U.S. patent application number 12/027831 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for system and method for spooling coiled tubing.
This patent application is currently assigned to BJ Services Company. Invention is credited to Ludger Honkomp, Lyle Erwin Laun, Manfred Sach.
Application Number | 20080265081 12/027831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39678574 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080265081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laun; Lyle Erwin ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPOOLING COILED TUBING
Abstract
A system and method for spooling coiled tubing is provided, the
system including a second levelwind mechanism. The second levelwind
is positioned adjacent ground level, thereby eliminating the need
for personnel to work at heights associated with traditional
spooling of coiled tubing from one reel to another. Coiled tubing
is transferred from one reel to another reel on the low side of the
spool so that personnel may work at ground level.
Inventors: |
Laun; Lyle Erwin; (Calgary,
CA) ; Sach; Manfred; (Calgary, CA) ; Honkomp;
Ludger; (Borevegen, NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWREY LLP
C/O IP DOCKETING DEPARTMENT, 2941 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE , Suite 200
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22042
US
|
Assignee: |
BJ Services Company
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
39678574 |
Appl. No.: |
12/027831 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60899999 |
Feb 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/397.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4405 20130101;
B65H 2701/33 20130101; E21B 19/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/397.3 |
International
Class: |
B65H 27/00 20060101
B65H027/00 |
Claims
1. A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising: a
first tubing reel adapted to spool coiled tubing; a first levelwind
adjacent to a high side of the first tubing reel; and a second
levelwind adjacent to a bottom side of the first tubing reel.
2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second levelwind is
inverted relative to the first levelwind.
3. A system as defined in claim 1, the system further comprising: a
pivoting arm connected to an axis of the first tubing reel; and an
elevating apparatus connected to the pivoting arm, whereby the
elevating apparatus can be moved relative to the axis of the first
tubing reel.
4. A system as defined in claim 1, the system further comprising a
second tubing reel having a first levelwind adjacent a high side of
the second tubing reel and a second levelwind adjacent to a bottom
side of the second tubing reel, whereby the second levelwind of the
second tubing reel is adapted to receive the tubing reel from the
second levelwind of the first tubing reel.
5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second levelwind is
positioned at a height ranging up to 3 feet above ground level.
6. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein the pivoting arm
comprises a telescoping hydraulic cylinder used to move the
elevating apparatus relative to the axis of the first tubing
reel.
7. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein the first levelwind is
inverted such that a distal end of a telescoping pole attached to
the first levelwind extends in an upward direction.
8. A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising: a
supply reel adapted to spool coiled tubing; and a levelwind
adjacent the supply reel, the levelwind being adapted to rotate
about an axis of the supply reel.
9. A system as defined in claim 8, wherein the levelwind is allowed
to rotate at least 180 degrees around the axis of the supply
reel.
10. A system as defined in claim 8, wherein the levelwind is
connected to the supply reel via a pivoting arm, the system further
comprising a telescoping hydraulic cylinder having a first and
second end, the first end being connected to the pivoting arm and
the second end being connected to a base used to support the supply
reel, wherein the levelwind is rotated about the axis of the supply
reel via the pivoting arm.
11. A system as defined in claim 8, the system further comprising
an elevating apparatus adapted to rotate around the axis of the
supply reel.
12. A system as defined in claim 8, the system further comprising a
service reel having a levelwind adjacent a bottom side of the
service reel, the levelwind of the service wheel being adapted to
receive the coiled tubing from the levelwind of the supply
reel.
13. A method for spooling coiled tubing, the method comprising the
steps of: (a) providing the coiled tubing to a first levelwind of a
supply reel, the first levelwind being adjacent a top side of the
supply reel; and (b) providing the coiled tubing to a second
levelwind of the supply reel, the second levelwind being adjacent a
bottom side of the supply reel.
14. A method as defined in claim 13, the method further comprising
the step of spooling the coiled tubing from the second levelwind of
the supply reel to a service reel.
15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the step of spooling
the coiled tubing to the service reel further comprises the steps
of: spooling the coiled tubing from the second level wind of the
supply reel to a second levelwind of the service reel, the second
levelwind of the service reel being adjacent a bottom side of the
service reel; and providing the coiled tubing to a first levelwind
of the service reel, the first levelwind being adjacent a top side
of the service reel.
16. A method as defined in claim 13, the method further comprising
the step of rotating an elevating apparatus about an axis of the
supply reel, the elevating apparatus adapted to allow an operator
access to the first levelwind of the supply reel.
