control line positioning apparatus and to the pipe string along a path that is substantially radial to the axis of the pipe string and spaced-apart from the rig floor, but this arrangement is more likely to interfere with rig floor activities and equipment.
What is needed is a method of safely securing control lines to a pipe string as the pipe string is being made up and run into a well. What is needed is a method and an apparatus that shelters control lines and prevents damage to control lines being secured to a pipe string and installed in a borehole with the pipe string. What is needed is a method and apparatus to reliably position control lines and to provide a reliable control line feed to a control line positioning device, and to prevent the control lines from entering the operating zone of a spider or a CLS landing spear unless the spider or CLS spider is disabled from closing around a pipe string. What is needed is a method and an apparatus to deliver a control line feed to a control line positioning device that routes the control lines along a path that will not interfere with personnel or equipment on the rig floor.
The invention satisfies one or more of the above needs by providing a control line positioning method and an apparatus to use on a rig to position and protect one or more control lines, and to facilitate clamping of control lines to a pipe string using, for example, clamps, ties, straps, bands, etc. (hereinafter these are collectively referred to herein as “clamps”). Clamps may be installed at spaced intervals along the length of a pipe string as the pipe string is made-up and run into a borehole. In one embodiment, the invention provides a control line positioning method and apparatus to protect control lines by positioning and restraining control lines from entering the operating zone of a spider or a CLS landing spear, and to prevent control lines from being pinched, crushed or otherwise damaged by such operation, which includes the movement of components of a spider or the closure of the halves of a CLS landing spear.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a control line positioning method and an apparatus to position control lines to be clamped to a pipe string while the pipe string is received through a pipe engagement apparatus and supported by an elevator assembly above the pipe engagement apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a control line retainer arm that is movable between a removed position, with the control lines restrained from entering the operating zone of the pipe engagement apparatus, and a raised position to position the control lines along the pipe string above the pipe engagement apparatus. In one embodiment, the control line retainer arm may comprise a receiving member to be removably received within a receiving assembly adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus when the control line retainer arm is moved to a removed position to restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus. In another embodiment, the control line retainer arm may comprise a docking member to be releasably coupled to a docking assembly adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus when the control line retainer assembly is moved to its removed position to restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus, and the control line retainer arm may be released from the docking assembly and moved, using a drive member, to position the control lines along a portion of the pipe string, and generally along a side of the portion of the pipe string that is radially disposed toward the control line retainer arm. The control lines may be held in that position as they are clamped to the pipe string.
Some embodiments of the control line positioning apparatus may be used with a safety interlock system to prevent damage to control lines. For example, but not by way of limitation, a docking assembly may be positioned adjacent to the pipe engagement apparatus and used to releasably couple to the control line retainer arm and to secure the retainer arm in its removed position during engagement of the pipe engaging apparatus with the pipe string. In one embodiment, the docking assembly may be mechanically, fluidically or electrically coupled to the pipe engaging apparatus to provide a safety interlock system preventing release of the control line retainer arm from the docking assembly until the pipe engaging apparatus is in a disengaged or open condition. In one embodiment, when the pipe engaging apparatus is in the disengaged or open condition and the control line retainer arm is released from the docking assembly, the docking assembly may deploy, or cause to be deployed, one or more blocking members to prevent re-engagement of the pipe engagement apparatus until the control line retainer arm is again releasably coupled to the docking assembly. In one embodiment, when the control line retainer arm couples to the docking assembly, the docking assembly may automatically disable or retract the one or more blocking members to again permit the pipe engagement apparatus to engage and support the pipe string.
In one embodiment, the movement of the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus may be by rotation and/or translation, and the control line retainer arm may be movable between the removed position, to restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engagement apparatus, and a raised position to position the control lines along a portion of the pipe string to facilitate the application of a clamp. In one embodiment, the movement of the control line retainer arm may, for example, be generated by simultaneous translation and rotation of the control line retainer arm within a common plane as the control retainer arm is raised from the removed position to the raised position, or as the retainer arm is lowered from the raised position to the removed position. The translation and/or rotation of the retainer arm may be driven by a drive member, for example, a cylinder, coupled to the control line retainer arm.
