Apparatus, method and system for threading oilfield tubulars

Abstract

An apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing, including a rotator to make up a thread, a support configured to hold the weight of the second tubular section, a controller operably connected to the rotator to control rotational speed of the rotator and to control position of the rotator relative to the support, the controller determining permitted positional change between the rotator and the support based upon rotation speed of the rotator and the thread pitch. A method for making or breaking a threaded connection in a tubular string including sensing a position of a rotator relative to a support, managing a position of the rotator relative to the support in conjunction with a pitch of the threads.

Description

67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THREADING OILFIELD TUBULARSBACKGROUND

[0001] In the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries oilfield casing and completion tubing often comprises discrete sections of tubulars that are configured to be threaded together to create a long string of tubing. In general, a pin thread of a next tubular section is threaded into a box thread of a previously introduced section of tubular. Clearly there is growing weight of the string itself as section are added and tubular handling equipment is also heavy. The art has attempted to mitigate excessive load on thread flanks during the threading process, and accordingly the galling that the excess loading tends to cause, using reactive compensation techniques. Such techniques can be helpful but are less than adequate. The art therefore will be receptive to alternative technologies that alleviate galling and speed threading processes.SUMMARY

[0002] An embodiment of an apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing, including a rotator configured to rotate a first tubular section relative to a second tubular section to make up a thread having a thread pitch to connect the first tubular to the second tubular, a support configured to hold the weight of the second tubular section, a controller operably connected to the rotator to control rotational speed of the rotator and to control position of the rotator relative to the support, the controller determining permitted positional change between the rotator and the support based upon rotation speed of the rotator and the thread pitch.

[0003] An embodiment of a method for making or breaking a threaded connection in a tubular string including sensing a position of a rotator engaged with a first tubular member relative to a support engaged with a second tubular member, engaging threads of the first tubular member with threads of the second tubular member, rotating the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member, managing a position of the rotator relative to the support in conjunction with a pitch of the threads.

[0004] An embodiment of a wellbore system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and an apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing disposed in operable contact with the string.

[0005] An embodiment of method for compensating a power tong assembly, the method including positioning the power tong up or down while a plurality of threaded67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)connections is being rotated by the power tong, calculating a compensatory displacement required by the power tong based on a pitch of a thread, positioning the power tong, based on the compensatory displacement, after every 1 / 8 or 1 / 4 of revolution of the power tong, and keeping a weight of the power tong supported by a positioning element.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a borehole system illustrating an apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing; and

[0008] Figure 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a neutral thread position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

[0010] Disclosed herein is an apparatus, method and system that address compensation issues in the prior art.

[0011] Referring to Figure 1, an apparatus 10 is illustrated at a surface location 12 adjacent a borehole 14. Apparatus 10 includes at least a support 16 configured to prevent a tubular 18 falling down the borehole 14. Support 16 may be, for example, a spider or similar construction. Apparatus 14 further includes a rotator 20 that may be selectively operably connected to a tubular 22 and is configured to rotate the tubular 22 so that a thread 24 in tubular 18 and a thread 26 in tubular 22 may be made up. In embodiments, the rotator is a power tong. It is to be appreciated that the apparatus 10 is also configured to break threaded connections. Apparatus 10 further comprises a position sensor 28, which in some embodiments is a linear transducer, to measure position of the rotator 20 relative to the support 16. Finally, apparatus 10 comprises controller 30 operably connected to the rotator 20 to control rotation speed and to control position relative to the support 16.

[0012] Controlling rotation speed and position of the rotator 20 facilitates moving of the thread form without unduly loading thread flanks and hence possibly creating galling. Galling is to be avoided as it is deleterious to the thread form and complicates operations in all oilfield casing and completion tubing configurations. Stated alternatively, by monitoring rotation speed and with the thread pitch being input into the controller, the controller can67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)calculate the exact distance change that should occur between the support 16 and the rotator 20. With this information it is possible to maintain the thread 24 and thread 26 in a neutral position. By “neutral position” it is meant, referring to Figure 2, that the thread 24 is centered on the thread 26 such that the maximum clearance between thread flanks 32 of thread 24 and thread flanks 34 of thread 26 is achieved during the threading operation.

[0013] In embodiments, the position is measured periodically during rotations of the tubular 22 by the rotator 20. The periodicity may be 4 times per revolution, 8 times per revolution or may even be constant during revolution and the controller will use this information in conjunction with the pitch that was input to the controller to adjust the position of the rotator 20 (by for example raising or lower the rotator) to maintain the neutral position.

[0014] Referring to Figure 1, a wellbore system 40 is illustrated. The system 40 comprises a borehole 14 in a subsurface formation 42. A string 44 is disposed within the borehole 14. An apparatus 10 as disclosed herein is disposed to manage the string running into or being withdrawn from the borehole by making up or breaking threaded connections, respectively.

[0015] Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

[0016] Embodiment 1: An apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing, including a rotator configured to rotate a first tubular section relative to a second tubular section to make up a thread having a thread pitch to connect the first tubular to the second tubular, a support configured to hold the weight of the second tubular section, a controller operably connected to the rotator to control rotational speed of the rotator and to control position of the rotator relative to the support, the controller determining permitted positional change between the rotator and the support based upon rotation speed of the rotator and the thread pitch.

[0017] Embodiment 2: The apparatus as in any prior embodiment, further including a position sensor configured to sense position of the rotator relative to the support.

[0018] Embodiment 3: The apparatus as in any prior embodiment, wherein the position sensor is a linear transducer.

[0019] Embodiment 4: The apparatus as in any prior embodiment, wherein the rotator is a power tong.

[0020] Embodiment 5 : A method for making or breaking a threaded connection in a tubular string including sensing a position of a rotator engaged with a first tubular member relative to a support engaged with a second tubular member, engaging threads of the first tubular member with threads of the second tubular member, rotating the first tubular member67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)relative to the second tubular member, managing a position of the rotator relative to the support in conjunction with a pitch of the threads.

[0021] Embodiment 6: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the managing includes monitoring the position of the rotator versus the support.

[0022] Embodiment 7 : The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the monitoring is with a linear position sensor.

[0023] Embodiment 8: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the managing includes operating a controller, the controller having access to rotation speed of the rotator and a pitch of the thread.

[0024] Embodiment 9: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the access is by inputting the speed and thread pitch information into an interface with the controller.

[0025] Embodiment 10: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the managing is carried out periodically.

[0026] Embodiment 11 : The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the period is a plurality of times per rotation.

[0027] Embodiment 12: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the plurality is 4 times to 8 times per rotation.

[0028] Embodiment 13: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the managing includes maintaining thread flank load below galling load by adjusting distance between the rotator and the support to match predicted position based upon rotation speed and thread pitch.

[0029] Embodiment 14: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the adjusting distance is by raising or lowering the rotator to the position dictated by the controller based upon rotation speed and the thread pitch.

[0030] Embodiment 15: A wellbore system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and an apparatus for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing as in any prior embodiment disposed in operable contact with the string.

[0031] Embodiment 16: A method for compensating a power tong assembly, the method including positioning the power tong up or down while a plurality of threaded connections is being rotated by the power tong, calculating a compensatory displacement required by the power tong based on a pitch of a thread, positioning the power tong, based on the compensatory displacement, after every 1 / 8 or 1 / 4 of revolution of the power tong, and keeping a weight of the power tong supported by a positioning element.67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)

[0032] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about”, “substantially” and “generally” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and / or “substantially” and / or “generally” can include a range of ± 8% of a given value.

[0033] The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a borehole, and / or equipment in the borehole, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

[0034] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

Claims

67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus ( 10) for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing, characterized by:a rotator (20) configured to rotate a first tubular section relative to a second tubular section to make up a thread (24, 26) having a thread pitch to connect the first tubular (18) to the second tubular (22);a support (16) configured to hold the weight of the second tubular section;a controller (30) operably connected to the rotator (20) to control rotational speed of the rotator (20) and to control position of the rotator (20) relative to the support (16), the controller (30) determining permitted positional change between the rotator (20) and the support (16) based upon rotation speed of the rotator (20) and the thread pitch.

2. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, further including a position sensor (28) configured to sense position of the rotator (20) relative to the support (16).

3. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the position sensor (28) is a linear transducer.

4. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotator (20) is a power tong.

5. A method for making or breaking a threaded connection in a tubular string (44) characterized by:sensing a position of a rotator (20) engaged with a first tubular (18) member relative to a support (16) engaged with a second tubular (22) member;engaging threads of the first tubular (18) member with threads of the second tubular (22) member;rotating the first tubular (18) member relative to the second tubular (22) member; managing a position of the rotator (20) relative to the support in conjunction with a pitch of the threads (24, 26).

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the managing includes monitoring the position of the rotator (20) versus the support (16).

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the monitoring is with a linear position sensor (28).

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the managing includes operating a controller (30), the controller (30) having access to rotation speed of the rotator (20) and a pitch of the thread (24, 26).67TS-511002 -WO- 1 (BAT0560PCT)9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the access is by inputting the speed and thread pitch information into an interface with the controller (30).

10. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the managing is carried out periodically.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the period is a plurality of times per rotation.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality is 4 times to 8 times per rotation.

13. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the managing includes maintaining thread flank load below galling load by adjusting distance between the rotator (20) and the support (16) to match predicted position based upon rotation speed and thread pitch.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adjusting distance is by raising or lowering the rotator (20) to the position dictated by the controller (30) based upon rotation speed and the thread pitch.

15. A wellbore system (40), characterized by:a borehole (14) in a subsurface formation (42);a string (44) in the borehole (14); andan apparatus (10) for make-up / break of oilfield casing and completion tubing as claimed in claim 1 disposed in operable contact with the string (44).

16. A method for compensating a power tong assembly, the method characterized by:positioning the power tong up or down while a plurality of threaded connections is being rotated by the power tong;calculating a compensatory displacement required by the power tong based on a pitch of a thread;positioning the power tong, based on the compensatory displacement, after every 1 / 8 or 1 / 4 of revolution of the power tong; andkeeping a weight of the power tong supported by a positioning element.

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