Multi-stage slips actuation for use with a subterranean well

Abstract

A method of actuating a slip can include applying a pressure level to a slip actuator, and then applying an increased pressure level after the slip has displaced from a closed position toward an open position. A system for actuation of a slip can include a slip actuator that displaces the slip between closed and open positions, and a pressure controller that applies a pressure level to the slip actuator when the slip is displaced less than a predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position, and applies a greater pressure level when the slip is displaced the predetermined distance. A system for use with a subterranean well can include a lifting apparatus, and a spider that supports a tubular, the spider including a pressure controller that increases a pressure level applied to a slip actuator in response to the tubular being lifted by the lifting apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application no. 63 / 747,678 filed on 21 Jan. 2025. The entire disclosure of this prior application is incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly provides for multi-stage slips actuation.

[0003] Slips perform an important function of supporting a tubular at a surface of a well, in part by gripping an outer surface of the tubular. If the slips are released, without the tubular being supported by other equipment (such as, an elevator), then the tubular might inadvertently fall into the well.

[0004] It will, therefore, be readily appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of controlling actuation of slips used with tubular handling equipment. The present disclosure provides such improvements, which may be utilized in a variety of different well operations.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a representative schematic view of an example of a system for actuation of slips that may be used in the FIG. 1 well system and method.

[0007] FIGS. 3-7 are representative schematic views of additional examples of the system for actuation of slips.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 for use in well operations, and an associated method, which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the system 10 and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the system 10 and method described herein and / or depicted in the drawings.

[0009] In the FIG. 1 example, a well rig 30 is used to convey tubulars 32 into and out of a well. As depicted in FIG. 1, the well rig 30 is a land-based rig, but in other examples the rig may be water-based. The tubulars 32 may comprise equipment known to those skilled in the art as casing, liner, riser, tubing, pipe and similar tubular goods, including associated couplings, collars, etc.

[0010] To enable the tubulars 32 to be supported by the rig 30, a lifting apparatus 12 is provided with the rig. The lifting apparatus 12 may comprise, for example, a top drive or a draw works.

[0011] Bails 18 are connected at their upper ends to the lifting apparatus 12. At their lower ends, the bails 18 are connected to an elevator 14. The elevator 14 is specially configured to grip or otherwise support the tubular 32, so that a weight of the tubular (and any equipment, including additional tubulars, connected below the upper tubular) is supported by the elevator and the connected bails 18 and lifting apparatus 12. The elevator 14, with the bails 18 and lifting apparatus 12, can be used to raise or lower the tubulars 32 through a floor 20 of the rig 30.

[0012] At different points in well operations, very different loads may be supported by the lifting apparatus 12, bails 18 and elevator 14. In addition, loads (such as, a weight of a tubular string suspended in the well) can be supported by a spider 16 or another type of tubular handling equipment secured in or on the rig floor 20. The spider 16 includes slips (not visible in FIG. 1) for selectively gripping an outer surface of a tubular 32. The slips have an open position in which the slips are retracted and do not grip the outer surface of the tubular 32, and a closed position in which the slips are extended radially inward into gripping engagement with the outer surface.

[0013] When a tubular or tubular string is being supported by the elevator 14 or the spider 16, the tubular or string will be prevented from inadvertently dropping into the well. However, if the spider 16 releases the tubular 32 before it is supported by other equipment (such as the elevator 14), the tubular or string will drop into the well, and costly and time-consuming remedial operations will need to be performed.

[0014] In the FIG. 1 system 10, the spider 16 is controlled in a manner that helps to ensure that the spider will not release the tubular 32 until after the tubular is supported by other equipment. In examples described more fully below, an increased pressure level is applied to slip actuators of the spider 16 when the tubular 32 is supported by the lifting apparatus 12, elevator 14 and bails 18.

[0015] Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, a representative schematic view of an example of a system 40 for actuation of slips 42 is depicted. For convenience, the FIG. 2 system 40 is described below as it may be used to control actuation of slips 42 of the spider 16 in the FIG. 1 well system 10 and method, but in other examples the slips actuation system may be used to control actuation of slips of other types of tubular handling equipment or with other well systems and methods.

[0016] As depicted in FIG. 2, only one of the slips 42 is illustrated. However, the spider 16 includes multiple circumferentially distributed slips 42, and respective multiple slip actuators 44 for displacing the slips between their open and closed positions. Only one each of the slips 42 and the slip actuators 44 are shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative clarity.

[0017] The slip actuator 44 includes chambers 46, 48 formed on opposite sides of a piston 50. When pressure is applied to the chamber 46, the piston 50 is biased to displace the slip 42 toward the closed position. When pressure is applied to the chamber 48, the piston 50 is biased to displace the slip 42 toward the open position.