In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may comprise a positionable control line retainer arm supporting a control line retainer assembly. The control line retainer assembly may comprise a control line retainer that may slidably or rollably engage one or more control lines so that the control lines can be positioned proximal to the pipe string by raising the control line retainer arm from the removed position to the raised position. The one or more control lines may be fed to the control line retainer assembly coupled to the control line retainer arm from a control line reel that is positioned remote to the control line positioning apparatus. In one embodiment, a control line reel may be disposed above, on or adjacent to the rig floor and generally lateral to the pipe string. In another embodiment, a control line reel may be disposed underneath the rig floor within a sub-space. Optionally, the control line retainer comprises rolling members, such as rollers or sheaves, and the control lines may be routed or threaded over the rollers or sheaves to rotatably couple the control lines to the control line retainer arm, and to feed the control lines to the control line retainer that is positionable by movement of the control line retainer arm.
Once positioned along the pipe string by the control line positioning apparatus, the control lines may be secured to the pipe string using fasteners, such as clamps, sleeves, bands, clips, ties or other fasteners, and these fasteners may be applied or installed by rig personnel or by an automatic fastener installing machine. In one embodiment, a fastener installing machine may be coupled to and supported by the control line positioning apparatus and automatically deployed to install a fastener to clamp control lines to the pipe string when the control line retainer arm is in the raised position.
In one embodiment of the control line positioning method and the apparatus, for example, when the slips of a spider engage and grip a pipe string, or when the halves of the CLS landing spear close to surround and support the pipe string, the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus is in the removed position to position and restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe slips of the spider, or from entering the operating zone of the halves of the CLS landing spear, to protect the control lines from being pinched, crushed or otherwise damaged. In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may be automatically disabled. For example, the control line positioning apparatus may be disabled during engagement of the pipe engaging apparatus by releasably coupling the control line retainer arm to a docking assembly adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent movement of the control line retainer arm to the raised position and to prevent the resulting movement of the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus. In an alternate embodiment, the pipe engaging apparatus may be disabled from engaging the pipe string when the control line retainer arm is not in the removed position. For example, the slips of a spider may be disabled from engaging the pipe string, or the halves of the CLS landing spear may be disabled from closing to surround the pipe string, when the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus is not in the removed position. These safeguards prevent damage to control lines by engagement of the slips of the spider or by closure of the halves of the CLS landing spear.
In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus for use with a spider, the retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus positions the control lines along a portion of the pipe string and at a radial position that is generally opposite the center slip of a three-unit slip assembly. In a three-unit slip assembly, a center slip, a right slip and a left slip each comprise a gripping face having a generally arcuate gripping surface that generally conforms to the curvature of the exterior of the pipe string. The right slip and the left slip may be hingedly coupled to the right side and the left side, respectively, of the center slip so as to form a generally annular slip assembly when the right and left slips are rotated to surround the pipe string. When the spider is disengaged, the load of the pipe string is transferred to the elevator assembly, and the center slip is manipulated up from its gripping position within the tapered bowl of the spider, and simultaneously pulled radially away from the pipe string. As the right slip and left slip follow the center slip, each of the right slip and the left slip hinge and rotate away from the annular position relative to the center slip, and toward a lateral, open and disengaged position relative to the center slip. It should be understood that the number of slips in the slip assembly may be varied without a substantial change in the manner of use or mode of operation of the slip assembly within the context of the use and operation of the control line positioning apparatus.
In one embodiment, the movement of the control line retainer atm of the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the raised position is provided by operation of a mechanical linkage comprising the control line retainer arm having a first end and a second end, a track that engages a follower that is coupled to the retainer arm intermediate the first end and the second end, a stabilizer coupled to the control line retainer arm and a drive member to drive the follower along the path of the track. The path of the track may be generally adapted to produce, at the control line retainer assembly that is coupled to the second end of the control line retainer arm, a resulting path terminating at a removed position proximate the pipe engaging apparatus at or near a lower end of the track, and terminating at a raised position that is proximate the pipe string and generally above the pipe engaging apparatus at or near an upper end of the track.
