U.S. patent application number 11/114630 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for method and apparatus for installing control lines in a well.
Invention is credited to Buytaert, Jean, Sinclair, Edward, Spadoni, Luciano.
Application Number | 20050183862 11/114630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32106597 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050183862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buytaert, Jean ; et
al. |
August 25, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for installing control lines in a well
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines
and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally
mounted on the rig floor is supportably retained in a vertically
movable retainer. The retainer is adapted for controllably
elevating the spider above the rig floor when the pipe slips within
the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe
string, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the
length of the pipe string below the elevated spider and above the
rig floor. Personnel are provided with access to the pipe string
for applying a fastener to secure the control line to the pipe
string.
Inventors: |
Buytaert, Jean; (Stonehaven,
GB) ; Spadoni, Luciano; (Fara Gera d'Adda, IT)
; Sinclair, Edward; (Stonehaven, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STREETS & STEELE
13831 NORTHWEST FREEWAY
SUITE 355
HOUSTON
TX
77040
US
|
Family ID: |
32106597 |
Appl. No.: |
11/114630 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11114630 |
Apr 26, 2005 |
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10278718 |
Oct 23, 2002 |
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6889772 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/379 ;
166/380; 166/77.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/10 20130101;
E21B 19/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/379 ;
166/380; 166/077.51 |
International
Class: |
E21B 019/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for installing a control line and a pipe string in
a well comprising a retainer for reciprocating a spider.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
members for supporting the retainer in a raised position above a
rig floor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a means of raising
the spider to its raised position.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a gap is created for providing
access to at least a portion of the pipe string beneath the spider
in its raised position and above the rig floor for securing the
control line to the pipe string.
5. An apparatus for installing a control line and pipe string in a
well comprising a jack for controllably elevating a spider to a
raised position above a rig floor.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of
members for supporting the spider above the rig floor.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 further wherein the spider engages the
pipe string by radially inwardly movement of a plurality of pipe
slips.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the spider is not engaged with
the pipe string when the spider is supported by the jack in the
raised position.
9. A method of installing control line and pipe in a well
comprising controllably raising a spider to a raised position above
a rig floor.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising supporting a pipe
string with an elevator, wherein the spider is supportable in its
raised position only when the pipe string is supported by the
elevator.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising raising the spider to
the raised position only when the spider is disengaged from the
pipe string.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising lowering the spider
to the rig floor.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising reengaging the spider
with the pipe string.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/278,718
filed Oct. 23, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
installing pipe and control line in a well. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing
control lines secured to a string of pipe as the pipe is being made
up and run into a well.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Oil and gas wells may be equipped with control lines for
electrically, hydraulically or optically linking various downhole
devices to the surface. Control lines may be used to receive data
from downhole instruments and to selectively operate from the
surface downhole devices such as valves, switches, sensors, relays
or other devices. One use of control lines is to open, close or
adjust downhole valves in order to selectively produce or isolate
formations at locations deep in the well. A control line may
transmit downhole data to the surface and communicate commands to
the same or other downhole devices. The control line may comprise
conductive wires or cables for electrically controlling downhole
devices, fibers for optically controlling downhole devices, or
small-diameter tubing for hydraulically controlling downhole
devices. Control lines are generally of a small diameter relative
to the diameter of the pipe string to which they are secured, and
are generally between 0.5 and 6 cm. in diameter. Control lines are
generally secured along the length of the outer surface of a pipe
string, generally parallel to the center axis of the bore of the
pipe string. Continuous control lines are secured to the pipe
string and installed in the well as joints of metal pipe are made
up into a pipe string and run into a well. Control lines secured to
pipe string are subject to being damaged and useless if pinched or
crushed, by pipe slips used to grip and support the pipe string
while it is being made up and run into the well.
[0006] The spider is a device used on a drilling or workover rig
for gripping and supporting the pipe string as joints of pipe are
made up into the pipe string. The spider has an interior bore,
generally aligned with the pipe string, through which the pipe
string passes. The spider has a circumferential arrangement of
radially inwardly movable pipe slips disposed around the pipe
string and within the internal bore. The pipe slips move radially
inwardly to circumferentially grip the outer surface of the pipe
string and support the pipe string in the well when the pipe string
is not supported by the elevator. It is important that the pipe
slips in the spider uniformly engage and grip the pipe string in
order to prevent crushing or damaging the pipe making up the pipe
string. Each pipe slip within the internal bore of the spider
applies a force radially inwardly against the outer surface of the
pipe string. It is important that the pipe slips are concave in
order to contact the pipe over as large an interval as possible in
order to minimize the localized stress imposed on the pipe by the
pipe slips.
