RU2588082C2 - Systems and methods for locking swivel joints when performing underground work - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to systems and methods for performing underground work. System for underground operations includes flexible tubing having first and second sections, swivel connection established at junction of first and second sections, and a locking device operable to rotational engagement with swivel connection in response to passage of locking device through first and second section while moving in wellbore.

EFFECT: technical result consists in enabling rotation of column divided into sections of flexible tubing within wellbore.

19 cl, 3 dwg

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The various stages of underground drilling and completion often include the use of a flexible tubing. For example, the entire wellbore or part thereof can be drilled using a flexible tubing instead of the more conventional drill pipes.

An example embodiment of a typical oil well drilling system on a flexible tubing is shown in FIG. 1. The drilling system comprises a flexible tubing 102 located on the drum 104. A flexible tubing 102 passes through a gander 106 and is directed into the well through an injector 108 into a formation 110. During drilling on a flexible tubing, a flexible tubing the pipe 102 is supplied from the drum 104 to the injector 108 and to the wellbore. The drilling fluid is supplied to the bottom hole assembly 114 and the drill bit 116 through the flexible tubing 102. The drilling fluid then returns to the surface through the annular space between the borehole wall or casing and the flexible tubing 102. The returning fluid that may contain drill cuttings and other materials, is directed into the pipe 118 of the returned fluid and is fed into the reservoir 120 of the drilling fluid. The recirculation pump 122 may then recirculate the drilling fluid through the pipe 124 to the flexible tubing 102.

A flexible tubing is a continuous pipe without breaks or connections and cannot rotate. Accordingly, drilling on a flexible tubing has limitations due to the inability to rotate the flexible tubing in the wellbore. Such restrictions mean inefficient transfer of power to the drill bit, inefficient cleaning of the wellbore and the inability to overcome friction between the wellbore and the tubing, limiting the marginal waste of the system. The ability to rotate a portion of the string of the tubing in the wellbore removes many of these limitations, making drilling on the tubing a more acceptable alternative to drilling using conventional drilling rigs and drill pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 shows an example of an embodiment of a conventional oil well drilling system on a flexible tubing.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a swivel according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an oil well drilling system on a flexible tubing according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

Although embodiments of the present invention are shown, described and defined by reference, as examples of embodiments, such references do not impose limitations on the invention, and no such limitations are intended. An object of the described invention may have modifications, changes, and equivalents in form and function, clear to a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention. Shown and described embodiments of the present invention are only examples, not exhaustive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein. For clarity, not all features of the actual implementation may be present in this description. In developing any such actual embodiment, numerous decisions can be made to achieve specific goals that may differ in the embodiments. In addition, it is clear that the development can be complex and time-consuming, but nevertheless be a routine for a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, examples of some embodiments are given below. These examples are not limiting or defining the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the present invention can be applied to horizontal, vertical, directional or other wellbores in any type of subterranean formation without limitation. Embodiments may be applied to injection wells as well as production wells, including hydrocarbon wells.

The terms “connect” or “connect” are used herein to mean an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if the first device is connected to the second device, this connection can be a direct connection or an indirect mechanical connection through other devices and connections. The term "downhole" as used herein means along the drill string or bore from the far end to the surface, and "to the bottom of the well" when used herein means along the drill string or bore from the surface to the far end.

It should be understood that the term “oil well drilling equipment” or “oil drilling system” does not limit the use of equipment and methods described with such terms in oil drilling. The terms also refer to the drilling of gas wells or hydrocarbon wells in general. Additionally, such wells can be used for production, monitoring or injection related to the underground production of hydrocarbons or other materials.

The present application relates to methods and systems for performing underground operations, and in particular, to the use of a flexible tubing with locking swivel joints during drilling operations.

In one embodiment, the swivel joints can be locked and unlocked using a sliding sleeve that slides upward as the flexible tubing passes through the injector into the wellbore. As a result of sliding upward, the sleeve locks the swivel joint, essentially preventing relative rotation of adjacent sections of the flexible tubing. In reverse, when the flexible tubing is lifted through the injector from the wellbore, the sleeve can slide down and rotate the swivel again, while rotating adjacent sections of the flexible tubing are rotated relative to each other.

FIG. 2 shows a swivel joint according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The locking device may be used to lock and / or unlock the swivel joints 10. Specifically, the locking device may engage with the swivel joints 10 so that adjacent sections of the flexible tubing are paired for joint rotation and / or may release the swivel joints so that adjacent sections of the flexible tubing 16 can independently rotate. Two sections are considered "paired for joint rotation" when the rotation of one of the two sections should rotate the other of the two sections. In contrast, two sections are considered "separated for rotation" when the rotation of one of the two sections should not rotate the other section.

In this example embodiment, the swivel joint 10 comprises a locking device. Specifically, in an example embodiment, the swivel joint 10 includes a first portion 11 having one or more retaining receptacles 12, and a sliding coupling portion 14, which may include one or more retaining portions 13 made in the form of protrusions that may lock into one or more locking receiving receptacles 12 in the first swivel joint portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the first portion 11 may be equipped in the first section of the flexible tubing, and the portion 14 is slideable coupling can be equipped on the second adjacent section of the flexible tubing.

