U.S. patent application number 11/406771 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for deep-well, continuous-coiled-tubing apparatus and method of use.
Invention is credited to Gilman A. Hill.
Application Number | 20060254781 11/406771 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29736255 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060254781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill; Gilman A. |
November 16, 2006 |
Deep-well, continuous-coiled-tubing apparatus and method of use
Abstract
A system for injecting or withdrawing a fluid into or from a
well is provided. The system includes an injector vehicle having a
longitudinal axis and operable to position tubing into the well.
The system also includes a tubing supply vehicle operable to
provide the tubing to the injector vehicle for positioning in the
well. In one aspect of the invention, the tubing is mounted on at
least one spool, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injector
vehicle is transverse to an axis of rotation of the spool and
transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tubing supply vehicle. In
a separate aspect of the invention, a spiral guide is used to
transition tubing during spooling and unspooling between a
plurality of empty and full spools. In yet a separate aspect of the
invention, a spool is vertically adjustable to allow rotation of
the spool during spooling and unspooling. A method of use is also
provided.
Inventors: |
Hill; Gilman A.; (Englewood,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Family ID: |
29736255 |
Appl. No.: |
11/406771 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10925770 |
Aug 24, 2004 |
7028781 |
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11406771 |
Apr 18, 2006 |
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10456003 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
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10925770 |
Aug 24, 2004 |
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60387073 |
Jun 6, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/384 ;
166/77.2; 166/90.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4402 20130101;
E21B 19/22 20130101; B65H 75/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/384 ;
166/077.2; 166/090.1 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/22 20060101
E21B019/22 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A vehicle for supplying flexible coiled tubing, comprising: a
bed; a spooling assembly located on the bed, wherein the spooling
assembly comprises at least one spiral guide member having a
spiral-shaped path for receiving the flexible coiled tubing, the at
least one spiral guide member operable to transition spooling and
unspooling of the flexible coiled tubing from a first spool to an
adjacent second spool of the spooling assembly, the at least one
spiral guide member being positioned between the first and second
spools, wherein the spooling assembly includes a rotational axis,
wherein the first spool, the second spool and the at least one
spiral guide member are situated on a common axle aligned along
said rotational axis, and wherein the axle, the first spool, the
second spool and the at least one spiral guide member are rotated
as one unit to either wind or unwind the flexible coiled tubing
from the spooling assembly.
9. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a longitudinal axis,
the longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the rotational
axis.
10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said longitudinal axis of the
vehicle is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of an
adjacent injector vehicle.
11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first spool and the second
spool include flanges.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising roller bearings
under said flanges.
13. (canceled)
14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises a
propulsion system.
15-24. (canceled)
25. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein each of said first spool and
said second spool comprise a longitudinal length of between about 6
to 10 feet.
26. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said at least one spiral guide
comprises a longitudinal length of between about 0.5 to 2.0
feet.
27. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said axle further comprises a
roller bearing.
28. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein said spiral guide member
transitions the flexible coiled tubing along the substantially
spiral-shaped path from an inner-most layer of tubing on said first
spool to an outer-most layer of tubing on said second spool.
29. A vehicle for supplying a continuous length of flexible coiled
tubing, comprising: a bed having a longitudinal axis; at least two
spools having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel with
the longitudinal axis of said bed; and at least one spiral guide
member operable to transition spooling and unspooling of the
flexible coiled tubing along a spiral path from a first layer of
tubing on a first spool of said two spools to a non-first layer of
tubing on a second spool of said at least two spools.
30. The vehicle of claim 29, further comprising an axle operatively
associated with both said first and second spools, said axle
substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of said bed.
31. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the flexible coiled tubing
comprises steel, and wherein each of said first spool and said
second spool comprise a longitudinal length of between about 6 to
10 feet.
32. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the flexible coiled tubing
comprises steel, and wherein said at least one spiral guide
comprises a longitudinal length of between about 0.5 to 2.0 feet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/925,770 filed on Aug. 24, 2004 and entitled
"DEEP-WELL, CONTINUOUS-COILED-TUBING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE",
which was a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/456,003 filed on Jun. 6, 2003 and entitled "DEEP-WELL,
CONTINUOUS-COILED-TUBING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE", which
claimed priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/387,073 filed Jun. 6, 2002 entitled "DEEP-WELL,
CONTINUOUS-COILED-TUBING OPERATIONS." The entire disclosures of
these applications are considered to be part of the disclosure of
the present application and are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to long, continuous tubing
or pipe supply installation, and more specifically, to oil and gas
well drilling and well servicing operations involving deep,
continuous tubing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Oil and gas drilling and production operations involve the
deployment of equipment down a borehole having considerable depth.