[0007] If a control line becomes pinched or trapped between the
pipe slips of the spider and the outer surface of the pipe string,
or if a control line is pinched between adjacent segments of the
pipe slips as they move radially inwardly to contact the pipe
string, the control line may be damaged and surface control of
downhole devices may be lost or impaired. It is important that the
method used to secure control lines to the pipe string be designed
to prevent control line damage.
[0008] One method of installing continuous control lines as the
pipe string is made up and run into the well requires that the
control lines extend along the portion of the pipe string where the
pipe string is held in the internal bore of the spider. A control
line is circumferentially positioned along the length of the outer
surface of the pipe string to coincide with a gap or recess formed
in the radially outwardly disposed portion of the pipe slips and
sized to accommodate the control line. This method is satisfactory
for a single control line or for multiple control lines that are
flexible and pliable enough to be bundled together using an
arrangement of positioning arms and control line guides to redirect
control lines to the desired generally parallel configuration to be
received within the gap or recess. However, this method is
unsatisfactory for applications requiring multiple control lines
being unspooled and fed from more than one location adjacent to the
spider where the control lines are more stiff or otherwise
resistant to being redirected and positioned using positioning arms
and guides. Also, the gap or recess formed in the radially
outwardly disposed portion of the pipe slips is of limited size and
is insufficient to accommodate multiple control lines required for
controlling multiple downhole devices.
[0009] In many installations, it is desirable to secure multiple
control lines along the length of the outer surface of the pipe
string in order to allow surface control of multiple downhole
devices. Multiple control lines are especially useful in deep
offshore wells that penetrate multiple formations. Existing designs
may require four or more control lines for each string of pipe that
is run into the well. Multiple control lines are most efficiently
made, stored, transported and installed in bundles comprising
control lines coupled together in a generally parallel,
side-by-side configuration. Multiple control lines require larger
clamps to secure the bundle along the length of the outer surface
of the pipe string.
[0010] A method has been developed for securing control lines to a
pipe string as the pipe string is made up and run into a well. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,131,664 ("the '664 patent") is directed to using an
elevated work platform constructed on the rig floor. The work
platform is equipped with hydraulic tongs for making up the pipe
string, and an opening above the well in the floor of the work
platform that is generally aligned with the well and with an
opening in the rig floor beneath the work platform. The work
platform disclosed in the '664 patent supports the spider and, when
the pipe string is supported by the spider, the work platform must
support the weight of entire pipe string. This requires the work
platform to be built to support 200 tons or more. The work platform
described in the '664 patent also requires sufficient work area for
rig personnel to use the tongs to make up joints of pipe that are
lowered and aligned in position above the pipe string to be
threadably made up into the pipe string.
[0011] The '664 patent discloses that control lines are provided to
the pipe string from a separate work area maintained on the rig
floor and below the level of the work platform. The control lines
are stored on and continuously provided from spools located lateral
to the pipe string and adjacent to the opening in the rig floor.
Clamps are installed by rig personnel working in the work area
beneath the work platform to secure the control lines to the pipe
string.
[0012] The problem with the method and apparatus for installing
control lines described in the '664 patent is that the work
platform must be extremely structurally robust to support the
enormous weight of the entire pipe string, the control line, the
spider, and the rig personnel making up the pipe string. The
erection of the work platform consumes a large amount of rig time
during which no progress is made in completing the well. After the
control lines and pipe string are run into the well, the work
platform must be removed from the rig floor, thus consuming
additional rig time. Another problem with the method and apparatus
disclosed in the '664 patent is that rig personnel working on the
elevated work platform are dangerously impaired from escaping well
blowout or other a well control situation.
[0013] 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 of securing control lines to a
pipe string that does not require the erection, removal or use of a
special work platform for providing a work area for rig personnel
that is separate from the rig floor. What is needed is a method of
securing control lines to a pipe string as it is being made up and
run in a well that eliminates the need for an elevated work
platform strong enough to support the entire pipe string. What is
needed is a method of securing control lines along the length of a
pipe string as it is being made up and run in a well that
eliminates obstructions to escape routes to be used by rig
personnel in the event of a well blowout or other well control
situation. What is needed is a method and an apparatus that enables
the safe and inexpensive installation of control lines that are
secured to a pipe string as it is being made up and run into a
well.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0014] The method and apparatus of the present invention allows one
or more control lines to be secured along the length of a pipe
string as the pipe string is being made up and run into a well. The
method and apparatus of the present invention allows control lines
to be secured to a pipe string above the rig floor and below the
spider, but eliminates the need for an elevated work platform
strong enough to support the enormous weight of the pipe string.
