U.S. patent application number 14/330398 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for expandable tubular thread protection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronald C. PARSONS and Denise M. PARSONS, trustees under the Ronald C. PARSONS and Denise M. I. Invention is credited to Ronald C. PARSONS.
Application Number | 20150300101 14/330398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54321575 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150300101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARSONS; Ronald C. |
October 22, 2015 |
EXPANDABLE TUBULAR THREAD PROTECTION
Abstract
Herein disclosed is a method of protecting a tubular or a
component attached to the tubular, comprising making two sections
of the expandable tubular into two complete centralizing rings or
two partial centralizing rings having a larger outer diameter than
the remainder of the expandable tubular, wherein the two complete
centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are on two ends of
the component. Also discussed herein is an assembly comprising an
expandable tubular, a component attached to the tubular, a sleeve
over the component and an adhesive; wherein the adhesive fully
covers the space between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the
outside diameter of the component. The sleeve remains in place when
the tubular is placed down hole. Related methods and assemblies are
discussed in further details.
Inventors: |
PARSONS; Ronald C.;
(Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ronald C. PARSONS and Denise M. PARSONS, trustees under the Ronald
C. PARSONS and Denise M. I |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54321575 |
Appl. No.: |
14/330398 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61982734 |
Apr 22, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/380 ;
138/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 15/08 20130101;
F16L 2201/40 20130101; E21B 17/042 20130101; E21B 43/106 20130101;
E21B 17/1078 20130101; F15B 21/006 20130101; E21B 17/1014 20130101;
E21B 17/1085 20130101; F16L 57/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 17/10 20060101
E21B017/10; F15B 21/00 20060101 F15B021/00 |
Claims
1. A method of protecting a tubular or a component attached to the
tubular, comprising making two sections of the expandable tubular
into two complete centralizing rings or two partial centralizing
rings having a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the
expandable tubular, wherein said two complete centralizing rings or
partial centralizing rings are on two ends of said component.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the component includes a box
thread.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the two
complete or partial centralizing rings is larger than or equal to
the outer diameter of the component attached to the tubular.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said tubular comprises a casing,
a liner, a screen, or a production tubing.
5. The method of claim 1 furthering comprising placing a sleeve
between the two complete or partial centralizing rings and over the
component.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the sleeve is a steel sleeve.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the sleeve is held in place by the
two complete or partial centralizing rings to protect the
component.
8. An assembly comprising an expandable tubular and a component
attached to the tubular; two sections of the expandable tubular
having a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the expandable
tubular, forming two complete centralizing rings or two partial
centralizing rings, wherein said two complete centralizing rings or
partial centralizing rings are on two ends of said component.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the outer diameter of the two
complete or partial centralizing rings is larger than or equal to
the outer diameter of the component attached to the tubular.
10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the component includes a box
thread.
11. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a sleeve placed
between the two complete or partial centralizing rings and over the
component.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the sleeve is held in place by
the two complete or partial centralizing rings to protect the
component.
13. A method of protecting a component attached to an expandable
tubular, comprising placing a sleeve over the component, wherein
said sleeve comprises an input port and at least two tell holes;
applying an adhesive through the input port to fill the space
between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the outside diameter
of the component until the adhesive comes out of the at least two
tell holes.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the adhesive fully covers the
space between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the outside
diameter of the component such that the sleeve remains in place
when the tubular is placed down hole.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising making two sections
of the expandable tubular into two complete centralizing rings or
two partial centralizing rings having a larger outer diameter than
the remainder of the expandable tubular, wherein said two complete
centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are on two ends of
said component and sleeve.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein applying the adhesive comprises
using a pump, a mixing tube, and a sealed input cap.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said pump includes a plural
component pump.
18. An assembly comprising an expandable tubular, a component
attached to the tubular, a sleeve over the component and an
adhesive; wherein said adhesive fully covers the space between the
inside diameter of the sleeve and the outside diameter of the
component.
19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the sleeve remains in place
when the tubular is placed down hole.
