Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2963747 2017-04-07
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING A CONTINUOUS ROD
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of United States
provisional patent
application no. 62/320,255, filed April 8, 2016, the contents of which are
incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to coiling a continuous rod.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some artificial lift systems may apply a rod string inside a
production string
for hydrocarbon production. The rod string may be assembled from rod joints
connected by
collars, or may be a continuous rod. A continuous rod may be connected by
collars with a
polish rod or other uphole equipment, and with a shear rod or other downhole
pump
equipment, but may otherwise lack collars along the majority of the length of
the rod string.
A continuous rod may provide advantages over a jointed rod string when
producing heavy oil,
when producing from a sandy formation, or in other circumstances where
frequent servicing
is common or clearance inside the production string is otherwise of high
value.
[0004] A continuous rod may be transported to a well site on a transport
reel to be run
into the well inside the production string. The continuous rod may be
connected with a shear
rod or any applicable downhole pump equipment, and run downhole. As the
continuous rod
is run into the well, it is uncoiled from the transport reel. The continuous
rod may be
connected with a polish rod or other uphole production equipment once the
continuous rod is
in a production position in the production string. Alternatively, the
continuous rod may be
coiled from the transport reel to a service reel, and from the service reel
into the well.
[0005] During servicing, workover, shut in, or other activity that
requires the rod
string to be pulled from the well, the rod string may be pulled from the well
and coiled onto a
service reel as the rod string emerges from the well. The continuous rod coils
onto the service
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the coupling to the reel. The connector may be secured to the reel at a
connection point on the
reel.
[0009] The connector may include any common connection mechanism amenable
to
use with the connection point on a given reel. For example, a coupling may be
designed for
use with a reel having an open connection point, such as an outside guide pin
defining the rod
pocket on a collapsible service reel. Such a coupling may include a ring or
other closed
connector for securing the coupling to the outside guide pin. Securing the
coupling to the
outside guide pin provides a simple and reliable connection between the
continuous rod and
the service reel, and locates the uphole pin end of the rod at a consistent
position with respect
to the outside guide pin. Similarly, the ring may be placed over any load
bearing connection
point (e.g. a pin, a hook, etc.) to secure the continuous rod to the reel. In
another example, a
coupling designed for securing to a ring or other closed connection point on
the reel may
include a hook or other open connector rather than a ring or other closed
connector. The hook
may include a cover to close off the hook once the connection is established.
An open
connector may also be applied to an open connection point on the reel.
[0010] In use, the threaded box of the coupling may be threadedly engaged
with the
uphole pin end of the continuous rod and the connector may be secured to the
reel. The
connector may be secured to the reel with the continuous rod located between
any guide pins
on the service reel for guiding the continuous rod along the radial rod pocket
during coiling.
The connector may be secured to the reel by any suitable approach depending on
the specific
connection being made between the connector and the reel, such as by the
example open and
closed connectors as described above in relation to the coupling. Once the
threaded box is
threadedly engaged with the pin end of the continuous rod and the connector is
secured to the
reel, the reel may be rotated, pulling the continuous rod with rotation of the
reel and coiling
the continuous rod onto the reel while securely connected with the reel by the
coupling. The
coupling provides a consistent and reliable connection between the continuous
rod and the
reel.
[0011] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a coupling for
use with a
continuous rod and a reel, and a method of using the coupling to coil a
continuous rod on the
reel. The coupling includes a threaded box portion for threadedly connecting
with an uphole
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pin end of the continuous rod. The coupling includes a connector for securing
the coupling to
the reel. Once secured to the reel by the coupling, the continuous rod can be
coiled around
the reel by rotation of the reel. In an example application, the connector may
include a ring
for securing the coupling to an outside guide pin of a collapsible service
reel.
[0012] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of
coiling a
continuous rod onto a reel. The method includes threadedly connecting a
coupling to an
uphole pin end of the continuous rod; securing the coupling to the reel; and
rotating the reel to
coil the continuous rod onto the reel.