In another aspect, the invention comprises a rig floor-mounted pathway comprising a protectable control line feed channel. In one embodiment, the rig floor-mounted pathway comprises a channel cover, a first cover support and a generally parallel second cover support. The cover and the first and second cover supports may each be generally elongate, each having a first end disposed proximate a control line positioning apparatus and a second end distal the control line positioning apparatus. In one embodiment, the channel cover may be hingedly coupled to one of the first cover support or the second cover support, and the channel cover may be pivotable between an open position to provide access to the control line feed channel, and a closed position to close and protect the control line feed channel
In one embodiment, the first and/or the second cover supports each may comprise a generally triangular cross-section and positioned one relative to the other to dispose an acutely angled portion of the cover support outboard to the channel, and to disposed a substantially right-angled or a substantially angled portion of the cover support adjacent to the channel defined between the first and the second cover supports. This arrangement of the cover supports and the triangular cross-sections thereof provides a ramp-like structure on both sides of the rig floor-mounted pathway, each generally parallel to the channel, to facilitate unimpaired movement of equipment or personnel over the pathway. The cover supports may comprise highly visible colors and/or treaded surfaces to provide favorable traction for personnel that may walk on the pathway.
In one embodiment, the rig floor-mounted pathway may comprise a bend portion to receive a control line feed and redirect one or more control lines received at an inlet to the bend portion to assume a new direction upon exiting the bend portion through an outlet. The bend portion may comprise a plurality of rolling members, such as rollers, arranged in one or more arcuate patterns to prevent exceeding a desired minimum bend radius as the control lines are redirected by the bend portion. In one embodiment, the bend portion may be coupled to a scale, a strain gauge, a load cell or other force measuring device to measure the force applied to the bend portion, or to a component of the bend portion, and the measured force may be used to determine the tension in one or more of the control lines redirected by the bend portion. In one embodiment, the force may be measured and the tension in one or more control lines may be determined using an algorithm that calculates the tension, and the tension in the one or more control lines may be compared to one or more maximum recommended tension values to generate a warning, alarm, or to interrupt operation of the control line positioning apparatus fed by the pathway until the cause of the excessive control line tension can be investigated and remedied.
In one embodiment, a control line positioning apparatus may provide a base, a control line retainer arm having a first end and a second end, a drive member to move the control line retainer arm between a removed position and a raised position, and an ascending control line pathway cooperating with the control line retainer arm and having an inlet to the ascending pathway proximate the base and an outlet spaced-apart from the inlet and generally above or proximate to the retainer arm. The ascending pathway may further comprise one or more rolling members to engage and redirect one or more control lines fed into the inlet, for example, from a rig floor-mounted pathway or from an aperture through the rig floor providing access to a sub-space beneath the rig floor. The rolling members of the ascending pathway are spaced apart one from the others to redirect the one or more control lines along the rolling members without exceeding the minimum bend radius of the one or more control lines, and the rolling members are positioned to feed the one or more control lines from the outlet of the ascending pathway and to the control line retainer assembly coupled to the second end of the control line retainer arm when in the control line retainer arm is in the removed position, the raised position, and all positions therebetween.
In one embodiment, an apparatus to cut a control line may include a movable cutting apparatus having a cutting member attached thereto, in which the movable cutting apparatus is configured to move the cutting member between a retracted position and a deployed position. The cutting member of the movable cutting apparatus is configured to engage and cut the control line in the deployed position of the cutting member.
In one embodiment, a method to cut a control line may include providing a movable cutting apparatus having a cutting member attached thereto and disposed adjacent to the control line, moving the cutting member from a retracted position to a deployed position, and cutting the control line with the cutting member of the movable cutting apparatus in the deployed position.