Cost saving techniques include using steel tubing that is extended
down the borehole or well casing and using the tubing to pump a
variety of different fluids, including drilling mud and pressurized
water. Typical equipment currently used to provide the continuous
tubing includes a truck and trailer with a single coiled steel tube
(also herein referred to as pipe) on a spool having an 8 to 10 foot
inside diameter core that is wrapped with the tubing to provide a
14-foot outside diameter, where the spool is about 8 feet in
length. However, this spool size and configuration, including
current techniques and equipment limitations, prevent providing
continuous coil tubing down the borehole or well casing at depths
beyond approximately 9,500 feet for 23/8 inch diameter tubing, or
approximately 6,000 feet for 27/8 inch diameter tubing, because the
current equipment and spool configurations are too limiting.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows the typical current equipment layout for
providing steel tubing down a borehole or well casing. Typically,
an injector truck/trailer 10 is situated over a well W. The
injector truck/trailer 10 typically includes equipment 12 and has a
long edge 14 that is typically situated such that it is
substantially parallel to the long edge 16 of a tubing supply
truck/trailer 18. For the prior art shown in FIG. 1, the tubing
supply truck/trailer 18 is shown to include a cab or truck 20 and a
trailer 22. The injector truck/trailer 10 has a longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal
axis L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18. In
addition, the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector
truck/trailer 10 is oriented such that it is typically aligned with
the longitudinal axis L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18.
[0005] The tubing supply truck/trailer 18 includes a spool 24 of
steel tubing T, where the spool 24 has flanges 26 to laterally
confine and support the wound tubing T. The flanges 26 are
typically oriented substantially parallel with the long edge 16 of
the tubing supply truck/trailer 18. In addition, the spool 24
rotates about an axis A-A that is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the long edge 16 of the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18, as well as perpendicular to both the longitudinal
axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10 and the
longitudinal axis L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18.
[0006] In use, as the tubing T is unwound, it is conveyed off the
spool 24 and down the borehole or well W via the injector
truck/trailer 10 and the equipment 12 that is located on the
injector truck/trailer 10. However, as noted, this setup is
substantially limiting in terms of the length of tubing that can be
continuously fed down the borehole or well casing. Furthermore,
this setup is also limiting because the tubing supply truck/trailer
18 has to be oriented substantially parallel to, and aligned with,
the injector truck/trailer 10.
[0007] In view of the above, there is a long felt but unsolved need
for equipment and methods that avoids the above-mentioned
deficiencies and limitations of the prior art and that provides for
greater lengths of continuous tubing to deep oil and gas boreholes
and well casings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The shortcomings of the currently available methods and
equipment for providing extended lengths of tubing down a borehole
or well casing are overcome by the devices and methods of the
present invention. More particularly, the present invention
includes an apparatus and configuration for providing significantly
longer continuous lengths of tubing down a borehole or casing. For
all embodiments presented herein, tubing as defined herein is a
continuous, moderately flexible tubing that is preferably made of
steel, and possesses mechanical properties such that it may be
coiled and uncoiled by repeatedly being wound and unwound around a
large diameter spool, and wherein the tubing is capable of being
sufficiently straightened between the winding and unwinding steps
so that it can be inserted into an oil and/or gas well. In
addition, a vehicle as defined herein is a moveable or
transportable device, with or without an internal propulsion system
(e.g., a truck, tractor, trailer, tracked vehicle, wheeled vehicle,
sled, raft, boat, etc., or combinations of these).