20. The assembly of claim 18 further comprising two sections of the
expandable tubular having a larger outer diameter than the
remainder of the expandable tubular, forming two complete
centralizing rings or two partial centralizing rings, wherein said
two complete centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are
on two ends of said component and sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/982,734,
filed Apr. 22, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0004] The present invention generally relates to protection of
expandable tubular threads. More particularly, the present
invention describes an expandable tubular with at least one
centralizer as an integral part of the tubular, said centralizer
protecting the expandable tubular threads. Furthermore, this
invention relates to a downhole tubular or downhole assembly, e.g.,
for use in an oil/gas well or a water well.
[0005] 2. Background of the Invention
[0006] In recent years, the use of expandable tubulars has become
more common in the drilling and completion phases of well bore
construction. In these phases, it is necessary to protect tubulars
and related devices from scarring. For example, it is necessary to
protect threaded connectors from scarring, when they are being
placed in a well. It is also necessary to protect box threads
during handling and storage.
[0007] Very often, the wall of the threaded box thread is very
thin. This is caused by the minimum wall thickness to apply the
thread. This thread outside diameter (OD) is easy to ding, scar or
bend out of shape. If the box OD is scarred, the material will
split while being expanded and cause a failure. The scars can be
caused by the pipe rubbing the casing, casing connections, and
other attachments while it is let down hole. The scarring also
occurs with a directional change. An opening is often put in the
casing to put the tubular through. These openings are rough and may
have sharp and jagged edges, which will scar the tubular. In such
cases, the tubular can split with excessive scarring, which results
in a very expensive repair and lost time.
[0008] A current method to prevent such damages is to attach a
steel protection sleeve by applying adhesive on the box OD with an
epoxy glue applicator, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Another method may
be to use a brush or paddle stick. The sleeve is then slid over the
box thread. When putting on the sleeve, the glue at times is pushed
off by the sleeve. When the glue sets, there is no guarantee that
the glue is in contact with the sleeve and box OD. There is also no
guarantee that the glue is not thicker on one side or the other
since there is no control to make sure that the glue covers the
entire contact area evenly.
[0009] With the sleeve is installed in this manner, several
undesirable situations can occur. (1) The sleeve touches the casing
caused by the pressure of the tubing and seal. (2) The sleeve
touches the casing while stacking the tubing or casing. (3) The
sleeve hits the casing connectors. When any of the above three
situations occurs, happens, the protective sleeve can break loose.
If this happens, then the sleeve may run up the casing or tubing.
Sometimes, several of these sleeves may become loose and come
together, which will cause problem during tubular expansion. More
seriously, there is no more protection for the threads. The threads
can scar and split days later when expanded, causing extensive
damage, incurring repair cost and lost time.
[0010] Accordingly, there is continuing need and interest to
develop methods and systems to protect expandable tubular
threads.
SUMMARY
[0011] Herein disclosed is a method of protecting a tubular or a
component attached to the tubular, comprising making two sections
of the expandable tubular into two complete centralizing rings or
two partial centralizing rings having a larger outer diameter than
the remainder of the expandable tubular, wherein the two complete
centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are on two ends of
the component.
[0012] In some embodiments, the component includes a box thread. In
some embodiments, the outer diameter of the two complete or partial
centralizing rings is larger than or equal to the outer diameter of
the component attached to the tubular. In some embodiments, the
tubular comprises a casing, a liner, a screen, or a production
tubing.
[0013] In some embodiments, the method furthering comprises placing
a sleeve between the two complete or partial centralizing rings and
over the component. In some embodiments, the sleeve is a steel
sleeve. In some embodiments, the sleeve is held in place by the two
complete or partial centralizing rings to protect the
component.
[0014] Also disclosed herein is an assembly comprising an
expandable tubular and a component attached to the tubular; two
sections of the expandable tubular having a larger outer diameter
than the remainder of the expandable tubular, forming two complete
centralizing rings or two partial centralizing rings, wherein the
two complete centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are
on two ends of the component.
[0015] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the two complete
or partial centralizing rings is larger than or equal to the outer
diameter of the component attached to the tubular. In some
embodiments, the component includes a box thread.
[0016] In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a sleeve
placed between the two complete or partial centralizing rings and
over the component. In some embodiments, the sleeve is held in
place by the two complete or partial centralizing rings to protect
the component.
