Stabbing guide device for steel tubes used in tubular hydrocarbon columns

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stabbing guide device (30) for a steel pipe (10) designed to be secured to a section (12) of the steel pipe (10) used in a tubular column for oil, gas, energy, or storage applications. The device (30) comprises: a substantially cylindrical body (32) extending along the axis of rotation (A1) designed to surround the portion (12) of the first steel tube (10), the body (32) forming an open ring, such that there is a circumferential gap (J1) between the two free ends (33a, 33b) of the body (32); a lock door (34) permanently fixed to the body (32) at one of its two free ends (33a, 33b), the lock door (34) being movable relative to the body (32) between a locked position in which the lock door rotates towards the body (32) and surrounds the first tube (10), an intermediate position in which the lock door (34) slides along the axis of rotation (A1) towards the lower end (35) of the body (32), and an unlocked position in which the lock door (34) rotates radially away from the body (32); Equipped with.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for metal tubes intended to be used in tubular columns for oil, gas, energy or storage applications, such as hydrocarbon wells, geothermal, carbon capture operations, etc.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a stabbing guide arrangement for mounting an external thread of a second pipe to an internal thread of a first pipe.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a metal tube equipped with such a stabbing guide device. [Background technology]

[0004] A tubular hydrocarbon column or working string generally consists of multiple tubes attached to each other. More specifically, a tubular hydrocarbon column for a hydrocarbon well or similar well generally comprises a tubing string and multiple casing strings. The tubing string consists of multiple completion pipes housed in a casing string. The casing string consists of multiple casing pipes placed in the wellbore. The casing pipes have a diameter cross-section larger than that of the completion pipes and surround them. In the lower part of the casing string, the casing pipes are also called liner pipes.

[0005] Casing strings are necessary to maintain hole stability, prevent water-sand contamination, and control wellbore pressure during drilling, production, and / or workover operations.

[0006] The casing and completion pipes may be formed from steel and manufactured in accordance with, but not limited to, API Standard Specifications for Standard Casing and Tubing 5CT or 5CRA. For example, the steel grade may be one of the following: L80, P110 or Q125.

[0007] The two tubes of the string may be attached by a threaded joint or connection. A typical threaded joint for connecting a first tube to a second tube may include male threads formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first tube, also called the pin end, and female threads formed on an inner circumferential surface of the second tube, also called the box end. These threads cooperate to attach the first tube to the second tube to form the threaded joint.

[0008] Another known type of threaded joint may include a joint box for attaching a first tube and a second tube. Each of the first tube and the second tube includes a pipe having, at both ends thereof, a male thread formed on the circumferential outer surface, also called a pin end. The first tube includes a joint box having an inner bore. The joint box is provided with a female thread formed on the inner circumference of the bore. The joint box is generally pre-connected to one end of a steel pipe by the male thread of the end and the female thread of the joint box. With this arrangement, the first tube has a male thread, also called a pin end, and a joint box part having a female thread. The second tube may be attached to the first tube by the male thread of the second tube and the female thread of the joint box.

[0009] Such threaded tubular connections are subjected to a variety of stress combinations that may vary in strength and direction, such as, for example, axial tension, axial compression, internal pressure bending forces, torsional forces, etc. As such, threaded tubular connections are generally designed to accommodate these stresses, resist fracture, and provide gas tightness.

[0010] As such, the robustness of a string of pipe generally depends on the absence of wear in the parts or portions that form the threaded connection or joint. Accordingly, devices have been proposed for protecting the threads of pipe having male and female threads.

[0011] In the field operations, the protective device must be removed before the tube is installed in the well. It is preferable to remove the protective device at the last stage before installing the tube in the well. Therefore, it is necessary to unscrew and unscrew the protective device from the tube. These operations are particularly time-consuming and require particular attention from the workers who also have to manage the tube. Thus, the use of known protective devices makes the column installation process more complicated and leaves vulnerable points of the tube unprotected during the installation of the column.

[0012] Furthermore, when the male thread of the second pipe is attached to the female thread of the first pipe, a stabbing guide is generally used. Such a stabbing guide is positioned by an operator before inserting the male end of the second pipe into the female end of the first pipe, and then removed before threading the second pipe into the first pipe. Such an operation increases the installation time of the column.

[0013] Also, known stabbing guides are attached to the female threaded end of the pipe on the drill floor after the pipe has been lifted and placed in position on the drill floor, which increases the exposure of workers on the drill floor, a particularly dangerous area.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need to reduce column installation time, also known as the "critical path activity," and reduce worker exposure on the drilling floor.

[0015] In fact, current critical path activity is around 200 seconds per tube, which, given the high daily rental costs of the rig, would lead to an expensive installation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0017] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stabbing guide that allows easier and faster alignment of the ends of the pipes while addressing safety issues aimed at reducing steps at the drilling site, particularly on the drilling floor.

[0018] Therefore, the stabbing guide according to the present invention is intended to be pre-installed on the outside of the drill floor in an area called the "vee door" before the tubes are lifted into the air and brought onto the drill floor, called the "rotary table", where they are rotated for threading together.

[0019] It is also an object of the present invention to improve the protection, during the pipe installation process, of the joint box parts of the pipes intended to form threaded joints. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] The present invention provides a stabbing guide device for steel pipes designed to be secured to a section of steel pipe used in a tubular column for oil, gas, energy or storage applications, the device comprising: a substantially cylindrical body extending along the axis of rotation designed to surround a portion of the first steel tube, the body forming an open ring such that there is a circumferential gap between the two free ends of the body; a lock door permanently fixed to the cylindrical body at one of the body's two free ends, the lock door being movable relative to the body between a locked position in which the lock door surrounds the first tube, an intermediate position in which the lock door can slide along the axis of rotation towards a lower end of the body, and an unlocked position in which the lock door can rotate radially away from the body; Equipped with.

[0021] As such, the lock door is movable relative to the body along two successive motions: a first translational motion of the lock door for sliding the lock door along the rotation axis from the locked position to an intermediate position, and a second rotational motion of the lock door for rotating the lock door away from the body from the intermediate position to an unlocked position.

[0022] The main body and the lock door are configured such that one can move relative to the other, but cannot be separated, and thus the main body and the lock door are of one-piece design.

[0023] One of the body or the lock door includes a hinge cooperating with at least one longitudinal shaft connected to the other of the lock door or the body, and the lock door is configured to rotate along the longitudinal shaft from an intermediate position to an unlocked position.

[0024] In one embodiment, one of the body or the lock door has a first longitudinal groove within which the longitudinal shaft is slidably mounted.

[0025] In one embodiment, one of the lock door or the cylindrical body further comprises at least one anchoring pad extending circumferentially from one of the lock door or the cylindrical body toward the other of the cylindrical body or the lock door, the anchoring pad being slidably mounted within a second longitudinal groove in the one body or the other lock door when the lock door is in the intermediate position.

[0026] The stabbing guide devices may be pre-installed in an area called the "vee door" outside the drill floor before the tubes are lifted into the air and brought onto the drill floor, called the "rotary table," where they are rotated to thread together, thus reducing steps on the drill site.

[0027] The hinge allows either the body or the lock door to be moved or slid towards the other of the lock door or the body, or to be lifted, and is locked in the closed position and unlocked in the open position.

[0028] In one embodiment, the locking door comprises at least one longitudinal shaft.

[0029] In another embodiment, the cylindrical body comprises at least one longitudinal shaft.

[0030] Advantageously, the body and the locking door each comprise an end, i.e. a shoulder, configured to abut axially with an upper end which is part of the first tube when fixed to the tube.

[0031] In this way, it is possible to prevent the stabbing guide device from falling off when fixed to the first pipe.

[0032] Furthermore, because rotation of the lock door can only occur after the door has been slid downwardly towards the lower end of the body, rotation of the lock door is prevented by the door being self-blocked by a shoulder abutting the upper end of the first tube when the stabbing guide device is attached to the first tube.

[0033] In one embodiment, the locking door comprises an elongated body that, in the locked position, fits into the circumferential gap to form an angled segment bounded circumferentially by two free ends or sides.

[0034] Advantageously, the longitudinal shaft is slidably mounted within the first longitudinal groove and is connected to either the lock door or the body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially towards one of the body or the lock door, the other of the body.

[0035] For example, at least one longitudinal shaft is slidably mounted in a first longitudinal groove provided in the body (e.g., at one free end) and connected to the lock door (e.g., at one side of the elongated body) by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially from the lock door toward the body (e.g., at one of its free ends). A hinge is provided in the first groove for fixing the shaft to the body.

[0036] For example, the longitudinal shaft is connected to the lock door, for example the elongated body, by two connection pads.

[0037] In another embodiment, the cylindrical body comprises at least one longitudinal shaft slidably mounted in a first longitudinal groove provided on the lock door. The at least one longitudinal shaft is connected to the cylindrical body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially from the cylindrical body towards the lock door. The first groove is provided with a hinge for fixing the shaft to the body.

[0038] In another embodiment, one free end of the cylindrical body comprises at least one longitudinal shaft slidably mounted in a first longitudinal groove provided in one tangential side of the body of the lock door. The at least one longitudinal shaft is connected to one free end of the body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially from the free end towards one tangential side of the body of the lock door. A hinge is provided in the first groove for fixing the shaft to the body.

[0039] In other words, one of the locking door or the cylindrical body may include the longitudinal shaft, and the first groove may be provided in the other of the cylindrical body or the locking door.

[0040] Advantageously, the length of the first longitudinal groove is greater than the length of the shaft, which allows the shaft to slide in the groove from the locked position to the intermediate position.

[0041] Advantageously, one of the lock door or the cylindrical body further comprises at least one fixing pad connected to one of the tangential sides of the elongated body or the free end of the circumferential body, the at least one fixing pad extending in the circumferential direction from one of the tangential sides or the free end towards the other of the free end of the body or the tangential sides of the elongated body of the lock door.

[0042] For example, the fixing pad is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove provided in a tangential side of the free end of the one body or the elongated body of the other lock door. The second longitudinal groove is provided with at least one notch opening at the free end of the one body or the tangential side of the elongated body of the other lock door. The length of the at least one notch is greater than the length of the fixing pad. Thus, the fixing pad is configured to slide in the second groove from the locked position to the intermediate position. Also, when the fixing pad faces the notch, in the intermediate position, the lock door is configured to rotate away from the body from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

[0043] In one embodiment, the locking door comprises at least one anchoring pad connected to a tangential side of the other elongated body and extending circumferentially from the tangential side towards the free end of the other body.

[0044] For example, in one embodiment, the anchor pad is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove provided in the other free end of the body. The second longitudinal groove also has at least one cutout portion that opens into the other free end. The length of the at least one cutout portion is greater than the length of the anchor pad. Thus, when the anchor pad faces the cutout portion in the intermediate position, the lock door may be rotated away from the body from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

[0045] For example, the elongate body is provided with two fixing pads each facing a cut-out portion of the second groove at an intermediate position.

[0046] In another embodiment, the cylindrical body comprises at least one anchoring pad connected to a free end of the other circumferential body, the at least one anchoring pad extending circumferentially from the free end towards a tangential side of the elongated body of the other lock door.

[0047] For example, in this alternative embodiment, the anchor pad is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove in a tangential side of the elongated body of the other lock door. The second longitudinal groove also has at least one cutout opening to the other tangential side. The length of the at least one cutout is greater than the length of the anchor pad. Thus, when the anchor pad faces the cutout, in the intermediate position, the lock door may be rotated away from the body from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

[0048] The function of the fixing pad is to prevent and lock the lock door from rotating.

[0049] The elongated body of the lock door may be bounded radially inwardly by a cylindrical inner surface, have a shoulder, further bounded radially outwardly by a cylindrical outer surface, and circumferentially bounded by two tangential sides.

[0050] For example, the elongated body of the lock door is further bounded axially by a lower end and an upper end, the upper end being connected to the shoulder by an internal tapered surface. For example, the body is further bounded axially by a lower end and an upper end, the upper end being connected to the shoulder by an internal tapered surface.

[0051] The tapered surface may, for example, have the same angle as the angle of the tapered surface of the elongated body of the lock door.

[0052] The inner tapered surfaces function as stabbing guides for the second, finished tube. For example, each inner tapered surface forms an angle in the range of 30° to 60°, for example 45°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the circumferential outer surface of the body.

[0053] In one embodiment, the main body and the elongated body of the locking door are each bounded radially inwardly by a cylindrical inner surface having the same diameter.

[0054] For example, the stabbing guide device may include a temporary protective closure that covers the inner tapered surface of the body, the protective closure intended to protect the pipe threads during transport.

[0055] In one embodiment, the stabbing guide device may be made from a plastic material using additive manufacturing in a one-step process, which can reduce manufacturing costs, or the stabbing guide device may be made from any other material.

[0056] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a steel pipe intended to be used as a tubular hydrocarbon column, preferably as a finishing pipe, comprising a pin portion, a box portion adapted to receive the pin portion of another, second steel pipe, and a device as described above fixed to the first steel pipe.

[0057] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a tubular hydrocarbon column comprising a first steel tube including a first pin portion and a first box portion, a second steel tube including a second pin portion and a second box portion configured to be screwed into the first box portion, and at least one stabbing guide device as described above fixedly mounted to the first box portion of the first tube. The first steel tube, the second steel tube, and the stabbing guide are coaxially arranged along the axis of rotation when mounted.

[0058] For example, the length of the stabbing guide device is less than the combined length of the first and second tubes, but greater than half the combined length, allowing the device to remain in place even when vibration occurs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0059] The invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of particular embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a tubular hydrocarbon column having a stabbing guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stabbing guide device of FIG. 1 mounted on a first tube in a locked position; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 in an intermediate position. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 in an unlocked position. [Figure 7] 3A-3D show steps of installation of a pipe with the device of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0060] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "longitudinal", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined with reference to a common orthogonal frame of reference as shown in the figures. These include: Longitudinal axis X: horizontal, running from left to right when viewed from the front. Transverse axis Y: perpendicular to longitudinal axis X and extending from rear to front when viewed from the front. Rotation axis Z: vertical on the diagram, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

[0061] Also, in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "outer" or "inner", as well as "axial" and "radial" are used in accordance with the definitions set forth herein to designate elements of the stabbing guide device or tube. The longitudinal axis Z determines the "axial" direction. "Radial" is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z. A "circumferential" orientation is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation Z and perpendicular to the radial direction, i.e., orthogonal. The terms "outer" and "inner" are used to define the orientation of a component or its location relative to other components with reference to the axis of rotation Z. Components closer to or facing the axis Z are referred to as inner or internal components, in contrast to outer or external components located radially away from the longitudinal axis Z.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows the general structure of a portion of a tubular hydrocarbon column 1 having a first tube 10, a second tube 20 attached to the first tube 10, and a stabbing guide device 30 fixed to the first tube 10.

[0063] The first tube 10 is substantially cylindrical and includes a first lower end (not shown), also referred to as a pin portion, having male threads (not shown) on an outer circumferential surface of the first lower end. The first tube 10 further includes a second upper end 12, also referred to as a box portion, opposite the first lower end, having female threads 12a on an inner circumferential surface of the box portion.

[0064] The male threaded portion of the first lower end of the first tube 10 is designed to cooperate with the female threaded portion of a lower tube (not shown), and the female threaded portion 12 of the first tube 10 is designed to cooperate with the male threads 22a of the male threaded portion 22 of the upper tube 20, i.e., the second tube.

[0065] The stabbing guide device 30 is mounted around the second upper end 12 of the first tube 10. Alternatively, the first tube may be a coupling box forming a substantially cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve has an internal male thread provided on its circumferential inner surface and is designed to cooperate with the male thread of the lower tube (not shown) and the male thread of the subsequent upper tube 20.

[0066] The first tube 10, the second tube 20 and the stabbing guide device 30 are coaxially arranged along the axis of rotation A1 when installed.

[0067] 2 to 6 show the stabbing guide device 30 in detail. As mentioned above, the stabbing guide device 30 extends along a rotation axis A1 parallel to the longitudinal axis Z. The stabbing guide device 30 is thus designed to be mounted on a first tube 10, such as a finishing tube, prior to operation on the rig, and to guide the insertion of the subsequent second tube 20 into the first tube 10.

[0068] The stabbing guide device 30 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 32 extending along the axis of rotation A1, designed to surround the portion 12 of the first steel tube 10.

[0069] The stabbing guide apparatus 30 further includes a lock door 34 permanently secured to the body 32. The lock door 34 is movable relative to the body 32 between a locked position, shown in Figure 2, in which the lock door 34 is rotated towards the body 32 to surround the first tube 10, and an unlocked position, shown in Figure 6, in which the door 34 is rotated away from the body 32.

[0070] The main body 32 and the lock door 34 are configured to be movable relative to each other but cannot be separated, so that the main body 32 and the lock door 34 are of a one-piece design.

[0071] As described below, the lock door 34 is movable relative to the body 32 along two successive motions: a first translational motion of the lock door 34 for sliding the lock door 34 along the rotation axis A1 from the locked position to an intermediate position shown in FIG. 5, and a second rotational motion of the lock door 34 for rotating the lock door away from the body 32 from the intermediate position to an unlocked position.

[0072] The body 32 is bounded radially inwardly by a cylindrical inner surface 32a having a first diameter ID1 substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first tube 10. The cylindrical inner surface 32a is provided with a shoulder 32b having a second diameter ID2 smaller than the first diameter ID1. The shoulder 32b is designed to abut against the free upper end 12b of the internal thread 12 of the first tube 10 when mounted on the first tube 10. In this way, the stabbing guide device 30 can be prevented from falling off when mounted on the first tube 10.

[0073] The body 32 is further bounded radially outwardly by a cylindrical outer surface 33 and circumferentially by two tangential free ends 33a, 33b.

[0074] 3, a radial cross section of the body 32 forms an arc about an angle α1. The angle α1 is selected such that the tangential free ends 33a, 33b of the radial cross section of the body 32 are circumferentially spaced apart by a circumferential gap J1. The angle α1 is greater than 180°, preferably greater than 200°, for example in the range of 200° to 350°, for example in the range of 250° to 300°.

[0075] In other words, the body 32 forms an open ring such that a circumferential gap J1 exists between the two free ends 33a, 33b of the body 32.

[0076] The outer diameter OD of the cylindrical surface 33 of the body 32 is relatively small so as to avoid interference with existing handling and lifting equipment.

[0077] The body 32 is designed to surround the box portion 12 of the first tube 10. However, the body 32 may be attached to any portion of the tube.

[0078] The body 32 is further bounded axially by a lower end 35 and an upper end 36. The upper end 36 is connected to the shoulder 32b by an inner tapered surface 37. The inner tapered surface 37 functions as a stabbing guide for the second finished tube 20. For example, the inner tapered surface 37 forms an angle in the range of 30° to 60°, such as an angle of 45°, with respect to the longitudinal axis A1 of the circumferential outer surface 33 of the body 32.

[0079] Alternatively, the device 30 may include a temporary protective closure (not shown) that covers the inner tapered surface 37 of the body 32. The protective closure is intended to protect the tube threads during transport.

[0080] The length of the body 32 is less than but more than half the combined length of the first tube 10 and the second tube 20. Such a length of the stabbing guide device 30 allows the device to remain in place even when vibrations occur.

[0081] As shown in the figure, the lock door 34 is fixed to the main body 32 in the vicinity of the circumferential gap J1.

[0082] The locking door 34 includes an elongated body 40 that, in the locked position, fits into the circumferential gap J1 to form an angled segment.

[0083] 3, the radial cross section of the elongated body 40 of the locking door 34 defines an arc about an angle α2, which is selected so that in the locked position, the radial cross section of the device 30 is circular.

[0084] The elongated body 40 is bounded radially inward by a cylindrical inner surface 40a provided with a shoulder 40b that is designed to abut against the free end, here the upper end, of the internal thread 12 of the first pipe 10 when mounted on the first pipe 10. In this way, the locking door 34 can be prevented from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when mounted on the first pipe 10.

[0085] The elongated body 40 is further bounded radially outwardly by a cylindrical outer surface 41 and circumferentially by two tangential free ends or sides 41a, 41b.

[0086] Elongated body 40 is further bounded axially by a lower end 42 and an upper end 43. Upper end 43 is connected to shoulder 40b by an internal tapered surface 44. Internal tapered surface 44 functions as a stabbing guide for second finished tube 20. For example, internal tapered surface 44 forms an angle that is the same as the angle of tapered surface 37 of body 32.

[0087] The lock door 34 further comprises a longitudinal shaft 45. The longitudinal shaft 45 is connected to one free end 41a by circumferential connection pads 46, 47 extending circumferentially from the free end 41a towards one free end 33a of the body 32. Alternatively, the longitudinal shaft 45 may be connected to one tangential free end 41a by a single circumferential connection pad.

[0088] The longitudinal shaft 45 is slidably mounted within a first longitudinal groove 38 provided in one free end 33 a of the body 32 .

[0089] The length of the longitudinal groove 38 is greater than the length of the shaft 45. This allows the shaft to slide within the groove 38 from the locked position to an intermediate position. The groove 38 is also provided with a hinge 38a for fixing the shaft 45 to the body 32.

[0090] The locking door 34 further comprises two fixing pads 48, 49 connected to the other free end 41b and extending circumferentially from the free end towards the other free end 33b of the body 32. Alternatively, the locking door 34 may comprise a single fixing pad.

[0091] Each of the anchor pads 48 , 49 is slidably mounted within a second longitudinal groove 39 provided in the other free end 33 b of the body 32 .

[0092] The present invention is not limited to such an arrangement, and it is also possible for the shaft 45 to be provided in the cylindrical body 32 and for the first longitudinal groove 38 to be provided in the locking door 34 .

[0093] It is also possible that the fixing pads 48, 49 are provided on the cylindrical body 32 and the second longitudinal groove 39 is provided on one of the tangential free ends 41a, 41b of the locking door 34.

[0094] The length of the second longitudinal groove 39 is greater than the length of the anchor pads 48, 49. This allows the anchor pads 48, 49 to slide within the groove 39 from the locked position to an intermediate position.

[0095] The groove 39 is provided with two notches 39a, 39b that open to the free end 33b. The length of the two notches 39a, 39b is greater than the length of the fixing pads 48, 49. Thus, when the fixing pads 48, 49 face one of the notches 39a, 39b, respectively, in the intermediate position, the locking door 34 may be rotated away from the body 32 from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

[0096] Thus, the stabbing guide device 30 includes the lock door 34. The lock door 34 is attached to be movable relative to the main body 32 between a locked position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 in which the lock door 34 rotates toward the main body 32 to surround the first tube 10, an intermediate position shown in FIG. 5 in which the lock door 34 slides downward to the lower end 35 of the main body 32 so that the fixing pads 48, 49 of the door 34 face the cutouts 39a, 39b of the main body, and an unlocked position shown in FIG. 6 in which the lock door 34 is rotated away from the main body 32 in the radial direction. The lock door 34 is configured to reduce the circumferential gap J1 of the main body 32 in the locked position.

[0097] Rotation of the lock door 34 can occur only after the door has been slid downward toward the lower end 35 of the body 32. Therefore, when the stabbing guide device 30 is attached to the first tube 10, the door is self-blocked by the shoulder 40b abutting the upper end 12b of the first tube 10, thereby preventing the lock door 34 from rotating. Gravity also prevents the lock door 34 from sliding downward toward the lower end 35 of the body 32.

[0098] The stabbing guide device 30 may be made from plastic materials using additive manufacturing in a one-step process, which can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0099] The stabbing guide device 30 may further include a radio frequency identification chip (RFID chip) (not shown), for example, located in a groove on the exterior surface of the body 32. The chip may include data such as tube and / or thread dimensions. The chip eliminates the need to remove the device from the tube to determine such data.

[0100] The stabbing guide device 30 may also include sensors (not shown), such as pressure and temperature sensors, to monitor the pressure exerted on the box section 12 of the pipe 10 and / or the drilling fluid or cement, and the temperature of the box section and / or the drilling fluid or cement.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7, the finished pipe 10 is provided with the stabbing guide device 30' immediately after its manufacture, before being lifted using the lifting device 40 according to arrow F1 for installation on the rig.

[0102] After the first completion pipe 10 is placed on the rig floor, in step A, the subsequent completion pipe 20 with its apparatus 30 is lifted.

[0103] Gravity prevents the locking door 34 from sliding downward toward the bottom end 35 of the body 32, and therefore from rotating to the unlocked position.

[0104] In step B, the subsequent finishing pipe 20 is placed on the rig floor according to the arrow F2, and its lower portion is guided by the device 30. This causes the male threaded portion 22 of the subsequent finishing pipe 20 to be inserted into the box portion 12 of the first pipe 10.

[0105] Once the subsequent finishing tube 20 has been pierced into the first tube 10, the stabbing guide apparatus 30' may be removed by lifting it upwardly, allowing the locking door 34 to slide downwardly toward the lower end 35 of the body 32 and rotate in the unlocked position. In this manner, the stabbing guide apparatus 30' may be attached to another subsequent finishing tube.

[0106] Therefore, the number of stabbing guide devices 30 used simultaneously on the rig floor may be one, or two or more.

[0107] In this manner, the stabbing guide apparatus 30, 30' serves as a stabbing guide for the subsequent finishing tube without the need for additional tooling. The first and second tubes are metal tubes intended for use in tubular hydrocarbon columns.

[0108] The stabbing guide device 30, 30' can fully protect the box 12 of the tube 10 during transportation and storage of the tube 10 and can therefore be considered as a protective device.

[0109] The stabbing guide devices are pre-installed in an area called the "vee door" outside the drill floor before the tubes are lifted into the air and brought onto the drill floor, called the "rotary table," where they are rotated to thread together, eliminating steps on the drill site.

[0110] The device 30 according to the present invention is a multi-purpose tool configured to protect a pipe box and to guide the insertion of the male thread of a second pipe into the female thread of a first pipe. Thus, the device has two functions.

[0111] Furthermore, the device according to the present invention significantly reduces the critical path activity or installation time of the tubes, e.g., by about 3 to 5 seconds, since no tools are required for fastening to the corresponding tubes, resulting in significant cost savings in installation operations. Thus, the device facilitates the installation process of the tubes in the casing string or in the wellbore.

Claims

1. A stabbing guide device (30) for a steel pipe (10) designed to be fixed to a section (12) of the steel pipe (10) used in a tubular column for oil, gas, energy or storage applications, comprising: a substantially cylindrical body (32) extending along the axis of rotation (A1) designed to surround the portion (12) of the first steel tube (10), said body (32) forming an open ring, such that there is a circumferential gap (J1) between the two free ends (33a, 33b) of said body (32); a lock door (34) irremovably fixed to the body (32) at one of the two free ends (33a, 33b) of the body (32), the lock door (34) being configured to move relative to the body (32) between a locked position in which the lock door (34) surrounds the first steel pipe (10), an intermediate position in which the lock door (34) can slide along the rotation axis (A1) toward a lower end (35) of the body (32), and an unlocked position in which the lock door (34) can rotate radially away from the body (32); Equipped with one of the body (32) or the locking door (34) comprises a hinge (38a) cooperating with at least one longitudinal shaft (45) connected to the other of the locking door (34) or the body (32), and the locking door (34) is configured to rotate along the longitudinal shaft (45) from the intermediate position to the unlocked position; Stabbing guide device (30).

2. 2. The stabbing guide device (30) of claim 1, wherein one of the body (32) or the lock door (34) has a first longitudinal groove (38), and the longitudinal shaft (45) is slidably mounted within the first longitudinal groove (38).

3. 3. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the lock door (34) or the body (32) further comprises at least one fixing pad (48, 49) extending circumferentially from one of the lock door (34) or the body (32) towards the other of the body (32) or the lock door (34), the fixing pad (48, 49) being slidably mounted within a second longitudinal groove (39) provided in the one of the body (32) or the other of the lock doors (34) when the lock door is in the intermediate position.

4. The stabbing guide device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the body (32) and the lock door (34) includes a shoulder (32b, 40b) configured to be axially abutted by an upper end (12b) of the portion (12) of the first steel pipe (10) when the body (32) and the lock door (34) are fixed to the first steel pipe (10).

5. 5. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 1, wherein the lock door (34) comprises an elongated body (40) that fits into the circumferential gap (J1) in the locked position to form an angled segment bounded circumferentially by two tangential sides (41 a, 41 b).

6. 6. The stabbing guide device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the longitudinal shaft (45) is connected to the lock door (34) or the body (32) by at least one circumferential connecting pad (46, 47) extending circumferentially towards the other of the body (32) or the lock door (34).

7. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 2 in combination with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a length of the first longitudinal groove (38) is greater than a length of the longitudinal shaft (45), whereby the longitudinal shaft can slide within the first longitudinal groove (38) from the locked position to the intermediate position.

8. 6. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 3 or 5 in combination with claim 4 or 5, wherein the fixing pads (48, 49) are connected to one of the tangential sides (41 b) of the elongated body (40) or the free end (33 b) of the body (32) and extend circumferentially from one of the tangential sides (41 b) or the free end (33 b) towards the other of the free end (33 b) of the body (32) or the tangential side (41 b) of the elongated body (40) of the lock door (34).

9. The fixing pads (48, 49) are slidably mounted in the second longitudinal grooves (39) provided in the free end (33b) of one of the bodies (32) or the tangential side (41b) of the elongated body (40) of the other of the lock door (34), and the second longitudinal grooves (39) are provided with at least one notch (39a, 39b) opening into the free end (33b) of one of the bodies (32) or the tangential side (41b) of the elongated body (40) of the other of the lock door (34), and the at least 9. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 8, wherein a length of one cutout portion is greater than a length of the fixed pad (48, 49), whereby the fixed pad (48, 49) is configured to slide in the second longitudinal groove (39) from the locked position to the intermediate position, and wherein, at the intermediate position, the lock door (34) is configured to rotate away from the body (32) from the intermediate position to the unlocked position when the fixed pad (48, 49) faces the cutout portion (39a, 39b).

10. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 4 or 5 in combination with any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the elongated body (40) of the lock door (34) is bounded radially inwardly by a cylindrical inner surface (40a), has the shoulder (40b), is further bounded radially outwardly by a cylindrical outer surface (41) and is bounded circumferentially by two of the tangential side surfaces (41a, 41b).

11. The stabbing guide device (30) according to claim 4 or 5 in combination with any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the elongated body (40) of the lock door (34) is further bounded in the axial direction by a lower end (42) and an upper end (43), the upper end (43) being connected to the shoulder (40b) by an inner tapered surface (44), and the body (32) is bounded in the axial direction by a lower end (35) and an upper end (36) of the body (32), the upper end (36) of the body (32) being connected to the shoulder (32b) by an inner tapered surface (37).

12. The stabbing guide device (30) of claim 5 in combination with any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein each of the elongated bodies (40) of the main body (32) and the lock door (34) is bounded radially inwardly by a cylindrical inner surface (32a, 40a) having the same diameter.

13. A steel tube (10), which is a first steel tube (10) intended to be used as a tubular hydrocarbon column, preferably a finishing tube, said first steel tube comprising a pin portion and a box portion (12) configured to receive the pin portion of a further, second steel tube (20), and a stabbing guide device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 fixed to said first steel tube (10).

14. A tubular hydrocarbon column (1), comprising: a first steel tube (10) including a first pin portion and a first box portion (12); a second steel tube (20) including a second pin portion (22) and a second box portion configured to be screwed into the first box portion (12) of the first steel tube (10); and at least one stabbing guide device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, fixedly attached to the first box portion (12) of the first steel tube (10), wherein the first steel tube (10), the second steel tube (20) and the stabbing guide device (30) are coaxially arranged along a rotation axis (A1) when attached.

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