[0009] In a first preferred embodiment, a single large spool is
utilized, about which the steel tubing is wound. The single large
spool is oriented with its axis of rotation at least substantially
perpendicular (or transverse) to the long edge and longitudinal
axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer, but at least
substantially parallel to the long edge and longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer. Thus, in one
aspect of the present invention, a system for injecting or
withdrawing a fluid into or from a well is provided, where the
system comprises an injector vehicle having a longitudinal center
axis, the injector vehicle operable to position moderately flexible
tubing into the well and introduce the fluid. The system further
comprises a tubing supply vehicle having a longitudinal center axis
and operable to provide the moderately flexible tubing to the
injector vehicle for positioning in the well, wherein the
moderately flexible tubing is mounted on at least one spool, the at
least one spool having an axis of rotation, wherein the
longitudinal center axis of the injector vehicle is transverse to
the axis of rotation of the at least one spool and transverse to
the longitudinal center axis of the tubing supply vehicle.
[0010] In a second preferred embodiment, a plurality of spools of
tubing are interconnected and are oriented in a direction such that
their shared and common axis is at least substantially
perpendicular (or transverse) to the longitudinal axis of the
injector truck/trailer, but parallel to the long edge and
longitudinal axis of the tubing supply truck/trailer.
[0011] In a separate aspect of this second preferred embodiment, a
spiral guide is used between adjacent spools of tubing, wherein the
spiral guide allows for the tubing to wind or unwind smoothly in
transition between an inner layer of tubing on an empty spool and
the outermost layer of tubing on an adjacent full spool, or
vice-versa. More particularly, a full spool can have a multiple
number of layers of tubing, such as five overlapping layers.
Therefore, during the winding process, after a spool is full, a
device for transitioning between the outer-most layer of tubing on
the full spool and the empty inner core on the empty spool is
needed. The spiral guide provides a mechanism for accomplishing
this transition. Of course, the spiral guide works in reverse
fashion when unwinding the spool. That is, after a first spool is
emptied of its tubing, the tubing unwinds around the spiral guide,
and in the process, the tubing transitions from the inner core of
the empty spool having a relatively small radius of curvature, to
the outer-most layer of tubing on the next adjacent full spool,
where the outer-most layer of tubing occupies a large radius of
curvature relative to the radius of curvature of the inner core of
the empty spool. Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a
vehicle for supplying moderately flexible tubing is provided, the
vehicle comprising a bed and a spooling assembly located on the
bed. The spooling assembly comprises at least one spiral guide
member operable to transition spooling and unspooling of the
moderately flexible tubing from a first spool to an adjacent second
spool of the spooling assembly, the at least one spiral guide
member being positioned between the first and second spools.
[0012] In a separate aspect of the first and second preferred
embodiments, roller bearings are used under the flanges of the
spool or spools. The roller bearings allow the spools to be rotated
and the weight of the coiled tubing is supported and transmitted
through the roller bearings to the truck/trailer body. Roller
bearings are also preferably used under the ends of the axle that
is used to rotate the spool or spools.
[0013] In yet a separate aspect of the present invention, an
alternate configuration is used whereby a single large spool is
oriented with its axis of rotation at least substantially
perpendicular (or transverse) to the longitudinal axis of the
injector truck/trailer, and also at least substantially
perpendicular (or transverse) to the longitudinal axis of the
tubing supply truck/trailer. This separate embodiment utilizes a
vertically adjustable or displaceable axis of rotation wherein the
spool is lifted during winding and unwinding operations. In a
separate aspect of this embodiment, the large spool is transported
on a low-boy trailer, thereby providing sufficient clearance for
the large single spool to be transported on public roads and
highways. Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
for supplying moderately flexible tubing is provided, the vehicle
comprising a bed and a spooling assembly located on the bed,
wherein the spooling assembly is configured to be raised and
lowered relative to the bed.
[0014] In addition to the above described aspects of the invention,
methods of introducing moderately flexible tubing into an oil
and/or gas well are also provided. Thus, in one aspect of the
present invention, a method for supplying moderately flexible
tubing to a well is provided. The method comprises a first step of
providing (a) an injector vehicle operable to position moderately
flexible tubing into the well, the injector vehicle having a
longitudinal center axis, and (b) a tubing supply vehicle having a
longitudinal center axis and operable to provide the moderately
flexible tubing to the injector vehicle for positioning in the
well, wherein the moderately flexible tubing is mounted on at least
one spool, the at least one spool having an axis of rotation,
wherein the longitudinal center axis of the injector vehicle is
transverse to the axis of rotation of the at least one spool and
transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the tubing supply
vehicle. The method further comprises the steps of unspooling the
moderately flexible tubing from the at least one spool, feeding the
unspooled moderately flexible tubing to the injector vehicle, and
introducing the unspooled moderately flexible tubing into the
well.