[0017] Further discussed is a method of protecting a component
attached to an expandable tubular, comprising placing a sleeve over
the component, wherein the sleeve comprises an input port and at
least two tell holes; applying an adhesive through the input port
to fill the space between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the
outside diameter of the component until the adhesive comes out of
the at least two tell holes. The adhesive fully covers the space
between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the outside diameter
of the component such that the sleeve remains in place when the
tubular is placed down hole.
[0018] In some embodiments, the method further comprises making two
sections of the expandable tubular into two complete centralizing
rings or two partial centralizing rings having a larger outer
diameter than the remainder of the expandable tubular, wherein the
two complete centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are
on two ends of the component and sleeve.
[0019] In some embodiments, applying the adhesive comprises using a
pump, a mixing tube, and a sealed input cap. In some embodiments,
the pump includes a plural component pump.
[0020] Also discussed herein is an assembly comprising an
expandable tubular, a component attached to the tubular, a sleeve
over the component and an adhesive; wherein the adhesive fully
covers the space between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the
outside diameter of the component. The sleeve remains in place when
the tubular is placed down hole.
[0021] In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises two
sections of the expandable tubular having a larger outer diameter
than the remainder of the expandable tubular, forming two complete
centralizing rings or two partial centralizing rings, wherein the
two complete centralizing rings or partial centralizing rings are
on two ends of the component and sleeve.
[0022] The present invention comprises a combination of features
and advantages which enable it to overcome various problems of
prior devices. The various characteristics described above, as well
as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art upon reading the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, and by referring to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a more detailed description of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an existing method for protecting
expandable tubular threads. The glue is applied on areas of the box
OD and the sleeve is slid on.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of protecting expandable tubular
threads with two expandable centralizing rings (centralizers),
according an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of protecting expandable tubular
threads with two expandable centralizing rings (centralizers) and
an extended steel sleeve, according an embodiment of this
disclosure. The rings hold the sleeve in place, the sleeve cannot
break loose. Adhesive is not required in this embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of protecting expandable tubular
threads by filling the area between the inside diameter (ID) of the
steel sleeve and the outside diameter (OD) of the threaded box
completely with adhesive, according an embodiment of this
disclosure. Such full coverage of adhesive stops the sleeve from
coming loose and causing damage to the tubing and well.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates how a centralizing ring of this
disclosure is made for an expandable tubular, according an
embodiment of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0029] To protect expandable tubular threads and to centralize an
expandable tubular, at least a section of the tubular is enlarged
to have a larger OD than the remainder of the expandable tubular,
forming at least one complete centralizing ring or at least one
partial centralizing ring (i.e., a complete ring of 360 degrees or
a segment/segments thereof as a partial ring). When the tubular is
being placed downhole, the centralizing rings (complete and/or
partial) serve to centralize the tubular whiling minimizing
scarring and protecting the threads and devices attached to the
tubular (e.g., seals and anchors). After the tubular is placed
downhole and radially expanded, the centralizing ring will expand
along with the remainder of the tubular and the expanded tubular
will have the same diameter. In other words, these centralizing
rings (complete and/or partial) function to centralize the
expandable tubular and protect expandable tubular threads; and then
they disappear after the tubular is expanded.
[0030] As used herein, the term "tubular" refers to any tubular
parts or components, especially related to the oil/gas/water well
applications and downhole processes. Examples of such tubulars
include a casing, a liner, a screen, or a production tubing.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a method of protecting expandable
tubular threads with two expandable centralizing rings
(centralizers) is shown. In an embodiment, two centralizers are
placed on the two ends of the thread so that when the tubular is
let down hole, one centralizer is above the thread and the other is
below. These centralizers keep the thread OD from being scarred
while the tubular is being placed into a well/hole. The casing
connectors and casing wall cannot touch the thread OD.
[0032] Another method is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the thread
is protected by using two centralizers and an extended steel
sleeve. In an embodiment, the centralizers are placed in the same
was as the previous method shown in FIG. 2 and the extended steel
sleeve is placed between the two centralizers and cover the thread.
