Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02902700 2016-10-06
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO POSITION AND PROTECT CONTROL LINES
BEING COUPLED TO A PIPE STRING ON A RIG
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] This present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method to attach
a
control line to a tubular member. More specifically, the present disclosure
relates to
an apparatus having a control line arm having a control line guide.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] A pipe string is generally installed in a drilled borehole by
lowering a
distal end of a pipe segment or a pipe string into the borehole, supporting
the pipe
segment or the pipe string from its proximal end using a pipe engaging
apparatus,
threadably coupling a pipe segment to the proximal. end of the pipe sting
above the
rig floor, and again lowering the lengthened pipe string into the borehole.
This
process is repeated until the pipe string achieves the desired length, after
which it
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may be positioned within a targeted interval of the drilled borehole and
cemented
into the borehole.
[0004] The pipe string is generally supported within the borehole from
its
proximal end using a stationary spider or a collar load support (CLS) landing
spear
at or adjacent to the rig floor so that an additional pipe segment may be
coupled to
the proximal end of the pipe string to lengthen the pipe string. A vertically
movable
elevator assembly, such as a string elevator or casing running tool (CRT), may
be
movably suspended above the spider or CLS landing spear to engage and support
the pipe string from its new proximal end (at the proximal end of the newly
added
pipe segment) to unload the spider or CLS landing spear. After the spider or
CLS
landing spear is disengaged from the pipe string, the pipe string may be
lowered into
the borehole by lowering the elevator assembly, and the spider or CLS landing
spear
may be reengaged just under the new proximal end of the pipe string.
[0005] The spider or CLS landing spear is supported by a rig in a
manner that
distributes the load of the pipe string to structural components in or under
the rig
floor. Alternately, when the load of the pipe string is supported by the
elevator
assembly, the load of the pipe string is distributed to structural components
of the rig
through a block, a draw works and a derrick to unload the spider or CLS
landing
spear so that it can be disengaged and opened to permit enlarged portions of
the pipe
string, such as pipe joints, to pass through the spider or CLS landing spear
into the
borehole. Specifically, to transfer the load of the pipe string from the
elevator
assembly back to the spider, the slips of the spider must engage and grip the
exterior
surface of the pipe string so that the pipe string can be supported by the
spider and
then released by the elevator assembly. Similarly, to transfer the load of the
pipe
string from the elevator assembly to a CLS landing spear, the halves of the
CLS
landing spear must close on and surround the exterior surface of the pipe
string just
below a pipe joint so that the pipe string can be supported by the CLS landing
spear
and then released by the elevator assembly.
[0006] Oil and/or gas wells may be equipped with control lines for
electrically, fluidically or optically linking various downhole devices to the
surface.
For example, control lines may be used to receive data from downhole
instruments
and to selectively operate, from the surface, downhole devices such as valves,
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switches, sensors, relays or other devices. One use of control lines may be to
open,
close or adjust downhole valves in order to selectively produce or isolate
formations
penetrated by the borehole. A control line may also transmit data gathered
downhole to the surface, and control lines may transmit commands from the
surface
to downhole devices.
[0007] Control lines may comprise conductive wires or cables for
electrically
controlling downhole devices, fibers for optically controlling downhole
devices, or
small-diameter tubing for fluildically (e.g., hydraulically or pneumatically)
controlling downhole devices. Control lines are generally of a small diameter
compared to the diameter of the pipe string to which they may be secured, and
are
generally between 0.5 and 6 cm. in diameter. Control lines may be generally
aligned along the length of a portion of the outer surface of a pipe string,
generally
parallel to the center axis of the bore of the pipe string, and secured to the
pipe string
using clamps, ties, straps, etc. Although pipe strings generally comprise a
plurality
of pipe segments coupled together at pipe joints, a control line is generally
continuous or has few joints along its length in order to eliminate or
minimize
couplings along the control line. Control lines may be stored on a reel that
may be
brought to the rig and unreeled as the control line is secured to the pipe
string and
installed in the borehole.
[0008] A pipe string is generally made-up and run into the borehole
using a
spider supported in or on a rig floor. The spider may comprise a tapered bowl
that
movably receives pipe slips that converge to engage and grip the pipe string,
and
retract to release the pipe string. Alternately, a collar load support (CLS)
landing
spear may comprise a pair of halves that can be closed around the pipe string
to
support a load transfer sleeve that engages an upper collar of the pipe
string, as
disclosed in U.S. 6,651,737, a patent that is assigned to and owned by the
owner of
the patent rights related to this disclosure. An elevator assembly, such as a
string
elevator or a casing running tool (CRT), is generally vertically movable above
the
spider or the CLS landing spear, and may be used to engage and movably support
the pipe string so that the pipe string can be released at the spider or CLS
landing
spear, and so that the lengthened pipe string can be lowered further into the
borehole. Whether a spider or a CLS landing spear is used to support the pipe
string,
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during this critical "hand-off" step, the one or more control lines must be
positioned
and protected so that they will not become damaged. A control line secured to
a
pipe string is subject to being damaged and rendered useless if it is pinched
or
crushed between the tapered bowl and the slips of a spider, two adjacent slips
of a
spider, the halves of a CLS landing spear, or the pipe string and another
structure.
For example, but not by way of limitation, a control line may be damaged if it
is
pinched between the pipe string and the pipe slips that may be movably
received
within the tapered bowl of a spider to engage and grip the pipe string.
Similarly, a
control line may be damaged if it is crushed between the pipe string and the
wall of
the borehole as the pipe string is lowered into the borehole. If a control
line is
pinched or crushed, it may be necessary to remove the entire pipe string from
the
borehole in order to remove and replace the damaged control line, thereby
resulting
in a substantial loss of valuable rig time.
[0009] The control line may be secured to the pipe string using a
clamp, tie,
strap, band or other device. For example, but not by way of limitation, a
protective
clamp may be applied to secure the control line to the pipe string and also to
protect
the control line at critical positions along the pipe string, such as at pipe
joints.
Some control line clamps comprise an elongate guard member, shaped to cover
and
shield a portion of the control line adjacent to a pipe joint, and end
portions that may
couple to the guard member to secure the guard member to the pipe string and
to
secure the control line to the pipe string.
[0010] When running one or more control lines into a borehole along
with the
pipe string, it is important that the pipe slips of the spider engage and grip
the pipe
string in a manner that prevents crushing or damaging the control line while
making
up the pipe string. It is advantageous if the control lines can be positioned
out of the
zone of operation of the spider, or the CLS landing spear, when the spider is
engaged to grip, or the CLS landing spear is closed to support, the pipe
string. A
control line positioning apparatus, such as a pivotable arm, may be used to
position a
portion of one or more control lines to prevent exposure of the control lines
to
crushing or pinching by the spider or by the CLS landing spear. Optionally, a
rig
floor, a shock table, the tapered bowl of a spider, or some other structure to
support
the spider or the CLS landing spear may comprise a groove, bay or recess into
which
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the control lines can be positioned using the control line positioning arm to
protect
the control lines during operation of the spider or the CLS landing spear.
After the
load of the pipe string is transferred to the elevator assembly to unload the
spider or
the CLS landing spear, the control line positioning arm may then be actuated
to
reposition the portion of the control lines from the groove, bay or recess to
a raised
position proximal the pipe string but above the disengaged spider or the
opened CLS
landing spear so that a portion of the length of the control lines lie along
the exterior
surface of the pipe string to facilitate application of a clamp.
[0011] One or more reels on which control lines are stored may be
disposed
on or near the rig floor, and unreeled to supply control lines to the control
line
positioning apparatus that is on the rig floor proximate the pipe string. In
order to
prevent a hazard to personnel and equipment on the rig floor, the control
lines may
be directed overhead to one or more guide members, such as a sheave or roller,
supported above the rig floor. For example, control lines may be fed from a
reel,
and one or more guide members supported from the derrick and redirected toward
the control line positioning apparatus on the rig floor. Alternately, the
control lines
may be routed through a radially more direct path to the control line
positioning
apparatus and to the pipe string along a path that is substantially radial to
the axis of
the pipe string and spaced-apart from the rig floor, but this arrangement is
more
likely to interfere with rig floor activities and equipment.
[0012] What is needed is a method of safely securing control lines to
a pipe
string as the pipe string is being made up and run into a well. What is needed
is a
method and an apparatus that shelters control lines and prevents damage to
control
lines being secured to a pipe string and installed in a borehole with the pipe
string.
What is needed is a method and apparatus to reliably position control lines
and to
provide a reliable control line feed to a control line positioning device, and
to
prevent the control lines from entering the operating zone of a spider or a
CLS
landing spear unless the spider or CLS spider is disabled from closing around
a pipe
string. What is needed is a method and an apparatus to deliver a control line
feed to
a control line positioning device that routes the control lines along a path
that will
not interfere with personnel or equipment on the rig floor.
CA 02902700 2016-10-06
SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED SUBJECT MATTER
[0013] The present disclosure satisfies one or more of the above needs by
providing a control line positioning method and an apparatus to use on a rig
to position and
protect one or more control lines, and to facilitate clamping of control lines
to a pipe string
using, for example, clamps, ties, straps, bands, etc. (hereinafter these are
collectively
referred to herein as "clamps"). Clamps may be installed at spaced intervals
along the
length of a pipe string as the pipe string is made-up and run into a borehole.
In one
embodiment, the present disclosure provides a control line positioning method
and
apparatus to protect control lines by positioning and restraining control
lines from entering
the operating zone of a spider or a CLS landing spear, and to prevent control
lines from
being pinched, crushed or otherwise damaged by such operation, which includes
the
movement of components of a spider or the closure of the halves of a CLS
landing spear.
[0013a] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus to
attach
a control line to a tubular member, the apparatus comprising: a control line
arm having a
first control line guide coupled thereto; and a base having a second control
line guide
coupled thereto; the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with
respect to the
base, wherein the control line arm is at least one of slidably coupled and
rotatably coupled
to the base.
[0013b] Another embodiment provides a method of manufacturing an apparatus
that attaches a control line to a tubular member, the method comprising:
coupling a first
control line guide to a control line arm; coupling a second control line guide
to a base; and
coupling the control line arm to the base such that the control line arm is
movable with
respect to the base, wherein the control line arm is movable between a raised
position and
a collapsed position with respect to the base, and wherein the control line
arm is at least
one of slidably coupled and rotatably coupled to the base.
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[0013c] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member, the
apparatus
comprising: a control line arm comprising a first control line guide; a base
comprising a
second control line guide; a first support member rotatably coupled to the
base and
rotatably coupled to the control line arm; the control line arm slidably
coupled to the base
such that the control line arm is movable between a raised position and a
collapsed position
with respect to the base; a second support member and a third support member;
the second
support member rotatably coupled to the base and rotatably coupled to the
third support
member; and the third support member coupled to the control line arm adjacent
the first
control line guide.
[0013d] A further embodiment of the present invention provides a method to
attach
a control line to a tubular member, the method comprising: moving a control
line arm from
a collapsed position to a raised position with respect to a base coupled to
the control line
arm, thereby moving a control line adjacent to a first tubular member; guiding
the control
line with a first control line guide and a second control line guide, the
first control line
guide coupled to the control line arm and the second control line guide
coupled to the base;
attaching the control line to the first tubular member; and lowering the first
tubular member
with the control line attached thereto with respect to the base, wherein a
second support
member is rotatably coupled to the base and is rotatably coupled to a third
support member,
and wherein the third support member is coupled to the control line arm
adjacent the first
control line guide.
[0013e] A still further embodiment of the present invention provides a
control line
guide to attach a control line to a tubular member, comprising: a body; a
first arm coupled
to and extending from a first side of the body; a first outer wing control
line guide rotatably
coupled to the first arm; a second arm coupled to and extending from a second
side of the
body; and a second outer wing control line guide rotatably coupled to the
second arm; the
first outer wing control line guide and the second outer wing control line
guide movable
between an open position and a closed position with respect to the body,
wherein the first
arm is longer than the second arm.
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100141 In another embodiment,
the present disclosure provides a control line
positioning method and an apparatus to position control lines to be clamped to
a pipe
string while the pipe string is received through a pipe engagement apparatus
and
supported by an elevator assembly above the pipe engagement apparatus. The
apparatus may comprise a control line retainer arm that is movable between a
removed position, with the control lines restrained from entering the
operating zone
of the pipe engagement apparatus, and a raised position to position the
control lines
along the pipe string above the pipe engagement apparatus. In one embodiment,
the
control line retainer arm may comprise a receiving member to be removably
received within a receiving assembly adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus
when
the control line retainer arm is moved to a removed position to restrain the
control
lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus. In
another
embodiment, the control line retainer arm may comprise a docking member to be
releasably coupled to a docking assembly adjacent to the pipe engaging
apparatus
when the control line retainer assembly is moved to its removed position to
restrain
the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging
apparatus,
and the control line retainer arm may be released from the docking assembly
and
moved, using a drive member, to position the control lines along a portion of
the
pipe string, and generally along a side of the portion of the pipe string that
is radially
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disposed toward the control line retainer arm. The control lines may be held
in that
position as they are clamped to the pipe string.
[0015] Some embodiments of the control line positioning apparatus may
be
used with a safety interlock system to prevent damage to control lines. For
example,
but not by way of limitation, a docking assembly may be positioned adjacent to
the
pipe engagement apparatus and used to releasably couple to the control line
retainer
arm and to secure the retainer aim in its removed position during engagement
of the
pipe engaging apparatus with the pipe string. In one embodiment, the docking
assembly may be mechanically, fluidically or electrically coupled to the pipe
engaging apparatus to provide a safety interlock system preventing release of
the
control line retainer arm from the docking assembly until the pipe engaging
apparatus is in a disengaged or open condition. In one embodiment, when the
pipe
engaging apparatus is in the disengaged or open condition and the control line
retainer arm is released from the docking assembly, the docking assembly may
deploy, or cause to be deployed, one or more blocking members to prevent re-
engagement of the pipe engagement apparatus until the control line retainer
arm is
again releasably coupled to the docking assembly. In one embodiment, when the
control line retainer arm couples to the docking assembly, the docking
assembly
may automatically disable or retract the one or more blocking members to again
pennit the pipe engagement apparatus to engage and support the pipe string.
[0016] In one embodiment, the movement of the control line retainer
arm of
the control line positioning apparatus may be by rotation and/or translation,
and the
control line retainer arm may be movable between the removed position, to
restrain
the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engagement
apparatus,
and a raised position to position the control lines along a portion of the
pipe string to
facilitate the application of a clamp. In one embodiment, the movement of the
control line retainer arm may, for example, be generated by simultaneous
translation
and rotation of the control line retainer arm within a common plane as the
control
retainer arm is raised from the removed position to the raised position, or as
the
retainer arm is lowered from the raised position to the removed position. The
translation and/or rotation of the retainer arm may be driven by a drive
member, for
example, a cylinder, coupled to the control line retainer arm.
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[0017] In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may
comprise a positionable control line retainer arm supporting a control line
retainer
assembly. The control line retainer assembly may comprise a control line
retainer
that may slidably or rollably engage one or more control lines so that the
control
lines can be positioned proximal to the pipe string by raising the control
line retainer
arm from the removed position to the raised position. The one or more control
lines
may be fed to the control line retainer assembly coupled to the control line
retainer
arm from a control line reel that is positioned remote to the control line
positioning
apparatus. In one embodiment, a control line reel may be disposed above, on or
adjacent to the rig floor and generally lateral to the pipe string. In another
embodiment, a control line reel may be disposed underneath the rig floor
within a
sub-space. Optionally, the control line retainer comprises rolling members,
such as
rollers or sheaves, and the control lines may be routed or threaded over the
rollers or
sheaves to rotatably couple the control lines to the control line retainer
arm, and to
feed the control lines to the control line retainer that is positionable by
movement of
the control line retainer arm.
[0018] Once positioned along the pipe string by the control line
positioning
apparatus, the control lines may be secured to the pipe string using
fasteners, such as
clamps, sleeves, bands, clips, ties or other fasteners, and these fasteners
may be
applied or installed by rig personnel or by an automatic fastener installing
machine.
In one embodiment, a fastener installing machine may be coupled to and
supported
by the control line positioning apparatus and automatically deployed to
install a
fastener to clamp control lines to the pipe string when the control line
retainer arm is
in the raised position.
[0019] In one embodiment of the control line positioning method and
the
apparatus, for example, when the slips of a spider engage and grip a pipe
string, or
when the halves of the CLS landing spear close to surround and support the
pipe
string, the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning
apparatus is in the
removed position to position and restrain the control lines from entering the
operating zone of the pipe slips of the spider, or from entering the operating
zone of
the halves of the CLS landing spear, to protect the control lines from being
pinched,
crushed or otherwise damaged. In one embodiment, the control line positioning
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apparatus may be automatically disabled. For example, the control line
positioning
apparatus may be disabled during engagement of the pipe engaging apparatus by
releasably coupling the control line retainer arm to a docking assembly
adjacent to
the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent movement of the control
line
retainer arm to the raised position and to prevent the resulting movement of
the
control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus.
In an
alternate embodiment, the pipe engaging apparatus may be disabled from
engaging
the pipe string when the control line retainer arm is not in the removed
position. For
example, the slips of a spider may be disabled from engaging the pipe string,
or the
halves of the CLS landing spear may be disabled from closing to surround the
pipe
string, when the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning
apparatus is
not in the removed position. These safeguards prevent damage to control lines
by
engagement of the slips of the spider or by closure of the halves of the CLS
landing
spear.
100201 In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus for
use
with a spider, the retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus
positions the
control lines along a portion of the pipe string and at a radial position that
is
generally opposite the center slip of a three-unit slip assembly. In a three-
unit slip
assembly, a center slip, a right slip and a left slip each comprise a gripping
face
having a generally arcuate gripping surface that generally confollas to the
curvature
of the exterior of the pipe string. The right slip and the left slip may be
hingedly
coupled to the right side and the left side, respectively, of the center slip
so as to
form a generally annular slip assembly when the right and left slips are
rotated to
surround the pipe string. When the spider is disengaged, the load of the pipe
string
is transferred to the elevator assembly, and the center slip is manipulated up
from its
gripping position within the tapered bowl of the spider, and simultaneously
pulled
radially away from the pipe string. As the right slip and left slip follow the
center
slip, each of the right slip and the left slip hinge and rotate away from the
annular
position relative to the center slip, and toward a lateral, open and
disengaged
position relative to the center slip. It should be understood that the number
of slips
in the slip assembly may be varied without a substantial change in the manner
of use
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or mode of operation of the slip assembly within the context of the use and
operation
of the control line positioning apparatus.
[0021] In one embodiment, the movement of the control line retainer
arm of
the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the
raised
position is provided by operation of a mechanical linkage comprising the
control
line retainer arm having a first end and a second end, a track that engages a
follower
that is coupled to the retainer arm intermediate the first end and the second
end, a
stabilizer coupled to the control line retainer arm and a drive member to
drive the
follower along the path of the track. The path of the track may be generally
adapted
to produce, at the control line retainer assembly that is coupled to the
second end of
the control line retainer arm, a resulting path telininating at a removed
position
proximate the pipe engaging apparatus at or near a lower end of the track, and
terminating at a raised position that is proximate the pipe string and
generally above
the pipe engaging apparatus at or near an upper end of the track.
[0022] In another aspect, the present disclosure comprises a rig floor-
mounted
pathway comprising a protectable control line feed channel. In one embodiment,
the
rig floor-mounted pathway comprises a channel cover, a first cover support and
a
generally parallel second cover support. The cover and the first and second
cover
supports may each be generally elongate, each having a first end disposed
proximate
a control line positioning apparatus and a second end distal the control line
positioning apparatus. In one embodiment, the channel cover may be hingedly
coupled to one of the first cover support or the second cover support, and the
channel cover may be pivotable between an open position to provide access to
the
control line feed channel, and a closed position to close and protect the
control line
feed channel.
[0023] In one embodiment, the first and/or the second cover supports
each
may comprise a generally triangular cross-section and positioned one relative
to the
other to dispose an acutely angled portion of the cover support outboard to
the
channel, and to disposed a substantially right-angled or a substantially
angled
portion of the cover support adjacent to the channel defined between the first
and the
second cover supports. This arrangement of the cover supports and the
triangular
cross-sections thereof provides a ramp-like structure on both sides of the rig
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mounted pathway, each generally parallel to the channel, to facilitate
unimpaired
movement of equipment or personnel over the pathway. The cover supports may
comprise highly visible colors and/or treaded surfaces to provide favorable
traction
for personnel that may walk on the pathway.
[0024] In one embodiment, the rig floor-mounted pathway may comprise a
bend portion to receive a control line feed and redirect one or more control
lines
received at an inlet to the bend portion to assume a new direction upon
exiting the
bend portion through an outlet. The bend portion may comprise a plurality of
rolling members, such as rollers, arranged in one or more arcuate patterns to
prevent
exceeding a desired minimum bend radius as the control lines are redirected by
the
bend portion. In one embodiment, the bend portion may be coupled to a scale, a
strain gauge, a load cell or other force measuring device to measure the force
applied
to the bend portion, or to a component of the bend portion, and the measured
force
may be used to determine the tension in one or more of the control lines
redirected
by the bend portion. In one embodiment, the force may be measured and the
tension
in one or more control lines may be determined using an algorithm that
calculates
the tension, and the tension in the one or more control lines may be compared
to one
or more maximum recommended tension values to generate a warning, alarm, or to
interrupt operation of the control line positioning apparatus fed by the
pathway until
the cause of the excessive control line tension can be investigated and
remedied.
[0025] In one embodiment, a control line positioning apparatus may
provide a
base, a control line retainer arm having a first end and a second end, a drive
member
to move the control line retainer arm between a removed position and a raised
position, and an ascending control line pathway cooperating with the control
line
retainer arm and having an inlet to the ascending pathway proximate the base
and an
outlet spaced-apart from the inlet and generally above or proximate to the
retainer
arm. The ascending pathway may further comprise one or more rolling members to
engage and redirect one or more control lines fed into the inlet, for example,
from a
rig floor-mounted pathway or from an aperture through the rig floor providing
access to a sub-space beneath the rig floor. The rolling members of the
ascending
pathway are spaced apart one from the others to redirect the one or more
control
lines along the rolling members without exceeding the minimum bend radius of
the
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one or more control lines, and the rolling members are positioned to feed the
one or
more control lines from the outlet of the ascending pathway and to the control
line
retainer assembly coupled to the second end of the control line retainer arm
when in
the control line retainer arm is in the removed position, the raised position,
and all
positions therebetween.
[0026] In one embodiment, an apparatus to cut a control line may
include a
movable cutting apparatus having a cutting member attached thereto, in which
the
movable cutting apparatus is configured to move the cutting member between a
retracted position and a deployed position. The cutting member of the movable
cutting apparatus is configured to engage and cut the control line in the
deployed
position of the cutting member.
[0027] In one embodiment, a method to cut a control line may include
providing a movable cutting apparatus having a cutting member attached thereto
and
disposed adjacent to the control line, moving the cutting member from a
retracted
position to a deployed position, and cutting the control line with the cutting
member
of the movable cutting apparatus in the deployed position.
[0028] In one embodiment, an apparatus to run a control line on a rig
may
include a control line pathway configured to feed the control line through the
rig, a
load transfer member disposed adjacent to the control line pathway and
configured
to engage the control line in the control line pathway, and a load measuring
device
coupled to the load transfer member and configured to measure a load imparted
to
the load transfer member by the control line.
[0029] In one embodiment, a method to run a control line on a rig may
include
feeding the control line through a control line pathway through the rig,
engaging the
control line in the control line pathway with a load transfer member, and
measuring
a load imparted to the load transfer member by the control line with a load
measuring device coupled to the load transfer member.
[0030] In one embodiment, an apparatus to feed a control line through
a rig
may include a drive member having an actuator coupled thereto, in which the
drive
member is configured to engage the control line and drive the control line
along a
longitudinal axis of the control line.
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[0031] In one embodiment, a method to feed a control line through a
rig may
include engaging the control line with a drive member coupled to an actuator,
and
energizing the actuator to drive the control line with the drive member along
a
longitudinal axis of the control line.
[0032] In one embodiment, an apparatus to run a control line on a rig
may
include a control line pathway configured to feed the control line through the
rig,
and a rolling member disposed adjacent to the control line pathway and
configured
to engage the control line in the control line pathway.
[0033] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an
apparatus to
attach a control line to a tubular member. The apparatus includes a control
line arm
having a first control line guide coupled thereto, and a base having a second
control
line guide coupled thereto, with the control line aim coupled to the base and
movable with respect to the base.
[0034] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a
method of
manufacturing an apparatus that attaches a control line to a tubular member.
The
method includes coupling a first control line guide to a control line au!!,
coupling a
second control line guide to a base, and coupling the control line aim to the
base
such that the control line arm is movable with respect to the base.
[0035] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an
apparatus to
attach a control line to a tubular member. The apparatus includes a control
line aim
comprising a first control line guide, a base comprising a second control line
guide,
and a first support member rotatably coupled to the base and rotatably coupled
to the
control line arm. The control line aim is slidably coupled to the base such
that the
control line arm is movable between a raised position and a collapsed position
with
respect to the base.
[0036] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a
method of
manufacturing an apparatus that attaches a control line to a tubular member.
The
method includes moving a control line arm from a collapsed position to a
raised
position with respect to a base coupled to the control line arm, thereby
moving a
control line adjacent to a first tubular member, guiding the control line with
a first
control line guide and a second control line guide, the first control line
guide
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coupled to the control line arm and the second control line guide coupled to
the base,
attaching the control line to the first tubular member, and lowering the first
tubular
member with the control line attached thereto with respect to the base.
[0037] In one or more embodiments, the control line arm may be movable
between a raised position and a collapsed position with respect to the base,
and the
control line arm may be slidably coupled and/or rotatably coupled to the base.
[0038] In one or more embodiments, the control line arm may include a
first
end and a second end, in which the first control line guide may be disposed
adjacent
the first end of the control line arm, and the second end of the control line
arm may
be movably coupled to the base. The first control line guide may include a
first
roller and/or a first plurality of rollers, and the second control line guide
may include
a second roller and/or a second plurality of rollers.
[0039] In one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include a docking
chute coupled to the first control line guide, such as the docking chute is
rotatably
coupled to an end of the first control line guide.
[0040] In one or more embodiments, the first control line guide may be
rotatably coupled to en end of the control line arm, and/or the second control
line
guide may include a plurality of movable segments.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include a first
support
member coupled between the control line arm and the base, in which the first
support member may be rotatably coupled to the control line arm and/or
rotatably
coupled to the base.
[0042] In one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include a second
support member and/or a third support member, in which the second support
member may be disposed in parallel with respect to the first support member
and/or
the third support member may be disposed in parallel with respect to the
control line
arm.
[0043] In one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include a first
link
disposed between an end of the first support member and an end of the second
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support member, and/or a second link disposed between an end of the control
line
arm and an end of the third support member.
[0044] In one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include a second
support member and a third support member, in which the second support member
may be rotatably coupled to the base and/or rotatably coupled to the third
support
member, and the third support member may be coupled to the control line arm
adjacent the first control line guide.
[0045] In one or more embodiments, the base and/or the control line
arm may
include a sliding element to slidably couple the control line arm to the base,
such as
the base including the sliding element that includes a track with the control
line aim
slidably coupled to the track of the base.
[0046] In one or more embodiments, the control line arm may include a
first
control line aim and a second control line arm, in which the first control
line arm
and the second control line aim may be coupled to the base and movable with
respect to the base, and the first control line guide may be disposed between
the first
control line arm and the second control line arm.
[0047] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus may include a link
disposed between the first control line arm and the second control line arm,
in which
the first control line guide may be coupled to the link.
[0048] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a control
line
guide to attach a control line to a tubular member. The control line guide
includes a
body, a first arm coupled to and extending from a first side of the body, a
first outer
wing control line guide rotatably coupled to the first arm, a second aim
coupled to
and extending from a second side of the body, and a second outer wing control
line
guide rotatably coupled to the second arm. The first outer wing control line
guide
and the second outer wing control line guide are movable between an open
position
and a closed position with respect to the body.
[0049] "Jack," as that term is used herein, includes but is not
limited to jacks,
winches, lifts and other powered devices for generally one-dimensional
displacement of an object. A jack may be powered pneumatically, hydraulically,
CA 02902700 2016-10-06
electrically or mechanically, and it may include a rotating screw drive,
cylinder,
scissor extension, track and pinion or other devices.
[0050] "Elevator," as that term is used herein, includes but is not limited
to a
side door elevator, an elevator comprising internal or external slips and all
other
devices used for gripping and supporting a pipe string from above the spider,
including those supported by a top drive or draw works.
[0051] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having," as used in the
claims and specification herein, shall indicate an open group that may include
other
elements not specified. The term "consisting essentially of," as used in the
claims
and specification herein, shall indicate a partially open group that may
include other
elements not specified, so long as those other elements do not materially
alter the
basic and novel characteristics of the present disclosure.
[0052] The terms "a," "an," and the singular forms of words shall be taken
to
include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one
or
more of something is provided. For example, the phrase "an apparatus having a
drive motor" should be read to describe an apparatus having one or more drive
motors. The term "one" or "single" shall be used to indicate that one and only
one of
something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as
"two," are
used when a specific number of things is intended.
[00531 The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may,"
and
similar terms are used in the specification to indicate that an item,
condition or step
being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the present
disclosure.
[0054] While a preferred form of the present disclosure has been described
herein, various modifications of the apparatus and method of the present
disclosure
may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure,
which is more fully defined in the following claims.
[0055] The foregoing, as well as other, objects, features, and advantages
of the
present disclosure will be more fully appreciated and understood by reference
to the
following drawings, specification and claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0056] Features of the present disclosure will become more apparent
from the
following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0057] Fig. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the control
line
positioning apparatus having a control line retainer assembly coupled to the
second
end of a rotational and translational control line retainer arm, the control
line retainer
assembly positioned adjacent to, and slightly elevated from, a spider.
[0058] Fig. 2 is the control line positioning apparatus of Fig. 1
after the
control line retainer arm and the control line retainer assembly thereon are
moved,
using a drive member, to a position proximate the pipe string and further
above the
spider by rotation and translation of the control line retainer aim.
[0059] Fig. 3 is the control line positioning apparatus of Fig. 2
after the
control line retainer atm and the control line retainer assembly are moved,
using the
drive member, to a position proximate the pipe string and still further above
the
spider by further rotation and translation of the retainer aim.
[0060] Fig. 4 is the control line positioning apparatus of Fig. 3
after the
control line retainer arm and the control line retainer assembly thereon are
moved,
using the drive member, to a raised position proximate the pipe string and
still
further above the spider by further rotation and translation of the control
line retainer
aim, and after an optional auxiliary pusher arm movably coupled to the control
line
retainer atm is deployed to position the control lines along a portion of the
pipe
string to facilitate clamping of the control line to the portion of the pipe
string above
the spider.
[0061] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the control line positioning
apparatus of
Fig. 4 after a clamp is installed to secure the control line to the portion of
the pipe
string above the spider. Also shown in Fig. 5, but not present in Figs. 1-4,
is one
embodiment of a docking assembly to secure the control line retainer arm in a
removed position.
[0062] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a control
line
retainer assembly coupled to the second end of the control line retainer arm
of a
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control line positioning apparatus. The control line retainer assembly of Fig.
6A
comprises a docking member positioned adjacent to one embodiment of a docking
assembly that may be disposed adjacent a pipe engagement apparatus and
releasably
coupled to the control line retainer arm.
[0063] Fig. 6B is a perspective view of the control line retainer arm
of Fig. 6A
after the control line retainer arm and the docking member thereon are lowered
to
engage the docking assembly and releasably couple to the docking assembly, and
the docking member of the control line retainer assembly is releasably
captured
within a pivotable docking wheel of the docking assembly. Fig. 6B shows the
docking wheel coupled to the docking member and blocked from rotation back to
its
open position to immobilize the control line retainer arm.
[0064] Fig. 7A is an elevational cross-section view of one embodiment
of a
spider that may be used to engage and grip a pipe string, and to cooperate
with a
position sensor that senses the movement of the control line retainer aim to a
removed position to restrain the control lines coupled to the control line
retainer arm
from entering the zone of operation of the spider. The position sensor may be
used
to prevent the slips of the spider from engaging a pipe string (not shown in
Fig. 7A)
until the control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus
is in the
removed position.
[0065] Fig. 7B is the elevational cross-section view of Fig. 7A after
the
control line retainer arm has been moved to the removed position to activate
the
position sensor, and after the spider is enabled to engage and support the
pipe string
(not shown in Fig. 7A). The activation of the position sensor may
automatically
enable engagement of the spider by, for example, opening a valve to supply
pressurized fluid to disable a blocking member, such as a cylinder.
[0066] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a control line retainer
assembly
coupled to a control line retainer arm and positioned adjacent to a docking
assembly
that cooperates with a CLS landing spear. The CLS landing spear is shown
restrained in the open position by a blocking member deployed to prevent
closure of
the CLS landing spear to protect the control line and prevent inadvertent
closure of
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the halves of the CLS landing spear around the pipe string until the position
sensor
detects the movement of the control line retainer arm to the removed position.
[0067] Fig. 8B is the perspective view of Fig. 8A after the control
line retainer
arm is moved to the removed position and releasably coupled to the docking
assembly. The movement of the control line retainer arm to the removed
position to
restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of the CLS landing
spear,
and the releasable coupling of the control line retainer atm with the docking
assembly, automatically withdraws the blocking member to a retracted position
to
pennit pivotal closure of the halves of the CLS landing spear around the pipe
string.
[0068] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of one embodiment of an automatic
safety latch to allow the control line retainer arm to be moved by a drive
member to
a raised position, but to prevent inadvertent lowering of the control line
retainer arm
back to the removed position until the safety latch is manually disabled by
rig
personnel.
[0069] Fig. 9B is the perspective view of Fig. 9A after the follower
on the
control line retainer arm has moved through the portion of the track adjacent
to the
safety latch to enter the portion of the track that may correspond to the
raised
position of the control line retainer ann.
[0070] Fig. 9C is the perspective view of Fig. 9B after the safety
latch is
disabled to enable lowering of the control line retainer aim back toward the
removed
position. The safety latch shown in Figs. 9A-9C is an example of a fail-safe
safety
latch.
[0071] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative control line
retainer
assembly that may be coupled to the control line retainer arm of the control
line
positioning apparatus to couple one or more control lines to the control line
retainer
arm.
[0072] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
control
line positioning apparatus comprising a rotatable and translatable control
line
retainer arm positionable by a drive member along the path of a track between
a
removed position and a raised position. The control line retainer arm is shown
in
Fig. 11 is in the removed position and coupled to a docking assembly disposed
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adjacent to, and cooperative with, a CLS landing spear. The alternate
embodiment of
the control line positioning apparatus of Fig. 11 also comprises an ascending
control
line feed pathway having an inlet proximate the base to receive a control line
feed
and an outlet proximate to the control line retainer arm to redirect the
control line
feed to a control line retainer assembly coupled to the control line retainer
arm.
[0073] Fig. 12 is the perspective view of the control line positioning
apparatus
of Fig. 11 after the control line retainer arm is moved by the drive member to
a
raised position to position the control line along a portion of the pipe
string above
the pipe engagement apparatus. The drive member is shown in an extended
condition after it has moved the follower on the control line retainer arm
along the
path of the track.
[0074] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of control line reels stored in a
sub-space
beneath a rig floor supporting a control line positioning apparatus. The sub-
space
may be used to store and supply control line to a control line positioning
apparatus
through an aperture in the rig floor.
[0075] Fig. 14 is a side elevation cross-section view of the
embodiment of the
control line positioning apparatus of Fig. 12 revealing the ascending control
line
feed pathway comprising a plurality of rolling members supported by one or
more
frames connected to the track that engages the follower on the control line
retainer
arm.
[0076] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rig floor-
mounted control line pathway having an inlet to receive a control line feed,
an outlet
to discharge the control line feed to a control line positioning apparatus,
two straight
channel portions and a bend portion intermediate the straight channel portions
and
intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The rig floor-mounted pathway provides
a
protected control line feed channel through which one or more control lines
may be
fed to a control line positioning apparatus.
[0077] Fig. 16 is the perspective view of Fig. 15 after hinged channel
covers
on the straight channels of the pathway are pivoted to an open position to
provide
access to the control line feed channel. The channel cover is removed from the
bend
portion of the control line feed pathway.
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[0078] Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the bend portion of the floor-
mounted
control line pathway of Fig. 16 showing one possible arrangement of rolling
members within the bend portion, and also showing one embodiment of a load
cell
coupled to the bend portion to facilitate measurement of the tension of
control lines
being fed through the pathway to a control line positioning apparatus.
[0079] Fig. 18A is an elevation view of one embodiment of a
rectilinear
control line positioning apparatus with a control line retainer arm in the
removed
position to restrain the control lines from entering the operating zone of a
spider.
[0080] Fig. 18B is the elevation view of Fig. 18B after the control
line
positioning apparatus is driven by cylinders from the removed position to a
raised
position to position the control line along a portion of the pipe string above
the
spider.
[0081] Fig. 19 is a side view of the frame supporting a plurality of
rolling
members rotatable about rolling member axles to define a portion of the
ascending
pathway.
[0082] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a control
line cutter
in the retracted or ready position.
[0083] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the control line cutter where
the
cylinder has been retracted and the retainers have released the control line
cutter for
pivoting under the bias of the spring.
[0084] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a control line cutter in
accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0085] Fig. 23 is an elevation view of a control line manipulator in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0086] Figs. 24 and 24A are multiple views of a control line cutting
member
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0087] Fig. 25 is a side view of a control line cutting member in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
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[0088] Fig. 26A shows a side view of an apparatus to attach a control
line to a
tubular member in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0089] Fig. 26B shows an above front perspective view of an apparatus
to
attach a control line to a tubular member in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0090] Fig. 26C shows an above back perspective view of an apparatus
to
attach a control line to a tubular member in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0091] Fig. 27A shows a side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach a
control line to a tubular member in a raised position in accordance with one
or more
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0092] Fig. 27B shows a side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach a
control line to a tubular member in an intermediate position in accordance
with one
or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0093] Fig. 27C shows a side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach a
control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position in accordance with
one or
more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0094] Fig. 27D shows a perspective detailed view of a control line
guide of
an apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member in a collapsed
position
disposed adjacent to a tubular gripping and/or supporting apparatus in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0095] Fig. 27E shows a front side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach
a control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position with power tongs
disposed
above the apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0096] Fig. 27F shows a back side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach a
control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position with power tongs
disposed
above the apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
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[0097] Fig. 28A shows an above perspective view of a system and an
apparatus to attach a control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position
having
multiple tools in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0098] Fig. 28B shows a front side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach
a control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position with additional
power
tongs disposed above the apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments
of
the present disclosure.
[0099] Fig. 28C shows a back side perspective view of an apparatus to
attach
a control line to a tubular member in a collapsed position with additional
power
tongs disposed above the apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments
of
the present disclosure.
[00100] Fig. 29A shows a top down view of a tubular gripping and/or
support
apparatus having slips that are disposed downward within a bowl and in a
closed
position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00101] Fig. 29B then shows a side perspective view of slips of a
tubular
gripping and/or support apparatus disposed upward within a bowl and in an open
position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00102] Fig. 29C shows a side perspective view of slips of a tubular
gripping
and/or support apparatus disposed downward within a bowl and in a closed
position
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00103] Fig. 30A shows a docking chute entering into an opening of a
tubular
gripping and/or support apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments
of
the present disclosure.
[00104] Fig. 30B shows a docking chute disposed within an opening of a
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus with slips in an upward position in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00105] Fig. 30C shows a docking chute disposed within an opening of a
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus with slips in a downward position to
grip
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and/or support a tubular member in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[00106] Fig. 31 shows a side perspective view of an apparatus having a
control
line arm moving between a raised position and a collapsed position in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00107] Fig. 32 shows a side view of a control line guide in accordance
with
one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[00108] Fig. 33 shows an example of respective control lines that may
be used
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00109] Fig. 34A shows a top down view of a control line guide in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00110] Fig. 34B shows a top down view of a second outer wing control
line
guide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00111] Fig. 34C shows a side view of a control line guide in
accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00112] Fig. 34D shows a cross-sectional view across a second outer
wing
control line guide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[00113] Fig. 35 shows a system to handle, guide, and attach one or more
control lines to a tubular member in accordance with one or more embodiments
of
the present disclosure is shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00114] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
described
in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the
various
figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. Further, in
the
following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure,
numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
understanding of
the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the
art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these
specific
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details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in
detail to
avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
100115] Furthermore, those having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that
when describing connecting or coupling a first element to a second element, it
is
understood that connecting and coupling may be either directly connecting or
coupling the first element to the second element, or indirectly connecting or
coupling the first element to the second element. For example, a first element
may
be directly connected to a second element, such as by having the first element
and
the second element in direct contact with each other, or a first element may
be
indirectly connected to a second element, such as by having a third element,
and/or
additional elements, connected between the first and second elements.
[00116] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a control
line
positioning method and apparatus to position one or more generally continuous
control lines along a portion of a pipe string to facilitate securing the
control lines to
the pipe string as it is made-up and run into a borehole from a rig. The
method may
comprise the steps of coupling one or more control lines to a control line
retainer
aim that is movable by a drive member between a raised position and a removed
position that restrains the control lines from entering the operating zone of
a pipe
engaging apparatus. The method may additionally comprise the step of
releasably
coupling the control line retainer arm in the removed position to prevent the
retainer
arm from being moved to the raised position until the pipe engaging apparatus
is in
the open and disengaged condition. The method may further comprise the steps
of
releasing the control line retainer aim from the coupled position, raising the
control
line retainer arm to position the control lines along a portion of the pipe
string above
the pipe engagement apparatus, and clamping the control lines to the pipe
string.
The method may further comprise the steps of lowering the pipe string and the
control lines into the borehole, returning the control line retainer arm to
the removed
position, and closing the pipe engaging apparatus to engage and support the
pipe
string in the borehole.
1001171 In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a
control line
positioning method and apparatus to position one or more control lines along a
portion of a pipe string above a pipe engaging apparatus to be clamped to the
pipe
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string as the pipe string is made-up and run into a borehole, and to protect
the
control lines from being pinched or crushed by closure of the pipe engaging
apparatus used to engage and support the pipe string within the borehole. The
apparatus may comprise a base, a control line retainer arm movable between a
raised
position and a removed position to restrain the control lines from entering
the
operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus, and a control line retainer
assembly
having a control line retainer coupled to and movable by the control line
retainer
arm. In one embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a docking member to
releasably couple to a docking assembly disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging
apparatus. In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a
receiving
member to be removably received in a receiving assembly disposed adjacent to
the
pipe engaging apparatus. The drive member of the apparatus may be used to
drive
the control line retainer arm to the raised position to position control lines
along a
portion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging apparatus to be clamped to
the
pipe string. After a clamp is applied to secure the control lines to the pipe
string, the
pipe string and the control lines may be lowered into the borehole to position
the
clamp below the pipe engaging apparatus, the control line retainer arm may be
moved to the removed position, and the load of the pipe string may then be
transferred back from the elevator assembly to the pipe engaging apparatus.
The
method and the apparatus will protect the control lines from damage that may
result
from pinching or crushing between pipe slips of a spider, or between a pipe
slip and
the exterior surface of the pipe string, or between the halves of a CLS
landing spear
in a CLS pipe engaging apparatus.
[00118] In one embodiment, a control line positioning apparatus comprises a
control line retainer arm, positionable between a raised position and a
removed
position, and movably supporting a control line retainer assembly thereon. The
control line retainer assembly may comprise a control line retainer that
slidably or
rollably engages one or more control lines fed to the pipe string through or
over the
control line retainer assembly. In one embodiment, the control line retainer
assembly may further comprise a docking member that can be releasably coupled
in
a docking assembly disposed adjacent to the pipe engaging apparatus when the
control line retainer apparatus is in the removed position.
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[00119] In one embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may be
automatically disabled from moving the control line retainer arm to the raised
position, and from thereby positioning the control lines along a potion of the
pipe
string above the pipe engaging apparatus, when the pipe engaging apparatus is
engaged and supporting the pipe string within the borehole, thereby requiring
that
the pipe string be supported from an elevator assembly movably disposed above
the
rig floor and above the pipe engaging apparatus. For example, the control line
positioning apparatus may be disabled when the slips of a spider are engaged
to
support the pipe string in the borehole. In an alternate embodiment, the pipe
engaging apparatus may be disabled from engaging and supporting the pipe
string
when the control line positioning apparatus is not in a removed position
restraining
the control lines from entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging
apparatus.
For example, the slips of a pipe engaging apparatus supported on or in a rig
floor
may be disabled from engaging and supporting a pipe string in a borehole when
the
control line retainer arm of the control line positioning apparatus is raised
to position
control lines along a portion of the pipe string above the pipe engaging
apparatus.
[00120] In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus that is
adapted to cooperate with a spider, the control line retainer arm may be
movable to
position one or more control lines along a portion of the pipe string above
the pipe
engaging apparatus and at a position generally radially opposite the center
slip of a
three-unit slip assembly. In a three-unit slip assembly, a center slip, a
right slip and
a left slip each define, along each gripping face, an arcuate gripping surface
that
generally conforms to the exterior contour of the pipe string. The right slip
and the
left slip are hingedly coupled to the right side and the left side,
respectively, of the
center slip so as to form a generally annular slip assembly when the right and
left
slips are rotated to the gripping positions relative to the center slip. When
the spider
is to be disengaged, the load of the pipe string may be transferred to an
elevator
assembly movably disposed above the spider, and the center slip may be
manipulated up from its gripping position within the tapered bowl of the
spider and
radially away from the pipe string. As the right and left slips follow, each
hinges
away from its annular position relative to the center slip and toward a open
and
disengaged position. It should be understood that the number of slips in the
slip
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assembly may be varied without substantial change in the manner of use or
operation of the slip assembly within the context of the use and operation of
the
control line positioning apparatus.
[00121] In one embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer
arm of
the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the
raised
position is provided by rotation of the control line retainer arm. In another
embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer arm of the control
line
positioning apparatus between the raised position and the removed position is
provided by translation of the control line retainer aiiii, either vertical,
horizontal or
both. A control line retainer assembly may be coupled to the control line
retainer
arm to slidably or rollably couple one or more control lines to the control
line
retainer aim so that the control lines can be fed into the borehole along with
the pipe
string, and the control lines may also be positioned between the raised
position and
the removed position by rotational or translational movement of the ailli. It
should
be understood that a rotationally movable control line retainer aini and/or a
translatably movable control line retainer arm may also extend, for example,
by use
of an extendable cylinder or a telescoping cylinder, to vary its length in
order to
position the control line retainer arm in the removed position to restrain the
control
lines slidably or rollably coupled thereto from entering the operating zone of
a pipe
engaging apparatus.
[00122] In one embodiment, the positioning of the control line retainer
arm of
the control line positioning apparatus between the removed position and the
raised
position is provided by simultaneous rotation and translation of the control
line
retainer arm. In this embodiment, the control line positioning apparatus may
comprise a base, a track supported on the base to engage a follower driven by
a drive
member along a path of the track, a stabilizer coupled to the base at a first
end and
coupled to a retainer arm at a second end, the control line retainer arm
coupled to the
follower and positionable by the drive member, as restrained by the track and
follower, and the stabilizer, between a removed position and a raised
position. The
follower may be moved along the path of the track by, for example, a cylinder
or
other source of mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic power.
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[00123] In one embodiment, a control line retainer assembly may be coupled
to
the control line retainer arm and may comprise a control line retainer to
slidably or
rollably couple one or more control lines to the control line retainer arm so
that the
control lines may be positioned by movement of the control line retainer arm.
In
embodiments of the control line positioning apparatus that cooperate with a
docking
assembly or a control line retainer atm position sensor to implement a safety
interlock to prevent damage to the control lines from closure of the pipe
engaging
apparatus, the control line retainer assembly may comprise a docking member
that
can be releasably captured by a docking assembly, or it may comprise a
position
sensor that can detect movement of the control line retainer assembly to its
removed
position.
[00124] Fig. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the control line
positioning apparatus 10 having a control line retainer assembly 50 coupled to
the
second end 30B of a rotatable and translatable control line retainer arm 30,
the
control line retainer assembly 50 positioned adjacent to a pipe string 80 and
proximate a pipe engaging apparatus 70. The pipe engaging apparatus 70 shown
in
Fig. 1 is a spider that is supported by the rig floor 8 generally over an
aperture 75 in
the rig floor 8, and an elevator assembly 82 can be engaged to support the
pipe
string 80 so that the pipe engaging apparatus 70 may be disengaged. The
control
line retainer assembly 50 of Fig. 1 may comprise a plurality of rolling
members to
rollably engage a control line 90 as it is moved by the control line retainer
arm to
position the control line 90. It should be understood that a single control
line 90 is
illustrated in many of the appended drawings, but a plurality of control lines
can be
positioned in a generally parallel relationship by the control line
positioning
apparatus 10.
[00125] In the embodiment of the control line retainer assembly 50 shown in
Fig. 1, a primary roller 51 rotatable on a first axle 51a engages the control
line 90.
Optionally, a generally "L"-shaped protective shield 53 may be rotatably
coupled to
the first axle 51a to support a secondary roller 52 rotatable on a second axle
52a and
spaced apart from the primary roller 51 to accommodate one or more control
lines
90 there between. It should be understood that the primary roller 51 and,
optionally,
the secondary roller 52 may each comprise one or more grooves, ridges,
shoulders or
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rims to position and retain control lines in a generally predetermined
position along
the roller and/or in a parallel relationship with other control lines as the
control lines
are fed through the control line retainer assembly 50 during movement of the
control
line retainer arm 30 relative to the control line 90.
[00126] Optionally, control line retainer assembly 50 may be hinged to
open so
that control lines can be introduced and retained within or removed from the
control
line retainer assembly 50. In one embodiment to be discussed later in
connection
with Figs. 5-6B, 8A-8B and 10, the control line retainer 50 may further
comprise a
receiving member or a docking member that may be removably received or
releasably coupled, respectively, to a receiving assembly or a docking
assembly,
respectively. While no receiving assembly or docking assembly is shown in
Figs. 1-
4, it should be noted that, in one embodiment of a receiving member and/or a
docking member, a protruding locking pin 55 may protrude outwardly from the
control line retainer assembly 50 to serve this purpose.
[00127] The pipe engaging apparatus, which in Fig. 1 is a spider 70,
comprises
a tapered bowl 71 movably receiving a set of pipe slips 72 that can be engaged
with
the exterior surface of the pipe string 80 to support the pipe string 80
within the
borehole 5 below the spider 70.
