A method and device for preventing blowouts and falls in pressurized working tubing

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and device for preventing blowouts and falls of pressurized tubing, comprising: an upper flange, a lower flange, a limiting block, a limiting block control panel, an upper buffer liner, a lower buffer liner, an actuator, a guide shaft, and a guide key. This invention restricts the passage of the coupling through a limiting assembly composed of the limiting block, the limiting block control panel, the upper buffer liner, the lower buffer liner, the guide shaft, and the guide key; the impact energy is absorbed by the upper and lower buffer liners through impact-cutting deformation by the coupling and the bending of the cantilever beam structure of the limiting block, thus prolonging the impact time, reducing the instantaneous impact load, and improving the impact resistance of the device; simultaneously, the buffer liner cuts and fills the annular gap between the tubing and the buffer liner, and is then subjected to secondary extrusion molding to hold the tubing in place and prevent slippage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of live operation technology in the oil and gas industry, and specifically relates to a method and device for preventing blowouts and falls of pipelines during live operations. Background Technology

[0002] In the drilling, completion, and workover processes of oil and gas wells, blowouts are the greatest risk. Therefore, the oil and gas industry adheres to the principles of "safety first, prevention foremost" and "people-oriented" philosophy, continuously strengthening well control management during operations. Among these, well control is of paramount importance, but currently, the focus of well control is limited to the fluids within the well.

[0003] With advancements in petroleum equipment and engineering technology, controlled pressure drilling and live drilling operations have been developed in the oil drilling and production field. The technology for controlling well fluids during conventional drilling, completion, and workover operations is relatively mature. However, uncontrolled drops and even ejections of the work string still occur, especially ejections, which have particularly serious consequences, often resulting in equipment failure and loss of life. The reason for this is that live drilling operations are conducted under fluid pressure at the wellhead, meaning not only well fluids may eject, but the work string may also be ejected. However, the control technology and equipment for the work string during live drilling operations have not yet received sufficient attention within the industry. Currently, the basic configuration of live drilling rigs is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, a typical configuration employs four sets of slips—a moving slip group and a fixed slip group—working alternately to control the tubing string entering the well. A spherical blowout preventer (BOP) and two working gate valves (also called working BOPs) work alternately to control the annular fluid pressure. Therefore, tubing string control relies solely on the slips; if the slips fail, there is no second control device or means for the tubing string. Thus, given the current state of pressurized operations, there is an urgent need to develop devices to prevent the tubing string from being ejected or falling out of the well.

[0004] In the aforementioned existing technologies, due to the numerous hydraulic control devices involved in live-line operations and the imperfect configuration of the tubing control system, slip failures, operational errors, and other factors can all lead to accidents such as the tubing falling into the well or even ejecting from the wellhead. In recent years, several accidents involving wellhead fires and operator injuries caused by tubing ejection have occurred in China during live-line operations, and tubing falling into the well is also a frequent occurrence. Currently, live-line operating machines lack specific devices to prevent accidental tubing ejection or falling into the well. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the existing technology, this invention provides a method and device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized pipe columns. It proposes a new technical solution for preventing blowouts and falls from pipe columns by restricting the passage of pipe column couplings.

[0006] One of the technical solutions adopted in this invention is:

[0007] A device for preventing blowouts and falls in pressurized work lines, comprising: an upper flange, a lower flange, a limiting block, a limiting block control panel, an upper buffer liner, a lower buffer liner, an actuator, a guide shaft, and a guide key; wherein the upper flange and the lower flange are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity; the inner wall of the limiting block is arc-shaped, and there are two or more limiting blocks, which can form a limiting ring; the guide shaft and the guide key are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the limiting block, and the limiting block control panel has an arc-shaped groove corresponding to the guide shaft. A corresponding planar motion pair is formed within the arc-shaped groove; the limiting block, the limiting block control disc, the upper buffer liner, the lower buffer liner, the guide shaft, and the guide key are disposed within the limiting cavity, forming a limiting assembly; the actuator is connected to the limiting block control disc to control the opening and closing of the limiting assembly; the upper buffer liner and the lower buffer liner each have an inner cavity of the same diameter, and the inner cavities of the upper buffer liner and the lower buffer liner form the tubing channel during tubing operation; the upper buffer liner and the lower buffer liner are respectively disposed on the inner wall of the upper flange and the inner wall of the lower flange.