[0013] In some embodiments, the reel includes a service reel. In some
embodiments,
the service reel includes a collapsible service reel. In some embodiments,
securing the
coupling to the collapsible service reel includes securing the coupling to a
guide member
extending from an arm of the collapsible service reel. In some embodiments,
securing the
coupling to the guide member includes engaging a closed connector portion of
the coupling
with the guide member.
[0014] In some embodiments, the reel includes a service reel. In some
embodiments,
securing the coupling to the service reel includes securing the coupling to a
first guide
member extending from an arm of the service reel. In some embodiments,
securing the
coupling to the first guide member includes placing a ring connector portion
of the coupling
over the first guide member. In some embodiments, the service reel includes a
plurality of
paired inside guide members and outside guide members; each pair of guide
members extends
from a separate arm of the service reel; and the first guide member includes
an outside guide
member.
[0015] In some embodiments, securing the coupling to the reel includes
engaging a
closed connector portion of the coupling with an open connection point of the
reel.
[0016] In some embodiments, securing the coupling to the reel includes
engaging an
open connector portion of the coupling with a closed connection point of the
reel.
[0017] In some embodiments, securing the coupling to the reel includes
engaging an
open connector portion of the coupling with an open connection point of the
reel.
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[0018] In some embodiments, the coupling and the pin end each comprises
American
Petroleum Institute ("API") standard rod threading. In some embodiments, the
API standard
rod threading is 3/4", 7/8", 1", 1 1/8", or 1 1/4" rod threading.
[0019] In some embodiments, the coupling is configured to separate under
application
of a failure force, separating the continuous rod from the reel. In some
embodiments, the
coupling comprises a first portion reversibly connected with a second portion
by a connection
configured to separate under application of the failure force; threadedly
connecting the
coupling to the uphole pin end of the continuous rod comprises connecting the
first portion
with the uphole pin end of the continuous rod; and securing the coupling to
the reel comprises
connecting the second portion with the reel.
[0020] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a coupling
for securing a
continuous rod to a reel. The coupling included: a body; a threaded box
defined in the body
for receiving a threaded pin end of the continuous rod; and a connector
extending from the
body for connecting the coupling to the reel.
[0021] In some embodiments, the connector includes a closed connector for
securing
the coupling to an open connection point on the reel.
[0022] In some embodiments, the coupling includes a movable joint between
the body
and the connector.
[0023] In some embodiments, the connector extends from the body in a
fixed
relationship with respect to the body.
[0024] In some embodiments, the connector includes an open connector for
securing
the coupling to a closed connection point on the reel or to an open connection
point on the
reel.
[0025] In some embodiments, the coupling includes a cover for reversibly
closing an
open portion of the open connector. In some embodiments, the cover is engaged
with the
coupling by a pivot for pivoting between an open position with the open
portion of the open
connector exposed and a closed position with the open portion of the open
connector covered;
in some embodiment, the cover is slidably received within the body for
translating into the
body to open the open connector and emerging from the body to close the open
connector.
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[0026] In some embodiments, the threaded box includes American Petroleum
Institute
("API") standard rod threading. In some embodiments, the API standard rod
threading is
3/4", 7/8", I", 1 1/8", or 1 1/4" rod threading.
[0027] In some embodiments, the body includes an elongate body extending
between
a first end and a second end, and the threaded box portion is defined on the
first end. In some
embodiments, the connector is located on the body proximate the second end.
[0028] In some embodiments, the body includes an angled portion between
the
threaded box portion and the connector for offsetting the threaded box portion
from the
connector by an angle.
[0029] In some embodiments, the body comprises: a first portion; and a
second
portion reversibly connected with the first portion by a connection; wherein:
the threaded box
end is defined in the first portion; the connector extends from the second
portion; and the
connection fails, disconnecting the first portion from the second portion,
under application of
force, equal to or greater than a failure force, to the connection. In some
embodiments, the
connection comprises a shear pin connecting the first portion with the second
portion for
shearing and disconnecting the first portion from the second portion, under
application of the
failure force. In some embodiments, the connection comprises a connection pin
received
within a connection box dimensioned to receive the connection pin; and the
shear pin is
received within the connection pin and the connection box. In some
embodiments, the
connection pin extends from the first portion and the connection box is
defined in the second
portion. In some embodiments the connection box is defined in the first
portion and the
connection pin extends from the second portion.