[00128] The embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10
shown in
Fig. 1 comprises a base 12 pivotally coupled to the first end 24A of a
stabilizer 24 to
provide rotation of the stabilizer 24 within an angular range and within a
generally
vertical plane within the plane of elevation view of Fig. 1. The base 12 also
supports a frame 62 having a track 69 with a lower end 69A and an upper end
69B.
The path of the track 69 shown in Fig. 1 may be generally characterized as
upwardly
sloped at every position along the path of the track 69 between the lower end
69A
and upper end 69B or, alternately, the track 69 may be characterized as
downwardly
sloped at every position along the path of the track 69 between the upper end
69B
and lower end 69A. The track 69 shown in Fig. 1 is adapted to slidably or
rollably
engage a follower 39 coupled through truss members 36, 37 to the control line
retainer arm 30 and imposing on the follower 39 a pattern of movement
influenced
or determined by the path of the track 69. The frame 62 and the track 69 in
Fig. 1
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are supported in a generally fixed position relative to the base 12 by a
support 61
extending upwardly from the base 12.
[00129] The second end 24B (not shown in Fig. 1 ¨ see Fig. 2) of the
stabilizer
24 shown in Fig. 1 is pivotally coupled to a first end 30A (not shown in Fig.
1 ¨ see
Fig. 2) of a control line retainer arm 30, and the retainer arm assembly 50 is
coupled
to the second end 30B of the retainer arm 30, with the control line retainer
arm 30
coupled to the follower 39 through truss members 36, 37 at a position
intennediate
the first end 30A and the second end 30B. It should be understood that the
retainer
arm 30 of the control line positioning apparatus 10 in Fig. 1, like the
stabilizer ami
24, may rotate within the plane of the drawing, but unlike the stabilizer arm
24, the
retainer arm 30 shown in Fig. 1 may also translate within the same plane
during
operation of the control line positioning apparatus 10 as disclosed in
connection with
Figs. 1-4.
[00130] Also shown in Fig. 1 is an auxiliary arm 40 that may deploy, as
shown
in Figs. 4 and 5, to position the control line 90 along a portion of the pipe
string 80
to facilitate clamping (not shown in Fig. 1 ¨ see Fig. 5) to secure the
control line 90
to the pipe string 80. The auxiliary ami 40 in Fig. 1 is pivotally coupled to
the
retainer arm 30 by auxiliary pusher arm stabilizers 47, 48 and the auxiliary
min 40
may be retracted (as shown in Fig. 1) or extended (as shown in Fig. 4) by
auxiliary
pusher aim cylinder 46.
[00131] The control line positioning apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 further
comprises a
drive member 13 having a feed line of pressurized fluid 18 to move the control
line
retainer arm 30 between a removed position and a raised position, as will be
discussed in relation to Figs. 2-4. The traveling end 17 of the rod 14 is
pivotally
coupled to the follower 39 of the retainer arm 30 to guide the follower 39
along the
path of the track 69 upon extension and retraction of rod 14 from and within
cylinder 13. The cylinder 13 in Fig. 1 is pivotally coupled to base 12 at
cylinder
pivot 15 to permit the cylinder 13 to pivot within a limited angular range in
the plane
of the drawing of Fig. 1.
[00132] Fig. 2 is the control line positioning apparatus 10 of Fig. 1
after the
retainer arm 30 and the control line retainer assembly 50 are raised, by
extension of
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drive member 13, to position the retainer assembly 50 adjacent to the pipe
string 80
and generally further above the pipe engaging apparatus 70 as compared to the
position shown in Fig. 1. The movement of the control line retainer assembly
50 to
the position shown in Fig. 2, as compared to the position in Fig. 1, results
from
simultaneous rotation (in a counterclockwise direction) and translation (to
the left in
Fig. 1) of the control line retainer arm 30. Fig. 2 shows the cylinder rod 14
extended further from the cylinder 13 due to force applied to the rod 14 by
pressurized fluid supplied to the cylinder 13 through fluid conduit 18, and
also
pivotal rotation of the cylinder 13 about pivot 15 (in a counterclockwise
direction)
as the cylinder rod 14 extends to drive the traveling end 17 and the follower
39
upwardly along the path of track 69. The stabilizer 24 has also pivoted (in a
counterclockwise direction) from its position in Fig. 1.
[00133] Fig. 3 is the elevation view of Fig. 2 after the control line
retainer
assembly 50 is moved further by extension of drive member 13 to a position
generally adjacent the pipe string 80 and still further above the pipe
engaging
apparatus 70. The cylinder 13 moves the travelling end 17 and the follower 39
further along the path of the track 69 towards the upper end 69B. It should be
noted
that the stabilizer 24, which initially rotated counterclockwise (from the
position in
Fig. 1 to the position in Fig. 2) has reversed its direction of rotation due
to the
change in horizontal component of the direction of the track 69, and that the
extreme
counterclockwise position of the stabilizer 24 occurred at a point
intermediate the
positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
[00134] Fig. 4 is the elevation view of the control line positioning
apparatus 10
of Fig. 3 after the control line retainer assembly 50 is moved further by
extension of
drive member 13 to a raised position generally adjacent to and proximate the
pipe
string 80, and further above the pipe engaging apparatus 70 as compared to
Fig. 3,
and after an optional auxiliary pusher aim 40 is deployed by extension of
auxiliary
pusher arm cylinder 46 to position the control line 90 along a portion of the
pipe
string 80 above the pipe engaging apparatus 70 to facilitate clamping to
secure the
control line 90 to the pipe string 80. The follower 39 is shown to be moved,
as
compared to the position in Fig. 3, further along the path of the track 69 by
further
extension of the rod 14 from the cylinder 13. It should be understood that the
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curvilinear path of the track 69 enables the control line positioning
apparatus 10 of
Fig. 4 to be used to position control lines against or proximate to a pipe
string with a
range of distances separating the base 12 of the apparatus 10 from the pipe
engaging
apparatus 70 since the follower 39 can be, if necessary to achieve proper
control line
positioning, positioned further along the path of the track 69 towards the
upper end
69B. It should also be understood that this flexibility enables the control
line
positioning apparatus 10 to be used to position control lines against or
proximate to
a range of diameters of pipe string given a constant distance separating the
base 12
from the pipe engaging apparatus 70. With the distance between the base 12 of
the
control line positioning apparatus 10 and the pipe engaging apparatus 70 and
the
diameter of the pipe string 80 shown in Figs. 1-4, the position of the control
line
positioning apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 4 represents the fully-deployed
configuration
of the control line positioning apparatus 10 for this specific configuration,
but the
raised position of a given control line positioning apparatus 10 may vary
according
to these parameters. It should be further understood that the shapes and
configurations of the various components of the control line positioning
apparatus
10, such as, for example, the length and pivot location of the stabilizer 24,
the angle,
length and position of the follower 39 of the control line retainer arm 30,
the
position of the follower 39 on the retainer arm 30, the length and pivot
position of
the cylinder 13, and the shape and location of the track 69 within frame 62,
to name
a few, as well as the relative spatial relationships of these components, one
relative
to the others, will influence the raised position and the removed position
shown in
Figs. 4 and 1, respectively, as well as all inteimediate positions, such as
those shown
in Figs. 2 and 3.
[00135] It should be noted that the pipe string 80 shown in Figs. 1-4 is
supported by an elevator assembly 82 coupled to the pipe string 80 and, in
turn,
supported from above the view of these figures by bails 83, a block and draw
works
(not shown in Figs. 1-4), as is well known in the art. The pipe string 80 must
remain
supported from the string elevator above at all times until the slips 72 of
the spider
70 are released to seat in the tapered bowl 71 and to engage and support the
pipe
string 80 within the borehole.
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[00136] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the control
line
positioning apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 4 after a clamp 88 is installed to
secure the
control line 90 to the pipe string 80. Fig. 5 reveals a generally bipartite
structure of
the embodiment of the control line retainer aim 30, frame support 61, frame
62,
track 69 and follower 39 shown in Fig. 5, and a generally unitary and centered
stabilizer 24, cylinder 13, and auxiliary pusher arm cylinder 46, all
generally
intermediate the bipartite members. It should be understood that a wide
variety of
each of these components can be designed without departing from the scope of
the
present disclosure, and that the illustrations in Figs. 1-5 are of but one
embodiment
of the control line positioning apparatus 10.
[00137] In one embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10,
the
control line retainer arm can be moved to its removed position and releasably
coupled to a docking assembly adjacent the pipe engaging apparatus that
cooperates
with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent closure of the pipe
engaging
apparatus if the control line retainer assembly is not coupled to the docking
assembly, to prevent inadvertent moving of the control line retainer arm away
from
the removed position while the pipe engaging apparatus is in the closed
position, or
both. It should be understood that a docking assembly that cooperates with the
pipe
engaging apparatus to prevent one or both of these actions may be used along
with a
control line positioning apparatus of the present disclosure. Similarly, in
one
embodiment of the control line positioning apparatus 10, the control line
retainer
arm can be moved to its removed position and removably received in or at a
receiving assembly adjacent the pipe engaging apparatus that cooperates with
the
pipe engaging apparatus to prevent inadvertent closure of the pipe engaging
apparatus if the control line retainer assembly is not received in or at the
receiving
assembly, to prevent inadvertent moving of the control line retainer arm away
from
the removed position while the pipe engaging apparatus is in the closed
position, or
both. It should be understood that a docking assembly or a receiving assembly
that
cooperates with the pipe engaging apparatus to prevent one or both of these
actions
may be used along with a control line positioning apparatus of the present
disclosure.
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[00138] Fig. 5 illustrates the use of one embodiment of a docking
assembly 150
with the control line positioning apparatus 10 illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the
docking
assembly 150 comprising a rotating wheel or a Geneva wheel 155 pivotally
coupled
to rotate between an open position (as shown in Fig. 6A) to receive a docking
member 55 protruding from the control line retainer assembly 50 on the control
line
retainer arm 30, and a closed position (as shown in Fig. 6B) to secure the
docking
member 55 within the docking assembly 150 and thereby couple the control line
retainer arm 30 in the removed position. The rotating wheel or Geneva wheel
155
shown in Fig. 6A pivots about a wheel pivot 156 adjacent to a stationary
receiving
slot 166 of the docking assembly 150 and may be spring biased (spring not
shown in
Fig. 6A) towards its open position shown in Fig. 6A. The position of the
control
line retainer aim 30 shown in Fig. 6A is slightly elevated above the docking
assembly. The docking member 55 of the control line retainer assembly 50 is
generally vertically aligned with the stationary receiving slot 166 of the
docking
assembly 150 so that, as the control line retainer arm 30 is lowered by
gravity or by
operation of the cylinder 13 (not shown in Fig. 6A ¨ see Figs. 1-4) from the
position
in Fig. 6A, the docking member 55 is received generally simultaneously into
the
receiving slot 166 and also into the slot 159 of the rotating wheel or Geneva
wheel
155 to rotate the wheel 155 clockwise about its pivot 156 as the docking
member 55
is moved towards the bottom of the stationary receiving slot 166.
[00139] It should be understood that, as the control line retainer aim
30 is
moved from the position shown in Fig. 6A to the coupled position shown in Fig.
6B,
the protective shield 53 control line retainer assembly 50 may be received
into a
space intermediate the pipe string 80 (not shown in Fig. 6A ¨ see Figs. 1-4)
and the
docking assembly 150 to shield the portion of the control line 90 generally
below the
primary roller 51 from the moving components in the operating zone of the pipe
engaging apparatus 70 (not shown in Fig. 6A ¨ see Figs. 1-4).
[00140] The movement of the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 from its
open position shown in Fig. 6A to its coupled and closed position shown in
Fig. 6B
may, in one embodiment, be sensed by a toggle sensor 165 pivotally coupled and
positioned adjacent to the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 so that rotation
of the
wheel 155 to its closed position (as shown in Fig. 6B) toggles the toggle
sensor 165
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to, for example, open a valve to actuate a wheel blocker cylinder 158 to
reposition
wheel blocker 157 into the path of the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 to
prevent the wheel 155 from returning to its open position and from releasing
the
control line retainer aim 30 from the removed position corresponding to the
coupling with the docking assembly 150.
[00141] Fig. 6B is the perspective view of Fig. 6B after the docking member
55 is received into the stationary receiving slot 166 to rotate the rotating
wheel or
Geneva wheel 155 from the open position to its closed position, and after the
wheel
blocking cylinder 158 is actuated by depression of the toggle sensor 165 to
reposition the wheel blocker 157 to secure the wheel 155 in the closed
position. In
one embodiment, the wheel blocking cylinder 158 may be spring-biased to the
position shown in Fig. 6B to require positive fluid pressure to remove the
wheel
blocker 157 from the path of the wheel 155 to release the retainer arm 30 from
the
docking assembly 150.
[00142] In one embodiment, the movement of the wheel blocker 157 into the
path of the rotating wheel or Geneva wheel 155 may correspond to the release
of a
blocking member in the pipe engaging apparatus 70 to enable the pipe engaging
apparatus to move from an open position to a closed position to engage and
support
the pipe string 80. For example, Fig. 7A is an elevation cross-section view of
one
embodiment of a spider 70 to releasably engage and grip a pipe string 80 (not
shown
in Fig. 7A), and to cooperate with the position sensor 174 to prevent the
slips 73 of
the spider 70 from engaging a pipe string until, for example, a position
sensor 174
detects that the control line positioning arm 30 is in the removed position.
Fig. 7A
shows a slip positioning linkage 170 to position a set of slips 73 within the
tapered
bowl 71 of a spider 70. The slip linkage 170 may be powered by a cylinder (not
shown) to retract the slips 73 from the tapered bowl 71 to the removed
position of
Fig. 7A, where the slips 73 are captured by a blocking member, such as a slip
retainer hook 172, to prevent inadvertent engagement of the slips 73 with the
pipe
string 80 when the control line retainer arm 30 (see Figs. 6A and 6B) is not
in the
removed position. Once the slips 73 are captured in the removed position by
the slip
retainer hook 172, as shown in Fig. 7A, the slip retainer hook 172 may be held
in the
removed position by hook release cylinder 165 and, in one embodiment, may not
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release slips 73 to engage pipe string 80 until position sensor 174 is
depressed by the
control line retainer arm 30 (not shown in Fig. 7A ¨ see Fig. 7B) to unlock
the slip
retainer hook 172.
[00143] As shown in Fig. 7A, a spring-biased slip release cylinder 165
may be
coupled to a spring-biased slip retainer hook 172 to retain the slips 73 of
spider 70 in
the open and disengaged position until fluid pressure is provided to slip
release
cylinder 165 to override the spring-bias, pivot the slip retainer hook 172 and
to
thereby release the slips 73 of the spider 70 to engage and close on the
portion of the
pipe string within the tapered bowl of the spider 70.
[00144] Fig. 7B is the elevation cross-section view of Fig. 7A after
control line
retainer arm 30 engages the position sensor 174. The activation of the
position
sensor 174 may automatically enable the spider 70 by, for example, opening a
valve
to supply pressurized fluid to the hook release cylinder 173 to override the
spring
bias and to release the slip retainer hook 172 and to release the slips 73 to
enter the
tapered bowl 71. It should be understood that other effective position sensors
may
be used to prevent engagement of the pipe engaging apparatus until the control
line
retainer arm is detected in its removed position to restrain the control lines
from
entering the operating zone of the pipe engaging apparatus.
[00145] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a control
line
retainer assembly 50 coupled to the second end 30B of control line retainer
arm 30
of a control line positioning apparatus (not shown in its entirety). The
control line
retainer assembly 50 of Fig. 8A is docked with an alternate embodiment of a
docking assembly 150 adjacent to a CLS landing spear 100 in an open position.
The
docking assembly 150 shown in Fig. 8A deploys a rotatable blocking member 120
to
protect the control line 90 by obstructing pivotal closure of the halves 102
of the
CLS landing spear 100 about hinges 108 to surround pipe string.
[00146] Fig. 8B is the perspective view of Fig. 8A after the docking
assembly
150 is releasably coupled to the control line retainer arm 30 of the control
line
positioning apparatus. In the embodiment of Fig. 8B, the coupling of the
control
line retainer arm 30 with the docking assembly 150 urges docking member 55 to
reposition link 124 to rotate blocking member 120 to the retracted position
shown in
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Fig. 8B and to thereby penuit pivotal closure of the halves 102 of the CLS
landing
spear 100 to surround the pipe string (not shown). The docking of the control
line
retainer arm 30 adjacent to the CLS landing spear 100 removes the control
lines 90
from the operating zone of the CLS landing spear 100. It should be understood
that
the embodiment of the docking member and blocking member disclosed in
connection with Figs. 8A and 8B does not include any non-mechanical devices,
such
as cylinders, to implement the safety interlock system.
[00147] Fig. 9A is a perspective view of one embodiment of an automatic
safety latch 61 to allow the control line retainer arm (not shown) to be
raised by the
drive member (not shown) to a raised position, but to prevent inadvertent
lowering
of the control line retainer ami until the safety latch 61 is disabled by rig
personnel.
Fig. 9A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a retainer arm safety latch
61 to
selectively permit raising of the control line retainer arm to the raised
position (see
retainer atm 30 in Fig. 4), but to block the control line retainer arm from
being
returned to the removed position until an operator overrides the safety latch
61. The
safety latch of Fig. 9A comprises a pivotal track blocker 68 with a pivot 68A
and a
spring-biased cylinder 67. The cylinder 67 may be spring biased to pivot the
track
blocker 68 against the stop 65 and into the safety position shown in Fig. 9A.
The
cylinder 67 may be energized by a supply of pressurized fluid through conduit
67E
to extend the cylinder 67 and override the springs 67D and auxiliary spring 66
and
to pivot the track blocker 68 out of the safety position. The cylinder 67 may
also be
extended by movement of the follower 39 through the portion of the track 69
adjacent to the track blocker 68 in the direction of the arrow 64A and toward
the
upper end 69B of the track 69.
[00148] Fig. 9B is the perspective view of Fig. 9A after the follower
39 on the
retainer aim has moved through a portion of the track 69 adjacent to the
safety latch
61 to enter the portion 69B of the track 69 corresponding to the raised
position of the
retainer ann. The track blocker 68 pivots out of the blocking position shown
in
Fig. 9A due to the camming action of the follower 39 along the ramped surface
69C
of the track blocker 68 as it is driven along the path of the track 69 in the
direction
of arrow 64A (See Fig. 9A). It should be understood that in the event that the
retainer min and the follower 39 are driven along the track 69 in the reverse
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direction and against the blocking surface 68B of the track blocker 68, the
track
blocker 68 will be pivotally urged against the stop 65, and that the control
line
retainer arm 30 (not shown in Fig. 9B) will be blocked from being returned to
the
removed position with the follower 39 nearer the lower end of the track 69
unless
the track blocker 68 is pivoted out of the safety position. The track blocker
is shown
in the safety position in Figs. 9A and 9B.
[00149] Fig. 9C is the perspective view of Fig. 9B with the safety
latch
disabled to permit lowering of the retainer arm back toward the removed
position.
The safety latch shown in Figs. 9A-9C is one example of a fail-safe safety
latch.
Fig. 9C shows the safety latch 61 disabled by a supply of pressurized fluid to
cylinder 67 to override the spring bias and to peffnit passage of the follower
39 in
the direction of arrow 64B and the corresponding lowering of the control line
retainer aim back toward the removed position. The safety latch 61 may be
disabled, for example, by a rig personnel depressing a button (not shown) to
open a
valve (not shown) feeding pressurized fluid through fluid conduit 67E and to
the
cylinder 67 to override the bias of the springs 66 and 67D to pivot the track
blocker
68 out of the safety position (as shown in Fig. 9C), and by clearing the track
69 to
permit the follower 39 to move along the track 69 in the direction of arrow
64B.
[00150] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative control line
retainer 50
coupled to the second end 30B of the control line retainer arm 30 of a control
line
positioning apparatus. The alternative retainer assembly 50 comprises a
generally
hollow sleeve 49 to surround and position the control line 90. The interior of
the
sleeve 49 may comprise a material having favorable lubricity for sliding
engagement
with the control line, and may be lubricated, to produce favorable low-
friction
sliding of the control line 90. It should be understood that, although the
alternative
retainer assembly 50 of Fig. 10 is shown engaging a docking assembly to secure
the
retainer arm in the removed position, the alternative retainer assembly may be
used
without a docking assembly.
[00151] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
control
line positioning apparatus 210 comprising a rotatable and translatable control
line
retainer arm 130 positionable by a drive member 113 between a removed position
shown in Fig. 11 and a raised position shown in Fig. 12. The embodiment of the
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control line retainer aim 130 of Fig. 11 is coupled to a docking assembly 150
that
cooperates with a CLS landing spear 100 when the control line retainer aim 130
is in
the removed position shown in Fig 11 to restrain the control line 90 from
entering
the operating zone of the CLS landing spear 100. The alternate embodiment of
the
control line positioning apparatus 210 of Fig. 11 also comprises an ascending
control line feed pathway 112 having an inlet 116 proximate the base 12 to
receive a
control line feed and an outlet 118 generally above or proximate to the
control line
retainer arm 130 to direct the control line feed to a control line retainer
assembly 115
coupled to the second end 130B of the retainer aim.
[00152] Fig. 12 is the perspective view of the control line positioning
apparatus
210 of Fig. 11 after the halves 102 of the CLS landing spear 100 are unloaded
and
pivoted to the open position, and after the control line retainer aim 130 is
moved by
the drive member 113 from the removed position shown in Fig. 11 to the raised
position shown in Fig. 12. The drive member 113 is shown in an extended
condition
after it has moved the follower 139 on the control line retainer atm 130 along
the
path of the track 169.
[00153] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of control line storage reels
stored in a rig
sub-space beneath a rig floor supporting a control line positioning apparatus
(not
shown in Fig. 13). The sub-space may be used to store and supply control line
90 to
a control line positioning apparatus through an aperture 116A in the rig floor
that
may, in one embodiment, be aligned with the inlet 116 to an ascending pathway
112
on a control line positioning apparatus (see, for example, the control line
positioning
apparatus 210 in Figs. 11 and 12). A sheave 176 may be used to redirect the
control
line feed from the reel 174 into the aperture 116A.
[00154] Fig. 14 is an elevation cross-section view of an alternate
embodiment
of a control line positioning apparatus 210 revealing the path of the
ascending
control line feed pathway 112 comprising rolling members (not shown, but
positions
indicated by rolling member axles 119) supported by one or more frames 111
connected to the track 169 that engages and guides the follower 139 of the
control
line retainer arm 130. Rolling member axles 119 may support rolling members
that
are strategically positioned to define the ascending control line feed pathway
112
and to prevent bending any portion of the control line feed beyond the minimum
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bend radius. In one embodiment, the control line feed pathway may be
adjustable.
The inlet 116B of the embodiment of the ascending control line feed pathway
112 of
Fig. 14 is aligned with the outlet of a rig floor-mounted control line feed
pathway, as
will be described below in connection with Figs. 15 and 16.
[00155] It should be understood that the ascending control line pathway 112
may be adapted to receive a control line feed through an aperture 116 in the
rig
floor, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, from an outlet 218 of a rig floor-mounted
control
line pathway 220, as shown in Fig. 14, or from a control line feed in other
locations.
[00156] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rig floor-
mounted control line pathway 220 having an inlet 216 to receive a control line
feed,
an outlet 218 to discharge the control line feed to an inlet 116B to an
ascending
control line feed pathway of a control line positioning apparatus (not shown
in Fig.
15), and a bend portion 250 inteimediate two generally straight control line
channels
220. The embodiment of the rig floor-mounted pathway of Fig. 15 provides a
protected channel through which one or more control line feeds may be
delivered to
a control line positioning apparatus. The rig floor-mounted pathway 220 of
Fig. 15
may comprise an elongate cover support 230 in a spaced-apart relationship from
an
adjacent cover support 230 to define a channel therebetween. In one
embodiment,
the cover supports 230 may each comprise a triangular cross-section to provide
a
ramp over which personnel and equipment may pass. A channel cover 234 may be
hingedly coupled to one of the cover supports 230 and pivotable between a
closed
position to protect the control line feed channel there beneath, as in Fig.
15, and an
open position to provide access to the control line feed channel, as shown in
Fig. 16.
Windows 232 in the channel cover 234 may provide rig personnel with visual
access
to at least a portion of the control line feed channel with the covers 234 in
the closed
position.
[00157] Fig. 16 is the perspective view of Fig. 15 after hinged channel
cover
234 on the straight portions of the rig floor-mounted pathway are pivoted to
an open
position to provide access to the control line feed channel and to the control
lines 90
therein. A cover on the bend portion 250 is also removed to reveal an array of
rolling members 256a-256c for maintaining a spaced-apart relationship between
the
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control lines 90 as the control lines are redirected in the bend portion into
a
subsequent channel portion.
[00158] It should be noted that the rig floor-mounted control line
pathway may
be secured to the rig floor 8 using fasteners that, when the cover supports
230 are
slid and secured in place, are hidden from view and access in order to prevent
tripping or snagging hazards, as illustrated on the straight portions of the
pathway
220 in Figs. 15 and 16. Alternately, portions of the rig floor-mounted control
line
pathway may be secured to the rig floor using visible, external fasteners 252,
as
shown for the bend portion 250 of the pathway in Figs. 15 and 16.
[00159] Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the array of rolling members 256a-
256c
within the bend portion 250 of the floor-mounted control line pathway 220 of
Figs.
15 and 16 showing one possible arrangement of an array of rollers within the
bend
portion 250, and also showing one embodiment of a load cell 262 coupled to the
rig
floor 8 and to the bend portion 250 to facilitate measurement of the tension
of the
control lines 90. The bend portion 250 may be movably secured to the rig floor
using fasteners 257 slidably received within slots 259 to pettnit limited
movement of
the bend portion, as restrained by a spring 261 biasing the bend portion 250
in a
direction opposite to the movement urged by tension in the control lines 90
that
traverse the array of rolling members 256a-256c. It should be understood that
a
spring scale, fluid cylinder, strain gauge, or other load measuring device may
be
used to measure the force imparted to the bend portion 250 as a result of the
tension
in the control lines 90. It should further be understood that these devices
may be
used, along with commonly used instruments and devices, to generate a signal
260
corresponding to the measured force imparted by the bend portion 250, and to
initiate an alert, display, or automatic emergency shut-down of the control
line feed
operation as necessary to maintain and protect the control line feed
operation, the
control line and the related equipment.
[00160] Fig. 18A is an elevation view of one embodiment of a
rectilinear
control line positioning apparatus 300 comprising a control line retainer
assembly 50
positionable, in part, by a horizontal cross-slide 309 that is vertically
positionable on
vertical brace 301 by a vertical lift cylinder 302. The lift cylinder 302 on
the brace
301 may retract to lift and extend to lower the horizontal cross-slide 309.
The
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horizontal cross-slide 309 may be positioned vertically by extending and
retracting
cylinder 302 by controlling a feed of pressurized fluid to the cylinder
through
conduits (not shown). The horizontal cross-slide 309 is comprises a vertically
reciprocating base 311 that is slidably coupled to the brace 301 by the
vertical
cylinder 302 and by a "T"-shaped rail 310 received into a corresponding "T"-
shaped
groove (not shown) in reciprocating base 311. The horizontal slide member 309
is
horizontally extendable by operation of cylinder 312 to extend and retract the
control line retainer assembly 50.
[00161] Fig. 18A shows the control line positioning apparatus 300 with
the
control line retainer assembly 50 in the removed position to restrain the
control lines
90 from entering the operating zone of the spider 70.
[00162] Fig. 18B shows the control line positioning apparatus of Fig.
18A after
the vertical lift cylinder 302 is retracted to lift horizontal cross-slide 309
and the
extension cylinder 312 is used to extend the control line retainer assembly 50
to a
raised position proximate the pipe string 80 and to position the control line
90 along
a portion of the pipe string 80 above the spider 70 to facilitate clamping of
the
control line 90 to the pipe string 80.
[00163] FIG. 19 is a side view of the frame 62 supporting one or more
rolling
members 114 rotatable about rolling member axles 119, thereby defining at
least a
portion of the ascending pathway 112. A load transfer member, or subassembly
180, may include one or more members 256, such as rolling members, in which
the
rolling members may be rotatable about rolling member axles 188. The
subassembly
180 may be used to position the rolling members 256 to cooperate with the
rollers
114 to define at least a portion the ascending pathway 112. Further, the
subassembly 180 may be movably secured to the frame 62 to permit limited
movement of the subassembly 180 in a direction of a mounting bracket 192. A
biasing member, such as a spring (not shown), may be used to bias the
subassembly
180, such as bias the subassembly 180 in a direction opposite to the movement
urged by tension in the control line 90 traversing the plurality of rolling
members
256. A scale, strain gauge, load cell, and/or any other load measuring device
194
may be used to measure the force imparted to the subassembly 180 as a result
of the
tension in the control lines 90. It should be understood that the load
measuring
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device 194 may be used, along with commonly used instruments and devices, to
generate a signal corresponding to the measured force imparted on the
subassembly
180. For example, the load measuring device 194 may include and/or have
coupled
thereto one or more guides and/or a sensor, in which the sensor may be able to
measure a force imparted thereto, such as the shear force imparted thereto.
The
sensor may then be able to measure a load applied to the subassembly 180
though
the control line 90. In one embodiment, the sensor may be disposed within the
mounting bracket 192, in which a bearing, such as a spherical bearing, may be
disposed within the mounting bracket 192 with the sensor. In such an
embodiment,
the bearing may be used to prevent twisting and/or any other movement and/or
warping of the guides, sensor, and/or the subassembly 180. As such, this may
increase the accuracy of the measurements for the load measuring device 194.
Further, the load measuring device, or an instrument coupled thereto, such as
a
controller, may be used to initiate an alert, display, or automatic emergency
shut-
down of the control line feed operation as necessary to maintain and protect
the
control line feed operation, the control line and the related equipment.
[00164] Another embodiment of the apparatus and the method of the
present
disclosure may provide safeguards against tensile or other failure or rupture
of the
control line, such as when the control line is being connected to the pipe
string and
as the pipe string is made-up and run into the borehole. Figs. 20 and 21 show
an
embodiment of a deployable control line cutter 201 in accordance with the
present
disclosure that may be actuated to engage and cut or sever a control line 90
at a
controlled location along the control line. As such, the control line cutter
201 may
be used to prevent parting of the control line at a location that may be
difficult, if not
impossible, to retrieve, repair, and/or otherwise remediate the control line
failure
without great expense and rig downtime. For example, it may be desirable to
prevent the control line from severing within the borehole because this may
require
removal of at least a portion of pipe string from the borehole to reconnect
and repair
the control line.
[00165] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a control
line cutter
in the retracted or ready position in accordance with the present disclosure.
The
embodiment of the control line cutter 201 may include a cutting member 203
that
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may be pivotable between a retracted position, such as shown in Fig. 20, and a
deployed position, such as shown in Fig. 21. In one or more embodiment, the
control line cutter 201 may be used to engage and/or guide the control line 90
without having the cutting member 203 engage the control line 90. For example,
the
control line cutter 201 may rotate when engaged with the control line 90, such
as
shown in Fig. 20, but the cutting member 203 may independently rotate with
respect
to the control line cutter 201 such that the cutting member 203 does not
rotate and
engage the control line 90. In one embodiment, the control line cutter 201 may
be
biased towards the deployed position, such as to engage and cut the control
line 90
at a location adjacent to the pivotable cutting member 203. The control line
cutter
201 may be biased to pivot from the retracted position to the deployed
position
using, for example, a biasing member, such as a coil spring 207, a torsion
spring, or
any other biasing member known in the art. The coil spring 207 may be coupled
intennediate the control line cutter 201 and a cutter support that may be
supported,
such as rotationally supported, from the frame 62. The control line cutter 201
may
be secured in the retracted position, in opposition to the biasing coil spring
207, such
as by one or more retainers 204 that may be coupled to an actuator. For
example,
the retainers 204 may be secured to a rod of a cylinder 202. The cylinder 202
may be
hydraulically operated and coupled to a hydraulic fluid line (not shown) that
selectively depressurizes the cylinder 202 to deploy the control line cutter
201 in
response to an emergency condition, such as may be detected by excessive
tension
in the control line 90. Further, an optional cutter sensor 209 may be used to
generate
a signal in response to sensing deployment of the cutting member, such as a
pressure
sensor in communication with the fluid in or to the cylinders 202.
[00166] The system preferably includes first and second retainers
operated by
first and second actuators. In such an embodiment, both retainers may be
required
to disengage from the cutting member before the cutting member is allowed to
rotate
to cut the control line. The use of redundant actuators and respective
retainers may
decrease the likelihood that the cutting member is accidentally deployed.
[00167] In one embodiment, the control line cutter system may include a
back-
up member 210. The back-up member 210 may be disposed adjacent the control
line cutter 201 with the pathway 112 of the control line 90 disposed
intermediate the
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pivotable control line cutter 201 and the back-up member 210. The back-up
member 210 may be stationary or movable. For example, in one embodiment, the
back-up member 210 may be pivotable about an axle 213 such that the back-up
member 210 may rotate with the control line under normal feeding and/or as the
control line cutter 201 pivots to engage and cut the control line.
Specifically,
depressurizing the cylinders 202 may allow the retainers 204 to disengage from
the
control line cutter 201 such that the spring 207 causes the control line
cutter 201 to
rotate counter-clockwise (as seen in Fig. 20). After slight rotation, the
pivotable
cutting member 203 may then engage and cut the control line 90.
[00168] It should be understood that the control line cutter 201 may be
used to
prevent parting of the control line due to excessive loading of the control
line. A
control line cutter may be included with and/or within a control line pathway,
a
spider (e.g., a control line pathway extending through the bore of the
spider), a CLS
pipe engaging apparatus, and/or a control line manipulator (e.g., as shown in
Fig.
20). Excessive loading may be caused, for example, by lowering of the pipe
string,
to which the control line is coupled, into the borehole with some impediment
or
excessive resistance to continuous feeding of the control line to the borehole
through
the ascending pathway.
[00169] In one embodiment, an actuator, e.g., electrically or fluidically
powered (hydraulic or pneumatic) motor, 206 may be provided in communication
with (e.g., fluidic or electrical communication) a source of energy (e.g.,
controling
lines 205A and 205B) to cause rotation of and/or drive a drive member, such as
a
drive roller 208 or a conveyor belt, in which the drive roller 208 may engage
the
control line 90. A drive member may include an outer surface including a
resilient
material, such as an elastomeric material. Further, in one or more
embodiments, a
motor may be used to drive a drive member using, for example, a keyed shaft
coupled between the motor 206 and the roller 208, in which torque and/or
rotation
may be transmitted from the motor 206 to the drive roller 208. Alternatively,
a spur
gear, a splined shaft, and/or any other mechanism known in the art, such as a
one-
way rotational mechanism, may be used to enable the motor to drive the drive
roller.
A back-up member may also be used, such as with the drive member. For example,
the back-up member may include an adjustable rolling member 212, which may be
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disposed adjacent to the drive roller 208 with the control line 90 passing
therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the back-up member may include a
conveyor belt, a support member (e.g., a plate or a non-rotatable support), a
low
friction control line contacting surface, and/or any other member or device
known in
the art that may be used with the drive member, such as to support a control
line.
Further, a passive rolling member, such as a passive roller, may be used
within a
control line system in accordance with the present disclosure. The passive
rolling
member may include a one-way rotational mechanism, in which the one-way
rotational mechanism may enable the passive rolling member to selectively
rotate in
one direction or in two directions. As such, when a one-way rotational
mechanism
is engaged, the passive rolling member may only rotate in one direction, as
compared to when the one-way rotational mechanism is not engaged, in which the
passive rolling member may rotate in two directions.
[00170] Further, (for example through, one or more adjustment handles
211)
the rolling member 212, such as each end of the rolling member 212, may extend
toward or retract away from the control line 90, e.g., via an actuator coupled
thereto
and/or any other means known in the art. The rolling member 212 and the drive
roller 208 may be used to create friction against the control line 90 passing
therebetween with the drive roller 208 such that the drive roller 208 may be
able to
drive, feed, and/or otherwise control force and/or movement of the control
line 90
being engaged by the drive roller 208. Adjusting the position of the rolling
member
212 may press the control line 90 against the drive roller 208 such that the
motor
206 can push, pull, and/or otherwise provide a force to the control line 90. A
drive
member may be controlled to feed, e.g., move axially, a control line at a
desired rate,
such as a rate equal to the rate that the pipe string is advanced into the
borehole, or
to maintain a desired amount of tension in the control line.
[00171] In one or more embodiments, the drive member, e.g., roller 208,
in
addition to other components and/or equipment, may be used to provide a force
to a
control line 90, such as to pull the control line 90 through a control line
pathway of a
control line positioning apparatus. For example, by pulling, or feeding, the
control
line 90 with the driver roller 208, the control line 90 may have sufficient
enough
slack developed therein such that the control line 90 may be manipulated as
desired,
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such as handled by one or more persons or by control line handling equipment,
such
as to clamp the control line to a pipe string. In such an embodiment, after
the drive
roller 208 has driven the control line 90, at least partially, within and/or
through the
control line pathway, the control line 90 may be cut, such as using the
control line
cutter 201, in which the drive roller 208 may maintain engagement with the
control
line 90.
[00172] In one or more embodiments, the drive member, e.g., drive
roller 208,
may rotate and/or be driven in one direction and/or in two directions. For
example,
the drive member may be used to drive and feed the control line 90 into a
borehole
and/or out from a borehole. However, in such embodiments, the drive member may
be prevented from rotating in both directions, such as after the control line
cutter
201 has been activated to cut the control line 90. In such an embodiment, the
drive
member may be used to feed the control line 90 in a direction further downhole
into
a borehole, but may be prevented from rotating such that the control line 90
may not
recoil back and have the drive member lose engagement with the control line
90. As
such, in one embodiment, a check valve, such as a pneumatic pilot valve,
and/or any
other appropriate sensor or mechanism may be activated when desired to have
the
drive member drive a control line in one direction and/or in two directions.
For
example, the check valve may be opened and closed in response to the movement
of
the control line cutter 201. The check valve may then prevent the movement of
the
motor 206 and/or the drive member, at least movement in one direction, after
the
control line 90 has been cut. In such an example, the drive member may be able
to
maintain engagement with the control line 90 to prevent movement of the
control
line 90, such as by preventing the control line 90 recoil and be released from
engagement with the drive member.
[00173] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the motor 206 and/or
the
drive member, e.g., drive roller 208, may be used when handling and/or
otherwise
managing one or more of the control lines 90 in use with a drilling rig. For
example,
when handling a control line, such as when lifting and/or pulling a control
line, a
tether (e.g., a rope or cable) may be connected and attached to the control
line. The
tether may be driven, at least partially, by the motor 206, e.g., a moving
portion of
the motor 206, and/or the drive member, such as by having the tether disposed
about
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the motor 206 and/or the drive member. Accordingly, the motor 206 and/or the
drive member may be used as a winch, such as a capstan winch, in which the
motor
206 and/or the drive member may be used to assist in handling the control
line. For
example, the tether may be disposed about and fed around the motor 206, in
which
the motor 206 may be rotated and driven to operate as a winch, thereby
enabling the
motor 206 to lift, pull, and/or otherwise handle the control line as desired.
Those
having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the present
disclosure
contemplates multiple other methods and uses in accordance with one or more
embodiments disclosed herein.
1001741 Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the control line cutter 201 in
accordance with the present disclosure. In Fig. 21, the cylinder 202 may be
depressurized and the retainers 204 may be released from the control line
cutter 201
to enable the control line cutter 201 to pivot under the bias of the spring
207. The
pivotable cutting member 203 may include a contacting surface, such as teeth
203B,
that initially engage the side or outer casing of the control line 90. As the
control
line 90 continues to advance along the pathway, the control line 90 pulls on
the teeth
203B to cause and/or assist further pivoting of the cutting member 203 until
the
cutting blade 203A slices into and through the control line 90. The portion of
the
control line 90 that is downstream from the cut may then be free to advance
and
relieve tension in the control line 90 such that the control line does not
become
damaged in an undesirable location and/or cause damage to other equipment. The
portion of the control line 90 that is upstream and/or proximal of the cutting
blade
203A may be secured between the drive roller 208 and the adjustable roller
212.
Optionally, a complete loss of tension in the control line 90 may be detected
and
cause the hydraulic motor 206 to lock the drive roller 208 against rotation.
When a
control line 90 has been cut, as described, the control line cutter 201 may be
reset
before reconnecting the control line 90 and running the control line 90 into
the
borehole along with the pipe string. Those having ordinary skill in the art
will
appreciate that the system of Figs. 20 and 21 may be operated in many
different
ways to prevent halm to personnel and equipment, as well as to safeguard the
control line that has already been run into the borehole. In one embodiment,
the
actuator may release the retainer upon loss of fluid pressure to the actuator.
For
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example, the actuator may release the retainer upon receiving a signal
generated by a
control line tension sensor. In accordance with Figs. 15-17 and 19, a control
line
tension sensor may detect whether a force imparted by the control line to a
load
transfer member exceeds a predetermined setpoint force. The signal received by
the
actuator may be in the form of an electronic signal or a fluid pressure
signal.
[00175] In one embodiment, the system may include a controller that
controls
operation of the actuators 202, in addition to multiple other components of
the
system. The controller may be designed or programmed to control the actuator
based upon one or more signals received from one or more sensors. For example,
one or more sensors may be selected from a control line tension sensor, a
dropped
pipe string sensor, and an emergency shut-down sensor. A suitable control line
tension sensor may be disposed to measure forces in a bend of a control line
pathway, such a rig floor mounted pathway or an ascending pathway of a control
line positioning apparatus. In a further embodiment, the controller operates
the
actuator to allow rotation of the cutting member in response to receiving a
signal
from the control line tension sensor that indicates the tension is greater
than a
setpoint tension. Optionally, the setpoint tension may be selected to prevent
an
excessive load on the control line that could cause unwanted parting of
control line
and whipping. Additionally or alternatively, a system may include a control
line
speed, velocity, acceleration, rotation, etc. sensor, such as a sensor to
provide a
speed signal to the controller. In one embodiment, a sensor may be coupled to
one
or more rollers (e.g., passive roller), one or more drive members, and/or any
other
component(s) of a control line system, e.g., a component that engages and/or
moves
with the control line, in which the sensor may be able to detect and measure
one or
more parameters, as desired. For example, a controller may compare the speed
of
the control line to the maximum desired descent speed (e.g., indicating a drop
string)
of the pipe string and operates the actuator to cut the control line in
response to the
control line speed exceeding the maximum descent speed of the pipe string.
Other
variations and combinations of control schemes for controlling the cutting
member,
and/or any other member or component within a control line system, are
considered
to be within the scope of the present present disclosure.
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[00176] Fig. 22 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate
embodiment of a
control line cutter 201 in accordance with the present disclosure. The control
line
cutter 201 may be primed using an accessible sprag clutch 215 and a
cooperating
spring 207A that may be used to prevent the need for inserting a hand into the
interior of a control line manipulating machine or other enclosure. Fig. 22
illustrates
a pivotable cutting member 203 that may include a cutting blade 203A and/or a
contacting surface thereon. For example, the contacting surface may include
teeth
203B, as shown, may include a control line engaging surface to frictionally
engage a
control line, and/or may include any other surface, material, or device that
may be
used to engage and contact a surface of a control line. The pivotable cutting
member 203 of Fig. 22 further may include an axle 203C having a slot 203D
therein
to receive an interior anchor leg 207B of spring 207A upon assembly of the
control
line cutter 201. Further, one or more spacers 225 and 227 may be provided for
ease
of assembly and to ensure alignment and proper engagement of the components of
the control line cutter 201.
[00177] A clutch, such as a sprag clutch 215, may include a
unidirectional
member, such as a ratcheting member, that permits rotation of the (as shown in
Fig.
22) sprag clutch in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction to "prime" (e.g., to
store energy
with) the spring 207A component of the control line cutter 201. The exterior
anchor
leg 207C of the spring 207A, which may be received in a gap 215A of the sprag
clutch 215, may thus be pivoted relative to the interior anchor leg 207B of
the spring
207A. Further, the spring 207B may be received in the slot 203D of the axle
203C
to store energy in the spring 207A and to bias the pivotable cutting member
203
from the retracted position illustrated in Fig. 23 and towards the engaged
position
with the control line (not shown in Fig. 22 ¨ see, e.g., Fig. 21). The control
line
cutter may be secured in the assembled condition using a cotter pin 215B
disposed
within a groove (not shown) on the axle 203C and within the sprag clutch 215.
[00178] Fig. 23 is an elevation view of a portion of a control line
manipulator
(e.g., the control line manipulator illustrated in Fig. 14) equipped with the
alternative
embodiment of the control line cutter 201 of Fig. 22 in accordance with the
present
disclosure. The cylinder 202 and the retainer 204 may be supported by the
control
line manipulator immediately adjacent to and in engagement with the pivotable
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cutting member 203 of the control line cutter 201. The cylinder 202 may be
pressurized to extend the retainer 204 to engage and retain the pivotable
cutting
member 203 in the retracted configuration. Further, the sprag clutch 215 may
be
accessible from outside the control line manipulator for manual rotation to
prime the
spring (not shown in Fig. 23 ¨ see Fig. 22). The cylinder 202 may be spring-
biased
to retract and withdraw the retainer 204 from engagement with the pivotable
cutting
member 203 upon depressurizing of the cylinder 202. Once disengaged by the
retainer 204, the pivotable cutting member 203 may pivot about an axle (not
shown
in Fig. 23 ¨ see element 203C in Fig. 22) as biased by the spring 207A in the
counter-clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 23) to engage and cut the control
line
90.
[00179] Fig. 24 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a control line
cutting
member in accordance with the present disclosure. The control line cutting
member
may employ a non-pivoting cutting member that is self-energized upon
engagement
with a moving control line. As shown in Fig. 24, a cutting member 240 may be
movably coupled to a cutting member pathway 241, and adjacent to a control
line
90. Further, the cutting member 240 may be retained in the retracted position
by a
retainer 204 coupled to a spring-biased cylinder 202. The retainer 204 may
obstruct
the movement of the cutting member 240 along the cutting member pathway 241,
such as until the retainer 204 may be withdrawn from the position illustrated
in Fig.
24 by depressurization of the cylinder 202, which results in the cutting
member 240
moving downwardly (in Fig. 24) along at least a portion of the cutting member
pathway 241 to engage and cut the control line 90 that is moving in the
direction of
the arrow 90A. As can be seen from Fig. 24, the cutting member 240 and the
cutting
member pathway 241 may be arranged, relative to the pathway and direction of
movement of the control line 90, to facilitate engagement of the cutting
member 240
with the control line 90 in a self-energizing mode. That is, the tension in
the control
line 90 may draw the cutting member 240 further along the cutting member
pathway
241 to cause the cutting member 240 to be forced further into cutting
engagement
with the control line 90.
[00180] Fig. 24A is a section view of one embodiment of the cutting
member
pathway 241 in accordance with the present disclosure. The cutting member
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pathway 241 may be used to facilitate movement of the cutting member 240 upon
retraction of the retainer 204. In one embodiment, the force used to move the
cutting member 240 upon release from the retracted position illustrated in
Fig. 24 to
the engaged position (not shown) with the control line 90 may be, for example,
gravity, a spring or other biasing member, or a combination of both.
1001811 Fig. 25 is an alternate embodiment of the control line cutting
member
of Fig. 24 in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, this
embodiment
may include two cutting members 240 movably coupled to two opposed cutting
member pathways 241 and restrained in the retracted positions using retainers
204
coupled to pressurized cylinders 202.
1001821 It should be understood that, in the above embodiments, such as
with
respect to Figs. 19-25, a control line positioning apparatus is shown to be
included
and in use with a movable cutting apparatus, in which the cutting apparatus
may be
used to cut a control line. Further, a control line positioning apparatus is
shown to
be included and in use with a load transfer member, a load measuring device,
and a
drive member, in which each of these pieces of equipment may be used with a
control line. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the
present disclosure is not so limited, as a cutting apparatus, a load transfer
member, a
load measuring device, and/or a drive member in accordance with the present
disclosure may be used, e.g., separately or in combination, with any equipment
and/or method for running a control line. For example, in one embodiment, a
pipe
engaging apparatus, such as a spider or a CLS pipe engaging apparatus, which
may
be used to engage and/or support one or more tubular members, may incorporate
the
use of a cutting apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. The
cutting
apparatus may be disposed within the pipe engaging apparatus such that the
cutting
apparatus may engage and cut a control line that passes through and/or
adjacent to
the pipe engaging apparatus. In another embodiment, a pipe engaging apparatus
may additionally or alternatively may incorporate the use of a load transfer
member,
a load measuring device, and/or a drive member in accordance with the present
disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates multiple other
embodiments and is not limited only to the embodiments shown and discussed
above, as one or more of the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be
used
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with running a control line and/or handling a control line, such as running a
control
line on a rig.
[00183] In yet another embodiment of a method of cutting a control
line, other
preventive or remedial steps may be taken. For example, the control line
tension
sensor may generate a signal that may be communicated to a pipe string
elevator to
slow the descent of the pipe string. Furthermore, the control line tension
sensor may
generate a signal that is communicated to a control line feed drive motor,
optionally
increasing the speed of the drive motor in response to a signal indicating
high
tension in the control line.
[00184] In accordance with the present disclosure, a control line
inhibiting
apparatus may be included within one or more embodiments disclosed herein such
that the control line inhibiting device may be able to inhibit and prevent a
control
line from being further fed into a control line positioning apparatus, a pipe
engaging
apparatus, and/or any other apparatus or device used to receive a control
line. For
example, the control line inhibiting apparatus may include a brake and/or a
shear
mechanism configured to engage the control line such that the control line
inhibiting
apparatus inhibits and prevents movement of the control line (e.g., feeding of
the
control line), or such that the control line inhibiting apparatus at least
reduces the
rate of movement of the control line (e.g., reduces the feeding rate of the
control
line). Those having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that other
control
line inhibiting apparatuses may be used in accordance with one or more
embodiments disclosed herein.
[00185] It should be understood that an "elevator assembly," as used
herein,
means a vertically movable spider, a casing running tool (CRT) or any other
pipe
gripping assembly that can be manipulated to raise or lower a pipe string that
is
supported within the elevator assembly. It should be further understood that
"pipe
gripping apparatus," as used herein, means an apparatus that can support a
pipe
string, and specifically includes an elevator assembly and also includes a
spider.
[00186] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to
an
apparatus, method, and/or system that may be used to attach a control line to
a
tubular member. The apparatus includes a control line arm having a first
control
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line guide coupled thereto, a base having a second control line guide coupled
thereto, with the control line arm coupled to the base and movable with
respect to
the base. The control line ann is movable between a raised position and a
collapsed
position with respect to the base, such as by having the control line ann
slidably
coupled and/or rotatably coupled to the base.
[00187] The control line ann may include a first end and a second end,
in
which the first control line guide may be disposed adjacent the first end of
the
control line arm with the second end of the control line arm movably coupled
to the
base. As such, the control line arm and/or the base may include a sliding
element,
such as a track, to slidably couple the control line arm to the base. Further,
the
control line atm may include a first control line arm and a second control
line ann.
The first control line arm and the second control line arm may be coupled to
the base
and movable with respect to the base, in which the first control line guide
may be
disposed between the first control line arm and the second control line aim.
Furthermore, the first control line guide and/or the second control line guide
may
include one or more rollers.
[00188] The apparatus may include one or more support members to help
support, guide, and facilitate movement of the control line arm, the first
control line
guide, and/or the second control line guide. For example, a first support
member
may be rotatably coupled to the control line arm and rotatably coupled to the
base to
provide support thereto. Further, a second support member and a third support
member may be included, in which the second support member may be rotatably
coupled to the base and to the third support member, with the third support
member
coupled to the control line arm adjacent the first control line guide.
[00189] Referring now to Figs. 26A-26C, multiple perspective views of
an
apparatus 2600 to attach a control line 2602 to a tubular member 2604 in
accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.
Specifically,
Fig. 26A provides a side perspective view of the apparatus 2600, Fig. 26B
provides
an above front perspective view of the apparatus 2600, and Fig. 26C provides
an
above back perspective view of the apparatus 2600.
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1001901 The apparatus 2600 includes a base 2610 and one or more control
line
arms 2620. As shown in Figs. 26A-26C, the apparatus 2600 includes two control
line arms 2620A and 2620B, but those having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate
that one or more embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may
include only one control line arm, or may include more than two control line
aims,
each without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly,
the
first control line arm 2620A and/or the second control line arm 2620B may be
coupled to the base 2610 such that the first control line arm 2620A and the
second
control line arm 2620B are movable with respect to the base 2610. For example,
the
first control line arm 2620A and the second control line arm 2620B may movable
between a raised position (as shown in Figs. 26A-26C) and a collapsed position
with
respect to the base 2610.
[00191] In one or more embodiments, the first control line aim 2620A and
the
second control line arm 2620B may be slidably coupled and/or rotatably coupled
to
the base 2610. As such, the first control line arm 2620A, the second control
line
arm 2620B, and/or the base 2610 may include a sliding element to slidably
couple
the first control line arm 2620A and the second control line arm 2620B to the
base
2610. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any sliding
element
known in the art may be used to facilitate slidably coupling a control line
arm to a
base, such as a track, a rail, a pathway, a roller, wheel or similar rolling
element, a
low-friction sliding element, and/or any other sliding element known in the
art. For
example, as shown in Figs. 26A-26C, the base 2610 may include one or more
tracks
2612 formed therein and/or attached thereto. As such, an end of the first
control line
arm 2620A may be received within a first track 2612A such that the end of the
first
control line arm 2620A may be rotatably coupled and/or slidably coupled to the
first
track 2612A. Similarly, an end of the second control line aim 2620B may be
received within a second track 2612B such that the end of the second control
line
arm 2620B may be rotatably coupled and/or slidably coupled to the second track
2612B. By having this engagement between the first control line arm 2620A
and/or
the second control line arm 2620B with the base, the apparatus 2600 may be
movable between a raised position and a collapsed position.
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[00192] The apparatus 2600 may include one or more control line guides
included therein and/or coupled thereto. As shown in Figs. 26A-26C, the first
control line arm 2620A and/or the second control line atm 2620B may have a
first
control line guide 2640A coupled thereto, and the base 2610 may have a second
control line guide 2640B coupled thereto. A control line guide in accordance
with
the present disclosure may be any device or apparatus configured to guide a
control
line. Accordingly, a control line guide in accordance with the present
disclosure
may include one or more rollers, sheaves, or any other device known in the art
to
guide a control line. As shown in Figs. 26A-26C, the first control line guide
2640A
may include a plurality of rollers 2642, and similarly the second control line
guide
2640B may a plurality of rollers 2642.
[00193] The first control line aim 2620A and the second control line
arm
2620B may have one end coupled to the base 2610 of the apparatus 2600. As
such,
another end of the first control line arm 2620A and the second control line
arm
2620B may have the first control line guide 2640A coupled thereto and/or
disposed
adjacent thereto. For example, as shown in Figs. 26B and 26C in particular, in
an
embodiment having two control line arms, the first control line arm 2620A and
the
second control line arm 2620B, the first control line guide 2640A may be
disposed
between and coupled to the first control line arm 2620A and the second control
line
arm 2620B using a link 2646. The link 2646 may be connected to the ends of the
first control line arm 2620A and the second control line arm 2620B, with the
first
control line guide 2640A then connected to the link 2646. In an embodiment in
which the first control line guide 2640A includes the rollers 2642, the
control line
2602 may be reeved over the rollers 2642 of the first control line guide 2640A
and
under the link 2646.
[00194] Further, the second control line guide 2640B may be coupled to
the
base 2610. As such, and as shown in Figs. 26A-26C, the second control line
guide
2640B may be disposed adjacent to the first control line arm 2620A and/or the
second control line arm 2620B. For example, the second control line guide
2640B
may be disposed between the first control line arm 2620A and the second
control
line arm 2620B at the end of the first control line atm 2620A and the second
control
line arm 2620B coupled to the base 2610 of the apparatus 2600. This
arrangement
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may facilitate reeving the control line 2602 along a floor, and then reeving
the
control line 2602 up the second control line guide 2640B towards the first
control
line guide 2640A.
[00195] In addition to the apparatus 2600 having the first control line
arm
2620A and/or the second control line arm 2620B, the apparatus 2600 may include
one or more support members to help support, guide, and facilitate movement of
the
components of the apparatus 2600. For example, with respect to Fig. 26A, the
apparatus 2600 may include a first support member 2630A, a second support
member 2632A, and/or a third support member 2634A. The first support member
2630A may be coupled between the first control line arm 2620A and the base
2610,
such as by having the first support member 2630A rotatably coupled to the
first
control line arm 2620A and rotatably coupled to the base 2610.
[00196] Further, one or more of the support members may be disposed in
parallel with respect to each other and/or with respect to the control line
arms of the
apparatus. For example, as shown particularly in Fig. 26A, the second support
member 2632A may be disposed in parallel with respect to the first support
member
2630A, and the third support member 2634A may be disposed in parallel with
respect to the first control line arm 2620A. The second support member 2632A
may
be coupled between the base 2610 and the third support member 2634A, such as
by
having the second support member 2632A rotatably coupled to the base 2610 and
rotatably coupled to the third support member 2634A. The third support member
2634A may be coupled between the second support member 2632A and the first
control line atm 2620A, such as by having the third support member 2634A
coupled
to the first control line arm 2620A adjacent the end thereof and/or adjacent
the first
control line guide 2640A.
[00197] As discussed above, the apparatus 2600 may include one or more
control line alms. As such, in an embodiment in which the apparatus 2600
includes
the first control line arm 2620A and the second control line aim 2620B, the
second
control line arm 2620B may include one or more support members coupled thereto
for support. For example, similar to the support members shown coupled to the
first
control line arm 2620A, the apparatus 2600 may include a fourth support member
2630B, a fifth support member 2632B, and/or a sixth support member 2634B. The
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fourth support member 2630B may be coupled between the second control line arm
2620B and the base 2610, such as by having the fourth support member 2630B
rotatably coupled to the second control line arm 2620B and rotatably coupled
to the
base 2610.
[00198] Furthermore, the fifth support member 2632B may be disposed in
parallel with respect to the fourth support member 2630B, and the sixth
support
member 2634B may be disposed in parallel with respect to the second control
line
arm 2620B. The fifth support member 2632B may be coupled between the base
2610 and the sixth support member 2634B, such as by having the fifth support
member 2632B rotatably coupled to the base 2610 and rotatably coupled to the
sixth
support member 2634B. The sixth support member 2634B may be coupled between
the fifth support member 2632B and the second control line arm 2620B, such as
by
having the sixth support member 2634B coupled to the second control line arm
2620B adjacent the end thereof and/or adjacent the first control line guide
2640A.
[00199] In addition to having one or more support members to help
support,
guide, and facilitate movement of the components of the apparatus 2600, the
apparatus 2600 may also include one or more links included therein to help
support
and couple the components of the apparatus 2600. As discussed above, the link
2646 may be disposed between the first control line arm 2620A and the second
control line arm 2620B. Further, as shown in Fig. 26A, the apparatus 2600 may
include a first link 2636A and/or a second link 2638A. The first link 2636A
may be
disposed between the end of the first support member 2630A and the end of the
second support member 2632A and/or the end of the third support member 2634A,
thereby coupling the first support member 2630A with the second support member
2632A and/or the third support member 2634A. Further, the second link 2638A
may be disposed between the end of the first control line arm 2620A and the
end of
the third support member 2634A, thereby coupling the first control line arm
2620A
to the third support member 2634A.
[00200] Similarly, in an embodiment having a second control line arm
2620B,
as shown in Figs. 26B and 26C, the apparatus 2600 may include a third link
2636B
and/or a fourth link 2638B. The third link 2636B may be disposed between the
end
of the fourth support member 2630B and the end of the fifth support member
2632B
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and/or the end of the sixth support member 2634B, thereby coupling the fourth
support member 2630B with the fifth support member 2632B and/or the sixth
support member 2634B. Further, the fourth link 2638B may be disposed between
the end of the second control line arm 2620B and the end of the sixth support
member 2634B, thereby coupling the second control line ann 2620B to the sixth
support member 2634B.
[00201] As shown and discussed above, multiple elements within the present
disclosure may be rotatably coupled to each other and/or rotatable with
respect to
each other. As such, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure
may
include one or more hinges, pins, and/or any other rotatable device known in
the art
to rotatably couple components to each other. For example, as shown in Fig.
26A,
one or more pins 2648 may be disposed through and/or between various
components
and elements of the apparatus 2600 to rotatably couple the components or
elements
to each other.
[00202] Referring now to Figs. 27A-27F, multiple perspective views of the
apparatus 2600 and a method to attach a control line to the tubular member
2604 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.
Fig.
27A shows the apparatus 2600 in the raised position, in which the first
control line
guide 2640A coupled to the first control line aim 2620A and/or the second
control
line arm 26020B may be disposed adjacent to the tubular member 2604. This
raised
position may facilitate attaching a control line that is guided with the first
control
line guide 2640A to the tubular member 2604.
[00203] Fig. 27B shows the apparatus 2600 in an intermediate position
between
the raised position and the collapsed position, thereby lowering the first
control line
arm 2620A and/or the second control line ann 26020B with the first control
line
guide 2640A with respect to the tubular member 2604. Fig. 27C then shows the
apparatus 2600 in the collapsed position, in which the apparatus 2600 has been
lowered adjacent to the floor to facilitate access to the tubular member 2604.
In Fig.
27C, and also shown in Fig. 27D, the apparatus 2600 has moved into the
collapsed
position, in which the first control line guide 2640A is disposed adjacent to
a tubular
gripping and/or support apparatus 2660. The tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660 may be any device or apparatus capable of gripping and/or
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supporting a tubular member and/or a string of tubular members. Such a device
or
apparatus may include a spider, a collar load support system, and/or any other
device
or apparatus known in the art. As such, in Figs. 27C and 27D, the first
control line
guide 2640A may be disposed adjacent the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660 to have a control line run from the first control line guide
2640A into
and through the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660.
[00204] Referring now to Figs. 27E and 27F, multiple perspective views
of the
apparatus 2600 in the collapsed position are shown. The apparatus 2600 may be
movable to the collapsed position to facilitate access to the tubular member
2604.
As such, when in the collapsed position, a tool or apparatus, such as power
tongs
2662, may be disposed adjacent to the tubular member 2604. The power tongs
2662
may be used to couple or de-couple the tubular member 2604 with an additional
tubular member 2606, such as by rotating the tubular members 2604 and 2606
with
respect to each other. As such, the power tongs 2662 may be used to make-up
and/or break-out threaded connections of tubular members 2604 and 2606 with
respect to each other. As shown, the power tongs 2662 may be disposed on one
or
more rails 2664 to facilitate movement of the power tongs 2662 with respect to
the
tubular members 2604 and 2606 and/or the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660.
[00205] Referring now to Figs. 28A-28C, multiple perspective views of
the
apparatus 2600 and a system to attach a control line to the tubular member
2604 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.
As
shown in Fig. 28A, the apparatus 2600 is shown in the collapsed position, and
the
power tongs 2662 are disposed adjacent to the apparatus 2600 at an end of the
rails
2664 at a distance from the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660.
The
rails 2664 may then be removably disposed on the floor 2670, depending on the
configuration and sizing requirements to support and handle the tubular member
2604.
[00206] As such, the rails 2664 may be removed, along with the power
tongs
2662, such that an additional tool or apparatus may be disposed adjacent to
the
tubular member 2604. Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 28B and 28C, the rails
2664
may be removed to enable access to one or more tracks 2666. The tracks 2666
may
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be used to dispose an additional tool or apparatus adjacent to the tubular
member
2604. For example, additional power tongs 2668, which may be sized to couple
or
de-couple tubular members of different sizes as compared to power tongs 2662,
may
use the tracks 2666. The additional power tongs 2668 may be disposed on one or
more tracks 2666 to facilitate movement of the additional power tongs 2668
with
respect to the tubular member 2604 and/or the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660.
[00207] As shown and discussed above, an apparatus in accordance with
one or
more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base, such as the
base
2610 having tracks 2612 formed thereon and/or attached thereto. However, those
having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a base in accordance
with the
present disclosure may include only the tracks 2612 and/or similar structure
to have
the one or more control line arms rotatably coupled thereto, with the tracks
2612
then connected to a floor. For example, tracks 2612 may be directly connected
to a
floor of a drilling rig, as compared to connecting the tracks 2612 to the base
2610,
and then disposing the base 2610 on the floor. Similarly, the one or more
support
members of the present disclosure need not be connected directly to a base,
and
instead may be coupled to the floor when supporting the apparatus of the
present
disclosure.
[00208] Further, the present disclosure contemplates having one or more
actuators coupled to one or more components of the apparatus 2600 to impart
movement thereto, as desired. For example, an actuator may be coupled between
one or more of the control line arms and the base to impart movement to the
control
line arms with respect to the base. This arrangement may enable the apparatus
2600
to be movable between the raised position and the collapsed position. As such,
an
actuator used in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may
be
a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and/or any other actuator known in the art.
An
actuator may be remotely controlled. Further, those having ordinary skill in
the art
will appreciate that other arrangements for an actuator to move one or more
components of an apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may
be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
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[00209] Referring now to Figs. 29A-29C, multiple perspective views of the
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Fig. 29A shows a top down
view
of the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660, which may be a spider,
as
shown, having slips that are disposed downward within a bowl and in a closed
position. As shown, the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 may
have
one or more openings 2672 fondled therethrough, such as a "keyhole" foiined
therethrough from a top side to a bottom side of the tubular gripping and/or
support
apparatus 2660. Fig. 29B then shows a side perspective view of the slips of
the
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 disposed upward within the bowl
and in an open position, and Fig. 29C shows a side perspective view of the
slips of
the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 disposed downward within
the
bowl and in the closed position. As such, the control line 2602 may be
disposed
within an opening 2672 of the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660
such
that the control line 2602 may pass through the tubular gripping and/or
support
apparatus 2660 without damage.
[00210] As such, referring now to Figs. 30A-30C, and also as shown in Figs.
26A-26C and Figs. 27A-D, the apparatus 2600 may include a docking chute 2650
to
facilitate passing one or more control lines from the apparatus 2600 and into
and
through the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660. As shown in the
figures, the docking chute 2650 may be a tube or cylinder, or any other
framework
that may at least partially enclose a control line, and may be disposed
adjacent an
end of the control line arms 2620 of the apparatus 2600. In particular, as
shown in
Figs. 26A-26C and Figs. 27A-D, the docking chute 2650 may be coupled, such as
rotationally coupled, to an end of the first control line guide 2640A having
the
plurality of rollers 2642 (shown in Figs. 30A-30C). In one or more
embodiments, a
side edge, such as a backside edge, of the docking chute 2650 may be disposed
in a
tangential alignment with the roller 2642 of the first control line guide
2640A
disposed closest and adjacent to the docking chute 2650. Further, in one or
more
embodiment, the docking chute 2650 may additionally, or alternatively, include
one
or more rollers to facilitate movement and passing of the control line 2602
therethrough.
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[00211] As the control line arms 2620 move within the apparatus 2600,
such as
when the apparatus 2600 moves between the raised position and the collapsed
position, the docking chute 2650 may be able to rotate and articulate with
respect to
the control line arms 2620 and/or the first control line guide 2640A. Thus,
independent of the movement of the control line arms 2620 and the apparatus
2600
altogether, the docking chute 2650 may maintain a downward alignment to
facilitate
handling of the control line 2602. Further, one or more actuators may be
coupled to
the docking chute 2650, such as coupled between the docking chute 2650 and one
or
more components of the apparatus 2600 (e.g., control line arms 2620, first
control
line guide 2640A), to control movement of the docking chute 2650 with respect
to
the apparatus 2600, as desired.
[00212] In Figs. 30A-30C, and also in Figs. 27A-27D, the docking chute
2650
is shown moving into and docking within the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660, such as within the opening 2672 of the tubular gripping and/or
support apparatus 2660, as the apparatus 2600 and control line arms 2620 move
from the raised position to the collapsed position. Once the docking chute
2650 has
been disposed within the opening 2672 of the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus 2660, the slips of the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus
2660 may
be moved from an upward position to a downward position to externally grip the
tubular member 2604. As the control line 2602 is disposed within and at least
partially enclosed within the docking chute 2650, the control line 2602 may be
protected from any damage that may be imparted thereto from the movement of
the
internal components of the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 when
gripping the tubular member 2604. As such, Fig. 30A shows the docking chute
2650 entering into the opening 2672 of the tubular gripping and/or support
apparatus
2660, Fig. 30B shows the docking chute 2650 disposed within the opening 2672
of
the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 with the slips still in an
upward
position, and Fig. 30C shows the docking chute 2650 disposed within the
opening
2672 of the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 2660 with the slips in
downward position to grip and/or support the tubular member 2604.
[00213] Referring now to Fig. 31, a side perspective view of an
apparatus 3100
having a control line arm 3120 moving between a raised position and a
collapsed
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position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
is
shown. The control line arm 3120 may include a control line guide 3140
disposed
and/or coupled to an end thereof, such as by having the control line guide
3140
rotationally and/or pivotally coupled to the end of the control line arm 3120.
Further, the control line guide 3140 may include a plurality of rollers 3142
included
therein to facilitate handling and movement of a control line 3102
therethrough. As
the control line aim 3120 and the apparatus 3100 moves between the raised
position
and the collapsed position, the control line guide 3140 may be able to rotate
and
articulate with respect to the control line aim 3120. Thus, independent of the
movement of the control line atm 3120 and the apparatus 3100 altogether, the
control line guide 3140 may maintain a downward alignment to facilitate
handling
of the control line 3102.
[00214] Referring now to Fig. 32, a side view of a control line guide 3240
in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
The
control line guide 3240 may be used to articulate with a control line 3202,
such as
when the control line 3202 is moved within the apparatus 2600 between the
raised
position and the collapsed position. As shown, the control line guide 3240,
which
may be used as the second control line guide 2640B in Figs. 26A-26C, may
include
a plurality of rollers 3242 to facilitate movement of the control line 3202
through the
control line guide 3240. Further, the control line guide 3240 may include one
or
more movable segments 3244, such as movably and/or rotatably coupled to a body
of the control line guide 3240 and/or coupled to each other.
[00215] For example, as shown in Fig. 32, one or more of the segments 3244
may be rotatably and/or pivotally coupled to an end of the body of the control
line
guide 3240, in which subsequent additional segments 3244 may then be rotatably
and/or pivotally coupled to each other such that the control line guide 3240
may be
able to articulate with the movement of the control line 3202. As such, when
the
apparatus 2600 is in the raised position, the control line guide 3240 may be
in a
upward position when guiding the control line 3202 therethrough, and when the
apparatus 2600 is in the collapsed position, the control line guide 3240 may
be in a
downward position when guiding the control line 3202 therethrough. Further,
one
or more of the segments 3244 may include a hard stop 3246, such as disposed on
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top side thereof, as shown, may be used to prevent or limit movement of the
segments 3244 with respect to each other. This may enable the hard stops 3246
to
engage adjacent surfaces of the segments 3244 and the control line guide 3240
to
prevent any damage to the control line 3202 by maintaining an appropriate bend
radius for the control line 3202 when disposed within the control line guide
3240.
[00216] It should be understood that a "control line," as used herein,
may refer
to any type of line, cord, umbilical, cable, tube, hose, wire, flat pack,
and/or any
other similar structure or device that may be attached to a tubular member and
used
to transmit electrical power and/or signals along the tubular member downhole.
For
example, a control line, which may be known as having an outer diameter
between
about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches (about 0.64 cm to about 1.9 cm), may
not be
so limited. For example, a control line, as used herein, may also be known in
the
present disclosure to encompass flat packs, which may include two to three
lines
therein, and/or may also be known in the present disclosure to encompass
umbilicals, which may include multiple lines therein and may have an outer
diameter between about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches (about 3.8 cm to about 10
cm).
[00217] An example of the respective control lines is shown in Fig. 33,
thereby
showing the different configurations and sizes of control lines that may be
used in
accordance with the present disclosure. As such, the present disclosure not
only
contemplates being able to be used in conjunction with each of these different
types
of control lines, but in fact may be used to control multiple control lines
having the
same or varied sizes or configurations. Further, it should be understood that
the
different types of control lines used herein may have different bend radiuses.
For
example, in one or more embodiments, the bend radiuses may vary be between
about 12 inches (about 30.5 cm), and up to about 34 feet (about 10.4 m), at
least.
Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates being able to use and guide
control
lines having all types of shapes, sizes, and configurations, in addition to
controlling
one or more of these varied types of control lines.
[00218] Referring now to Figs. 34A-34D, multiple views of a control
line guide
3400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are
shown. Fig. 34A shows a top down view of the control line guide 3400, Fig. 34B
shows a top down view of a second outer wing control line guide 3432, Fig. 34C
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shows a side view of the control line guide 3400, and Fig. 34D shows a cross-
sectional view across the second outer wing control line guide 3432. As
discussed
above, more than one control line, and more than one size/configuration of
control
line, may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure. As such, when attaching multiple control lines to a tubular
member, a
control line guide, such as that shown in Figs. 34A-34D, may be used in
accordance
with one or more embodiments disclosed herein.
[00219] The control line guide 3400 may include a body 3410 with a first
arm
3420 coupled to and/or extending from one side of the body 3410 and a second
arm
3430 coupled to and/or extending from another/opposite side of the body 3410.
The
body 3410 may include one or more rollers 3412, such as by including a first
roller
3412A and a second roller 3412B, in which at least one of the rollers 3412,
such as
the first roller 3412A, may include one or more grooves formed therein to
facilitate
handling and guiding of the control lines therethrough. Further, the first arm
3420
may have a first outer wing control line guide 3422 rotationally and/or
pivotally
coupled thereto, and the second arm 3430 may have a second outer wing control
line
guide 3432 rotationally and/or pivotally coupled thereto.
[00220] The first outer wing control line guide 3422 may include one or
more
rollers 3424, such as by including a first roller 3424A and a second roller
3424B, in
which at least one of the rollers 3424, such as the first roller 3424A as
shown, may
include one or more grooves foimed therein to facilitate handling and guiding
of the
control lines therethrough. Similarly, the second outer wing control line
guide 3432
may include one or more rollers 3434, such as by including a first roller
3434A and
a second roller 3434B, in which at least one of the rollers 3434, such as the
first
roller 3434A as shown, may include one or more grooves formed therein to
facilitate
handling and guiding of the control lines therethrough.
[00221] As shown, the control line guide 3400 may be used to handle and
guide
control lines of multiple sizes and configurations. For example, as shown in
Fig.
34A, in particular, the body 3410 may be used to handle and guide control
lines
having larger sizes, as compared to that of the first outer wing control line
guide
3422 and/or the second outer wing control line guide 3432. Further, the body
3410,
the first outer wing control line guide 3422, and/or the second outer wing
control
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line guide 3432 may be used to handle and guide control lines having different
configurations. As shown in Fig. 34A, the first outer wing control line guide
3422,
and/or the second outer wing control line guide 3432 may be able to handle and
guide control lines having circular cross-sections, as well as rectangular
cross-
sections. As such, the grooves in one or more of the rollers of the control
line guide
may be trimmed and sized to particularly accommodate one or more control lines
having particular shapes or sizes, and/or any other configurations.
[00222] As the control line guide 3400 includes the first outer wing
control line
guide 3422 and/or the second outer wing control line guide 3432 rotationally
and/or
pivotally coupled thereto, the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and/or
the
second outer wing control line guide 3432 may be movable between an open
position and a closed position. In the closed position, as shown particularly
in Fig.
34A, the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second outer wing
control
line guide 3432 may be folded and disposed inwards with respect to the body
3410.
The first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second outer wing control
line
guide 3432 may be disposed in the closed position when the control line guide
3400
is disposed away from a tubular member, such as when not being used to
currently
attach one or more control lines to a tubular member.
[00223] Then, when desired to attach one or more control lines to a
tubular
member, the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second outer wing
control line guide 3432 may rotate from the closed position to the open
position, in
which the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second outer wing
control
line guide 3432 may rotate by about 90 degrees with respect to the body 3410.
In
the open position, the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second
outer
wing control line guide 3432 may be extended and disposed outwards with
respect
to the body 3410. The first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the second
outer
wing control line guide 3432 may be disposed in the open position when the
control
line guide 3400 is disposed adjacent to a tubular member.
[00224] The first arm 3420 and the second arm 3430 may or may not be
symmetric with respect to each other. For example, as shown in Figs. 34A-34D,
the
first aim 3420 and the second arm 3430 may not be symmetric with each other,
in
which the first arm 3420 may be longer than the second arm 3430. Further, the
first
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arm 3420 may be disposed at a different height with respect to the second arm
3430
on the body 3410. For example, as shown in Figs. 34A-34D, the first arm 3420
may
be disposed higher and above the second aini 3430, thereby enabling the first
outer
wing control line guide 3422 and the second outer wing control line guide 3432
to
rotate and move along different planes with respect to each other. These
arrangements of the first atm 3420 and the second aim 3430 may enable control
lines to be fed and guided through each of the first outer wing control line
guide
3422 and the second outer wing control line guide 3432, respectively, without
either
of the outer wing control line guides interfering with and/or contacting the
control
lines when being grasped and controlled by the respective outer wing control
line
guide.
[00225] Referring now to Fig. 34D, a cross-sectional view across the second
outer wing control line guide 3432 is shown, in which the second outer wing
control
line guide 3432 is disposed in the open position guiding a control line 3402
adjacent
a tubular member 3404. The control line 3402 may be guided between the first
roller 3434A and the second roller 3434B of the second outer wing control line
guide 3432. Further, the control line guide 3400 may include one or more
auxiliary
arms 3440 having one or more rollers 3442 coupled thereto. As shown in Fig.
34D,
an auxiliary arm 3440 may be disposed on a bottom side and below the second
outer
wing control line guide 3432, in which the roller 3442 rotatably coupled to an
end of
the auxiliary arm 3440 may be used to guide and push the control line 3402
radially
and adjacent the tubular member 3404. As shown, the auxiliary arm 3440 may be
rotatably coupled to the control line guide 3400, such as rotatably coupled to
the
second outer wing control line guide 3432. One or more auxiliary arms with
rollers
coupled thereto may also be similarly used with the first outer wing control
line
guide 3422 and/or the body 3410.
[00226] As the outer wing control line guides and the auxiliary arms used
in
conjunction with the control line guide may be movable and rotatable within
the
control line guide, one or more actuators may be included within the control
line
guide to facilitate movement of the outer wing control line guides and the
auxiliary
arms. For example, as shown in Fig. 34A, an actuator 3450 may be coupled
between the first outer wing control line guide 3422 and the first aim 3420 or
the
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body 3410 such that the actuator may provide movement to the first outer wing
control line guide 3422 with respect to the first arm 3420. One or more
actuators
may also be similarly used with the second outer wing control line guide 3432.
Further, as shown in Fig. 34D, an actuator 3450 may be coupled between the
second
outer wing control line guide 3432 and the auxiliary arm 3440 such that the
actuator
may provide movement to the auxiliary arm 3440 with respect to the second
outer
wing control line guide 3432. One or more actuators may also be similarly used
with other auxiliary arms.
[00227] Depending on the size, shape, number, and configuration of the
control
lines used with the control line guide, the control line guide may have one or
more
components that are removable and/or replaceable. For example, in an
embodiment
in which smaller control lines may be used, outer wing control line guides
and/or
only the rollers of the outer wing control line guides having smaller grooves
to
correspond with the smaller control lines may be used and/or replaced within
the
control line guide. As such, the present disclosure contemplates multiple
embodiments for a control line guide to accommodate, handle, and guide
different
sizes, shapes, numbers, and configurations of control lines.
[00228] Referring now to Fig. 35, a system 3500 to handle, guide, and
attach
one or more control lines 3502 to a tubular member 3504 in accordance with one
or
more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In Fig. 35, multiple
levels A-
H are shown when using the system 3500 to guide and attach the control lines
3502
to the tubular member 3504. At level H, a control line guide 3510, such as
similar to
the control line guide 3400 shown in Figs. 34A-34D or other control line guide
discussed above, may be used to guide the control lines 3502. The control line
guide 3510 may be moved from a removed position, such as away from the tubular
member 3504, to adjacent the tubular member 3504 to facilitate attaching the
control
lines 3502 to the tubular member 3504. As the control line guide 3510 is moved
adjacent the tubular member 3504, the outer wing control line guides may move
from the closed position to the open position, if so equipped, to move and
guide the
control lines into the desired arrangement and placement about the tubular
member
3504.
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[00229] A control line guide 3520 may be used at level E, such as above a
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 3530, and additionally and/or
alternatively
may be used below the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 3530. The
control
line guide 3520 may include a body 3522 having one or more fingers 3524
rotatably
and/or pivotally coupled thereto between an open position and a closed
position. In
the open position, the fingers 3524 may form an opening to receive the control
lines
3502 into the control line guide 3520. Then, in the closed position, the
fingers 3524
may enclose about the control lines 3502 such that the control lines 3502 are
retained within the control line guide 3520. In the closed position, the
control line
guide 3520 may be selectively moved towards and/or away from the tubular
member
3504 such that the control lines 3502 pass through the tubular gripping and/or
support apparatus 3530 without any damage when in use. The control line guide
3540 may include one or more actuators to facilitate movement of the fingers
3524
with respect to the body 3522. Additionally or alternatively to the control
line guide
3520, a control line sleeve may be used, such as disposed within and/or
through the
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 3530, to selectively move and
position the
control lines 3502 in the tubular gripping and/or support apparatus 3530.
[00230] Further, at levels G and F, one or more auxiliary arms 3540 having
one
or more rollers 3542 may be used to facilitate any desired movements of the
control
lines 3502. As shown at level G, the auxiliary arm 3540 may be coupled to
and/or
movable with respect the control line guide 3510, and as shown at level F, the
auxiliary arm 3540 may be coupled to and/or movable with respect to the
control
line guide 3540. The auxiliary arms 3540 may include one or more actuators to
enable movement. For example, the auxiliary arms 3540 may be extendable to
selectively push and guide the control lines 3502 toward and away from the
tubular
member 3504.
[00231] At levels C, B, and A, the control lines 3502 gradually move closed
and into the desired arrangement about the tubular member 3504. Once the
control
lines 3502 are within the desired arrangement and configuration about the
tubular
member 3504, the control lines 3502 may be attached to the tubular member 3504
using a clamp 3506, such as shown at level A. The size and shape of the clamp
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3506 may then depend on the number, size, and configuration of control lines
about
the tubular member 3504.
[00232] Referring now to Fig. 34D, a cross-sectional view across the
second
outer wing control line guide 3432 is shown, in which the second outer wing
control
line guide 3432 is disposed in the open position guiding a control line 3402
adjacent
a tubular member 3404. The control line 3402 may be guided between the first
roller 3434A and the second roller 3434B of the second outer wing control line
guide 3432. Further, the control line guide 3400 may include one or more
auxiliary
aims 3440 having one or more rollers 3442 coupled thereto. As shown in Fig.
34D,
an auxiliary arm 3440 may be disposed on a bottom side and below the second
outer
wing control line guide 3432, in which the roller 3442 rotatably coupled to an
end of
the auxiliary arm 3440 may be used to guide and push the control line 3402
radially
and adjacent the tubular member 3404. As shown, the auxiliary arm 3440 may be
rotatably coupled to the control line guide 3400, such as rotatably coupled to
the
second outer wing control line guide 3432. One or more auxiliary arms with
rollers
coupled thereto may also be similarly used with the first outer wing control
line
guide 3422 and/or the body 3410.
[00233] An apparatus, a method, and/or a system in accordance with the
present disclosure may be helpful in multiple areas, such as within the oil
and gas
industry. For example, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure
may
be used to facilitate attaching a control line to a tubular member. Further,
the
present disclosure may be used to provide selective access to a tubular member
when adding and/or removing tubular members to a tubular string, such as by
making-up and/or breaking-out connections between tubular members within the
tubular string. Further, the present disclosure may be used to selectively
distance a
control line away from a tubular member, such as disposing a control line
within a
control line pathway of a tubular gripping and/or supporting apparatus, when
the
tubular gripping and/or support apparatus is in use and is gripping and/or
supporting
one or more tubular members therein.
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[00234] While the disclosure has been presented with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this
disclosure,
will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from
the
scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure
should be
limited only by the attached claims.
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