[0008] Preferably, the actuator controls the limit stop control disk to rotate. When the limit stop control disk rotates, it drives the guide shaft to move radially along the pipe column channel through the arc groove. When the guide shaft moves radially, it drives two or more limit stops to move radially along the pipe column channel, thereby realizing the change of the diameter of the pipe column channel and the closing and opening of the limit assembly.

[0009] Preferably, when the limiting assembly is in the closed state, two or more limiting blocks form the limiting ring, the inner diameter of the limiting ring being smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe coupling and larger than the outer diameter of the pipe; when the limiting assembly is in the open state, two or more limiting blocks retract into the limiting cavity, and the two or more limiting blocks do not form the limiting ring.

[0010] Preferably, the specifications and dimensions of the upper buffer liner, the lower buffer liner, and the limiting block can be selected according to the different specifications and dimensions of the pipe column and coupling to form the limiting assembly of different specifications and dimensions.

[0011] Preferably, the lower flange body has an operation window for the actuator, which is a self-locking track for the actuator's movement. The limit assembly is locked by the rotation of the actuator.

[0012] Preferably, the upper buffer liner is connected to the upper flange by an equal diameter fit, and the lower buffer liner is connected to the lower flange by a wedge fit; the upper buffer liner and the lower buffer liner are made of materials with high ductility.

[0013] Preferably, a three-dimensional model of the tubing, the tubing coupling, and the device is established, the deformation process of the coupling is simulated, and the thickness and length of the upper buffer liner and the lower buffer liner are determined based on the simulation results.

[0014] Preferably, the support points of the device are determined by a cantilever beam design method.

[0015] Preferably, based on the theory of pressure bar stability, the device is installed at the upper end of the fixed clamping jaw assembly or the turntable surface.

[0016] The second technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0017] A method for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized working tubing, the method using the blowout and fall prevention device of the pressurized working tubing, specifically includes the following steps:

[0018] Step 1) Select the device with the corresponding specifications and dimensions according to the different specifications and dimensions of the pipe columns and couplings;

[0019] Step 2) Install the device on the upper end of the fixed clamp assembly or turntable surface;

[0020] Step 3) Before the tubing string is raised or lowered, the device is opened using the actuator;

[0021] Step 4) During the movement of the lowering pipe column, the device must always be closed, allowing only the pipe column to pass through the device while the coupling cannot pass through it;

[0022] Step 5) When the coupling or other large-diameter tool needs to pass through the device, open the limiting assembly, and close the device immediately after the coupling or other large-diameter tool has passed through the device.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] 1. By the radial movement of the limiting block, the diameter of the tubing channel can be changed, and the limiting assembly can be closed and opened. This can restrict the entry and exit of couplings or other large-diameter tools, preventing the tubing from being ejected or falling.

[0025] 2. Based on the motion law of the tubing, a model of the deformation process of the coupling was simulated, and the thickness and length of the buffer liner to prevent the coupling from deforming were determined, thus improving the stability of the device.

[0026] 3. During pressurized operation of the tubing, when the tubing becomes uncontrolled and causes the coupling to impact the device, the impact energy is absorbed by the cutting deformation of the buffer lining and the bending of the cantilever beam structure of the limit block, which prolongs the impact time, reduces the instantaneous impact load, and improves the impact resistance of the limit block.

[0027] 4. After the buffer lining is cut, it is extruded and formed again. Together with the limiting ring formed by the limiting block, it restricts the passage of the pipe coupling through the device and prevents the pipe from being ejected or falling.

[0028] 5. The device of the present invention is installed on a live working machine, which improves the safety configuration of the live working machine and can be used as a blowout preventer to prevent the tubing from being ejected (i.e., tubing blowout preventer), further improving the safety performance of live working. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of a live-line working host in the existing technology.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the device for preventing blowouts and falls during pressurized operations in this invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the execution device and operation window in this invention.

[0032] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the limiting ring restricting the fall of the tubing in this invention.

[0033] Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of the limiting ring restricting the ejection of the tubing in this invention.

[0034] Figure 5a and Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of the device in the present invention when it is in the closed state (the upper flange and upper buffer liner are hidden).

[0035] Figure 6a and Figure 6b This is a schematic diagram of the device in the open state of the present invention (with the upper flange and upper buffer liner hidden).

[0036] In the figure, 1. Upper flange, 2. Lower flange, 3. Limiting block, 4. Limiting block control panel, 5. Upper buffer liner, 6. Lower buffer liner, 7. Actuator, 8. Guide shaft, 9. Guide key, 10. Limiting cavity, 11. Limiting ring, 12. Pipeline channel, 13. Arc groove, 14. Operation window. Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0038] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0039] The following is combined with Figure 2 -6 illustrates specific embodiments of the present invention. Example 1

[0040] This embodiment provides a device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized pipelines, including: an upper flange 1, a lower flange 2, a limit stop 3, a limit stop control panel 4, an upper buffer liner 5, a lower buffer liner 6, an actuator 7, a guide shaft 8, a guide key 9, and connecting parts, etc.; wherein, the upper flange 1 and the lower flange 2 are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity 10; the inner wall of the limit stop 3 is arc-shaped, and there are two or more limit stops 3, which can form a limiting ring 11; the guide shaft 8 and the guide key 9 are respectively set on the upper and lower sides of the limit stop 3, that is, the number of guide shafts 8 and guide keys 9 is the same as the number of limit stops 3; the limit stop control panel 4, the upper buffer liner 5, the lower buffer liner 6, the actuator 7, the guide shaft 8, the guide key 9, and the ..., are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity 10; the upper flange 1 and the lower flange 2 are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity 10; the inner wall of the limit stop 3 is arc-shaped, and there are two or more limit stops 3, which can form a limiting ring 11; the guide shaft 8 and the guide key 9 are respectively set on the upper and lower sides of the The control plate 4 has an arc-shaped groove 13 corresponding to the guide shaft 8, and the guide shaft 8 is located in the arc-shaped groove 13 to form a corresponding planar motion pair; the limit stop control plate 4, the limit stop 3, the upper buffer liner 5, the lower buffer liner 6, the guide shaft 8, and the guide key 9 are set in the limit cavity 10 to form a limit assembly; the actuator 7 is connected to the limit stop control plate 4 to control the opening and closing of the limit assembly; the upper buffer liner 5 and the lower buffer liner 6 each have an inner cavity of the same diameter, and the inner cavity of the upper buffer liner 5 and the inner cavity of the lower buffer liner 6 form the pipe column channel 12 during pipe column operation; the upper buffer liner 5 and the lower buffer liner 6 are respectively set on the inner wall of the upper flange 1 and the inner wall of the lower flange 2.

[0041] The upper flange 1 and the lower flange 2 are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity 10, which bears the bidirectional impact load of the coupling impact limiting ring 11 and prevents the limiting block 3 from flying out of the cavity in the event of accidental breakage. At the same time, the threaded connection facilitates the replacement of parts of the blowout and fall arrestor.

[0042] The number of limit blocks 3 is two or more, that is, the limit ring 11 adopts a multi-lobed structure, which can prevent the limit ring 11 from failing as a whole; and can reduce the external size of the device and reduce the movement stroke of the limit blocks 3.

[0043] Optionally, buffer pads of the same size can be fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of each limit block 3 to improve the impact resistance of the limit block.

[0044] The actuator 7 controls the rotation of the limit stop control disc 4. When the limit stop control disc 4 rotates, it drives the guide shaft 8 to move radially along the tubing channel 12 via the arc groove 13. When the guide shaft 8 moves, it drives two or more limit stops 3 to move radially along the tubing channel 12, thereby realizing the change of the diameter of the tubing channel 12 and the closing and opening of the limit assembly. The actuator 7 can be a device with a self-locking control handle or other device that can control the rotation of the limit stop control disc 4.

[0045] When the device is in the off state, such as Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, two or more limiting blocks 3 form a limiting ring 11. The inner diameter of the limiting ring 11 is smaller than the outer diameter of the coupling but larger than the outer diameter of the pipe. At this time, only the pipe can pass through the limiting ring 11, while the coupling cannot. The formed rigid limiting ring 11 has functions such as coupling limiting, pipe straightening, fall prevention, and impact resistance.

[0046] When the device is in the open state, such as Figure 6a and Figure 6b As shown, when two or more limiting blocks 3 retract into the limiting cavity 10, the two or more limiting blocks 3 do not form a limiting ring. At this time, both the tubing and the coupling can pass through the limiting ring 11.

[0047] During live tubing operations, before tubing is tripped or pulled, the actuator 7 is opened, allowing the tubing, couplings, and other large-diameter tools to pass through, ensuring normal entry and exit of the tubing. To ensure safety during live tubing operations, the actuator 7 is closed during tubing tripping, unless couplings or other large-diameter tools need to enter or exit the well. When couplings or other large-diameter tools need to enter or exit the well, the actuator 7 is opened, and the actuator is immediately closed after the couplings or other large-diameter tools have passed through. In the event of an accident during tubing tripping, because the actuator is always closed, the limiting ring 11 restricts the passage of tubing couplings. Whether the tubing falls or ejects, adjacent couplings will not be able to pass through the limiting ring 11, meaning the tubing will at most fall or eject a single length, thus effectively controlling any unexpected movement of the tubing.

[0048] The specifications and dimensions of the upper buffer liner 5, the lower buffer liner 6, and the limiting block 3 can be selected according to the different specifications and dimensions of the pipes and couplings to form limiting rings 11 of different specifications and dimensions. Furthermore, a series of universal components for the buffer liners 5 and 6 and the limiting block 3 are formed based on the existing specifications and dimensions of the pipes and couplings, thereby improving the versatility of the device.

[0049] An operation window 14 is provided on the body of the lower flange 2. The operation window 14 serves as the moving track for the actuator 7. The actuator 7 can be manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic. The operation window 14 can be opened in various shapes according to actual needs. For example, the operation window 14 can be opened in an inverted "concave" shape. When the actuator 7 moves along the water operation window, the limit stop control disc 4 is rotated. When the actuator 7 is in the vertical slot, the device is in a locked state of being closed or fully open.

[0050] The upper buffer liner 5 is connected to the upper flange 1 by an equal diameter fit, and the lower buffer liner 6 is connected to the lower flange 2 by a wedge fit. The upper buffer liner 5 and the lower buffer liner 6 are made of materials with high ductility, which can prevent sparks from being generated when the coupling impacts and causing the wellhead to catch fire.

[0051] When the tubing string encounters an accident, the device is in the closed state. If the weight of the tubing string is greater than the upward force, the coupling cannot pass through the limiting ring 11 due to the limiting effect of the upper end face of the limiting block 3, thus preventing the coupling from falling downhole. If the weight of the tubing string is less than the upward force, the coupling also cannot pass through the limiting ring 11 due to the limiting effect of the lower end face of the limiting block 3, thus preventing the tubing string from ejecting from the wellhead. When the coupling deforms and falls, it will cause the lower buffer liner 6 to slide down. Since the lower buffer liner 6 and the lower flange 2 are connected by a wedge fit, the lower buffer liner 6 will become increasingly tighter with the lower flange 2, preventing the tubing string from continuing to fall. Even if the tubing string cannot be stopped, the falling speed of the tubing string will decrease due to increased friction. When the tubing string slides down to the position of the coupling of an adjacent single string, it cannot pass through the limiting ring 11, preventing the tubing string from continuing to fall. To ensure that the tubing string does not fall after being pushed up, high-strength material can be filled inside the buffer liner 6 to increase its strength.

[0052] The buffer liners 5 and 6 are made of ductile metals such as copper and aluminum, or other non-metallic materials, to ensure that no sparks are generated during impact. By absorbing energy, the buffer liners 5 and 6 prevent the coupling from making hard contact with the steel material, thus avoiding sparks or impact fracture. Simultaneously, under the cutting action of the coupling, the material removed from the buffer liners 5 and 6 can fill the gap between the limiting ring 11 and the tubing string, forming a secondary shape that surrounds the tubing string, further preventing the tubing string from falling uncontrollably into the well.

[0053] Furthermore, a three-dimensional model of the tubing, couplings, and device is established to simulate the deformation process of the couplings. Based on the simulation results, the thickness and length of the upper buffer liner 5 and the lower buffer liner 6 are determined. Based on the basic characteristics such as impact resistance area and material, a three-dimensional model of the tubing, couplings, and device is established to simulate the deformation process of the couplings.

[0054] Furthermore, based on the fracture mechanism of metallic materials and the on-site fracture failure analysis of conventional oil and gas well tubing, for example, the coupling underwent significant macroscopic plastic deformation. Based on this, the thickness and length of the upper buffer liner 5 and the lower buffer liner 6 were determined. By limiting the macroscopic plastic deformation space of the coupling, plastic deformation of the coupling was prevented, and it also played a role in straightening.

[0055] Furthermore, the support method of the device is determined by the cantilever beam design method, and the device is installed on the fixed clamp group or turntable surface according to the theory of pressure bar stability, so as to improve the impact resistance of the device.

[0056] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the device should be installed on the upper part of the fixed slip assembly for easy operation and replacement. Example 2

[0057] This embodiment provides a method for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized working tubing. The method uses the aforementioned device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized working tubing and specifically includes the following steps:

[0058] Step 1) Select the corresponding device according to the different specifications and sizes of the pipes and couplings;

[0059] Step 2) Install the device on the upper part of the fixed slip assembly or the turntable surface to improve the impact resistance of the device; unless otherwise specified, the device should be installed on the upper part of the fixed slip assembly for easy operation and replacement of the device assembly.

[0060] Step 3) Before the tubing string raising and lowering operation, open the device using actuator 7;

[0061] Step 4) During the movement of the lowering and lowering of the tubing, the device must always be closed, allowing only the tubing to pass through the device, while the couplings must not pass through the device;

[0062] Step 5) When the coupling or other large-diameter tool needs to pass through the device, open the device and close it immediately after the coupling or other large-diameter tool has passed through.

[0063] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0064] The above description is merely an example and illustration of the structure of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described, or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the invention or exceed the scope defined in the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines, characterized in that, The device includes: an upper flange, a lower flange, a limiting block, a limiting block control panel, an upper buffer liner, a lower buffer liner, an actuator, a guide shaft, and a guide key; wherein, the upper flange and the lower flange are connected by threads to form a limiting cavity; the inner wall of the limiting block is arc-shaped, and there are two or more limiting blocks, which can form a limiting ring; the guide shaft and the guide key are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the limiting block; the limiting block control panel has an arc-shaped groove corresponding to the guide shaft, and the guide shaft is located in the arc-shaped groove to form a corresponding planar motion pair; the limiting block, the limiting block control panel, the upper buffer liner, the lower buffer liner, the guide shaft, and the guide key are disposed in the limiting cavity to form a limiting assembly; the actuator is connected to the limiting block control panel to control the opening and closing of the limiting assembly; The upper and lower buffer liners each have an inner cavity of the same diameter, forming a tubing passage during tubing operation. The upper and lower buffer liners are respectively disposed on the inner walls of the upper and lower flanges. The upper buffer liner is connected to the upper flange using an equal-diameter fit, and the lower buffer liner is connected to the lower flange using a wedge fit. Both the upper and lower buffer liners are made of a material with high ductility.

2. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator controls the limit stop control disk to rotate. When the limit stop control disk rotates, it drives the guide shaft to move radially along the pipe channel through the arc groove. When the guide shaft moves radially, it drives two or more limit stops to move radially along the pipe channel, thereby realizing the change of the diameter of the pipe channel and the closing and opening of the limit assembly.

3. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the limiting assembly is in the closed state, two or more limiting blocks form the limiting ring, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the coupling of the pipe and larger than the outer diameter of the pipe; when the limiting assembly is in the open state, two or more limiting blocks retract into the limiting cavity, and the two or more limiting blocks do not form the limiting ring.

4. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specifications and dimensions of the upper buffer liner, the lower buffer liner, and the limiting block can be selected according to the different specifications and dimensions of the pipe column and coupling to form the limiting assembly of different specifications and dimensions.

5. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower flange body has an operation window for the actuator. The operation window is a self-locking track for the movement of the actuator. The limit assembly is locked by the rotation of the actuator.

6. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, Establish a three-dimensional model of the tubing, the tubing coupling, and the device; simulate the deformation process of the coupling; and determine the thickness and length of the upper and lower buffer liners based on the simulation results.

7. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support points of the device are determined by the cantilever beam design method.

8. The device for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work lines according to claim 7, characterized in that, Based on the theory of pressure bar stability, the device is installed at the upper end of the fixed slip assembly or turntable surface.

9. A method for preventing blowouts and falls from pressurized work tubing, characterized in that, The method uses the blowout and fall prevention device for pressurized working tubing as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and specifically includes the following steps: Step 1) Select the device with the corresponding specifications and dimensions according to the different specifications and dimensions of the pipe columns and couplings; Step 2) Install the device on the upper end of the fixed clamp assembly or turntable surface; Step 3) Before the string raising and lowering operation, open the device using the actuator; Step 4) During the movement of the lowering pipe column, the device must always be closed, allowing only the pipe column to pass through the device while the coupling cannot pass through it; Step 5) When the coupling or other large-diameter tool needs to pass through the device, open the limiting assembly, and close the device immediately after the coupling or other large-diameter tool has passed through the device.

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