In one embodiment, the swivel joint 10 can be engaged and disengaged by a locking device mounted on or near the injector. Accordingly, the locking device is configured to connect the first section 11 to the section 14 of the sliding sleeve. In one example embodiment, the closure device may be a mechanical system, an electrical system, a magnetic system, and / or a combination of one or more of these systems. In one embodiment, the locking device may mechanically lock the locking portion 13 into the locking receiving socket 12 when the flexible tubing 16 moves into the borehole through the injector, and may detach the locking portion 13 from the locking receiving socket 12 when the flexible tubing 16 rises from the wellbore through the injector.

Although the mechanical locking device described above and shown in figure 2, as should be clear to a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention, other devices can be used for coupling or uncoupling swivel joints. For example, in one example embodiment, the swivel joints may be remotely controlled by an operator. In this embodiment, the operator can selectively engage or disengage specific swivel joints while controlling the flexible tubing, allowing relative rotation of some and preventing others from rotating. In such an embodiment, wired or wireless communication systems can be used to engage or disengage the first portion 11 and portion 14 of the swivel sliding clutch 10. Such communication systems are well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore are not discussed in detail herein.

In addition, although specific configurations of the retainer and receptacle are shown in FIG. 2, other configurations of the retainer can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, although the locking device is shown in FIG. 2, other devices may use clutch and / or disengagement of the swivel joint. For example, in one example embodiment, the magnetic connection between the first portion 11 and the sliding sleeve 14 can be used to engage and / or disengage the swivel joints 10. Specifically, an operator can activate magnetic force between the first portion 11 and the slip coupling portion 14 of the swivel joints requiring clutch, and deactivate magnetic force for swivel joints 10 requiring disengagement.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a system for drilling an oil well on a flexible tubing according to an example embodiment of the present invention, where the swivel joints 10 separate the different sections of the flexible tubing 16. Specifically, the swivel joint 10 can be created at the junction between the pairs of sections flexible tubing 16 as shown in FIG. 3. As it is clear to a person skilled in the art taking advantage of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the number or positioning of the swivel joints 10 or sections of the flexible tubing, and FIG. 3 is used only as an illustration.

As shown in FIG. 3, the swivel joints 10 can selectively engage. Specifically, one or more swivel joints 10 may initially be disengaged. In one embodiment, the swivel joints 10 within the well may be obstructed, as discussed above and shown in FIG. 2, and discussed in more detail below.

In underground operations, the flexible tubing 16 may be directed into the well through the injector 20. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the swivel joints 10A located on the surface and / or above the injector 20 may be disengaged, and the swivel joints 10B located underground and / or under the injector may be coupled. As should be clear to a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention, the operator can decide at what point the swivel joints 10 are locked and / or unlocked. Specifically, in one embodiment, the swivel joints 10 can be locked and / or unlocked at a point remote from the well 20. The sections of the flexible tubing 16 located above the ground and / or above the injector 20 can rotate relative to adjacent sections, as well as relative to the sections of the flexible tubing located under the injector 20. As a result, the rotation of the portion of the flexible tubing 16 located under the injector should not be affected to the portion of the flexible tubing located above the ground, to the gander 28 or drum 26.

In contrast, when the flexible tubing 16 passes through the injector 20, the swivel joints 10B can engage by connecting adjacent sections of the flexible tubing 16 located in the well for joint rotation. When the swivel joints 10 located below the injector 20 are engaged, rotation from the rotary device 24 located on or near the surface mounted in or below the injector 20 can be used to rotate the drill bit 22. Specifically, when the swivel joints 10 are engaged, rotation can be transmitted into the well to the drill bit 22. Accordingly, the torque generated by the rotational device at or near the injector 20 can be transmitted to the well using a flexible tubing s on the layout of the bottom of the drill string 18 and the drill bit 22.

As should be clear to a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention, any suitable device can be used to rotate a portion of the flexible tubing 16 in the well. In one example embodiment, the rotary device 24 may be a drill rotor in which one-way tubular wedges can be used to clamp the flexible tubing 16 and transmit rotational rotation of the drill rotor to the flexible tubing 16. In another example embodiment, the rotator with high torque can be mounted under the injector 20 or inside the injector 20. In yet another example embodiment, the rotary device can be clamped around a flexible Sosno-tubing 16 when the required rotation and can be driven by hydraulic, pneumatic or electric motor.

In one embodiment, the swivel joint 10 may be equipped with a cleaning device. The cleaning device can be used to clean various components of the swivel joint 10, such as bearings and grooves on them. Cleaning devices can use powerful water or air currents, can take the form of a simple wiper, rotating brushes, or any combination of two or more of these devices.

As should be clear to a person skilled in the art taking advantage of the present invention, swivel joints 10 having a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention can make it possible to rotate a sectioned tubing of a flexible tubing. Accordingly, a rotating sectioned flexible tubing can provide continuous circulation and axial movement and axial speed control during drilling. In addition, an improved sectioned flexible tubing is better suited for use under controlled pressure drilling and for depressed drilling.

As should be clear to a person skilled in the art, taking advantage of the present invention, the present invention provides for the rotation of the flexible tubing both clockwise and counterclockwise, which can help clean the borehole, orientation for directional drilling in geosteering mode or work through bottlenecks in the wellbore, as well as activating and deactivating downhole devices, such as expanders, circulation sub, etc. In addition, the present invention can also be used in this mode for installing and removing packers, and the like. devices in completion, overhaul or geotechnical activities.

As should be clear to a person skilled in the art using the advantages of this invention, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with embodiments with a hybrid tubing string located below the flexible tubing. Additionally, as should be clear to a person skilled in the art using the advantages of the present invention, the locking device must be strong enough to withstand the torque transmitted to the flexible tubing during rotation, and should be locked so as to prevent uncoupling in the well .

The present invention is adapted to perform the tasks and achieve the aforementioned goals, as well as all that is inherent in them. The invention is shown, described and defined in the examples of the invention, which do not impose restrictions on the invention, and no such restrictions are implied. The invention provides for the possibility of modifications, changes and equivalents in form and function, clear to a person skilled in the art using the advantages of this invention. Shown and described examples do not exhaust the possibilities of the invention. Thus, the invention is limited only by the nature and scope of the attached claims, taking into account the full recognition of equivalents in all respects.

Claims (19)

1. A system for performing underground work, comprising:
flexible tubing,
wherein the flexible tubing comprises a first section and a second section,
swivel joint
wherein the swivel is mounted at the junction of the first section and the second section, and
locking device
wherein the retainer is rotatably engaged with the swivel in response to the passage of the retainer through the first and second sections when moving in the wellbore. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein, when the swivel engagement is engaged, the first section is connected to rotate together with the second section. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the swivel joint comprises a first portion and a sliding sleeve portion. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first portion is mounted on the first section and the sliding sleeve portion is mounted on the second section. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the locking device engages the swivel joint by connecting the first portion and the sliding sleeve portion. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the locking device is selected from the group consisting of the following: a mechanical system, an electrical system, and a magnetic system. 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the first portion comprises a retainer receptacle, wherein the sliding sleeve portion comprises a retainer, and wherein the retainer locks into the retainer receptacle when the swivel engages. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tubing extends into the well through an injector; wherein the locking device engages the swivel joint when the first section and the second section pass through the injector. 9. A method of performing underground work, in which:
provide a flexible tubing containing many sections,
however, many sections are disconnected for relative rotation,
provide a swivel connection at the junction of at least one pair of multiple sections and
engaging the swivel with the locking device in response to the passage of the locking device through at least one pair of multiple sections when moving in the wellbore,
the clutch swivel connection contains a connection for joint rotation of at least one pair of multiple sections. 10. The method according to p. 9, in which the clutch swivel connection contains:
locking the first section of the swivel on the first of at least one pair of multiple sections and the section of the sliding sleeve on the second of at least one pair of multiple sections. 11. The method according to p. 9, in which the clutch swivel includes the use of at least one of the following: a mechanical system, an electrical system and a magnetic system. 12. The method according to p. 9, in which the additional release of the swivel, when at least one pair of the plurality of sections is directed to the wellhead, and the release of the swivel includes a disengagement for relative rotation of at least one pair of the plurality of sections. 13. A method of performing underground work, in which:
providing a sectioned flexible tubing comprising a first portion located below the rotary device and a second portion located above the rotational device,
provide a swivel connection at the junction of a pair of sections divided into sections of a flexible tubing of the first section,
engaging the swivel with the locking device in response to the passage of the locking device through a pair of sections of the flexible tubing of the first section divided into sections when moving in the wellbore,
the clutch swivel joins for joint rotation of a pair of sections divided into sections of a flexible tubing of the first section and
carry out the rotation of the rotational device,
wherein the rotation of the rotary device rotates the first portion of the flexible tubing divided into sections. 14. The method according to p. 13, in which additionally connected for joint rotation is divided into sections of a flexible tubing with a drill bit, while the rotation of the rotational device provides rotation of the drill bit. 15. The method according to p. 13, in which additionally create an injector, the location of the rotational device is selected from the group consisting of the following: in the injector, on the injector and under the injector. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the swivel engagement includes locking the swivel portion on the first of a pair of sections of the flexible tubing of the first section and the swivel portion of the second of the pair of sections of the flexible tubing of the tubing the first section. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the swivel engagement includes a swivel engagement using at least one of the following: a mechanical system, an electrical system, and a magnetic system. 18. The method according to p. 13, in which the rotary device is selected from the group consisting of a drill rotor and a rotator with high torque. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the rotational device is clamped around a sectioned flexible tubing before rotating the rotational device.

Images