The centralizers hold the sleeve in place so that the sleeve cannot
break loose. An adhesive to attaching the steel sleeve is not
required. In some cases, the extended steel sleeve is longer than
the typical steel sleeve used in the art. The steel sleeve is long
enough to cover the thread area and the space between the
centralizing rings. This steel sleeve is placed on the box OD
before screwing the male and female together. The expanded
centralizing rings stop the protection sleeve from moving away from
the threaded box OD when the tubular is placed down hole.
[0033] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a method of
protecting the thread using a steel sleeve is shown. The method
comprises placing a sleeve over the component, wherein said sleeve
comprises an input port and at least two tell holes; applying an
adhesive through the input port to fill the space between the
inside diameter of the sleeve and the outside diameter of the
component until the adhesive comes out of the at least two tell
holes.
[0034] The adhesive to attach the steel sleeve is applied such that
the steel sleeve cannot move away or become detached. In an
embodiment, the adhesive is applied using a plural component pump,
a mixing tube, and a sealed input cap. With the sleeve in place
(placed over the box OD), the sealed cap is attached to the steel
sleeve. The input cap is attached to a chemical (adhesive) mixing
tube. The plural components are blended together as they are pumped
from the unmixed adhesive containers. The pumping continues until
the adhesive comes out the small "tell holes" in the bottom of the
sleeve. The tell holes cam be in any position and when adhesive
comes out both holes, the space between the sleeve and the box OD
is completely filled. This method of applying the adhesive ensures
that the area between the inside diameter of the steel sleeve and
the outside diameter of the threaded box is completely filled and
covered with adhesive. This full coverage prevents the sleeve from
coming loose and causing damage to the tubing and/or well. This
method may be used to apply the adhesive to short sleeves or long
(extended) sleeves between the centralizing rings
(centralizers).
[0035] The adhesive applied in this method is another layer of
protection to ensure that the box OD is not scarred. Because
sometimes when the tubular passes through an opening in the casing,
it could touch the edge of the hole. When this happens, the tubing
will ride up the approach angle of the rings/centralizers and down
the other side so that the casing wall may contact the protecting
steel sleeve that is held in place by the centralizers. With the
adhesive holding the steel sleeve in place, the box OD will not be
scarred because the steel sleeve cannot be dislodged.
[0036] As is clear to one skilled in the art, the method of
applying the adhesive without the centralizers is also a
significant improvement over the existing method. Furthermore, the
methods discussed hereinabove are not limited to protecting threads
only but any device or attachment related to a tubular that is to
be placed down hole.
[0037] Advantages.
[0038] The methods discussed hereinabove reduce the possibility of
damaged threads. A damaged thread will cost many hours of down
time. If there are no replacements available, the items will have
to come from the factory and the down time would be even
longer.
[0039] Using the extended/longer steel sleeve stops typical normal
damages to the threaded connection. Using the extended/longer
sleeve and two centralizers increases production and reduces
delivery time. The sleeve is applied at the well. If the parts are
short enough for shipment, the product can be made ready before
delivery.
[0040] Using the disclosed method of applying the adhesive to the
sleeves helps to ensure they remain in place. Using these methods
will also reduce the cost of expandable tubular products.
[0041] Method of Making Expandable Tubulars with Centralizing
Rings.
[0042] In an embodiment, a centralizing ring of this disclosure is
made using hydraulic or mechanical fixtures. For example, as shown
in FIG. 5, an expanding anvil is placed in an expandable tubular
(tubing or casing), at a first desired position. A sizing block (or
sizing cap or sizing clamp) is attached to the outside of the
tubular to insure the proper diameter of a centralizing ring is
created. The anvil is then mechanically expanded until the sizing
clamp stops the expansion. The anvil (or ram) is moved to another
location and the process is repeated to create a second
centralizing ring as needed/desired. In some cases, the expandable
tubular is heated before the centralizing rings are created. In
some cases, induction heating is used to heat the tubular before
the centralizing rings are made. Other suitable methods may also be
used for form the centralizing rings/centralizers.
[0043] While preferred embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teaching of
this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only
and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the
system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to
the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims
which follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of
the subject matter of the claims.
* * * * *