[0015] Further and more specific advantages and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an equipment configuration of
the prior art;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an equipment configuration of
a first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3a is a plan view showing an equipment configuration of
a separate embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3b is a side elevation view of the tubing supply
truck/trailer shown in FIG. 3a;
[0020] FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view showing a portion of the
equipment shown in FIG. 3b;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an perspective view of a portion of the component
depicted in FIG. 4, including a portion of a full spool, a spiral
guide, and portion of an empty spool;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a end-on elevation view of a spiral guide portion
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spiral guide shown in
FIG. 6, with schematic illustration of the adjacent full and empty
spools; and
[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevation views of yet a separate
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a deep-well,
continuous-coiled-tubing apparatus, or an extended spooling
apparatus 28, is shown mounted on a tubing supply truck/trailer 18.
The extended spooling apparatus 28 includes a single spool 24 that
extends lengthwise along the trailer 22 of the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18. The extended spooling apparatus 28 includes an
inner core 30 around which the steel tubing T is wound. The inner
core 30 has an axis A-A that is aligned substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis L.sub.T-L.sub.Tof the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18. In addition, the inner core 30 and its axis A-A
are aligned substantially parallel to the long edge 16 of the
tubing supply truck/trailer 18. However, in contrast to the prior
art depicted in FIG. 1, the inner core 30 and its axis A-A are
aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10. In addition, for
the extended spooling apparatus 28, the longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is also
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10.
[0026] In a separate aspect of extended spooling apparatus 28,
inner core 30 may extend longitudinally beyond flanges 26 and act
as a drive shaft to rotate spool 24. More particularly, inner core
30 or an axle 31 operatively connected to inner core 30 may extend
longitudinally beyond at least one of the two flanges 26 of
extended spooling apparatus 28 and be powered by a rotating drive
mechanism (not shown), thereby serving to rotate spool 24 for the
winding procedure of placing tubing T on the spool 24, and the
unwinding procedure of taking it off the spool 24.
[0027] In use, the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is driven to the
location of the oil and/or gas well W and its longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T is situated substantially perpendicular (or
transverse) to the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the
injector truck/trailer 10. The tubing T on the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18 is then partially unwound and inserted into the
well W. To advance the tubing T down the well W, the spool 24 is
rotated in a first direction to unwind the tubing T off of the
inner core 30. As the tubing T is progressively unwound, an
additional optional step includes moving the spool 24 forwards
and/or backwards along directional arrow 32 to facilitate allowing
the tubing T to unwind off of spool 24 at an orientation that is
substantially similar to the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of
the injector truck/trailer 10. More particularly, as shown in FIG.
2, as the tubing T approaches the well W at an angle .theta., where
angle .theta. is measured positive from either side of the
longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10,
then by moving the spool 24 laterally relative to the longitudinal
axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10 the tubing T
is unwound in a smooth fashion, thereby mitigating the risk of
stressing or bending the tubing T at the well W or at the spool 24.
Moving the spool 24 can be achieved in several ways, including by
moving the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 forwards and/or backwards
along arrow 32, and/or by moving only the trailer 22 forwards
and/or backwards along directional arrow 32, such as by a hydraulic
mechanism, and/or by moving the spool 24 on trailer 22 forwards
and/or backwards along directional arrow 32, such as by a hydraulic
mechanism. Alternatively, a mechanical guide (not shown) may be
situated between the spool 24 and the well W, wherein the guide is
used to assist in properly orienting the tubing T from the spool 24
to the well W.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a separate preferred
embodiment of an extended spooling apparatus 34 is shown. Extended
spooling apparatus 34 includes a plurality of spools 24 mounted on
the tubing supply truck/trailer 18. The example shown in FIGS. 3a
and 3b of extended spooling apparatus 34 features three spools
24a-c. Between spools 24a and 24b, and between spools 24b and 24c
are spiral guides 36a and 36b, respectively. Spiral guides 36a and
36b are used to transition between a full spool and an empty spool
when tubing T is being wound onto the extended spooling apparatus
34, or to transition between an empty spool and a full spool when
tubing T is being unwound from the extended spooling apparatus
34.