In one embodiment, an apparatus to run a control line on a rig may include a control line pathway configured to feed the control line through the rig, a load transfer member disposed adjacent to the control line pathway and configured to engage the control line in the control line pathway, and a load measuring device coupled to the load transfer member and configured to measure a load imparted to the load transfer member by the control line.
In one embodiment, a method to run a control line on a rig may include feeding the control line through a control line pathway through the rig, engaging the control line in the control line pathway with a load transfer member, and measuring a load imparted to the load transfer member by the control line with a load measuring device coupled to the load transfer member.
In one embodiment, an apparatus to feed a control line through a rig may include a drive member having an actuator coupled thereto, in which the drive member is configured to engage the control line and drive the control line along a longitudinal axis of the control line.
In one embodiment, a method to feed a control line through a rig may include engaging the control line with a drive member coupled to an actuator, and energizing the actuator to drive the control line with the drive member along a longitudinal axis of the control line.
In one embodiment, an apparatus to run a control line on a rig may include a control line pathway configured to feed the control line through the rig, and a rolling member disposed adjacent to the control line pathway and configured to engage the control line in the control line pathway.
The foregoing, as well as other, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated and understood by reference to the following drawings, specification and claims.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a control line positioning method and apparatus to position one or more generally continuous control lines along a portion of a pipe string to facilitate securing the control lines to the pipe string as it is made-up and run into a borehole from a rig. The method may comprise the steps of coupling one or more control lines to a control line retainer arm that is movable by a drive member between a raised position and a removed position that restrains the control lines from entering the operating zone of a pipe engaging apparatus. The method may additionally comprise the step of releasably coupling the control line retainer arm in the removed position to prevent the retainer atm from being moved to the raised position until the pipe engaging apparatus is in the open and disengaged condition. The method may further comprise the steps of releasing the control line retainer arm from the coupled position, raising the control line retainer arm to position the control lines along a portion of the pipe string above the pipe engagement apparatus, and clamping the control lines to the pipe string. The method may further comprise the steps of lowering the pipe string and the control lines into the borehole, returning the control line retainer arm to the removed position, and closing the pipe engaging apparatus to engage and support the pipe string in the borehole.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a control line positioning method and apparatus to position one or more control lines along a portion of a pipe string above a pipe engaging apparatus to be clamped to the pipe string as the pipe string is made-up and run into a borehole, and to protect the control lines from being pinched or crushed by closure of the pipe engaging apparatus used to engage and support the pipe string within the borehole. The apparatus may comprise a base, a control line retainer arm movable between a raised position and a removed position to restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus, and a control line retainer assembly having a control line retainer coupled to and movable by the control line retainer arm. In one embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a docking member to releasably couple to a docking assembly disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus. In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a receiving member to be removably received in a receiving assembly disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus. The drive member of the apparatus may be used to drive the control line retainer arm to the raised position to position control lines along a portion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging apparatus to be clamped to the pipe string. After a clamp is applied to secure the control lines to the pipe string, the pipe string and the control lines may be lowered into the borehole to position the clamp below the pipe engaging apparatus, the control line retainer atm may be moved to the removed position, and the load of the pipe string may then be transferred back from the elevator assembly to the pipe engaging apparatus. The method and the apparatus will protect the control lines from damage that may result from pinching or crushing between pipe slips of a spider, or between a pipe slip and the exterior surface of the pipe string, or between the halves of a CLS landing spear in a CLS pipe engaging apparatus.
In one embodiment, a control line positioning apparatus comprises a control line retainer arm, positionable between a raised position and a removed position, and movably supporting a control line retainer assembly thereon. The control line retainer assembly may comprise a control line retainer that slidably or rollably engages one or more control lines fed to the pipe string through or over the control line retainer assembly. In one embodiment, the control line retainer assembly may further comprise a docking member that can be releasably coupled in a docking assembly disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus when the control line retainer apparatus is in the removed position.