[0030] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for
coiling a
continuous rod including: a reel for coiling the continuous rod, the reel
including a connection
point and a coupling for securing a continuous rod to the connection point.
The coupling
includes: a body; a threaded box defined in the body for receiving a threaded
pin end of the
continuous rod; and a connector extending from the body for connecting the
coupling to the
connection point.
[0031] In some embodiments, the reel is a service reel.
[0032] In some embodiments, the reel is a transport reel.
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[0033] In some embodiments, the connection point includes an open
connection point
and the connector includes an open connector or a closed connector.
[0034] In some embodiments, the connection point includes a closed
connection point
and the connector includes an open connector.
[0035] In some embodiments, the body comprises a first portion; and a
second portion
reversibly connected with the first portion by a connection; the threaded box
end is defined in
the first portion; the connector extends from the second portion; and the
connection fails,
disconnecting the first portion from the second portion, under application of
force, equal to or
greater than a failure force, to the connection.
[0036] In some embodiments, the threaded box includes American Petroleum
Institute
("API") standard rod threading. In some embodiments, the API standard rod
threading is
3/4", 7/8", 1", 1 1/8", or 1 1/4" rod threading.
[0037] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of specific
embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by
way of
example only, with reference to the attached figures, in which features
sharing reference
numerals with a common final two digits of a reference numeral correspond to
similar
features across multiple figures (e.g. the coupling 50, 150, 250, 350, 450,
550, 650, 750, etc.).
[0039] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prior art service reel and continuous
rod;
[0040] Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the service reel of Fig. 1;
[0041] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a coupling having a closed
connector;
[0042] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coupling of Fig. 3 threaded on
to the
continuous rod and connected with the service reel of Fig. 1 for securing the
continuous rod to
the service reel;
[0043] Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the coupling, continuous rod, and
service reel of
Fig. 4;
[0044] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the coupling, continuous rod, and service
reel of Fig. 4;
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[0045] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the coupling, continuous rod, and service
reel of Fig. 4
after rotation of the service reel;
[0046] Fig. 8 is a plan view of a reel and continuous rod;
[0047] Fig. 9 is an elevation view of the reel of Fig. 8;
[0048] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a coupling having an open
connector;
[0049] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the coupling of Fig. 10 threaded
on to the
continuous rod and connected with the reel of Fig. 8 for securing the
continuous rod to the
reel;
[0050] Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of the coupling, continuous rod, and
reel of Fig.
11;
[0051] Fig. 13 is an elevation view of a coupling having a movable joint
between a
body and a connector of the coupling;
[0052] Fig. 14 is an elevation side view of the coupling of Fig. 13;
[0053] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a coupling having an open
connector and a
hinged cover;
[0054] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a coupling having an open
connector and a
sliding cover;
100551 Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a coupling having an angle
offsetting a box end
for connection with the continuous rod from a connector for securing to the
reel;
[0056] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a coupling having a two-part
body;
[0057] Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling of Fig.
18;
[0058] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the coupling of
Fig. 18; and
[0059] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a coupling having a two-part
body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] Generally, the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus
for securing
a continuous rod to a reel for coiling the continuous rod onto the reel. A
coupling may be
used to couple the continuous rod with the reel. The coupling includes a
threaded box and a
connector. The threaded box may be threaded to match American Petroleum
Institute
("API") thread for continuous rod pin ends for connection to a pin end of a
continuous rod.
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The connector may include a ring, a hook, or any suitable feature for use with
a connection
point on a particular reel that the connector is designed to be used with.
[0061] The coupling described herein may include a connector with
features for
connection with an open connection point on the reel, a closed connection
point on the reel, or
both. Examples of an open connection point include a load-bearing pin or a
hook. A
connector on the coupling including a ring with a sufficient inside diameter
to receive the
load-bearing pin or hook may be engaged around the load-bearing pin or hook to
connect with
the load-bearing pin and secure a continuous rod (threaded into the threaded
box of the
coupling) to the reel.
[0062] Examples of closed connection points include a ring, or a load-
bearing pin
capped by a portion of the pin too large to be received by a ring connector. A
hook or other
open connector with a sufficiently large open portion to receive the outside
diameter of the
ring or of the pin below the large portion may be engaged with either of the
example closed
connection points to secure a continuous rod (threaded into the threaded box
of the coupling)
to the reel. A connector including a hook or other suitable feature for
connecting with a
closed connection point may also be connected with an open connection point,
and such use
may be facilitated where the connector includes a cover to close the open
portion of the hook
or other feature.
[0063] A collapsible service reel may include inside and outside guide
pins for
defining a radial rod pocket. Each of the outside guide pins may provide an
open connection
point on the collapsible service reel in designs with no large feature on top
of the outside
guide pins. An example of a collapsible service reel is shown in photographs
included in an
advertisement for the COROD Reel Mover. The advertisement is copyright 2014,
has a
footer with reference number 11138.00, and is available online at
www.weatherford.com.
[0064] Other continuous rod reels, such as a transport reel, may be more
enclosed than
a service reel to secure a continuous rod to the transport reel for transport
while being
maintained on an angle, such as the transport reel disclosed as prior art in
Figs. lA and 1B of
United States Patent No. 8,869,580 to Basler et al.
100651 To apply the apparatus and method described herein to previous
continuous
rod reels lacking an inherent connection point, such as the connection point
provided by an
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outside guide pin of a service reel, an open connection point or a closed
connection point may
be added to the reel for use with the connectors described herein. An example
of such a
connection point is provided in the connection ring 135 of Figs. 9, 11, and 12
below.
[0066] Figs. 1 and 2 show plan and elevation schematics of a prior art
service reel 10
for coiling and transporting a continuous rod 20. The service reel 10 may be a
collapsible
service reel for simplifying transport of an empty service reel to a wellsite.
The service reel
includes a central body 12. A plurality of arms 14 extend from the central
body 12. Each
arm 14 extends between an inside end 13 proximate the central body 12 and an
outside end 15
opposed from the inside end 13. The service reel 10 is shown with eight evenly-
spaced arms
14 but any suitable number of arms may be found in other examples of reels
similar to the
service reel 10.
[0067] An outside guide pin 16 extends from each of the arms 14 proximate
the
outside end 15. An inside pin guide 18 extends from each of the arms 14
intermediate the
outside guide pin 16 and the inside end 13. Each of the arms 14 may include a
brace 19
extending from the central body 12 to a position intermediate inside end 13
and the outside
end 15. The position where the brace 19 connects with the arm 14 may
correspond to the
inside guide pin 18, as shown in the service reel 10. A plurality of
stabilizer members 17 may
extend between the brace 19 and the arm 14. The outside guide pins 16 and the
inside guide
pins 18 of the service reel 10 are examples of guide members that may be on a
continuous rod
reel.
[0068] The continuous rod 20 is shown emerging from a rod guide 22. The
continuous rod 20 includes a threaded pin end 24 on an uphole end of the
continuous rod 20.
The threaded pin end 24 may be used to threadedly connect the continuous rod
20 to a polish
rod (not shown) or other uphole production equipment (not shown) when the
continuous rod
is being used for production. The threaded pin end 24 may be threaded with
standardized
thread patterns and sizes defined by the API, as shown in Table 1.
Continuous Rod OD API Thread Sizes
7/8" 7/8"
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Continuous Rod OD API Thread Sizes
1" 7/8", 1", 11/8"
11/8" 1", 11/8"
Table 1: API standard continuous rod outside diameters and thread sizes on the
pin end
[00691 The continuous rod outside diameter and thread sizes shown in
Table 1 are the
current commonly-used API standardized threads and OD values for a continuous
rod. The
approach to coiling a continuous rod described herein may be applied to any
specific OD or
thread size of a given continuous rod that the apparatus and method may be
applied to.
