Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND DEVICE TO CLAMP CONTROL LINES TO TUBULARS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
~ooo~~ This application claims benefit of United States provisional patent
application
serial number 60/536,800, filed January 15, 2004. This application is also a
continuation-
s in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 10/625,840, filed
July 23, 2003,
which is a continuation of Application No. 09/860,127, filed on May 17, 2001,
now
United States Patent No. 6,742,596. This application, is also a continuation-
in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 10/611,,565, filed July 1, 2003,
which is a
continuation of Application No. 09/486,901, filed on May 19, 2000, now United
States
Patent No. 6,591,471, filed as U.S.C. ~ 371 of International Application No.
PCT/GB98/02582, filed September 2, 1998 which claims priority to GB 9718543.3,
filed
on September 2, 1997. Each of the aforementioned related Patents and patent
applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
~0002~ The present invention relates to the makeup of tubular strings at the
surface
of a well. More particularly, the invention relates to making up strings and
running the
strings into the well along with a control line or signal transmission line:
More
particularly still, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for
facilitating the
clamping of a control line or signal transmission line to a tubular string
prior to lowering
the string, clamp, and such line into the well.
Description of the Related Art
~ooos~ Strings of pipe are typically run into a wellbore at various times
during the
formation and completion of a well. A wellbore is formed for example, by
running a bit
on the end of the tubular string of drill pipe. Later, larger diameter pipe is
run into the
wellbore and cemented therein to line the well and isolate certain parts of
the wellbore
from other parts. Smaller diameter tubular strings are then run through the
lined
wellbore either to form a new length of wellbore therebelow, to carry tools in
the well, or
to serve as a conduit for hydrocarbons gathered from the well during
production.
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[0004.] As stated above, tools and other devices are routinely run into the
wellbore
on tubular strings for remote operation or communication. Some of these are
operated
mechanically by causing one part to move relative to another. Others are
operated
using natural forces like differentials between downhole pressure and
atmospheric
pressure. Others are operated hydraulically by adding pressure to a column of
fluid in
the tubular above the tool. Still others need a control line to provide either
a signal,
power, or both in order to operate the device or to serve as a conduit for
communications between the device and the surface of the well. Control lines
(also
known as umbilical cords) can provide electrical, hydraulic, or fiber optic
means of
signal transmission, control and power.
[ooos] Because the interior of a tubular string must be kept clear for fluids
and other
devices, control lines are often run into the well along an outer surface of
the tubular
string. For example, a tubular string may be formed at the surface of a well
and, as it is
inserted into the wellbore, a control line may be inserted into the wellbore
adjacent the
tubular string. The control line is typically provided from a reel or spool
somewhere
near the surface of the well and extends along the string to some component
disposed
in the string. Because of the harsh conditions and non-uniform surfaces in the
wellbore, control lines are typically fixed to a tubular string along their
length to keep the
line and the tubular string together and prevent the control line from being
damaged or
pulled away from the tubular string during its trip into the well.
[ooos] Control lines are typically attached to the tubular strings using
clamps placed
at predetermined intervals along the tubular string by an operator. Because
various
pieces of equipment at and above well center are necessary to build a tubular
string
and the control line is being fed from a remotely located reel, getting the
control line
close enough to the tubular string to successfully clamp it prior to entering
the wellbore
is a challenge. In one prior art solution, a separate device with an
extendable member
is used to urge the control line towards the tubular string as it comes off
the reel. Such
a device is typically fixed to the derrick structure at the approximate height
of intended
engagement with a tubular traversing the well center, the device being fixed
at a
significant distance from the well center. The device is telescopically moved
toward and
away from well center when operative and inoperative respectively. The device
must
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necessarily span a fair distance as it telescopes from its out of the way
mounting
location to well center. Because of that the control line-engaging portion of
the device is
difficult to locate precisely at well center. The result is often a
misalignment between
the continuous control line and the tubular string making it necessary for an
operator to
manhandle the control line to a position adjacent the tubular before it can be
clamped.
(oooy There is a need therefore for an apparatus which facilitates the
clamping of
the control line to a tubular string at the surface of a well. There is
additionally a need
for an apparatus which will help ensure that a control line is parallel to the
center line of
a tubular string as the control line and the tubular string come together for
clamping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(0008 In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a guide boom pivotable around
a
location adjacent the string and with a guide member at an ,end thereof to
guide the
control line. The apparatus further includes a clamp boom that is
independently
pivotable and includes a clamp housing at an end thereof for carrying and
locating a
clamp to clamp the control line against the tubular string. The guide boom
structure
and the clamp boom structure each have a center line which is substantially
aligned
with the center line of the tubing string permitting the control line to be
aligned adjacent
the tubular string prior to clamping.