In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may be automatically disabled from moving the control line retainer arm to the raised position, and from thereby positioning the control lines along a potion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging apparatus, when the pipe engaging apparatus is engaged and supporting the pipe string within the borehole, thereby requiring that the pipe string be supported from an elevator assembly movably disposed above the rig floor and above the pipe engaging apparatus. For example, the control line positioning apparatus may be disabled when the slips of a spider are engaged to support the pipe string in the borehole. In an alternate embodiment, the pipe engaging apparatus may be disabled from engaging and supporting the pipe string when the control line positioning apparatus is not in a removed position restraining the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus. For example, the slips of a pipe engaging apparatus supported on or in a rig floor may be disabled from engaging and supporting a pipe string in a borehole when the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus is raised to position control lines along a portion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging apparatus.
In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus that is adapted to cooperate with a spider, the control line retainer arm may be movable to position one or more control lines along a portion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging apparatus and at a position generally radially opposite the center slip of a three-unit slip assembly. In a three-unit slip assembly, a center slip, a right slip and a left slip each define, along each gripping face, an arcuate gripping surface that generally conforms to the exterior contour of the pipe string. The right slip and the left slip are hingedly coupled to the right side and the left side, respectively, of the center slip so as to form a generally annular slip assembly when the right and left slips are rotated to the gripping positions relative to the center slip. When the spider is to be disengaged, the load of the pipe string may be transferred to an elevator assembly movably disposed above the spider, and the center slip may be manipulated up from its gripping position within the tapered bowl of the spider and radially away from the pipe string. As the right and left slips follow, each hinges away from its annular position relative to the center slip and toward a open and disengaged position. It should be understood that the number of slips in the slip assembly may be varied without substantial change in the manner of use or operation of the slip assembly within the context of the use and operation of the control line positioning apparatus.
In one embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the raised position is provided by rotation of the control line retainer arm. In another embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus between the raised position and the removed position is provided by translation of the control line retainer arm, either vertical, horizontal or both. A control line retainer assembly may be coupled to the control line retainer arm to slidably or rollably couple one or more control lines to the control line retainer arm so that the control lines can be fed into the borehole along with the pipe string, and the control lines may also be positioned between the raised position and the removed position by rotational or translational movement of the arm. It should be understood that a rotationally movable control line retainer arm and/or a translatably movable control line retainer arm may also extend, for example, by use of an extendable cylinder or a telescoping cylinder, to vary its length in order to position the control line retainer arm in the removed position to restrain the control lines slidably or rollably coupled thereto from entering the operating zone of a pipe engaging apparatus.
In one embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the raised position is provided by simultaneous rotation and translation of the control line retainer arm. In this embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may comprise a base, a track supported on the base to engage a follower driven by a drive member along a path of the track, a stabilizer coupled to the base at a first end and coupled to a retainer arm at a second end, the control line retainer arm coupled to the follower and positionable by the drive member, as restrained by the track and follower, and the stabilizer, between a removed position and a raised position. The follower may be moved along the path of the track by, for example, a cylinder or other source of mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic power.
In one embodiment, a control line retainer assembly may be coupled to the control line retainer arm and may comprise a control line retainer to slidably or rollably couple one or more control lines to the control line retainer arm so that the control lines may be positioned by movement of the control line retainer arm. In embodiments of the control line positioning apparatus that cooperate with a docking assembly or a control line retainer arm position sensor to implement a safety interlock to prevent damage to the control lines from closure of the pipe engaging apparatus, the control line retainer assembly may comprise a docking member that can be releasably captured by a docking assembly, or it may comprise a position sensor that can detect movement of the control line retainer assembly to its removed position.
In the embodiment of the control line retainer assembly 50 shown in
Optionally, control line retainer assembly 50 may be hinged to open so that control lines can be introduced and retained within or removed from the control line retainer assembly 50. In one embodiment to be discussed later in connection with
The pipe engaging apparatus, which in
The embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10 shown in
The second end 24B (not shown in FIG. 1—see
Also shown in
The control line positioning apparatus 10 of
It should be noted that the pipe string 80 shown in
In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10, the control line retainer arm can be moved to its removed position and releasably coupled to a docking assembly adjacent the pipe engaging apparatus that cooperates with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent closure of the pipe engaging apparatus if the control line retainer assembly is not coupled to the docking assembly, to prevent inadvertent moving of the control line retainer arm away from the removed position while the pipe engaging apparatus is in the closed position, or both. It should be understood that a docking assembly that cooperates with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent one or both of these actions may be used along with a control line positioning apparatus of the invention. Similarly, in one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10, the control line retainer arm can be moved to its removed position and removably received in or at a receiving assembly adjacent the pipe engaging apparatus that cooperates with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent closure of the pipe engaging apparatus if the control line retainer assembly is not received in or at the receiving assembly, to prevent inadvertent moving of the control line retainer arm away from the removed position while the pipe engaging apparatus is in the closed position, or both. It should be understood that a docking assembly or a receiving assembly that cooperates with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent one or both of these actions may be used along with a control line positioning apparatus of the invention.
It should be understood that, as the control line retainer arm 30 is moved from the position shown in
The movement of the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 from its open position shown in
In one embodiment, the movement of the wheel blocker 157 into the path of the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 may correspond to the release of a blocking member in the pipe engaging apparatus 70 to enable the pipe engaging apparatus to move from an open position to a closed position to engage and support the pipe string 80. For example,
As shown in
It should be understood that the ascending control line pathway 112 may be adapted to receive a control line feed through an aperture 116 in the rig floor, as shown in
It should be noted that the rig floor-mounted control line pathway may be secured to the rig floor 8 using fasteners that, when the cover supports 230 are slid and secured in place, are hidden from view and access in order to prevent tripping or snagging hazards, as illustrated on the straight portions of the pathway 220 in
Another embodiment of the apparatus and the method of the invention may provide safeguards against tensile or other failure or rupture of the control line, such as when the control line is being connected to the pipe string and as the pipe string is made-up and run into the borehole.
The system preferably includes first and second retainers operated by first and second actuators. In such an embodiment, both retainers may be required to disengage from the cutting member before the cutting member is allowed to rotate to cut the control line. The use of redundant actuators and respective retainers may decrease the likelihood that the cutting member is accidentally deployed.
In one embodiment, the control line cutter system may include a back-up member 210. The back-up member 210 may be disposed adjacent the control line cutter 201 with the pathway 112 of the control line 90 disposed intermediate the pivotable control line cutter 201 and the back-up member 210. The back-up member 210 may be stationary or movable. For example, in one embodiment, the back-up member 210 may be pivotable about an axle 213 such that the back-up member 210 may rotate with the control line under normal feeding and/or as the control line cutter 201 pivots to engage and cut the control line. Specifically, depressurizing the cylinders 202 may allow the retainers 204 to disengage from the control line cutter 201 such that the spring 207 causes the control line cutter 201 to rotate counter-clockwise (as seen in
It should be understood that the control line cutter 201 may be used to prevent parting of the control line due to excessive loading of the control line. A control line cutter may be included with and/or within a control line pathway, a spider (e.g., a control line pathway extending through the bore of the spider), a CLS pipe engaging apparatus, and/or a control line manipulator (e.g., as shown in
In one embodiment, an actuator, e.g., electrically or fluidically powered (hydraulic or pneumatic) motor, 206 may be provided in communication with (e.g., fluidic or electrical communication) a source of energy (e.g., controlling lines 205A and 205B) to cause rotation of and/or drive a drive member, such as a drive roller 208 or a conveyor belt, in which the drive roller 208 may engage the control line 90. A drive member may include an outer surface including a resilient material, such as an elastomeric material. Further, in one or more embodiments, a motor may be used to drive a drive member using, for example, a keyed shaft coupled between the motor 206 and the roller 208, in which torque and/or rotation may be transmitted from the motor 206 to the drive roller 208. Alternatively, a spur gear, a splined shaft, and/or any other mechanism known in the art, such as a one-way rotational mechanism, may be used to enable the motor to drive the drive roller. A back-up member may also be used, such as with the drive member. For example, the back-up member may include an adjustable rolling member 212, which may be disposed adjacent to the drive roller 208 with the control line 90 passing therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the back-up member may include a conveyor belt, a support member (e.g., a plate or a non-rotatable support), a low friction control line contacting surface, and/or any other member or device known in the art that may be used with the drive member, such as to support a control line. Further, a passive rolling member, such as a passive roller, may be used within a control line system in accordance with the present disclosure. The passive rolling member may include a one-way rotational mechanism, in which the one-way rotational mechanism may enable the passive rolling member to selectively rotate in one direction or in two directions. As such, when a one-way rotational mechanism is engaged, the passive rolling member may only rotate in one direction, as compared to when the one-way rotational mechanism is not engaged, in which the passive rolling member may rotate in two directions.
Further, (for example through, one or more adjustment handles 211) the rolling member 212, such as each end of the rolling member 212, may extend toward or retract away from the control line 90, e.g., via an actuator coupled thereto and/or any other means known in the art. The rolling member 212 and the drive roller 208 may be used to create friction against the control line 90 passing therebetween with the drive roller 208 such that the drive roller 208 may be able to drive, feed, and/or otherwise control force and/or movement of the control line 90 being engaged by the drive roller 208. Adjusting the position of the rolling member 212 may press the control line 90 against the drive roller 208 such that the motor 206 can push, pull, and/or otherwise provide a force to the control line 90. A drive member may be controlled to feed, e.g., move axially, a control line at a desired rate, such as a rate equal to the rate that the pipe string is advanced into the borehole, or to maintain a desired amount of tension in the control line.
In one or more embodiments, the drive member, e.g., roller 208, in addition to other components and/or equipment, may be used to provide a force to a control line 90, such as to pull the control line 90 through a control line pathway of a control line positioning apparatus. For example, by pulling, or feeding, the control line 90 with the driver roller 208, the control line 90 may have sufficient enough slack developed therein such that the control line 90 may be manipulated as desired, such as handled by one or more persons or by control line handling equipment, such as to clamp the control line to a pipe string. In such an embodiment, after the drive roller 208 has driven the control line 90, at least partially, within and/or through the control line pathway, the control line 90 may be cut, such as using the control line cutter 201, in which the drive roller 208 may maintain engagement with the control line 90.
In one or more embodiments, the drive member, e.g., drive roller 208, may rotate and/or be driven in one direction and/or in two directions. For example, the drive member may be used to drive and feed the control line 90 into a borehole and/or out from a borehole. However, in such embodiments, the drive member may be prevented from rotating in both directions, such as after the control line cutter 201 has been activated to cut the control line 90. In such an embodiment, the drive member may be used to feed the control line 90 in a direction further downhole into a borehole, but may be prevented from rotating such that the control line 90 may not recoil back and have the drive member lose engagement with the control line 90. As such, in one embodiment, a check valve, such as a pneumatic pilot valve, and/or any other appropriate sensor or mechanism may be activated when desired to have the drive member drive a control line in one direction and/or in two directions. For example, the check valve may be opened and closed in response to the movement of the control line cutter 201. The check valve may then prevent the movement of the motor 206 and/or the drive member, at least movement in one direction, after the control line 90 has been cut. In such an example, the drive member may be able to maintain engagement with the control line 90 to prevent movement of the control line 90, such as by preventing the control line 90 recoil and be released from engagement with the drive member.
Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the motor 206 and/or the drive member, e.g., drive roller 208, may be used when handling and/or otherwise managing one or more of the control lines 90 in use with a drilling rig. For example, when handling a control line, such as when lifting and/or pulling a control line, a tether (e.g., a rope or cable) may be connected and attached to the control line. The tether may be driven, at least partially, by the motor 206, e.g., a moving portion of the motor 206, and/or the drive member, such as by having the tether disposed about the motor 206 and/or the drive member. Accordingly, the motor 206 and/or the drive member may be used as a winch, such as a capstan winch, in which the motor 206 and/or the drive member may be used to assist in handling the control line. For example, the tether may be disposed about and fed around the motor 206, in which the motor 206 may be rotated and driven to operate as a winch, thereby enabling the motor 206 to lift, pull, and/or otherwise handle the control line as desired. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates multiple other methods and uses in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, the system may include a controller that controls operation of the actuators 202, in addition to multiple other components of the system. The controller may be designed or programmed to control the actuator based upon one or more signals received from one or more sensors. For example, one or more sensors may be selected from a control line tension sensor, a dropped pipe string sensor, and an emergency shut-down sensor. A suitable control line tension sensor may be disposed to measure forces in a bend of a control line pathway, such a rig floor mounted pathway or an ascending pathway of a control line positioning apparatus. In a further embodiment, the controller operates the actuator to allow rotation of the cutting member in response to receiving a signal from the control line tension sensor that indicates the tension is greater than a setpoint tension. Optionally, the setpoint tension may be selected to prevent an excessive load on the control line that could cause unwanted parting of control line and whipping. Additionally or alternatively, a system may include a control line speed, velocity, acceleration, rotation, etc. sensor, such as a sensor to provide a speed signal to the controller. In one embodiment, a sensor may be coupled to one or more rollers (e.g., passive roller), one or more drive members, and/or any other component(s) of a control line system, e.g., a component that engages and/or moves with the control line, in which the sensor may be able to detect and measure one or more parameters, as desired. For example, a controller may compare the speed of the control line to the maximum desired descent speed (e.g., indicating a drop string) of the pipe string and operates the actuator to cut the control line in response to the control line speed exceeding the maximum descent speed of the pipe string. Other variations and combinations of control schemes for controlling the cutting member, and/or any other member or component within a control line system, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
A clutch, such as a sprag clutch 215, may include a unidirectional member, such as a ratcheting member, that permits rotation of the (as shown in
It should be understood that, in the above embodiments, such as with respect to
In yet another embodiment of a method of cutting a control line, other preventive or remedial steps may be taken. For example, the control line tension sensor may generate a signal that may be communicated to a pipe string elevator to slow the descent of the pipe string. Furthermore, the control line tension sensor may generate a signal that is communicated to a control line feed drive motor, optionally increasing the speed of the drive motor in response to a signal indicating high tension in the control line.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a control line inhibiting apparatus may be included within one or more embodiments disclosed herein such that the control line inhibiting device may be able to inhibit and prevent a control line from being further fed into a control line positioning apparatus, a pipe engaging apparatus, and/or any other apparatus or device used to receive a control line. For example, the control line inhibiting apparatus may include a brake and/or a shear mechanism configured to engage the control line such that the control line inhibiting apparatus inhibits and prevents movement of the control line (e.g., feeding of the control line), or such that the control line inhibiting apparatus at least reduces the rate of movement of the control line (e.g., reduces the feeding rate of the control line). Those having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that other control line inhibiting apparatuses may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
It should be understood that an “elevator assembly,” as used herein, means a vertically movable spider, a casing running tool (CRT) or any other pipe gripping assembly that can be manipulated to raise or lower a pipe string that is supported within the elevator assembly. It should be further understood that “pipe gripping apparatus,” as used herein, means an apparatus that can support a pipe string, and specifically includes an elevator assembly and also includes a spider.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/252,956 filed on Oct. 19, 2009 and entitled “Method and Apparatus to Position and Protect Control Lines Being Coupled to a Pipe String on a Rig.” The disclosure of this U.S. Provisional Application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Applicant also hereby incorporates by reference into this application the following pending applications and issued U.S. patents: U.S. Publication No. 2008/0264650, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/926,883 filed on Apr. 30, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,772, U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,853, U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,403, U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,931, U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,716, U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,677, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,540.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61252956 | Oct 2009 | US | |
| 60926883 | Apr 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12907846 | Oct 2010 | US |
| Child | 14218180 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12113174 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Child | 12907846 | US |