17. A method for spooling tubing about a tubing reel, the method
comprising the steps of: (a) providing the tubing to a levelwind of
the tubing reel located adjacent a top side of the tubing reel; (b)
spooling the tubing about the tubing reel; and (c) rotating the
levelwind about an axis of the tubing reel to a location adjacent a
bottom side of the tubing reel.
18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein step (c) further
comprises the step of severing the tubing before rotating the
levelwind about the axis of the tubing reel.
19. A method as defined in claim 17, the method further comprising
the step of spooling the tubing to a separate tubing reel.
20. A method as defined in claim 17, the method further comprising
the step of retracting the levelwind from the bottom side location
back to the top side location.
21. A method as defined in claim 17, the method further comprising
the step of rotating an elevating apparatus about an axis of the
tubing reel, the elevating apparatus adapted to allow an operator
access to the levelwind of the tubing reel.
22. A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising: a
tubing reel adapted to spool coiled tubing; a levelwind adjacent to
a high side of the first tubing reel; and an elevating apparatus
connected to the tubing reel, whereby the elevating apparatus can
be rotated relative to the axis of the tubing reel.
23. A system as defined in claim 22, wherein the elevating
apparatus is connected to the tubing reel via a pivoting arm, the
pivoting arm comprising a telescoping hydraulic cylinder used to
move the elevating apparatus relative to the axis of the tubing
reel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for
spooling coiled tubing for use in the oil and gas industry. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method
for spooling coiled tubing from one spool to another at ground/deck
level, thereby eliminating the need for working at heights.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are many desirable applications for using coiled
tubing in oil and gas wells. More and more of these applications
require longer strings of coiled tubing for work in deeper wells,
require larger diameter coiled tubing, or require both longer
strings of larger diameter tubing. Due to weight and/or height
limitations, it is common to transport multiple smaller reels of
coiled tubing to a well site wherein the coiled tubing is
re-spooled onto a master spool before being injected into the
wellbore. This is particularly true for offshore wells where more
and more crane restrictions require lighter and lighter loads of
coiled tubing strings, drums and related equipment. This is
especially true for larger diameter tubing such as 23/8 inch and
27/8 inch coiled tubing strings. Once the smaller and lighter reels
of coiled tubing are transported to location, the various strings
of coiled tubing are connected together and spooled onto a master
reel.
[0005] Once on location, spooling of coiled tubing from one coiled
tubing reel to the other is normally performed at a height
determined by the height of the equipment used, especially the
coiled tubing reels themselves. This can be several meters high at
a minimum. The coiled tubing is transferred from one reel to the
other on the high side of the coiled tubing drums. Personnel
performing the work for this operation are required to work at
these heights on either temporary platforms or specially designed
equipment. Spooling devices (e.g., a levelwind) for correctly
spooling the coiled tubing on and off the coiled tubing reels are
required and one is provided as standard on most coiled tubing reel
foundations. The larger the coiled tubing size, the more difficult
the process becomes due to the coiled tubing residual bend forces
involved and handling them at height.
[0006] Any time an operator is working with large diameter coiled
tubing (i.e., 2 inch diameter and larger pipe), the operator is
working with some of the largest reels in the industry. These reels
which store the large diameter coiled tubing and operate the coiled
tubing are typically much larger than conventional coiled tubing
reels. Hence, the drum diameter and the flange diameter of these
larger coiled tubing reels may be on the order of twice the size of
conventional coiled tubing reels. Because of this additional
height, the conventional levelwinds for spooling the pipe to allow
the tubing to be spooled off the drum and to feed onto the drum is
mounted even higher on top of the coiled tubing assembly.
Consequently, work associated with the coiled tubing operations,
such as maintenance work on the levelwind or threading the coiled
tubing through the levelwind, must be performed at working heights
upwards of 51/2 to 61/2 meters above ground level or deck
level.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a system and process for spooling
coiled tubing from one spool to another that improves safety and
work conditions for such operations. There is also a need for
improved control over coiled tubing, especially the larger sizes,
allowing controlling of bending and pulling forces in a more
suitable manner. The present invention addresses one or more of
these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by
adding a spooling device (i.e., a second levelwind) to the back of
a conventional coiled tubing reel, the present invention enables
personnel to work at ground/deck level with the coiled tubing being
spooled on/off the low side of the coiled tubing reels. Improved
safety and working conditions are a direct result of eliminating
the need for personnel to work at heights. Additional types of work
can be performed, including cutting out or adding sections of
coiled tubing, installing or removing spoolable connectors or
performing welding work. The portable spooling device can be moved
to either coiled tubing drum, as required by the direction of
coiled tubing movement. Alternatively, a second levelwind may be
added to both the supply reel and the service reel. Especially for
the larger coiled tubing sizes (i.e., 2 inches and above), improved
control of the spooling process without having to work at height is
realized.