(0009 In another embodiment, the method includes locating a guide boom at a
location adjacent the tubular string, wherein the guide boom includes a guide
member
at an end thereof to guide the line. The method further includes locating a
clamp boom
at a location adjacent the tubular string, wherein the clamp boom includes a
removable
clamp. Additionally, the method includes clamping the line to the tubular
string by
utilizing the clamp and relocating the booms to a location away from the
tubular string
while leaving the line clamped to the tubular string.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(0010 So that the manner in which the above recited features can be understood
in
detail, a more particular description is briefly summarized above, may be had
by
reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. It
is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical
embodiments
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and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the invention
may admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
~ooii] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an assembly used to facilitate
the
clamping of a control line to a tubular string.
(002] Figure 2 illustrates the assembly of Figure 1 in a position whereby the
control
line has been brought to a location adjacent the. tubular string for the
installation of a
clamp.
~00~3] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the clamp.
(ooia.] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of an assembly used to
facilitate the
clamping of the control line to tubular string.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
fools] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an assembly 100 used to
facilitate the
clamping of a control line 300 to a tubular string 105. The assembly 100 is
movable
between a staging position and a clamping position. As shown, the assembly 100
is
located adjacent the surface of a well 110. Extending from' the well 110 is
the tubular
string 105 comprising a first 112 and a second 115 tubulars connected by a
coupling
120. Not visible in Figure 1 is a spider which consists of slips that retain
the weight of
the tubular string 105 at the surface of the well 110. Also not shown in the
Figure is an
elevator or a spider which would typically be located above the rig floor or
work surface
to carry the weight of the tubular 112 as it is aligned and threadedly
connected to the
upper most tubular 115 to increase the length of tubular string 105. The
general use of
spiders and elevators to assemble strings of tubulars is well known and is
shown in
U.S. Publication No. US-2002/0170720-A1, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
~oois] The assembly 100 includes a guide boom 200 or arm, which in one
embodiment is a telescopic member made up of an upper 201 and a lower 202
boom.
Guide boom 200 is mounted on a base 210 or mounting assembly at a pivot point
205.
Typically, the guide boom 200 extends at an angle relative to the base 210,
such as an
angle greater than 30 degrees. A pair of fluid cylinders 215 or motive members
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permits the guide boom 200 to move in an arcuate pattern around the pivot
point 205.
Visible in Figure 1 is a spatial relationship between the base 210 and a
platform table
130. Using a fixing means, such as pins 150, the base 210 is fixed relative to
the table
130, thereby permitting the guide boom 200 to be fixed relative to the tubular
string 105
extending from the well 110 and preferably the guide boom 200 is fixed
relatively
proximate the tubular string 105 or well center. In this fashion, the vertical
center line of
the guide boom 200 is substantially aligned with the vertical center line of
the tubular
' string 105, ensuring that as the guide boom 200 pivots around the pivot
point 205 to
approach the tubular string 105 (see Figure 2) and subsequently causing the
path of
the boom 200 and the tubular string 105 to reliably intersect. This helps
ensure that the
control line 300 is close enough to the string 105 for a clamp 275 to be
manually closed
around the string 105 as described below.
(007) As shown in Figure 1, a guide 220 or a control line holding assembly is
disposed at an upper end of guide boom 200. The guide boom 220 has a pair of
rollers
222 mounted therein in a manner which permits the control fine 300 to extend
through
the rollers 222.
(oo~sf Generally, the control line 300 is supplied from a reel (not shown)
which is
located proximate the guide boom 200 but far enough from the center of the
well 110 to
avoid interfering with the spider, elevator or draw works associated with the
tubular
string 105. The control line 300 can provide power or signals or both in any
number of
ways to a component or other device disposed in the well 110. Reels used to
supply
control lines are well known in the art and are typically pre-tensioned,
whereby the
control line will move off the reel as it is urged away from the reel while
permitting the
reel to keep some tension on the line and avoiding unnecessary slack.
~ooi9~ Also visible in Figure 1 is a clamp boom 250 or arm, which in one
embodiment is a telescopic member made up of an upper 251 and a lower 252
boom.
The clamp boom 250 is mounted substantially parallel to the guide boom 200.