[0029] As with extended spooling apparatus 28, extended spooling
apparatus 34 includes inner cores 30a-c for spools 24a-c,
respectively, around which the steel tubing T is wound. The spools
24a-c have a common (or co-located) rotational axis A-A that is
aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18. In addition,
spools 24a-c and their common axis A-A are aligned substantially
parallel to the long edge 16 of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18.
However, in contrast to the prior art depicted in FIG. 1, the
spools 24a-c and their common axis A-A are aligned substantially
perpendicular (or transverse) to the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10. In addition, for
the extended spooling apparatus 34, the longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is also
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.Iof the injector truck/trailer 10.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4, a partial cross-sectional view of
the extended spooling apparatus 34 is shown. FIG. 4 illustrates
spool 24b in the center of the drawing with full spool 24a to the
left of spool full 24b, and with substantially empty spool 24c to
the right of full spool 24b. The number of layers of tubing T wound
around a spool 24 can vary depending upon the size of the tubing.
For steel tubing having a diameter of 27/8 inches, preferably about
three or five layers of tubing will be wound around each spool. For
illustration purposes, and as an example without limitation, FIG. 4
is shown with spools 24a and 24b having five layers of tubing, and
spool 24c has only the very beginning of a first layer of tubing
T.
[0031] For the example shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4, a typical spool
24a-c will have a longitudinal length W.sub.S, where W.sub.S is
preferably between about 4 to 12 feet long, and more preferably
between about 6 to 10 feet long, and more preferably yet, about 8
feet long. Spiral guides 36a and 36b have a longitudinal length
W.sub.SG, where W.sub.SG is preferably between about 0.5 to 2.0
feet long, and more preferably between about 0.6 to 1.5 feet long,
and more preferably yet, between about 0.7 to 1.0 feet long.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 4, by way of example and not
limitation, for the winding of tubing T onto extended spooling
apparatus 34, first spool 24a is wound with five layers of tubing T
before any tubing is applied to spools 24b and 24c. After spool 24a
is filled with five layers of tubing T, spiral guide 36a
transitions between full spool 24a to empty spool 24b by providing
a spiral path that leads from full spool 24a to empty spool 24b, as
will be discussed below. Upon winding tubing T around spiral guide
36a, tubing T is set at a position to begin layer 1 on empty spool
24b at the left side of spool 24b as shown in FIG. 4. Spool 24b is
then filled with tubing T by progressively adding layer 1 from left
to right, per FIG. 4, across spool 24b. Layer 2 of spool 24b is
applied by wrapping tubing T around spool 24b from right to left,
per FIG. 4, after layer 1 is filled. FIG. 4 includes directional
arrows 35.1-5 along each layer 1-5, respectively, that show the
direction of filling for each layer 1-5. Layers 3 through 5 are
filled in a similar fashion as for layers 1 and 2. For the example
shown in FIG. 4, layer 5 of tubing is completed at the right end of
spool 24b. Tubing T then transitions to empty spool 24c by
transitioning along the spiral path provided by spiral guide 36b
until tubing T is set at a position to begin layer 1 on empty spool
24c at the left side of spool 24c, per FIG. 4. Thus, each spiral
guide 36a and 36b provides a transitioning mechanism for altering
the position of the tubing from a full spool to an empty spool, or
vice-versa.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a portion of
the extended spooling apparatus 34 is illustrated, including full
spool 24b, spiral guide 36b and substantially empty spool 24c.
Tubing T at layer 5 transitions from spool 24b onto spiral guide
36b where its winding diameter is modified and reduced along the
path of spiral guide 36b such that tubing T transitions to layer 1
and forms the first layer on inner core 30c of spool 24c.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the spiral guide 36b is
shown in a cross-sectional view and a perspective view,
respectively. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that the tubing T
transitions from a position for layer 5 to a position for layer 1.
Although shown to occupy about one revolution around spiral guide
36a, 36b, the transition from layer 5 to layer 1 may occupy a
fraction of a revolution, or it may occupy more than about one
revolution. Despite the number of revolutions used, spiral guides
36a and 36b provide a substantially spiral shaped path for
transitioning the radius of curvature of tubing T around axis A-A
between spools 24a-c.