[0009] An alternative embodiment uses a single levelwind wherein
the levelwind is adapted to rotate about the reel from a spooling
position adjacent to ground level to an operational position for
conventional operations running coiled tubing to the injector an on
into a well.
[0010] The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each
potential embodiment or every aspect of the subject matter of the
present disclosure. Other objects and features of the invention
will become apparent from the following description with reference
to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic of the traditional way of spooling
coiled tubing from one reel to another on the high side of the
reels using the conventional levelwinds;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present
invention illustrating coiled tubing being transferred from one
reel to the other on the low side of the reels;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic of one embodiment of the
invention using a second levelwind mounted adjacent ground/deck
level;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an elevating man rider system for access
to the upper conventional levelwind;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of the
invention having a single levelwind rotatable between an
operational position and a spooling position; and
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment for pivoting the elevating
man rider system and the rotatable levelwind shown in FIG. 5.
[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein.
However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the
intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below as they might be employed in the use of a safer system and
method for spooling coiled tubing at a well site. In the interest
of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are
described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated
that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous
implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related
and business-related constraints, which will vary from one
implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that
such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but
would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0019] When using large diameter coiled tubing, it is important to
use correspondingly large diameter coiled tubing reels. The large
diameter reels are required because they reduce the bending loads
on the coiled tubing that would occur on smaller diameter reels.
However, due to the weight of such large diameter reels, it is
common to transport the reels either empty or only partially loaded
with coiled tubing. Once on location, the entire length of coiled
tubing needed for a particular well (or wells) may be spooled onto
the service reel. Several shipping or supply reels with shorter
lengths (e.g., 6000 feet of 27/8 inch tubing or less) may be
required to provide the length of coiled tubing needed for a
particular application. The shipping reels are lighter weight due
to the shorter lengths of coiled tubing stored on them. Special
connectors such as Duralink connectors from BJ Services Company,
may be used to connect the various lengths of coiled tubing when
spooling the coiled tubing off of the supply reels and onto the
master service spool. Such connectors are described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/394,392, filed Mar. 21, 2003, entitled
"Composite Low Cycle Fatigue Coiled Tubing Connector," the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the traditional way of spooling coiled
tubing 10 from a shipping/supply reel 15 to a second reel 20,
typically referred to as the service reel. The spooling is
typically accomplished by transferring the coiled tubing from one
reel to another on the high side using the conventional levelwind
mechanisms 25 associated with each reel. Due to the diameters of
the reels, the coiled tubing is being transferred at a working
height of 15 to 20 feet above ground level.
[0021] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a second levelwind is
used with at least service reel 20. More preferably, a second
levelwind is used with each coiled tubing reel. The second
levelwinds 30 are located on the backside of the reels adjacent to
the bottom of the reels. In a preferred embodiment, the second
levelwinds are inverted in their orientation relative to the
conventional levelwinds attached to each reel. According to one
embodiment, the second inverted levelwinds are skid mounted (not
shown) and may be attached to the frame of the reels by any
suitable means such as pinning the second levelwind skid to the
base skid of the reel. The second levelwind may be attached to the
reel on location thereby allowing lighter lifts of the reels and
portable second levelwinds.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary preferred embodiment of the
invention in more detail. Reel 18 includes a self supporting base
structure 35. Coiled tubing 10 is spooled about reel 18. One of
skill will understand that reel 18 may be either a supply reel or a
service reel. Levelwind 25 is shown in the normal levelwind
position for conventional operations running coiled tubing to the
injector head (not shown). Levelwind 25 is supported on telescoping
pole 40. Telescoping pole 40 allows extension of the levelwind when
the wrapping diameter changes on the drum. Pole 40 is attached to
one end of arm 45, the other end of arm 45 extending to the axis of
reel 18. A comparable arm extends from the axis on the other side
of reel 18 (not shown). A portable second levelwind 30 is mounted
behind the reel for spooling at ground/deck level. Preferably, the
second levelwind is inverted (relative to levelwind 25) to
facilitate diameter changes about the drum as the coiled tubing 10
is unwrapped from (or wrapped onto) the drum. Levelwind 30 may be
integral to base 35 or may be mounted to its own separate stand
alone base (not shown). In the latter case, the base for levelwind
30 may be connected to reel base 35 by pinning or other suitable
means.