The
clamp boom 250 includes a pivot point 255 adjacent the pivot point 205 of
guide boom
200. The clamp boom 250 is moved by one or more fluid cylinders. For instance,
a
pair of fluid cylinders 260 moves the clamp boom 250 around the pivot point
255 away
from the guide boom 200. Another fluid cylinder 265 causes the clamp boom 250
to
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lengthen or shorten in a telescopic fashion. Since the clamp boom 250 is
arranged
similarly to the guide boom 200, the clamp boom 250 also shares a center line
with the
tubular string 105. As defined herein, a fluid cylinder may be hydraulic or
pneumatic.
Alternatively, the booms 200, 250 may be moved by another form of a motive
member
such as a linear actuator, an electric or fluid operated motor or any other
suitable
means known in the art.
~0020~ As shown in Figure 1, a clamp holding assembly comprising a clamp
housing
270 and a removable clamp 275 is disposed at an end of the clamp boom 250. The
removable clamp 276 includes a first clamp member 280 and a second clamp
member
281 which are designed to reach substantially around and embrace a tubular
member,
clamping, or securing a control line together with the tubular member. More
specifically, the clamp 275 is designed to straddle the coupling 120 between
two
tubulars 112, 115 in the tubular string 105. For example, in the embodiment of
Figure
1, the clamp 275 is designed whereby one clamp member 281 will close around
the
lower end of tubular 112 and another clamp member 280 will close around an
upper
end of tubular 115, thereby straddling coupling 120. A frame portion between
the
clamp members 280, 281 covers the coupling 120. The result is a clamping
arrangement securing the control line 300 to the tubular string 105 and
providing
protection to the control line 300 in the area of coupling 120. A more
detailed view of
the clamp 275 is shown in Figure 3. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp 275
is
temporarily held in the clamp housing 270 and then is releasable therefrom.
~oo2y~ Figure 2 illustrates the assembly 100 in a position adjacent the
tubular string
105 with the clamp 275 ready to engage the tubular string 105. Comparing the
position
of the assembly 100 in Figure 2 with its position in Figure 1, the guide boom
200 and
the clamp boom 250 have both been moved in an arcuate motion around pivot
point
205 by the action of fluid cylinders 215. Additionally, the cylinders 260 have
urged the
clamp boom 250 to pivot around the pivot point 255. The fluid cylinder 265
remains
substantially in the same position as in Figure 1, but as is apparent in
Figure 2, could
be adjusted to ensure that coupling 120 is successfully straddled by the clamp
275 and
that clamp members 280, 281 can be secured around tubulars 112 and 115,
respectively. In Figure 2, the guide 220 is in close contact with or touching
tubular 112
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to ensure that the control line 300 is running parallel and adjacent the
tubular string 105
as the clamp boom 250 sets up the clamp 275 for installation. The quantity of
control
line 300 necessary to assume the position of Figure 2 is removed from the
pretensioned reel as previously described.
[oozz~ Still referring to Figure 2, the clamp boom 250 is typically positioned
close to
the tubular string 105 by manipulating fluid cylinders 260 until the clamp
members 280,
281 of the clamp 275 can be manually closed by an operator around tubulars 112
and
115. Thereafter; the clamp 275 is removed from the housing 270 either manually
or by
automated means and the assembly 100 can be retracted back to the position of
Figure
1. It should be noted that any number of clamps can be installed on the
tubular string
105 using the assembly 100 and the clamps do not necessarily have to straddle
a
coupling.
[oo2s1 In operation, the tubular string 105 is made at the surface of the well
with
subsequent pieces of tubular being connected together utilizing a coupling.
Once a
"joint" or connection between two tubulars is made, the string 105 is ready to
be
lowered into the wellbore to a point where a subsequent joint can be
assembled. At
that point, the guide boom 200 and the clamp boom 250 of the present invention
are
moved in an arcuate motion bringing the control line 300 into close contact
and
alignment with the tubular string i 05. Thereafter, the cylinders 260
operating the clamp
boom 250 are manipulated to ensure that the clamp 275 is close enough to the
tubular
string 105 to permit its closure by an operator and / or to ensure that the
clamp
members 280, 281 of the clamp 275 straddle the coupling 120 between the
tubufars.
[002~~ After the assembly 100 is positioned to associate the clamp 275 with
tubular
string 105, an operator closes the clamp members 280, 281 around the tubulars
112,
115 and thereby clamps the control line 300 to the tubulars 112, 115 in such a
way that
it is held fast and also protected, especially in the area of the coupling
120. Thereafter,
the assembly 100 including the guide boom 200 and the clamp boom 250 is
retracted
along the same path to assume a retracted position like the one shown in
Figure 1.