[0018] A pressure source 52 (such as, a pump, an accumulator, a compressed gas volume, etc.) is connected to the slip actuator 44 via a pilot operated control valve 54. As depicted in FIG. 2, pressure is not applied to either of two opposing pilot inputs 56, 58 of the control valve 54, and so the chambers 46, 48 of the slip actuator 44 are vented.

[0019] When pressure is applied from a pressure source 61 to the pilot input 58, the control valve 54 will shift to a configuration in which the pressure from the pressure source 52 is applied to the chamber 46 and the other chamber 48 is vented via a check valve 70, thereby displacing the slip 42 to its closed position. Application of pressure from the pressure source 61 to the pilot inputs 56, 58 is controlled by a control system 60.

[0020] In this example, the control system 60 controls operation of valves 62, 64 connected between the pressure source 61 and the respective pilot inputs 56, 58. In other examples, the valves 62, 64 could be combined into a single control valve, or other types of valves may be used.

[0021] When pressure is applied from the pressure source 61 to the pilot input 56, the control valve 54 will shift to a configuration in which the pressure from the pressure source 52 is applied to the chamber 48 via a pressure controller 66, and the other chamber 46 is vented. In this example, the pressure controller 66 includes a pressure reducing valve 68 and a position sensor 72 comprising a control valve 74.

[0022] The pressure output by the pressure source 52 is input to the pressure reducing valve 68 when pressure is applied from the pressure source 61 to the pilot input 56 to shift the slip 42 to its open position. An output pressure of the pressure reducing valve 68 is decreased relative to the pressure input to the pressure reducing valve. In one example, the pressure input to the pressure reducing valve 68 may be 100 bar (~1470 psi) and an output of the pressure reducing valve may be 20 bar (~294 psi), although other pressure levels may be used in other examples.

[0023] The output of the pressure reducing valve 68 is communicated to the chamber 48 of the slip actuator 44. Thus, when pressure is applied to the pilot input 56 of the control valve 54, a pressure level less that the pressure level output by the pressure source 52 is applied to the chamber 48 to bias the piston 50 to displace the slip 42 toward its open position.

[0024] The reduced pressure level output by the pressure reducing valve 68 is selected so that the slip 42 will not be displaced to its open position, unless the weight of the tubular 32 (and any tubular string connected below the tubular 32) is supported by the elevator 14 and lifting apparatus 12. The reduced pressure level is not sufficient to displace the slip 42 to its open position, until the tubular 32 is lifted somewhat by the lifting apparatus 12 and elevator 14. Instead, the reduced pressure level is used only to bias the slip 42 (via the piston 50) toward the open position, without displacing the slip to the open position.

[0025] The position sensor 72 is used to detect when the slip 42 has displaced a predetermined distance toward the open position, due to the tubular 32 being lifted somewhat by the lifting apparatus 12 and elevator 14. In the FIG. 2 example, the position sensor 72 includes a probe 76 that is positioned to contact the slip 42 or a portion of the slip actuator 44 (such as, the piston 50), so that the control valve 74 is shifted when the slip 42 has been displaced the predetermined distance toward the open position.

[0026] As depicted in FIG. 2, there is no communication of pressure through the control valve 74. However, when the control valve 74 is shifted, due to the slip 42 being displaced the predetermined distance toward the open position, the full pressure level output by the pressure source 52 is applied to the chamber 48 via the control valve 74. In this manner, displacement of the slip 42 fully to the open position is ensured, after the tubular 32 is supported by the lifting apparatus 12.

[0027] Thus, when it is desired to lift the tubular 32, the weight of the tubular is supported by the lifting apparatus 12, the reduced pressure level is applied to the chamber 48 to bias the slip 42 toward the open position, the tubular is lifted somewhat by the lifting apparatus, the position sensor 72 detects that the slip has displaced the predetermined distance, and then the increased pressure level is applied via the control valve 74 to the chamber 48 to displace the slip to the open position.

[0028] Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, a representative schematic view of another example of the system 40 for actuation of slips 42 is depicted. The FIG. 3 example demonstrates that a variety of different components may be substituted for the components of the system 40 in the FIG. 2 example.

[0029] Specifically, in the FIG. 3 example, the control valve 54 is solenoid operated, instead of pressure operated. The control system 60 directly controls actuation of the control valve 54. Thus, the pressure source 61 is not used in the FIG. 3 example.

[0030] In addition, the position sensor 72 is a proximity sensor that senses a position of the piston 50 of the slip actuator 44. Thus, the position of the slip 42 is sensed by sensing the position of the piston 50.

[0031] The control valve 74 in the FIG. 3 example is solenoid operated. The control system 60 controls operation of the control valve 74 in response to the output of the position sensor 72. Thus, the control system 60 shifts the control valve 74, so that the increased pressure level is applied to the chamber 48 when the position sensor 72 output indicates that the piston 50 and slip 42 have displaced the predetermined distance toward the open position.

[0032] Referring additionally now to FIGS. 4-7, representative schematic views of additional examples of the system 40 for actuation of slips 42 are depicted. The FIGS. 4-7 examples further demonstrate that a variety of different components may be substituted for the components of the system 40.

[0033] In the FIG. 4 example, the valve 68 is in the form of a pressure relief valve that opens when a pressure level at an input side of the valve is at a certain value that is less than the pressure level output by the pressure source 52. In addition, the pressure sensor 72 control valve 74 is “reversed” so that communication through the control valve is permitted when the slips 42 are in their closed positions, as depicted in FIG. 4.

[0034] The probe 76 contacts a linear cam 78 that displaces with the slips 42. When the control valve 54 is shifted, so that pressure is applied from the pressure source 52 to the chamber 48, in order to displace the slips 42 toward their open positions, the pressure level applied to the chamber 48 is limited by the pressure relief valve 68.

[0035] When the slips 42 are displaced toward the open position a predetermined distance (e.g., when the tubular 32 is raised somewhat by the lifting apparatus 12), the contact between the probe 76 the cam 78 will cause the control valve 74 to shift to a configuration in which the pressure level applied to the chamber 48 is no longer limited by the pressure relief valve 68. The full pressure level output by the pressure source 52 will then be applied to the chamber 48, and the slips 42 will be displaced to their fully open positions.

[0036] The FIG. 5 example is similar in most respects to the FIG. 4 example. However, in the FIG. 5 example, the check valve 70 is connected between the pressure relief valve 68 output and the control valve 54. In this manner, when the control valve 54 is shifted to apply pressure to the chamber 48 to displace the slips 42 to their open positions, the output of the pressure relief valve 68 is vented via the check valve 70.

[0037] In the FIG. 6 example, a pilot operated pressure reducing valve 80 is connected between the chamber 44 and the control valve 54. A pilot input 82 is connected to the chamber 48 and the control valve 54, so that the pilot input receives the pressure level applied from the pressure source 52 to the chamber 48, as reduced due to the pressure relief valve 68.

[0038] The FIG. 7 example is similar to the FIG. 4 example. However, in the FIG. 7 example, multiple position sensors 72, multiple cams 78 and multiple pressure relief valves 68 are used. Note that the control valves 74 are oppositely oriented. One control valve 74 is open when the slips 42 are in their closed positions, and the other control valve 74 is closed when the slips are in their closed positions.

[0039] In any of the FIGS. 3-7 examples, the control valve(s) 74 may be oppositely oriented from their configurations as depicted in the drawings. For example, in the FIGS. 3-7 examples, the cams 78 could be oppositely oriented, along with the control valves 74, and the slips actuation system 40 would still operate in the same manner.

[0040] It will, therefore, be readily appreciated that a wide variety of different components and configurations of the system 40 may be utilized to accomplish the functions of the system. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular components, combination or arrangement of components in the system 40.

[0041] It may now be appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant benefits to the art of controlling actuation of slips used with tubular handling equipment. In examples described above, an increased pressure level is applied to the slip actuators 44 to displace the slips 42 of the spider 16 fully to their open positions only after the lifting apparatus 12 has supported and lifted the tubular 32, so that the slips have displaced at least a predetermined distance.

[0042] The above disclosure provides to the art a method of actuating at least one slip 42 of a well tubular handling apparatus (such as, the spider 16). In one example, the method can comprise: applying a first pressure level to a slip actuator 44; and then applying a second pressure level to the slip actuator 44 after the slip 42 has displaced from a closed position toward an open position. The second pressure level is greater than the first pressure level.

[0043] The second pressure level applying step may include applying the second pressure level after the slip 42 has displaced a predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position.

[0044] The first pressure level applying step may include applying the first pressure level when the slip 42 is positioned at a distance less than the predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position.

[0045] The second pressure level applying step may include applying the second pressure level after a weight of the well tubular 32 is supported by a lifting apparatus 12 of a well rig 30.

[0046] The second pressure level applying step may include applying the second pressure level in response to an output of a position sensor 72. The position sensor 72 output may indicate a position of a piston 50 of the slip actuator 44, and / or a position of the slip 42.

[0047] The above disclosure also provides to the art a system 40 for actuation of at least one slip 42 in a well operation. In one example, the system 40 can comprise: a slip actuator 44 configured to displace the slip 42 between closed and open positions, and a pressure controller 66 configured to apply a first pressure level to the slip actuator 44 when the slip 42 is displaced less than a predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position, and to apply a second pressure level greater than the first pressure level to the slip actuator 44 when the slip 42 is displaced at least the predetermined distance.

[0048] The pressure controller 66 may include a position sensor 72 configured to sense when the slip 42 is displaced the predetermined distance. The position sensor 72 may be configured to sense a position of a piston 50 of the slip actuator 44.

[0049] The pressure controller 66 may include a pressure reducing or pressure relief valve 68. The pressure reducing valve 68 may be configured to reduce the second pressure level output by a pressure source 52 to the first pressure level.

[0050] The slip actuator 44 may include first and second chambers 46, 48 on respective opposite sides of a piston 50. The pressure controller 66 may be further configured to apply the first and second pressure levels to the second chamber 48 to displace the slip 42 toward the open position.

[0051] The slip 42 may be configured to grip a tubular 32 in the closed position.

[0052] Operation of the pressure controller 66 may be controlled by a control system 60.

[0053] A system 10 for use with a subterranean well is also disclosed herein. In one example, the system 10 can comprise: a lifting apparatus 12, and a spider 16 configured to support a tubular 32. The spider 16 can include a pressure controller 66 configured to increase a pressure level applied to a slip actuator 44 in response to the tubular 32 being lifted by the lifting apparatus 12.

[0054] The pressure controller 66 may be further configured to increase the pressure level in response to a slip 42 of the spider 16 being displaced a predetermined distance toward an open position.

[0055] The pressure controller 66 may include a position sensor 72 configured to sense displacement of the slip 42, and / or to sense displacement of a piston 50 of the slip actuator 44. The pressure controller 66 may include a pressure reducing or pressure relief valve 68 configured to reduce a pressure output by a pressure source 52.

[0056] Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and / or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

[0057] Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.

[0058] It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

[0059] In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,”“below,”“upper,”“lower,”“upward,”“downward,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.

[0060] The terms “including,”“includes,”“comprising,”“comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”

[0061] Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of actuating at least one slip of a well tubular handling apparatus, the method comprising:applying a first pressure level to a slip actuator; andthen applying a second pressure level to the slip actuator after the slip has displaced from a closed position toward an open position, andin which the second pressure level is greater than the first pressure level.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the second pressure level applying comprises applying the second pressure level after the slip has displaced a predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the first pressure level applying comprises applying the first pressure level when the slip is positioned at a distance less than the predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the second pressure level applying comprises applying the second pressure level after a weight of the well tubular is supported by a lifting apparatus of a well rig.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the second pressure level applying comprises applying the second pressure level in response to an output of a position sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, in which the position sensor output indicates a position of a piston of the slip actuator.

7. The method of claim 5, in which the position sensor output indicates a position of the slip.

8. A system for actuation of at least one slip in a well operation, the system comprising:a slip actuator configured to displace the slip between closed and open positions; anda pressure controller configured to apply a first pressure level to the slip actuator when the slip is displaced less than a predetermined distance from the closed position toward the open position, and to apply a second pressure level greater than the first pressure level to the slip actuator when the slip is displaced at least the predetermined distance.

9. The system of claim 8, in which the pressure controller comprises a position sensor configured to sense when the slip is displaced the predetermined distance.

10. The system of claim 9, in which the position sensor is configured to sense a position of a piston of the slip actuator.

11. The system of claim 8, in which the pressure controller comprises a pressure reducing or pressure relief valve.

12. The system of claim 11, in which the valve is configured to reduce the second pressure level output by a pressure source to the first pressure level.

13. The system of claim 8, in which the slip actuator comprises first and second chambers on respective opposite sides of a piston, and in which the pressure controller is further configured to apply the first and second pressure levels to the second chamber to displace the slip toward the open position.

14. The system of claim 8, in which the slip is configured to grip a tubular in the closed position.

15. The system of claim 8, in which operation of the pressure controller is controlled by a control system.

16. A system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:a lifting apparatus; anda spider configured to support a tubular, the spider comprising a pressure controller configured to increase a pressure level applied to a slip actuator in response to the tubular being lifted by the lifting apparatus.

17. The system of claim 16, in which the pressure controller is further configured to increase the pressure level in response to a slip of the spider being displaced a predetermined distance toward an open position.

18. The system of claim 17, in which the pressure controller comprises a position sensor configured to sense displacement of the slip.

19. The system of claim 16, in which the pressure controller comprises a position sensor configured to sense displacement of a piston of the slip actuator.

20. The system of claim 16, in which the pressure controller comprises a pressure reducing or pressure relief valve configured to reduce a pressure output by a pressure source.

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