Not applicable.
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of controlling fluid flow in a well bore. More specifically, the present invention addresses a system and method of connecting and protecting shunt tubes used in drilling operations.
Down-hole drilling operations commonly require filter screens to restrain flow of sand and particulates existing in the well environment from entering pipe openings. In a common application, shunt tubes are utilized exterior of a base pipe to provide fluid communication downhole independent of flow through a base pipe.
As presently practiced, jumper tubes are provided at connections of the base pipe sections. Jumper tubes provide fluid connection of a shunt tube on a pipe section to a corresponding shunt tube attached to an abutting pipe section. Jumper tubes are installed after connection of pipe sections.
Generally, for adjoining pipe sections, shunt tube ends are aligned when pipe sections are connected. The jumper tube is inserted between respective shunt tube ends. The jumper tube has a connector at each end comprising a telescoping tube section slideable on the jumper tube. Each telescoping tube section is extended to cover a corresponding shunt tube end. Seals are provided intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding jumper tube sections, and intermediate telescoping sections and corresponding shunt tube ends to provide a contained fluid flow path from a shunt tube through a jumper tube to the next corresponding shunt tube. Set screws are used to retain a telescoping tube section to a corresponding shunt tube end and to retain a telescoping tube end to a corresponding jumper tube.
Split covers are used to encase the jumper tube assemblies for protection downhole. As commercially practiced, split covers comprise a tubular assembly cut longitudinally into two sections. Split covers are hinged along one pair of adjoining edges to allow the cover to open and close longitudinally. After connection of jumper tubes, split covers are positioned external of the pipe joint and jumper tubes, and closed to provide a concentric cover and attached at abutting edges distal the hinge with screws or locking bolts.
Exemplary shunt tube systems are described in, among others, U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,991 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,394 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,516 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,989 to Setterberg, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,056 to Dybevik, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,141 to Rouse, et al.
Exemplary jumper tube connectors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,267 to Setterberg, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,819 to Setterberg, Jr.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a shunt tube connector assembly including a jumper tube assembly and a cooperative shroud assembly. In one embodiment, the jumper assembly comprises a jumper tube having two connectors, the connectors slideable on the jumper tube, and the shroud assembly comprises two half-cylinder shroud segments and corresponding shroud connection collars/end rings. In one embodiment, each shroud collar comprises a cylindrical ring having axial openings in the collar external surface and further having a dove tail extending circumferentially around the collar external surface, and each shroud section has a dove pin extending inwardly from the shroud segment. In one embodiment, each dove pin is sized and structured in relation to a corresponding collar dove tail to be slideably received therein, and each dove pin has a lateral dimension sized and structured to allow the dove pin to extend through a corresponding collar circumferential opening. In an installed embodiment, an upper dove pin is received in a dove tail of a collar attached to an upper pipe section and a lower dove pin is received in a lower dove tail of a lower collar attached to a lower pipe section.
For a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments, reference is now made to the following Description of Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The exemplary embodiments are best understood by referring to the drawings with like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. As used herein longitudinal refers to the axis A-A identified in
Referring first to
Referring to the embodiment of
Referring to the embodiment of
Referring to the embodiments of
Dove pin 20 extends inwardly from interior surface 58 of jumper shroud segment 16. A like dove pin 20 extends inwardly from interior surface 58 of jumper shroud segment 26. Each dove pin 20 has a base 74 proximate interior surface 58 and an extended width segment 76 distal interior surface 58. A width 78 of base 74 is less than collar surface opening width 66. A width 79 of extended width segment 76 of each dove pin 20 is greater than collar surface opening width 66 and less than largest internal width 68 of dove tail 30. Accordingly, dove pin 20, when installed, is retained within dove tail 30. Dimensions of collar surface opening width 66, largest internal width 68, base width 78, and extended width segment 76 are sufficiently loose to allow sliding arrangement of dove pin 20 within dove tail 30.