[0023] FIG. 3 also illustrates an alternative safety feature of the
present invention. Elevating man rider apparatus 50 extends from
pivotable arms 55 connected to the axis of reel 18. Elevating man
rider apparatus 50 provides access to the upper conventional
levelwind 25. Apparatus 50 may be a basket or platform or other
suitable structure that allows one or more personnel to work safely
upon the upper levelwind as needed (e.g., maintenance on the
levelwind, threading coiled tubing 10 through levelwind 25, etc.).
Apparatus 50 may be raised or lowered by pivoting arms 55 relative
to the axis of the reel either hydraulically, electrically or
pneumatically. In a preferred embodiment, arms 55 may be raised or
lowered by telescoping hydraulical cylinders 60 (shown in FIG. 6)
that are connected to support members on base 35. Apparatus 50 may
be raised by extending hydraulic cylinders 60, and lowered by
retracting the cylinders. FIG. 4 illustrates the man rider
apparatus in an elevated position. FIG. 4 also illustrates an
alternative embodiment wherein pole 40 and arms 45 are inverted
relative to levelwind 25, thereby providing a less obstructive work
area for personnel in man rider apparatus 50.
[0024] The separate, second levelwind spooling system on the coiled
tubing reel facilitates spooling of the coiled tubing from the
shipping/supply reel to the service reel at ground level, thus
eliminating working at heights. When utilizing the present
invention, personnel would typically be working at heights ranging
from 11/2 to 3 feet above ground level. Thus, maintenance work,
welding, making connections and the like may be performed at a
safer working height compared to traditional spooling
operations.
[0025] The levelwind according to the preferred embodiment is a
traditional levelwind mechanism which tracks on a double worm screw
to feed coiled tubing across the width of the reel from flange to
flange. Telescopic pole 40 allows the levelwind mechanism to float
up and down to accommodate varying heights as the coiled tubing is
spooled and unspooled from the reel.
[0026] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a single
levelwind mechanism 25 may be used on the high side of the spool
for running the coiled tubing in and out of a wellbore, and may
also be used to transfer the tubing from one reel to another on the
low side of the reel. When receiving tubing from another spool, the
levelwind 25 could be rotated relative to the reel from the high
side to the back side of the reel (i.e., rotated approximately
180.degree. about the axis of the reel as indicated by the
depiction of levelwind 25 and arm 45). Arms 45 are rotated about
the axis of the spool by suitable hydraulic, electric or pneumatic
means. The levelwind preferably works inverted so an operator would
not have to disconnect the pipe when converting from injecting
operations to spooling operations, or vice versa. Once the spooling
has been finished, an operator could cut the coiled tubing 10 and
then rotate the levelwind about the axis of the reel. In this way,
the coiled tubing 10 would not have to be removed from the
levelwind when converting from one operation to another.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment for rotating levelwind 25
between the operational position and the spooling position.
Telescoping hydraulic cylinders 65 are connected to arms 45 on one
end and support members of base 35 on the other end. The levelwind
may be rotated between the operational and spooling positions by
the retraction or extension of cylinders 65.
[0028] The present invention provides improved control over the
coiled tubing, especially for larger sizes, allowing control of
bending and pulling forces in a more suitable manner. Coiled tubing
that is spooled off of a reel retains a residual bend from the
wrapping diameter of the drum that it was spooled on. Thus, the
tubing does not come off the reel perfectly straight. In order to
connect two ends of coiled tubing together, an operator must
attempt to straighten the ends of the tubing to be joined together.
Coiled tubing connectors, such as Duralink connectors, require
additional equipment (e.g., jigs and clamps) to help align,
manipulate and straighten the tubing ends for installation of such
connectors. Using such equipment at ground level facilitates and
expedites the installation of the connectors as well as improves
the safety conditions surrounding the installation process.
[0029] Although various embodiments have been shown and described,
the invention is not so limited and will be understood to include
all such modifications and variations as would be apparent to one
skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not to be
restricted except in light of the attached claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *