U.S. patent application number 16/403177 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-14 for apparatus and method for more efficiently scanning production tubing that incorporates a cable secured thereto.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey J. Brown, Justin C. Weaver, Trevor D. Willey. Invention is credited to Jeffrey J. Brown, Justin C. Weaver, Trevor D. Willey.
Application Number | 20190345794 16/403177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67069251 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190345794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Jeffrey J. ; et
al. |
November 14, 2019 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MORE EFFICIENTLY SCANNING PRODUCTION
TUBING THAT INCORPORATES A CABLE SECURED THERETO
Abstract
A platform apparatus positionable close to a surface element to
allow an operator to access production tubing being withdrawn from
the surface element. The platform apparatus can be positioned in
close proximity to a surface element of a well to permit an
operator access to production tubing and cable secured to the
production tubing. The cable can be separated from the production
tubing. The production tubing can be scanned with an electronic
scanning device after the cable has been separated from the
production tubing as the production tubing is being removed from
the well. The platform apparatus can be positioned in close
proximity to a surface element of a well being serviced by a pole
unit to permit an operator access to production tubing. The
production tubing can be scanned with an electronic scanning device
as the production tubing is being removed from the well.
Inventors: |
Brown; Jeffrey J.; (Enid,
OK) ; Willey; Trevor D.; (Mustang, OK) ;
Weaver; Justin C.; (Enid, OK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brown; Jeffrey J.
Willey; Trevor D.
Weaver; Justin C. |
Enid
Mustang
Enid |
OK
OK
OK |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67069251 |
Appl. No.: |
16/403177 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16051046 |
Jul 31, 2018 |
10337291 |
|
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16403177 |
|
|
|
|
62669809 |
May 10, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 15/00 20130101;
E21B 19/008 20130101; E21B 33/03 20130101; E21B 19/00 20130101;
E21B 7/006 20130101; E21B 41/00 20130101; E21B 47/00 20130101; E21B
17/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20060101
E21B041/00; E21B 19/00 20060101 E21B019/00 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
Claims
1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a platform apparatus
positionable close to a surface element to allow an operator to
access production tubing being withdrawn from the wellhead or
blowout preventer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform apparatus is
supported by the wellhead or blowout preventer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform apparatus is
secured to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the platform apparatus includes
openings for receiving bolts of the surface element and securing
the platform apparatus to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform apparatus includes
a u-shaped plate extending from a platform portion, the u-shaped
plate secured to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform apparatus is
disposed beneath a primary oil rig platform apparatus.
7. A method, the method comprising: positioning a platform
apparatus in close proximity to a wellhead or blowout preventer of
a well to permit an operator access to production tubing and cable
secured to the production tubing; separating the cable from the
production tubing; and scanning the production tubing with an
electronic scanning device after the cable has been separated from
the production tubing as the production tubing is being removed
from the well.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising securing the platform
apparatus to the wellhead or blowout preventer of the well.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the cable is separated from the
production tubing by cutting a securing device that secures the
cable to the production tubing.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the platform apparatus is secured
to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein the platform apparatus includes a
u-shaped plate extending from a platform portion, the u-shaped
plate secured to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the platform apparatus is
disposed beneath a primary oil rig platform apparatus.
13. A method, the method comprising: positioning a platform
apparatus in close proximity to a wellhead or blowout preventer of
a well being serviced by a pole unit to permit an operator access
to production tubing; and scanning the production tubing with an
electronic scanning device as the production tubing is being
removed from the well.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of
supporting the electronic scanning device with the platform
apparatus so the scanning device can surround the production tubing
as it is withdrawn from the well.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the platform apparatus includes
a u-shaped plate extending from a platform portion, the u-shaped
plate secured to the wellhead or blowout preventer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application having U.S. Ser. No. 16/051,046, filed Jul. 31, 2018,
which is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application having U.S.
Ser. No. 62/669,809, filed May 10, 2018, which claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosure of which is hereby expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method
for more efficiently scanning or inspecting production tubing that
uses a cable secured thereto during an oil and gas operation. The
cable can be a power cable, a data cable, or a capillary string.
For example, the apparatus and method disclosed herein makes
scanning the production tubing used with an electrical submersible
pump (ESP) in oil and gas operations, which requires a power cable,
more efficient.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As an example of oil and gas operations that incorporate a
cable secured to production tubing, electric submersible pump
systems comprise both downhole and surface components to facilitate
the operation ESPs. A downhole submersible motor is used to provide
power to the ESP. Power is provided from the surface to the motor
via an electric cable designed for downhole environments. To limit
cable movement in the well and to support its weight, the cable is
banded or clamped to the production tubing.
[0005] Production tubing can be electronically scanned by various
pieces of equipment when it is removed from the well to determine
the condition of the production tubing. Production tubing with the
cable, which is used to provide power from the surface to the ESP,
secured thereto, cannot be successfully scanned because the
electric cable corrupts the functionality of the scanning
equipment.
[0006] Typically, the production tubing and cable has to be removed
from the wellbore, the cable has to be removed from the production
tubing and then the production tubing ran back down in the well and
the production tubing is scanned in a separate operation than the
operation to remove the production tubing and cable from the
wellbore.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method
that can facilitate scanning or inspection of the production tubing
and separating the production tubing from the cable during the
operation that removes the production tubing from the wellbore.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] The present disclosure is directed toward a platform
apparatus positionable close to a surface element to allow an
operator to access production tubing being withdrawn from the
surface element.
[0009] The present disclosure is also directed toward a method of
using the platform apparatus. The platform apparatus can be
positioned in close proximity to a surface element of a well to
permit an operator access to production tubing and cable secured to
the production tubing. The cable can then be separated from the
production tubing. The production tubing can then be scanned with
an electronic scanning device after the cable has been separated
from the production tubing as the production tubing is being
removed from the well.
[0010] The present disclosure can be directed toward another
method. The method includes positioning a platform apparatus in
close proximity to a surface element of a well being serviced by a
pole unit to permit an operator access to production tubing. The
method also includes the step of scanning the production tubing
with an electronic scanning device as the production tubing is
being removed from the well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an oil and gas well
incorporating a platform apparatus constructed in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is side elevation view of an above ground portion of
an oil and gas well incorporating the platform apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is another side elevation view of an above ground
portion of an oil and gas well incorporating the platform apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surface
element platform constructed in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a portion of the surface
element platform constructed in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another portion of the
surface element platform constructed in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the surface element
platform in use with a pole unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, shown therein is a well 10
having a surface element 12, such as a blowout preventer or
wellhead, placed at the surface 14 of the well 10 and below an oil
rig platform 16 of an oil rig 18. Production tubing 20 can be
withdrawn from the well 10 through the surface element 12 and
through the oil rig platform 16 of the oil rig 18. In some
instances, an oil rig platform 16 is not used when performing oil
and gas operations that involve a downhole tool 22 that requires a
cable 24 be secured to the production tubing 20. The oil rig
platform 16 is typically disposed above surface element 12 and
includes an opening 26 disposed therein to allow the production
tubing 20 to pass therethrough. The cable 24 can be a power cable,
a data cable, or a capillary string depending on the specific oil
and gas operation being performed.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, when an electrical submersible
pump (ESP) is used as the downhole tool 22 in an oil and gas
operation, the cable 24 is an electric power cable to provide power
to the ESP from the surface 14 of the well 10. The cable 24 is
banded or clamped to the production tubing 20 via securing devices
28. It should be understood that the cable 24 can be secured to the
production tubing 20 in many oil and gas operations and discussions
regarding ESPs herein are only provided as an exemplary
embodiment.
[0020] The present disclosure is directed toward a platform
apparatus 30 and method used to make scanning and inspection of
production tubing 20 that has the cable 24 secured thereto for oil
and gas operations more efficient. The platform apparatus 30 can
include a surface element platform 32 disposed in close proximity
to the surface element 12 so that an operator 34 can have access to
the production tubing 20 and the cable 24 secured thereto as the
production tubing 20 is withdrawn from the well 10. In some
exemplary embodiments, the surface element platform 32 can be
supported by the surface element 12, attached to the surface
element 12, or suspended from an underside portion 36 of the oil
rig platform 16. In another exemplary embodiment, the surface
element platform 32 can be secured to a vehicle and positioned in
close proximity to the surface element 12 via the vehicle. In
another embodiment, the surface element platform 32 can be
positioned in close proximity to the surface element 12 via
mechanical or hydraulic means. In another more specific embodiment,
the surface element platform 32 can be bolted to the surface
element 12.
[0021] In one embodiment shown in more detail in FIG. 4, the
surface element platform 32 includes a platform portion 38 for
supporting the operator 34 and a securing portion 40 for attaching
the surface element platform 32 to the surface element 12. The
securing portion 40 can extend from a first side 42 of the platform
portion 38 of the surface element platform 32. The surface element
platform 32 can have posts 44 that extend up from corners 46 of the
platform portion 38 of the surface element platform 32. The surface
element platform 32 can also include guide rails 48 that extend
from the posts 44 on the first side 42 of the platform portion 38
and extend from the posts 44 on a second side 52 of the platform
portion 38. The surface element platform 32 can also include a
chain 54 or chains 54 that can extend from the posts 44 on a back
side 56 of the platform portion 38 to act as a security barrier for
the operator 34.
[0022] The securing portion 40 can be a u-shaped plate 57 and have
a first leg 58, and a second leg 60 that include openings 62 for
use in securing the surface element platform 32 to the surface
element 12. The securing portion 40 can also include posts 64
extending from the first and second legs 58 and 60. A chain or
chains 66 can be included to extend from the posts 64 that extend
from the first and second legs 58 and 60 of the securing portion
40. The surface element platform 32 can also be included with a
plurality of D-rings 68 that can be used to move and position the
surface element platform 32.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the surface element 12 can
have a flange portion 70 with bolts 72 extending therethrough. The
openings 62 of the securing portion 40 of the surface element
platform 32 can be placed over the bolts 72 and nuts 74 can engage
the bolts 72 to secure the surface element platform 32 to the
surface element 12.
[0024] In one embodiment, the surface element platform 32 can have
an opening disposed therein that permits the production tubing 20
and the cable 24 secured to the production tubing 20 to pass
therethrough. It should be understood and appreciated that the
surface element platform 32 can be any surface capable of
supporting an operator 34 and positioning the operator 34 close
enough to the surface element 12 to be able to access the
production tubing 20 being withdrawn from the well 10.
[0025] Primarily, during oil and gas operations that have
production tubing 20 with a cable 24 secured thereto, the oil rig
18 includes the oil rig platform 16 whereby the surface element
platform 32 can be positioned below the oil rig platform 16. The
cable 24 can be the electric power cable discussed herein for ESPs,
a data cable, or a capillary string. Positioning the surface
element platform 32 beneath the oil rig platform 16 permits the
operator 34 access to the production tubing 20 and the cable 24 to
unsecure the cable 24 from the production tubing 20 prior to the
production tubing 20 being pulled up through the opening 26
disposed in the oil rig platform 16. Unsecuring the cable 24 from
the production tubing 20 can involve cutting the securing devices
28 that secure the cable 24 to the production tubing 20.
[0026] The production tubing 20, free from the cable 24, can then
be fed through a scanning device 76, which is typically mounted to
the oil rig platform 16, to determine if there are any defects in
the production tubing 20. The scanning device 76 can be any device
capable of scanning the production tubing 20, such as any type of
electronic scanning device, a 3D scanning device, or a gamma ray
scanning device.
[0027] The cable 24 that is separated from the production tubing 20
can be fed through a secondary opening 78 in the oil rig platform
16 and, ultimately, to a spool 80 that collects the cable 24. The
platform apparatus 30 can also include a guide 82 that can contact
the cable 24 and put it in a better position to travel through the
secondary opening 78 in the oil rig platform 16 and be more
efficiently spooled.
[0028] A method of unsecuring the cable 24 from the production
tubing 20 as it is withdrawn from the well 10 is also provided
herein. As the production tubing 20 and the cable 24 are withdrawn
from the well 10, the operator 34, positioned on the surface
element platform 32, unsecures the cable 24 from the production
tubing 20 and feeds the cable 24 to the spool 80. The production
tubing 20 is permitted to continue to pass through the opening 26
in the oil rig platform 16 and be scanned by the scanning device 76
without the cable 24 secured thereto. The cable 24 can be unsecured
from the production tubing 20 by cutting the securing devices 28
that secure the cable 24 to the production tubing 20. In one
embodiment, the operator 34 uses some type of cutting device to cut
the securing devices 28 and directs the cable 24 to the secondary
opening 78 in the oil rig platform 16.
[0029] The present disclosure also contemplates being able to use
the scanning device 76 to scan production tubing 20 on a pole unit
84. A pole unit does not have a platform to secure the scanning
device 76 to. In this embodiment, the surface element platform 32
can be positioned such that the opening in the surface element
platform 32 is above the surface element 12 and the scanning device
76 is supported by the surface element platform 32 so production
tubing 20 being removed by the pole unit can be scanned. The
surface element platform 32 can be supported by the surface element
12 or it can be attached to the surface element platform 32.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6, the surface element platform 32 can
be used with the pole unit 84, which is an oil and gas apparatus
attached to a vehicle 86 and used when an oil rig is not used.
Typically, pole units 84 do not incorporate any platform for
working with the production tubing 20 being withdrawn from the well
10. In this embodiment, the surface element platform 32 is used to
hold the scanning device 76 in position to scan the production
tubing 20 as production tubing 20 is being withdrawn from the well
10. The surface element platform 32 can be used with respect to the
surface element 12 in oil and gas operations using the pole unit 84
as previously described herein for use with traditional oil rig
platforms.
[0031] From the above description, it is clear that the present
disclosure is well adapted to carry out the objectives and to
attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in
the disclosure. While presently preferred embodiments have been
described herein, it will be understood that numerous changes may
be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in
the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the
disclosure and claims.
* * * * *