The method and apparatus of the present invention improves rig
safety by preventing impairment of escape routes on the rig
floor.
[0015] In the method and apparatus of the present invention, the
spider is received within and supportable by a vertically
reciprocating retainer. The retainer is adapted to distribute the
load on the spider to structural components in or under the rig
floor when the pipe string is supported by the spider, and to
vertically displace and support the spider when the spider is
disengaged from the pipe string and the weight of the pipe string
is supported by the elevator. The disengaged spider may be
controllably elevated using the retainer to support the spider at a
distance above the rig floor to permit rig personnel access to the
outer surface of the portion of the pipe string located below the
elevated spider and above the rig floor. Access to the outer
portion of the pipe string below the spider and above the rig floor
permits rig personnel to install fasteners to secure control lines
to the pipe string.
[0016] Control lines are provided to the pipe string from spools
located on or near the rig floor and generally lateral to the pipe
string. Optionally, control lines are routed or threaded over
roller guides in the retainer to strategically align the control
lines along the length of the pipe string so that the control lines
can be secured to the pipe string. Control lines are secured to the
pipe string with fasteners, such as clamps, sleeves, bands, clips
or other fasteners and installed by rig personnel working beneath
the elevated spider, but in the same area of the rig floor used by
rig personnel to operate the tongs and to make up joints of pipe
into the pipe string. Control lines may be secured along the outer
surface of the pipe string at any radial or circumferential
location without regard to the points of contact between the outer
surface of the pipe string and the pipe slips within the internal
bore of the spider. Additionally, fasteners used to secure control
lines to the pipe string may be designed independent of
restrictions imposed by the size or configuration of the internal
bore of the spider.
[0017] The foregoing, as well as other, objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated
and understood by reference to the following drawings,
specification and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the
vertically reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention,
with a spider received therein.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention, with a
spider received therein, in its floor position as a joint of pipe
supported by the elevator is aligned with the pipe string and
lowered to be threadably coupled to the pipe string.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention, with a
spider received therein, in its floor position with the pipe string
supported by the elevator after the pipe slips in the bore of the
spider are disengaged from the outer surface of the pipe
string.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention, with a
spider received therein, with the pipe slips disengaged from the
outer surface of the pipe string and as the retainer and the spider
are elevated from the floor position towards the raised
position.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention, with a
spider received therein, with the vertically reciprocating spider
retainer supporting the spider at the raised position thereby
providing rig personnel access to a portion of the length of the
pipe string below the spider and above the rig floor for installing
a control line fastener.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer of the present invention, with a
spider received therein, with the installed fastener securing
control lines to the outer surface of the pipe string as the pipe
string is lowered into the well and as the retainer and spider are
lowered from the raised position to the floor position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Wells are generally drilled deep into the earth's crust to
establish fluid communication between the surface and sub-surface
geologic formations containing naturally occurring hydrocarbon
deposits, such as oil or gas. A well provides a fluid conduit
allowing subsurface deposits of oil and gas to be produced at the
surface. It is common for a drilled borehole to penetrate a
plurality of formations. Formations may contain hydrocarbons or
other fluids of different compositions and at different pressures
than the hydrocarbons and fluids contained in other formations.
Formations may also contain water (aquifers), brine, hydrogen
sulfide gas and other materials that may be undesirable.
[0025] A drilled borehole is completed into a well by circulating
cement into the annulus between the wall of the drilled borehole
and the outer surface of a pipe string called casing to form a
cement liner. The cement hardens to isolate penetrated formations
from flowing into the well and to the surface. Once a borehole is
drilled and completed, decisions are made as to which of the
penetrated formations to selectively produce. A perforating tool is
used to cut a hole through the casing and the cement liner to
selectively establish fluid communication between the targeted
formation and the surface. Once a formation is perforated, the well
may be produced to (pressure) depletion, until it "waters out" by
increasing water content, or both. Once a formation is depleted or
watered out, it may be desirable to intervene in the well to alter
or isolate the formation so that other formations may be perforated
and produced without the production being burdened by fluid losses
into depleted formations or by water intrusion from watered out
formations. Intervention is generally performed by wire line unit
(WLU) workover, coiled tubing unit (CTU) workover or by a
conventional workover rig. A WLU or CTU workover is performed by
lowering an instrument or tool into the well using a specialized
rig having a long spooled wire line or tubing for connecting or
controlling the downhole instrument or tool from the surface. The
conventional workover rig generally requires that all production
tubing be removed from the well so that tools or instruments may be
run into the well on a work string.
[0026] If the depleted or watered-out formations lower in the well
than the formation, the depleted or watered-out formation may be
isolated from the well by using one of the three conventional
intervention techniques described above. In a conventional
intervention workover, material such as cement or sand may be
deposited into the bottom of the well to form a plug to seal off
the perforations in the depleted or watered-out formation, and to
thereby isolate the depleted or watered-out formation from the new
formation located above. Once a sand or cement plug is in place,
another workover may be required to later remove it. Packers are
tools that can be installed in a well during a workover to
isolated, depleted or watered-out formations.
[0027] Conventional workovers to install or remove downhole plugs
or packers are unnecessary if formations can be isolated or
remotely controlled using downhole devices. Downhole devices, such
as valves or chokes, may be installed in a pipe string as it is
being made up and run into a well to enable the selective
production, isolation or flow-control of fluids residing in the
formations penetrated by a well. Surface-controlled downhole valves
or chokes require continuous control lines that extend from the
surface through the well to the depth at which the downhole devices
are installed in the pipe string. Control lines must be installed
as the pipe string is being made up and run into the well.
[0028] Continuous control lines are generally stored and
transported to the rig location on spools. The spools of control
line are generally mounted on a horizontal axle on or near the rig
floor so that the control line may be easily and smoothly "fed" to
the pipe string being fastened to the pipe string by reeling of the
spool.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of one
embodiment of the vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of
the present invention, with a spider received therein, and in its
raised or elevated position. The retainer 10 may be integral with
the spider 11, as shown in FIG. 1, or it may be a separate device
adapted to supportably receive the spider 11. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the retainer 10 is supportable with four
hydraulically powered telescoping legs 40 angularly distributed
around the periphery of the retainer 10 for even support. The legs
40 are designed to telescope and retract in unison for smooth and
controlled elevation and return of the retainer 10 and the spider
11 supported in the retainer 10. Each leg 40 is coupled at a
stationary end 40A to the rig floor 6 or other structural component
of the rig, and coupled at a traveling end 40B to the retainer 10.
Control lines 31 are provided to the retainer 10 from spools (not
shown) located on the rig floor and laterally to the retainer 10
and the pipe string 14. The control lines 31 are threaded around an
upper roller guide 42 received within a recess in the retainer 10
near the radially outwardly periphery of the retainer 10, a lower
roller guide 44 received within a recess in the retainer 10 nearer
to the internal bore of the retainer 10, and strategically directed
from the lower roller guide 44 to generally lay flat along the
length of the outer surface of the pipe string 14. It should be
noted that a variety of tools or devices may be used in place of or
in cooperation with the roller guides 42 and 44 to bend and direct
the control lines 31 to their intended shape or configuration for
being secured to the pipe string 14 and run into the well. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate the use of shaped guides, roller
guides, cable funnels and the like to position and configure
control lines.
[0030] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe slips 24
are disposed within the spider 11 in a generally distributed
arrangement within the internal bore of the spider 11. The pipe
slips 24 are radially inwardly movable to forceably engage the
outer surface of the pipe string 14 to grip the pipe string 14 and
support the pipe string 14 when the weight of the pipe string 14 is
not supported by the elevator 5. (shown in FIG. 2).
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the
vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of the present
invention, with a spider received therein, and in its floor
position as a joint of pipe 13 supported by the elevator 5 is
aligned with the pipe string and lowered to be threadably coupled
to exposed end of the pipe string 14. A rig floor 6 supports the
vertically reciprocating retainer 10 that, in turn, supports the
spider 11. The spider 11 rests in and is supported in the retainer
10, and the retainer 10 is adapted to be vertically elevated and
supported by one or more telescoping legs 40. The legs 40
controllably vary in length to controllably elevate the retainer 10
to its raised position above the rig floor 6.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, a joint of pipe 13 having a downwardly
disposed threaded male connection 12A is shown supported by the
elevator 5 and being lowered into position to be threadably coupled
to the pipe string 14. The threaded male connection 12A is received
and screwed into the threaded coupling 12B coupled to the upwardly
exposed end of the pipe string 14.
[0033] Personnel working on the rig floor 6 employ a
hydraulically-powered set of tongs (not shown) to apply make-up
torque to the pipe 13 and threadably couple it to the threaded
coupling 12B to join pipe 13 into the pipe string 14. The rig floor
6 immediately adjacent to the retainer 10 provides a work area for
rig personnel operating the hydraulic tong assembly to torque up
the pipe string 14 by sequentially coupling additional joints of
pipe 13.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIGS. 2-6, the retainer 10 is movably supported by four
hydraulically telescoping legs 40. The legs 40 are designed to
position the retainer 10 in its floor position (as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3) for engaging the pipe slips 24 of the spider 11 with the
pipe string 14. When the pipe string 14 is supported by the
elevator 5, the legs 40 may telescope to elevate or raise the
retainer 10 and the spider 11 supported therein to the intermediate
position (shown in FIG. 4) and, at the extreme length, to support
the retainer 10 and the spider 11 in the raised position (shown in
FIG. 5). The horizontal spacing between adjacent legs 40 shown in
FIGS. 2-6 provides up to four generally rectangular openings
through which control lines 31 may be provided from spools (not
shown) located laterally to the pipe string 14. The spools may be
set at different locations around the opening 18 in the rig floor
6. Using pulleys and roller guides, two or more spools may provide
two or more feeds of control lines 31 through the same opening
[0035] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of
the present invention in its floor position with the pipe string
14, now comprising the pipe 13, supported by the elevator 5 after
the pipe slips 24 in the internal bore of the spider 11 are
disengaged from the outer surface of the pipe string 14. The
control lines 31 are threaded over the outer roller guide 42, over
the inner roller guide 44, and strategically directed downwardly
from the inner roller guide 42 along the length of the pipe string
14.
[0036] The legs 40 that support and raise the retainer 10 are
adapted for imparting generally vertical displacement of the
retainer 10 and the spider 11 when the pipe slips 24 of the spider
11 are disengaged from the pipe string 14. In the preferred
embodiment, the legs 40 comprise hydraulically telescoping members
such as those generally used in hydraulic jacks and lifts. The
hydraulic power for telescoping the legs 40 to raise the retainer
(as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) may be provided by the same hydraulic
fluid and pump system used to operate the power tongs. Alternately,
the retainer 10 may be raised and lowered using any of a variety of
mechanical jacks generally known to those skilled in the mechanical
arts for imparting vertical displacement of heavy objects. One
alternative jack may include legs 40 that are threaded along their
length and threadably coupled to the retainer 10 to impart movement
of the retainer 10 by axial rotation of the legs 40, such as with a
screw jack. Another alternative jack may include a scissor-lift
mechanism for raising the retainer 10. Other alternatives of the
present invention may provide a means of lifting the retainer 10
and spider 11 using the elevator 5, which would necessarily also be
supporting the entire weight of the pipe string 14.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of
the present invention, with a spider received therein, with the
pipe slips 24 disengaged from the outer surface of the pipe string
14 and as the retainer 10 and the spider 11 are elevated from their
floor position towards their raised position. As the legs 40
elongate and the retainer 10 is raised, the threaded coupling 12B
may be received into and passed through the internal bore of the
spider 11. The angle of dip of the control lines 31 between the
control line spools (not shown) and the retainer 10 changes as the
retainer 10 elevates from its floor position (shown in FIG. 1) to
its raised position (shown in FIG. 5). The angle of dip of the
control line changes to a more downwardly angle as the elevation of
the retainer 10 and the roller guides 42 and 44 therein is raised
relative to the elevation of the control line spools (not shown)
that remain on the rig floor 6.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the
vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of the present
invention, with a spider received therein, with the vertically
reciprocating spider retainer 10 supporting the spider 11 at its
raised position, thereby providing rig personnel 50 access to a
portion of the length of the outer surface of the pipe string 14
below the retainer 10 and above the rig floor 6 for installing a
control line fastener 34. The telescoping legs 40 are shown at
their extreme length. The opening formed between adjacent pairs of
elongated legs 40 below the retainer 10 and above the rig floor 6
allows the rig personnel 50 to install a control line fastener 34.
The fastener 34 shown in FIG. 5 is a full-enclosure type that
substantially surrounds the entire circumference of the pipe string
14 and secures the control lines 31 along the length of the pipe
string 14. A safety retainer 48 is engaged with one or more of the
legs 40 when the retainer 10 is in its raised position (shown in
FIG. 5) to prevent inadvertent lowering of the retainer 10 and
injury to the rig personnel 50 installing the fastener 34. In its
simplest form, this may be half of a pipe, sectioned lengthwise,
secured to a leg 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the
implementation of a variety of safety devices that may be used to
prevent inadvertent collapse or movement of the retainer 10. In
some embodiments, such as those having retainers elevated by screw
jacks or some types of scissor-lifts, the safety retainer 48 will
be either unnecessary or redundant due to the self-locking nature
of these devices.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 5, the opening between the rig floor 6 and the base of the
retainer 10 when the retainer 10 is in its raised position is
approximately 1.5 to 2 meters (shown in FIG. 5), or just enough to
permit rig personnel working on the rig floor 6 to access a portion
of the outer surface of the pipe string 14 at a location below the
retainer 10 and above the rig floor 6. Smaller or larger openings
may be employed advantageously as dictated by space or other
limitations on the rig floor 6. The horizontal spacing between
adjacent legs 40 is generally the same whether the retainer 10 is
in its floor position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) or in its raised
position (shown in FIG. 5). This distance may be about one meter or
more as desired to provide stability and support for the retainer
10 when in its raised position (shown in FIG. 5).
[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the length of the portion of the pipe
string 14 to which rig personnel are given access by elevating the
retainer 10 is determined by the stroke of the hydraulically
telescoping legs 40. With the pipe string 14 in the position shown
in FIG. 5, the clamp 34 may be installed on the pipe string 14 to
secure the control lines 31 along the length of the pipe string
14.
[0041] The fastener 34 used to secure the control lines 31 to the
pipe string 14 may comprise a clamp, clip, spring, wire, strap,
band or any fastener or other device that is suitable for securing
a control line 31 to the outer surface of an elongated body such as
a pipe string 14. Typically, the inside of the fastener 34 is
adapted to fit the cylindrical outer surface of the pipe string 14
to which it is secured, and may be configured with one or more
"pockets," or circumferentially upset portions, to accommodate and
to secure a control line 31 from circumferential and/or axial
movement relative to the outer surface of the pipe string 14 to
which the control line 31 is secured. Another mechanical fastener,
such as a screw, clip, or a bolt and nut, may be employed to close
and tighten the fastener 34 in place on the pipe string 14.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
vertically reciprocating spider retainer 10 of the present
invention, with a spider received therein, with the installed
fastener 34 securing control lines 31 to the outer surface of the
pipe string 14 as the pipe string 14 is lowered into the well
through the opening 18 in the rig floor 6 as the retainer 10 and
spider 11 are lowered from the raised position (shown in FIG. 5) to
the floor position (shown in FIG. 6). After the fastener 34 is
applied and the control line 31 is secured to the pipe string 14,
the pipe string 14 and control line 31 are lowered into the well
through the opening 18 in the rig floor 6. Additional fasteners 34
may be added with each new joint of pipe that is added to the pipe
string 14 or, in the alternative, several joints of pipe may be
made up into the pipe string 14 before an additional fastener 34 is
installed to secure the control line 31 to the pipe string 14.
[0043] The mast or other structure (not shown) supporting the
hydraulic tongs (not shown) used by rig personnel to make up the
pipe string 14 may include a pivoting structure that allows the
tongs to be pivoted or otherwise removed from the torqueing
position. The mast may be pivoted away from the center axis of the
pipe string 14 to be removed from the work area in order to prevent
interference between the tongs and the retainer 10 as the retainer
10 is moved from the floor position to the raised position shown in
FIG. 5, and the mast may be pivotally returned to the torqueing
position after the pipe 13 and the pipe string 14 are lowered into
the well through the opening 18 and set in the pipe slips 24 for
making up an additional joint of pipe 13.
[0044] The roller guides 42 and 44 of the may be adapted for
controllably imparting a predetermined direction or path to change
the position of the control lines 31 relative to the pipe string
14. It may be appreciated that hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical
assemblies may be employed for powering or moving the roller guides
or other components of the invention. The control line spool (not
shown) and the roller guides 42 and 44 may be adapted for applying
a tensioning force to the control lines 31 and to prevent
inadvertent over-reeling from the control line spools.
[0045] When the control line 31 comprises a bundle of control lines
secured one to the others, the control line bundle may be more
stiff and inflexible than a single control line 31. The roller
guides 42 and 44 may be adapted to assist in bending and
redirecting the control line bundle into a parallel position
longitudinally along the outer surface of the pipe string 14
suitable for application of a fastener for securing the bundle to
the pipe string 14.
[0046] While a preferred form of the present invention has been
described herein, various modifications of the apparatus and method
of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, which is more fully defined in the
following claims.
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