Referring to the embodiments of
Referring to the embodiment of
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Referring to
As retainer ring segments 90 and 92 are in a fixed axial position upon installation of shroud segments 16 and 26, in one embodiment, retainer ring 22, or retainer ring segment 90 or 92, limits axial movement of connector 52 in the direction away from collar 14, thereby preventing disengagement of connector 52 from shunt tube 44 without necessity of attaching connector 52 to jumper tube 50 or shunt tube 44 by screws or other fastening mechanism. In exemplary embodiments, each shroud 12 comprises one or more retainer ring segments proximate each end thereof, at one end limiting axial movement of the proximal jumper connector 52 (shown in
In one embodiment, for fluid connection of a first shunt tube 44 to a corresponding second shunt tube 44 on a connected pipe segment, a jumper tube 50 is placed partially within, and is enclosed by, a first end of a first connector 52, and at least partially within, and enclosed by, a first end of a second connector 52. Although the tubing connectivity described in this embodiment employs enclosure of jumper tube 50 within connector 52, the invention is not so limited, and additional embodiments may comprise other fluid connections there between. This combination is axially aligned with the shunt tubes, such that a second end of first connector 52 is disposed proximate an end of the first shunt tube 44, and a second end of second connector 52 is disposed proximate an end of the second shunt tube 44. First connector 52 is then slid onto the end of first shunt tube 44 such that first connector 52 encloses that end of that shunt tube 44, and second connector 52 is slid onto the end of second shunt tube 44 such that second connector 52 encloses that end of that shunt tube 44. Although the tubing connectivity described in this embodiment employs enclosure of shunt tube 44 within connector 52, the invention is not so limited, and additional embodiments may comprise other fluid connections there between. The steps of connecting first tube connector 52 to first shunt tube 44 and connecting second tube connector 52 to second shunt tube 44 may performed sequentially or concurrently. As connectors 52 are provided with ring seals 102 (
In one embodiment, fluid connection of a first shunt tube 44 of a first pipe segment to a corresponding second shunt tube 44 of a connected second pipe segment comprises sliding a first end of a connector 52 onto an end of the first shunt tube 44 when the pipe segments are unconnected, such that connector 52 encloses the end, and a portion of the length, of the first shunt tube 44. The pipe segments are then connected such that a second end of the connector 52 is axially aligned with and disposed proximate an end of the second shunt tube. Then, the connector 52 is slid partially off the first shunt tube 44, thereby sliding the second end of the connector 52 onto and enclosing the end of the second shunt tube.
In exemplary practice, an embodiment of an end ring 14 is positioned on each of two pipe segments to be connected, proximate the ends thereof which are to be connected. The end rings 14 are then fixedly attached to the pipe segment, such as by welding. Upon connection of the pipe segments, such as by pipe joint 48, end rings 14 on the respective connected pipe segments are disposed appropriately for shrouding with jumper shroud 12, after installation of a jumper tube 50 and two connectors 52 on each axially aligned pair of shunt tubes 44. The teachings of embodiments of the present invention have been described as to fluid connection of one end of jumper tube 50 to a shunt tube 44 of one pipe segment 40, via a tube connector 52, and to connection of shroud segments 16 and 26 to a collar 14. In like manner, the distal end of jumper tube 50 can be fluidly connected to a corresponding shunt tube 44 of the second pipe segment, via a tube connector 52. In one embodiment, the distal ends of shroud segments 16 and 26 can be connected to a collar 14 of a second pipe 40 segment connected at a joint 48 (
In additional embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of collar 14 may be employed. In one embodiment, a collar 14 positioned on one of the pipe segments does not contain a dove tail 30. In such an embodiment, that collar 14 may comprise a connection mechanism other than a dove pin/dove arrangement for attachment of one end of shrouds 16 and 26 thereto, or it may comprise no connection mechanism. In various embodiments, collar 14 may comprise one or more components (or combinations of components) discontinuously disposed around, and fixedly attached to, the exterior of a pipe segment, rather than an annular unit. In one embodiment, only one pipe segment is provided with a collar 14.
Tube Assembly Step 202 comprises connecting a proximal end of a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 50, to a distal end of a proximal tube connector, such as tube connector 52, and connecting a distal end of the jumper tube to a proximal end of a distal tube connector, such as tube connector 52. The jumper tube is slid partially within the proximal tube connector, and is slid partially within the distal tube connector, thereby providing a tube assembly, which may be axially aligned with and disposed between the ends of a proximal shunt tube and a distal shunt tube.
Proximal Tube Connection Step 204 comprises connecting the proximal tube connector, to a proximal shunt tube, such as shunt tube 44, by sliding the proximal tube connector partially off the proximal end of the jumper tube to cover the end of the proximal shunt tube.
Distal Tube Connection Step 206 comprises connecting the distal tube connector to a distal shunt tube, such as shunt tube 44, by sliding the distal tube connector partially off the distal end of the jumper tube to cover the end of the distal shunt tube. Step 206 may be practiced prior to Step 204.
First Proximal Shroud Segment Placement Step 208 comprises placing a proximal end of a first shroud segment, such as shroud segment 16 or shroud segment 26, into engagement with a proximal collar, such as collar 14, with a first proximal dove pin, such as dove pin 20, extending into a proximal collar external surface opening, such as opening 62.
First Distal Shroud Segment Placement Step 210 comprises placing the distal end of the first shroud segment into engagement with a distal collar, such as collar 14, with a first distal dove pin, such as dove pin 20, extending into a distal collar external surface opening, such as opening 62. Step 210 may be practiced concurrently with Step 208.
First Proximal Shroud Segment Rotation Step 212 comprises rotating the first shroud segment such that the first proximal dove pin engages a proximal dove tail, such as dove tail 30, in the proximal collar.
First Distal Shroud Segment Rotation Step 214 comprises rotating the first placed shroud segment such that the first distal dove pin engages a distal dove tail, such as dove tail 30, in the distal collar. Step 214 may be practiced concurrently with Step 212.
Second Proximal Shroud Segment Placement Step 216 comprises placing a proximal end of a second shroud segment, such as shroud segment 16 or shroud segment 26, into engagement with the proximal collar with a second proximal dove pin, such as dove pin 20, extending into the proximal collar external surface opening.
Second Distal Shroud Segment Placement Step 218 comprises placing the distal end of the second shroud segment into engagement with the distal collar with a second distal dove pin, such as dove pin 20, extending into the distal collar external surface opening. Step 218 may be practiced concurrently with Step 216.
Second Proximal Shroud Segment Rotation Step 220 comprises rotating the second shroud segment such that the second proximal dove pin engages the proximal dove tail.
Second Distal Shroud Segment Rotation Step 222 comprises rotating the second shroud segment such that the second distal dove pin engages the distal dove tail. Step 222 may be practiced concurrently with Step 220.
Shroud Locking Step 224 comprises rotating the first shroud segment and the second shroud segment until a locking mechanism, such as spring lock 18 provided on a collar, engages a lock engagement mechanism, such as spring lock channel 24 provided on a shroud segment, thereby limiting rotational movement of said first shroud and said second shroud.
Proximal Connector Securing Step 226 comprises limiting axial movement of said proximal tube connector by means of a proximal retainer ring segment, such as retainer ring segment 90 or 92, or a retainer ring 22, provided on one or both of the first shroud segment and the second shroud segment. Step 226 may be practiced concurrently with Step 208 through Step 222.
Distal Connector Securing Step 228 comprises limiting axial movement of said distal tube connector by means of a distal retainer ring segment, such as retainer ring segment 90 or 92, or a retainer ring, such as retainer ring 22, provided on one or both of the first shroud segment and the second shroud segment. Step 228 may be practiced concurrently with Step 208 through Step 222.
Method 200 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a connector system of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, Tube Assembly Step 202 comprises utilizing a plurality of jumper tubes to connect two axially aligned shunt tubes, wherein for a quantity of “n” jumper tubes used, a quantity of “n+1” tube connectors are employed, where “n” is a integer. In various embodiments, wherein each pipe segment includes a plurality of exterior shunt tubes, Tube Assembly Step 202 for each connectable pair of shunt tubes may employ the same or a different number of jumper tubes. In various embodiments utilizing more than two shroud segments, additional Shroud Segment Placement Steps and/or Shroud Segment Rotation Steps may be employed. In additional embodiments, one or more of Shroud Segment Placement Steps and/or Shroud Segment Rotation Steps may be modified to accommodate shrouds comprising only one dove pin and/or no dove pins, and/or accommodate the utilization other collar embodiments or the provision of only one collar.
In one embodiment of a method of utilizing a connector system of the present invention, two unconnected pipe segments, each equipped with one or more exterior shunt tubes, are axially aligned, whereupon a tube connector, such as tube connector 52, is slid over the end of a shunt tube, such as shunt tube 44, of the first pipe segment, enclosing the end and at least a portion of the length thereof. The pipe segments are then connected, whereupon, concurrently, the tube connector is partially slid off the first pipe segment shunt tube and slid over the end of a shunt tube, such as shunt tube 44, of the second pipe segment. A plurality of shroud segments, such as shroud segment 16 or shroud segment 26, are installed consistently with the teachings provided herein.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the invention. Descriptions of embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. The extent and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims and is intended to extend to equivalents thereof. The claims are incorporated into the specification. Disclosure of existing patents, publications, and known art are incorporated herein by reference to the extent required to provide details and understanding of the disclosure herein set forth.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/943,814 filed on Feb. 24, 2014, which application is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full below.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61943814 | Feb 2014 | US |