[0035] Still referring to FIG. 6, the interior circular line in
phantom corresponds to the inside of spools 24a-c, or inner cores
30a-c, with inside diameters d.sub.i, where d.sub.ican vary
depending on the dimensions of the tubing being applied to the
spools 24a-c. For steel tubing having a diameter of about 27/8
inches, the inner cores 30a-c with an inside diameters d.sub.i are
anticipated to be about 8 to 10 feet in diameter. The outer
circular line in phantom corresponds to the outside diameter of
flanges 26 that form the exterior ends of spools 24a and 24c. In
addition, the outer circular line in phantom generally corresponds
to the outside diameter of spiral guides 36a and 36b, wherein the
spiral guides 36a and 36b themselves serve as flanges to spool 24b
and the interior ends of spools 24a and 24c.
[0036] In use, the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is driven to the
location of the oil and/or gas well W and situated substantially
perpendicular to the injector truck/trailer 10. Preferably, the
lateral center 37c of spool 24c is initially aligned with the
longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10
or the location of well W. The tubing T on the tubing supply
truck/trailer 18 is then partially unwound off of full spool 24c
and inserted into the well W. To advance the tubing T down the well
W, the spools 24a-c and spiral guides 36a and 36b are rotated
together as one unit in a first direction to unwind the tubing T
off of inner core 30c. After the tubing T is progressively unwound
off of third spool 24c, tubing T transitions from layer 1 on empty
spool 24c to layer 5 on full second spool 24b by transitioning its
radius of curvature along spiral guide 36b. That is, tubing T
transitions from layer 1 on spool 24c to layer 5 on spool 24b. Of
course, if spool 24b held three layers of tubing, then tubing T
would transition from layer 1 on spool 24c to layer 3 on spool 24b.
Tubing T is then progressively unwound off of second spool 24b.
After the tubing T is progressively unwound off of second spool
24b, tubing T transitions from layer 1 on empty spool 24b to layer
5 on full first spool 24a by transitioning its radius of curvature
along spiral guide 36a. First spool 24a is then progressively
unwound until tubing T is emptied off of spool 24a, or until the
desired depth of insertion is reached.
[0037] Additional optional steps include moving the spools 24a-c
forwards along directional arrow 32 to facilitate allowing the
tubing T to unwind off of spool 24b and 24a at an orientation that
is substantially similar to the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I
of the injector truck/trailer 10. More particularly, as shown in
FIG. 3, as the tubing T approaches the well W at an angle .theta.,
where angle .theta. is measured positive from either side of the
longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10,
then by moving the spools 24b and 24a laterally forward relative to
the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer
10, the tubing T is unwound at a low angle .theta. in a smooth
fashion, thereby mitigating the risk of stressing or bending the
tubing T at the well W or at the spools 24b and 24a. Moving the
spools 24b and 24a can be achieved in several ways, including by
moving the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 forwards along arrow 32,
and/or by moving only the trailer 22 forwards along directional
arrow 32, such as by a hydraulic mechanism, and/or by moving the
spools 24a-c on trailer 22 forwards and/or backwards along
directional arrow 32, such as by a hydraulic mechanism.
Alternatively, a mechanical guide (not shown) may be situated
between the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 and the well W, wherein
the guide is used to assist in properly orienting the tubing T from
the spools 24b and 24a to the well W.
[0038] Extended spooling apparatus 34 is distinguished over
extended spooling apparatus 28 in terms of the frequency in which
adjusting the position of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18
relative the injector truck/trailer is performed. More
particularly, if the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is sufficiently
distant from the injector truck/trailer 10, for either extended
spooling apparatus 28 or extended spooling apparatus 34, adjusting
the position of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 relative to the
injector truck/trailer 10 may not be necessary because the angle
.theta. is too small to cause potential damaging stress to tubing
T. However, if the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is close enough
to the injector truck/trailer 10 to require adjusting the position
of the tubing supply truck/trailer to prevent damaging tubing T
during unwinding or winding, then extended spooling apparatus 34
can be adjusted twice by moving the tubing supply truck/trailer 18
forward a first time after unwinding tubing T from spool 24c and
initiating unwinding at spool 24b, and then by moving the tubing
supply truck/trailer forward a second time after initiating
unwinding at spool 24a. For these two adjustments, preferably the
lateral centers 37b and 37a of spools 24b and 24a, respectively,
are adjusted to substantially match the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I of injector truck/trailer 10. In contrast to this
method, extended spooling apparatus 28 would require adjusting the
location of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 relative to the
longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10
by substantially continuous movement of the single spool 24
forwards and backwards throughout either the unwinding or winding
procedure.