The tubular string 105 can now be lowered into the wellbore along with the
control line
300 and another clamp can be loaded into the clamp housing 270.
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~oo2s] In one embodiment, the guide boom and the clamp boom fluid cylinders
are
equipped with position sensors which are connected to a safety interlock
system such
that the spider can not be opened unless the guide boom 200 and the clamp boom
250
are in the retracted position. Alternatively such an interlock system may
sense the
proximity of the guide boom and clamp boom to the well center for example by
either by
monitoring the angular displacement of the booms with respect to the pivot
points or by
a proximity sensor mounted in the control line holding assembly or the clamp
holding
assembly to measure actual proximity of the booms to the tubular string.
Regardless of
the sensing mechanism used the sensor is in communication with the spider and
/ or
elevator (or other tubular handling device) control system so that one of the
spider or
elevator must be engaged with the tubular (i.e. it is locked out from release)
in order for
the guide or clamp boom to approach the tubular and such a lock out remains
until both
guide and clamp booms are withdrawn.
~oo2s] Such an interlock system may also include the rig draw works controls.
It is
desirable that the tubular string not be raised or lowered white the control
line or clamp
booms are adjacent the string. The aforementioned boom position sensing
mechanisms can be arranged to send signals (e.g. fiuidic, electric, optic,
sonic, or
electromagnefiic) to the draw works control system thereby locking the draw
works (for
example by locking the draw works brake mechanism in an activated position)
when
either the control line or clamp booms are in an operative position. Some
specific
mechanisms that may be used to interlock various tubular handling components
and rig
devices are described in U.S. Publication No. US-2004/00069500 and U.S. Patent
No.
6,742,596 which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
~002~] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of an assembly 500 used to
facilitate
the clamping of the control line 300 to the tubular string 115. For
convenience, the
components in the assembly 400 that are similar to the components in the
assembly
100 will be labeled with the same number indicator.
~oo2s] As illustrated, the assembly 400 includes a guide boom 500. The guide
boom 500 operates in a similar manner as the guide boom 200 of assembly 100.
However, as shown in Figure 4, the guide boom 500 has a first boom 505 and a
second
boom 510 that are connected at an upper end thereof by a member 515. The
member
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515 supports the guide 220 at an end of the guide boom 500. Additionally, the
guide
boom 500 is mounted on the base 210 at pivot points 520. Similar to assembly
100,
the pair of fluid cylinders 215 permits the guide boom 500 to move in an
arcuate pattern
around pivot points 520. In one embodiment, each boom 505, 510 may include an
upper and a lower boom which are telescopically related to each other to allow
the
guide boom 500 to be extended and retracted in a telescopic manner.
[oo2s] Also visible in Figure 4 is a clamp boom 550, which in one embodiment
is a
telescopic member made from an upper and a lower boom. The clamp boom 550
extends at an angle relative to the base 210 and is movable at least 100
degrees. The
clamp boom 550 is mounted between the booms 505, 510 of the guide boom 500.
The
clamp boom 550 having a pivot point (not shown) adjacent the pivot points 520
of guide
boom 500. Typically, the clamp boom 550 is manipulated by a plurality of fluid
cylinders. For instance, a pair of fluid cylinders (not shown) causes the
clamp boom
550 to move around the pivot point. Another fluid cylinder 265 causes the
clamp boom
550 to lengthen or shorten in a telescopic fashion. The clamp boom 550 is
positioned
adjacent the tubular string 105 so that the clamp boom 550 shares a center
line with
the tubular string 105. In a similar manner as the clamp boom 250 in assembly
100,
the clamp boom 550 includes the clamp assembly comprising the clamp housing
270
and the removable clamp 270 disposed at an end thereof.
[0030 Similar to the operation of assembly 100, the guide boom 500 and the
clamp
boom 550 of the assembly 400 are moved in an arcuate motion bringing the
control line
300 into close contact and alignment with the tubular string 105. Thereafter,
the
cylinders 260 operating the clamp boom 550 are manipulated to ensure that the
clamp
275 is close enough to the tubular string 105 to permit its closure by an
operator.
[oo3y~ After the assembly 400 is positioned adjacent the tubular string 105,
the
operator closes the clamp 275 around the tubular string 105 and thereby clamps
the
control line 300 to the tubular string 105 in such a way that it is held fast
and also
protected, especially if the clamp 275 straddles a coupling in the tubular
string 105.
Thereafter, the clamp boom 550 may be moved away from the control line 300
through
a space defined by the booms 505, 510 of the guide boom 500 to a position that
is a
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safe distance away from the tubular string 105 so that another clamp 275 can
be
loaded into the clamp housing 270.
(oos2~ The manipulation of either assembly 100 or assembly 400 may be done
manually through a control panel 410 (shown on Figure 4), a remote control
console or
by any other means know in the art. The general use of a remote control
console is
shown in U.S. Publication No. US-2004/0035587-A1, which has been incorporated
herein by reference.
(oo3s~ In one embodiment a remote console (not shown) may be provided with a
user interface such as a joystick which may be spring biased to a central
(neutral)
position. When the operator displaces the joystick, a valve assembly (not
shown)
controls the flow of fluid to the appropriate fluid cylinder. As soon as the
joystick is
released, the appropriate boom stops in the position which it has obtained.
(0034 The assembly 100, 400 typically includes sensing devices for sensing the
position of the boom. In particular, a linear transducer is incorporated in
the various
fluid cylinders that manipulate the booms. The linear transducers provide a
signal
indicative of the extension of the fluid cylinders which is transmitted to the
operator's
console.
(oo3s~ In operation, the booms (remotely controllable heads) are moved in an
arcuate motion bringing the control line into close contact and alignment with
the
tubular string. Thereafter, the cylinders operating the clamp boom are further
manipulated to ensure that the clamp is close enough to the tubular string to
permit the
closure of the clamp. When the assembly is positioned adjacent the tubular
string, the
operator presses a button marked "memorize" on the console.
(ooss~ The clamp is then closed around the tubular string to secure the
control line
to the tubular string. Thereafter, the clamp boom and/or the guide boom are
retracted
along the same path to assume a retracted position. The tubular string can now
be
lowered into the wellbore along with the control line and another clamp can be
loaded
into the clamp housing.
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~oos~~ After another the clamp is loaded in the clamp housing, the operator
can
simply press a button on the console marked "recall" and the clamp boom and/or
guide
boom immediately moves to their memorized position. This is accomplished by a
control system (not shown) which manipulates the fluid cylinders until the
signals from
their respective linear transducers equal the signals memorized. The operator
then
checks the alignment of the clamp in relation to the tubular string. If they
are correctly
aligned, the clamp is closed around the tubular string. If they are not
correctly aligned,
the operator can make the necessary correction by moving the joystick on his
console.
When the booms are correctly aligned the operator can, if he chooses, update
the
memorized position. However, this step may be omitted if the operator believes
that
the deviation is due to the tubular not being straight.
~oo3s~ While the foregoing embodiments contemplate fluid control with a manual
user interface (i.e. joy stick) it will be appreciated that the control
mechanism and user
interface may vary without departing from relevant aspects of the inventions
herein.
Control may equally be facilitated by use of linear or rotary electric motors.
The user
interface may be a computer and may in fact include a computer program having
an
automation algorithm. Such a program may automatically set the initial boom
location
parameters using boom position sensor data as previously discussed herein. The
algorithm may further calculate boom operational and staging position
requirements
based on sensor data from the other tubular handling equipment and thereby
such a
computer could control the safety interlocking functions of the tubular
handling
equipment and the properly synchronized operation of such equipment including
the
control line and clamp booms. a
~oo3s~ The aforementioned safety interlock and position memory features can be
integrated such that the booms may automatically recall their previously set
position
unless a signal from the tubular handling equipment (e.g. spider/elevator,
draw works)
indicates that a reference piece of handling equipment is not properly engaged
with the
tubular.
~ooa.o~ While the assembly is shown being used with a rig having a spider in
the rig
floor, it is equally useful in situations when the spider is elevated above
the rig floor for
permit greater access to the tubular string being inserted into the well. In
those
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instances, the assembly could be mounted on any surface adjacent to the
tubular
string. The general use of such an elevated spider is shown in U.S. Patent
Applicant
No. 6,131,664, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in Figure 1
of the
'664 patent, the spider is located on a floor above the rig floor that is
supported by two
vertical wall members. In this arrangement, the apparatus could be mounted on
the
underside of the floor supporting the spider or on one of the adjacent walls.
~0041~ Various modifications to the embodiments described are envisaged. For
example, the positioning of the clamp boom to a predetermined location for
loading a
clamp into the clamp housing could be highly automated with minimal visual
verification. Additionally, as described herein, the position of the booms is
memorized
electronically, however, the position of the booms could also be memorized
mechanically or optically.
~ooa2~ While the foregoing is directed to embodiments other and further
embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the
scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
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