[0070] The outside guide pins 16 positioned on each arm 14 define an
outside radial
path 25. When the service reel 10 is rotated, the guide pins 16 follow the
outside radial path
25. The inside guide pins 18 positioned on each arm 14 similarly define and
follow an inside
radial path 27. A continuous rod path 26, also referred to as a rod pocket, is
defined between
the outside radial path 25 and the inside radial path 27. When the continuous
rod 20 is
secured to the service reel 10 by previous methods, such as tying the
continuous rod 20 to one
of the arms 14 with haywire, the continuous rod 20 may follow the continuous
rod path 26
while coiling as a result of rotation of the service reel 10.
[0071] Fig. 3 shows a coupling 50 for securing a continuous rod to a
reel, such as
securing the continuous rod 20 to the service reel 10. The coupling 50
includes a body 52
extending between a first end 51 and a second end 53. A threaded box 54 is
defined in the
body 52 proximate the first end 51 for threading on to the pin end 24. A
connector 60 is
located proximate the second end 53 of the body 52. The connector 60 includes
a ring 62
extending from the body 52. The ring 62 may extend from the body 52 in a fixed
relationship
with the body 52 as shown.
[0072] Figs. 4 and 5 show the coupling 50 threaded on to the continuous
rod 20 at the
threaded box 54 and with the connector 60 secured to the service reel 10 at
the outside guide
pin 16. The ring 62 may be placed over the outside guide pin 16 and lowered to
the arm 14 as
shown. The pin end 24 of the continuous rod 20 is threadedly connected with
and inside the
threaded box 54, and is not shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
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[0073] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the coupling 50 securing the
continuous rod 20 to
the service reel 10 for coiling the continuous rod 20 around the service reel
10.
[0074] Fig. 7 shows the coupling 50, the continuous rod 20, and the
service reel 10,
after rotating the service reel 10 about the central body 12 through about 270
degrees relative
to the position shown in Fig. 6. As the service reel 10 is rotated about the
central body 12, the
continuous rod 20 is coiled around the service reel 10.
[0075] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the coupling 50 may be threaded on to
the
continuous rod 20 by threading the pin end 24 of the continuous rod 20 into
the threaded box
54. The coupling 50 is secured to the service reel 10 by engaging the ring 62
with one of the
outside guide pins 16. The ring 62 is passed onto and over the outside guide
pin 16, and
lowered to a position on the outside guide pin 16 proximate the arm 14.
Threading the
continuous rod 20 into the threaded box 54 and connecting the connector 60
with the service
reel 10 may provide a predictable and secure connection between the continuous
rod 20 and
the service reel 10. The predictability may include predictability both in the
strength of the
connection and in the location of the connection relative to the outside guide
pins 16 and other
features of the service reel 10.
[0076] Figs. 8 and 9 show plan and elevation schematics of an alternative
design of a
reel 110 for coiling the continuous rod 120. The reel 110 includes many
features similar to a
transport reel. The reel 110 includes the central body 112 and the plurality
of arms 114, with
each of the arms 114 extending outward from the inside end 113 proximate the
central body
112 to the outside end 115 opposed from the inside end 113.
[00771 Unlike the service reel 10, the reel 110 lacks outside guide pins
that each
provide an inherent connection point. Each of the arms 114 ends includes a bar
130 extending
between a bottom end 132 and a top end 134. On each of the bars 130, the
bottom end 130
extends from the arm 114 proximate the outside end 115. Each of the bars 130
includes an
angled portion 137 intermediate the bottom end 132 and the top end 134. The
angled portion
137 defines an angle 136 for containing the continuous rod 120 when coiled
around the reel
110 (continuous rod 120 not shown coiled around the reel 110). A connection
ring 135 is
included on each of the bars 130 proximate the angled portion 137. The
connection ring 135
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is an example of a closed connection point on the reel 110. Other closed
connection points, or
open connection points, may be applied in place of the connection ring 135.
[0078] An intermediate ring 131 may be positioned intermediate the bottom
end 132
and the top end 134 of each of the bars 130. The intermediate ring 131 may be
positioned at
the angled portion 137 of the bar 130. An upper ring 138 may be positioned
proximate the
respective top ends 134 of each of the bars 130.
[0079] In the reel 110, the outside radial path 125 may be defined by the
bars 130 at
the apex of the angled portions 137. As a result, the outside radial path 125
may coincide
with the radial path defined by rotation of the intermediate ring 131. When
the reel 110 is
rotated, the bars 130 follow the outside radial path 125 at the angled portion
137. The inside
guide pins 118 positioned on each arm 114 similarly define and follow the
inside radial path
127. The continuous rod path 126 is defined between the outside radial path
125
(corresponding to the intermediate ring 131), and the inside radial path 127
(corresponding to
a path through which the inside guide pins 118 rotate).
[0080] In previous transport reels, when the continuous rod is secured to
the transport
reel by welding, haywire, or other previous methods and coiled around the
transport reel by
rotation, the continuous rod may follow a continuous rod path similar to the
continuous rod
path 126. When preparing a transport reel loaded with a continuous rod at a
fabrication plant
or other source location, the continuous rod may be welded to the transport
reel and may lack
threaded pin ends. In such cases, the pin ends may be welded to the continuous
rod at the
wellsite before running the rod downhole. In other cases, a transport reel may
be loaded with
a continuous rod having a pin end at a fabrication plant or other source
location, or a transport
reel may loaded with a continuous rod at a well site to remove the continuous
rod from the
well site. However, embodiments described herein related to the reel 110 and
the connection
point 135 may be applicable to a transport reel, or to a service reel
(including a collapsible a
service reel) with a connection point that is not present inherently as part
of the reel design
(such as the guide pin 16 on the service reel 10), with a connection point
that is a closed
connection point, or both.
[0081] Fig. 10 shows a coupling 150 for use with a closed connection
point, such as
the ring 135 on the reel 110. The coupling 150 includes the body 152 extending
between the
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first end 151 and the second end 153. A threaded box 154 is defined proximate
the first end
151 for threading on to the pin end 124. The connector 160 includes a hook
164. The hook
164 may be connected to the reel 110 at the connection ring 135 for securing
the continuous
rod 120 to the reel 110.
[0082] Figs. 11 and 12 show the coupling 150 threaded on to a continuous
rod 120
and connected with the reel 110 at the connection ring 135 for securing the
continuous rod
120 to the reel 110. The connection ring 135 may be included with the reel 110
to provide a
connection point for a reel lacking an inherent connection point, such as the
outside guide
pins 16 on the service reel 10. As above, the connection ring 135 is an
example of a closed
connection point on the reel 110. Other closed connection points, or open
connection points,
may be applied in place of the connection ring 135. A coupling with a closed
connector, such
as the ring 62 of the connector 60, may be applied to an open connection point
on the reel. A
coupling with an open connector, such as the hook 164 of the connector 160,
may be applied
to either a closed connection point or an open connection point on the reel.
[0083] In the reel 110, the top ring 136 closes off the top ends 134 of
the bars 130 and
prevents a closed connector, such as the connector 60 with the ring 62, from
securing the
continuous rod 120 to the closed-top reel 110 by placing the closed connector
over the top end
134 of the one of the bars 130. This is in contrast to use of the coupling 50
with the to the
service reel 10, in which the outside guide pin 16 of the service reel 10 may
be received
within the ring 62, providing an inherent open connection point with the
service reel 10 for
the connector 60, as shown in Figs. 4 to 7. In addition, the bar 130 may be
relatively large,
which in transport reels may be in part to secure heavy loads of coiled
continuous rod during
transport. As a result, even absent the top ring 136, the reel 110 may lack an
inherent
connection point.
[0084] The connection ring 135 facilitates use of the coupling 150 with
the reel 110.
Where the reel 110 is a transport reel, the connection ring 135 may be
included in the
transport reel to allow coiling of continuous rod on to the transport reel
prior to transport with
the advantages of using the coupling 150 to connect the continuous rod to the
transport reel.
The coupling 150 or a similar coupling may have application to a transport
reel modified to
include the connection ring 135 of the reel 110 (or a similar connection point
for the coupling
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to secure to the reel by the connector) when the transport reel is used to
remove continuous
tubing from a wellsite. In addition, as described above, when coiling new
continuous rod at a
fabrication plant, the continuous rod may typically be coiled around the
transport reel without
threaded pin ends on the continuous rod. The threaded pin ends may be welded
onto the
continuous rod at the wellsite, with the uphole pin end being added after the
continuous rod is
cut to size at the wellsite. As a result, applying the apparatus and method
described herein to
a transport reel at a fabrication site may require welding a pin end onto the
continuous rod
coiled around the transport reel.
[0085] Figs. 13 and 14 show a coupling 250 including the connector 260
with the ring
262. The coupling 250 includes the body 252 extending between the first end
251 and the
second end 253. The threaded box 254 is defined in the body 252 proximate the
first end 251
for threading on to the pin end of a continuous rod. The ring 262 is connected
with the body
252 by a movable joint 266 to allow the ring 262 to flip with respect to the
body 252 as shown
by the different position of the ring 262 with respect to the body 252 in Fig.
14 as compared
with Fig. 13. The movable joint 266 may include a hinge. The movable joint 266
may
facilitate securing the connector 260 to a reel once the coupling 250 is
threaded on to a
continuous rod at the threaded box 254 in some cases, relative to the ring 62
of the coupling
50, in which the connector 60 extends from the body 52 in a fixed relationship
with respect to
the body 52.
[0086] The connector 60 is located proximate the second end 53 of the
body 52. The
connector 60 includes a ring 62 extending from the body 52. The ring 62 may
extend from
the body 52 in a fixed relationship with the body 52 as shown
[0087] Fig. 15 shows a coupling 350 including the hook 364 and a cover
368
connected to the body 352. The coupling 350 includes the body 352 extending
between the
first end 351 and the second end 353. The threaded box 354 is defined in the
body 352
proximate the first end 351 for threading on to the pin end of a continuous
rod. The cover 368
may be pivoted with respect to the hook 364 to cover an open portion of the
hook 364. Where
the connector 360 is for securing the coupling 350 to a ring or other closed
connection point
on a reel, the coupling 350 may facilitate securing the connector 360 with the
reel by
providing an open connector 360 with the hook 364. The connector 360 also
facilitates
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CA 2963747 2017-04-07
connecting to a ring or other closed connection point by providing the cover
368, which may
be closed after connecting the connector 360 with the closed connection point
on the reel. For
example, the coupling 350 may be secured to the connection ring 135 of the
reel 110, or any
suitable closed connection point on a reel, and the cover 368 may mitigate the
chance that the
connector 360 may slip off the connection point, releasing the connector 350
and any
continuous rod threaded into the box end 354, from being secured with the
reel.
[0088] Fig. 16 shows a coupling 450 including the hook 464 and a sliding
cover 469.
The coupling 450 includes the body 452 extending between the first end 451 and
the second
end 453. The threaded box 454 is defined in the body 452 proximate the first
end 451 for
threading on to the pin end of a continuous rod. The sliding cover 469 may be
withdrawn into
the body 452 by pulling back on a switch 467, placing the sliding cover 469 in
an open
position. The sliding cover 469 is shown partially withdrawn into the body 452
in Fig. 16.
When securing the coupling 450 to a connection point on a reel with the hook
464, the sliding
cover 469 may be withdrawn into the body 452 to allow better access to a
connection point by
the hook 464. Once the hook 464 is engaged with the connection point, the
sliding cover 469
can be closed by emerging the sliding cover 469 from the body 452 into a
closed position.
The sliding cover 469 may be translated between the open position and the
closed position by
using the switch 467.
[0089] The coupling 450 may be used with an open connection point, such
as the
outside guide pin 16 of the service reel 10. The coupling 450 may also be used
with a closed
connection point, such as the connection ring 135 of the reel 110. Where the
connector 460 is
for connecting to a closed connection point, the sliding cover 469 and the
hook 464 may
facilitate safely securing the coupling 450 with the reel. For example, the
coupling 450 may
be secured to the connection ring 135 of the reel 110, or any suitable closed
connection point
on a reel.
[0090] Fig. 17 shows a coupling 550 include a body 556 in which the first
end 551
and the second end 553 are offset by an angle 555 with respect to one another
rather than at
opposed ends of an elongate body, as shown in the bodies 52, 152, 252, 352,
and 452. The
angle 555 between the connector 560 and the threaded box end 554 may provide
advantages
in some cases depending on the specific geometry of a reel with which the
coupling 550 is
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CA 2963747 2017-04-07
intended for use. The angle 555 is close to 90 degrees, but other angles may
be included in a
coupling body similarly to as shown in the coupling 550.
[0091] Figs. 18 to 20 show a coupling 650 with a two-part body 670. The
two part
body 670 includes a first portion 672 for connecting to a coiled rod and a
second portion 674
for connection to a reel. The first portion 672 extends to the first end 651
of the two-part
body 670 and includes the threaded box 654. The second portion 674 extends to
the second
end 653 of the two-part body 670 and includes the connector 660. The ring 662
is connected
with the body 652 by the movable joint 666 to allow the ring 662 to flip with
respect to the
two-part body 672. The movable joint 666 includes a portion of the ring 662
received within
the second portion 674 proximate the second end 653.
[0092] The first portion 672 and the second portion 674 are connected by
a connection
680. The connection 680 includes a connection pin 682 and a connection box
684. The
connection pin 682 is receivable within the connection box 684. The connection
pin 682
includes a groove 686 and a pair of shear pins 688 may be threaded through an
aperture 689
in the connection box 684 into the groove 686 for securing the connection pin
682 with the
connection box 684 and securing the first portion 672 with the second portion
674.
[0093] A first force 676 may be applied in a direction corresponding to a
pull on the
first portion 672. A second force 678 may be applied in a direction
corresponding to a pull on
the second portion 674. The first force 676 and the second force 678 are
opposed and result
in application of stress to the connection 680. Where the stress results in a
force on the
connection 680 equal to a failure force, the shear pins 688 will shear,
separating the first
portion 672 from the second portion 674.
[0094] The connection 680 separates under a force equal to or greater
than the failure
force. A continuous rod runaway is an event in which case the continuous rod
is lost and
running out of control down a wellbore. In this case, stress on a reel may be
dangerous if
maintained. As a result, the connection 680 will break at a failure force
likely to be
experienced in a continuous rod runaway event. The failure force may be
selected to
correspond to the stress that would be placed on the connection 680 under
force that are lower
than a dangerous level of force as expected based on previous continuous rod
runaway events.
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CA 2963747 2017-04-07
[0095] An example coupling 650 was manufactured from J55 and low-carbon
steel.
In the example coupling 650, the box end 654 is threaded to fit 1" API
standard rod threading
for continuous rod pin ends. In the example coupling 650, the first portion
672 is 3 7/8" long
and 2 1/4" wide and the second portion 674 is 2 3/8" long. In the example
coupling 650, the
shear pins 688 were 1/4" brass pins. In the example coupling 650, the groove
686 is 1/4"
wide and 3/16" deep, and the connection pin 682 is 3/4" long and 1 3/8" wide.
The example
coupling 650 was subjected to a tension-based pull test procedure on a Satec
Tensile Tester.
The test was conducted between 15 C and 32 C. With four screws placed evenly
at 90
intervals radially around the two-part body 670, the ultimate load at failure
was 5066 lbs.
With two screws spaced across opposed sides of the two-part body 670, at 180
intervals
radially, the ultimate load at failure was 2530 lbs.
[0096] Fig. 21 shows a coupling 750 including the two-part body 770. The
coupling
750 includes a body 752 extending between a first end 751 and a second end
753. A threaded
box 754 is defined in the body 752 proximate the first end 751 for threading
on to the pin end
724. A connector 760 is located proximate the second end 753 of the body 752.
The
connector 760 includes a ring 762 extending from the body 752. The ring 762
may extend
from the body 752 in a fixed relationship with the body 752 as shown.
[0097] Examples Only
[0098] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.
However, it will
be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not
required.
[0099] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.
Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular
embodiments by
those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by
the particular
embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent
with the
specification as a whole..
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