[0039] Referring again to FIG. 3a, in a separate aspect of extended
spooling apparatus 34, inner core 30a and/or 30c may extend
longitudinally beyond end flanges 26 and act as a drive shaft to
rotate spools 24a-c. More particularly, inner core 30a and/or 30c
or an axle type structure, such as axle 38 operatively connected to
spools 24a-c may extend longitudinally beyond at least one of the
two end flanges 26 of extended spooling apparatus 34 and be powered
by a rotating drive mechanism (not shown), thereby serving to spin
spools 24a-c for the winding and unwinding procedure of placing
tubing T on the spools 24a-c or taking it off the spool 24a-c.
[0040] Referring again to FIG. 3b, in a yet separate aspect of the
present invention, roller bearings 39 known to those familiar with
the art, are preferably included under the flanges 26 of spool(s)
24 so that the spool(s) 24 can be rotated and the weight of the
coiled tubing can be supported and transmitted through the roller
bearings to the truck/trailer body. In addition, roller bearings 39
are also preferably included in conjunction with the drive shaft 38
that is used to rotate the spool or spools.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 1, in yet a separate embodiment the
equipment configuration of the prior art is applied, but with a
modified extended spooling apparatus 40, as shown in elevation view
of FIG. 8. Extended spooling apparatus 40 includes a single large
spool 42 having an axis A-A that is substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer
10, and is also substantially perpendicular to the long edge 16 of
tubing supply truck/trailer 18 and the longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18. Extended
spooling apparatus 40 utilizes a vertically adjustable spool 42
that can be raised and lowered to perform the winding and unwinding
operations, as in FIG. 9. Preferably, spool 42 and trailer 22 are
interconnected using a pair of elongated supports 44 on each side
of the trailer 22. The elongated supports 44 are preferably
connected to the rotational axis 46 of spool 42, and allow the
spool 42 to be freely rotated when the spool 42 is in its raised
position, as in FIG. 9. When in the lowered position, a first angle
.phi..sub.1 exists between the elongated supports 44. When in the
raised position, a second angle .phi..sub.2 exists between the
elongated supports 44, where angle .phi..sub.2 is less than angle
.phi..sub.1. Preferably, the elongated supports 44 are moveable,
and more preferably, the elongated supports 44 are slideable
relative to each other, thereby allowing them to be adjusted from a
first position corresponding to the lowered spool position, as
shown in FIG. 8, to a second position corresponding to the raised
spool position, as shown in FIG. 9.
[0042] The spool 42 of extended spooling apparatus 40 preferably
features two semi-circular end portions having about a 5-foot
radius separated by a horizontal distance of about 20 to 30 feet.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the present embodiment where the
inside of the spool 42 has a height of about 10 feet, with two
semi-circular end portions having about a 5-foot radius separated
by a horizontal distance of about 20 feet. After winding with
tubing T, the physical dimensions of the coiled tubing load on the
trailer 22 will be about 8 feet wide, 33 feet in longitudinal
length, and about 12 to 13 feet high. In use, the longitudinal axis
L.sub.T-L.sub.T of the tubing supply truck/trailer 18 is positioned
to substantially correspond to the longitudinal axis
L.sub.I-L.sub.I of the injector truck/trailer 10. The spool 42 is
then elevated about 12 to 14 feet, as shown in FIG. 9, and then
rotated about its axis for unspooling and respooling the tubing
about the spool 42.
[0043] It is a separate aspect of the invention, extended spooling
apparatuses 28, 34, and 40 are used in conjunction with a low-boy
trailer to reduce their overall height during transport.
Embodiments of the present invention are anticipated to typically
be used with 27/8 inch diameter steel tubing. However, the present
invention may also be used with 1 9/10, 12/3, 2 1/16, 23/8, and
25/8 inch diameter steel tubing. As noted above, the drive shaft
for the spools and the flanges of the spools are structurally
connected. If the same drive shaft diameter and coiled tubing
flange outside diameter are maintained, then longer lengths with
more coiled tubing layers can be accommodated for tubing with
progressively smaller diameters.
[0044] The invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments; however, other changes and modifications to the
invention may be made which are still contemplated within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *