CA2207832C - Rod removal system - Google Patents
Rod removal system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2207832C CA2207832C CA 2207832 CA2207832A CA2207832C CA 2207832 C CA2207832 C CA 2207832C CA 2207832 CA2207832 CA 2207832 CA 2207832 A CA2207832 A CA 2207832A CA 2207832 C CA2207832 C CA 2207832C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- tubing
- length
- power tongs
- cylindrical insert
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
- E21B19/161—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe
- E21B19/164—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe motor actuated
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/22—Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes
Abstract
A method of removing jointed tubing from a well, wherein rod is encased within the jointed tubing. The method comprises the steps of a) removing a first length of tubing from the well; b) unscrewing the first length of tubing from the next length of tubing with power tongs; c) lifting the first length of tubing clear of the power tongs; d) gripping the rod with the power tongs at a first position; e) holding the rod at a second position against rotational movement; f) torquing the rod with the power tongs until failure of the rod to sever a portion of the rod; g) removing the first length of tubing and the severed portion of the rod; and h) repeating steps a-g with the next length of jointed tubing being the first length of jointed tubing until a desired length of the jointed tubing is removed. The rod may be a flattened rod with first and second widths. In this instance, it is preferred that the rod be gripped, at both gripping positions, by cylindrical inserts each having a slot whose width is intermediate the first and second widths. A flange is preferably providedon the cylindrical inserts to prevent the inserts sliding away from the gripping positions.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Rod Removal System NAME OF INVENTOR
Scott Widney FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for removing objects from wells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During oilfield operations, rod, whether continuous, jointed, and whether coilable or not, may be used in conjunction with jointed tubing, such as in the operation of reciprocating pumps. When it is desired to remove jointed tubing and continuous rod from a well, if the continuous rod and jointed tubing become stuck together within the well, the jointed tubing and continuous rod must be removed together from the well. However, the continuous rod in the jointed tubing makes this difficult. In industry practice, the following procedure is followed:
a) jointed tubing is lifted in conventional manner until the first joint is accessible by power tongs;
b) the first length of tubing is unscrewed by the power tongs from the next length and lifted above the power tongs;
c) the rod is cut with a hacksaw;
d) both the severed end of the rod and the first length of jointed tubing are removed;
e) the jointed tubing is lifted until the next joint is accessible and the steps a-d are repeated.
This process is slow, a good deal of the time being required to saw through the rod. Even with jointed rod this procedure may be followed since the tubing joints
Rod Removal System NAME OF INVENTOR
Scott Widney FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for removing objects from wells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During oilfield operations, rod, whether continuous, jointed, and whether coilable or not, may be used in conjunction with jointed tubing, such as in the operation of reciprocating pumps. When it is desired to remove jointed tubing and continuous rod from a well, if the continuous rod and jointed tubing become stuck together within the well, the jointed tubing and continuous rod must be removed together from the well. However, the continuous rod in the jointed tubing makes this difficult. In industry practice, the following procedure is followed:
a) jointed tubing is lifted in conventional manner until the first joint is accessible by power tongs;
b) the first length of tubing is unscrewed by the power tongs from the next length and lifted above the power tongs;
c) the rod is cut with a hacksaw;
d) both the severed end of the rod and the first length of jointed tubing are removed;
e) the jointed tubing is lifted until the next joint is accessible and the steps a-d are repeated.
This process is slow, a good deal of the time being required to saw through the rod. Even with jointed rod this procedure may be followed since the tubing joints
2 and rod joints may not be lined up so that both may be accessed by the power tongs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a method of removing jointed tubing from a well, wherein rod is encased within the jointed tubing. The method comprises the steps of:
a) removing a first length of tubing from the well;
b) unscrewing the first length of tubing from the next length of tubing with power tongs;
c) lifting the first length of tubing clear of the power tongs;
d) gripping the rod with the power tongs at a first position;
e) holding the rod at a second position against rotational movement;
f) torquing the rod with the power tongs until failure of the rod to sever a portion of the rod;
g) removing the first length of tubing and the severed portion of the rod; and h ) repeating steps a-g with the next length of jointed tubing being the first length of jointed tubing until a desired length of the jointed tubing is removed.
The rod may be a flattened rod with first and second widths. In this instance, it is preferred that the rod be gripped, at both gripping positions, by cylindrical inserts each having a slot whose width is intermediate the first and second widths. A flange is preferably providedaz the cylindrical inserts to prevent the inserts sliding away from the gripping positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is therefore provided in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a method of removing jointed tubing from a well, wherein rod is encased within the jointed tubing. The method comprises the steps of:
a) removing a first length of tubing from the well;
b) unscrewing the first length of tubing from the next length of tubing with power tongs;
c) lifting the first length of tubing clear of the power tongs;
d) gripping the rod with the power tongs at a first position;
e) holding the rod at a second position against rotational movement;
f) torquing the rod with the power tongs until failure of the rod to sever a portion of the rod;
g) removing the first length of tubing and the severed portion of the rod; and h ) repeating steps a-g with the next length of jointed tubing being the first length of jointed tubing until a desired length of the jointed tubing is removed.
The rod may be a flattened rod with first and second widths. In this instance, it is preferred that the rod be gripped, at both gripping positions, by cylindrical inserts each having a slot whose width is intermediate the first and second widths. A flange is preferably providedaz the cylindrical inserts to prevent the inserts sliding away from the gripping positions.
3 These and other aspects of the invention are described in the detailed description of the invention and claimed in the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE DRAV~IINGS
There will no w be described preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings, by way of illustration only and not with the intention of limiting the scope of the invention, in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view schematic showing initial steps in the manner of operation of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view schematic showing subsequent steps in the manner of operation of the invention;
F.ig. 3 is a side view schematic showing an implementation of the invention involving upper and lower cylindrical insert for use in gripping elliptical rod;
Fig. 3A is a section through a length of flattened rod;
Fig. 4 is a top view of the upper cylindrical insert of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a top view of the lower cylindrical insert of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a section along line 7-7 of Fig. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown schematically method steps for removing jointed tubing 10 from a well 12. Continuous rod 14 is encased within the jointed tubing 10. In the first step, as shown in Fig. 1, a first length of tubing l0A is removed from the well 12, carrying the rod 14 with it. The jointed tubing 10 is
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE DRAV~IINGS
There will no w be described preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings, by way of illustration only and not with the intention of limiting the scope of the invention, in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view schematic showing initial steps in the manner of operation of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view schematic showing subsequent steps in the manner of operation of the invention;
F.ig. 3 is a side view schematic showing an implementation of the invention involving upper and lower cylindrical insert for use in gripping elliptical rod;
Fig. 3A is a section through a length of flattened rod;
Fig. 4 is a top view of the upper cylindrical insert of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a top view of the lower cylindrical insert of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a section along line 7-7 of Fig. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown schematically method steps for removing jointed tubing 10 from a well 12. Continuous rod 14 is encased within the jointed tubing 10. In the first step, as shown in Fig. 1, a first length of tubing l0A is removed from the well 12, carrying the rod 14 with it. The jointed tubing 10 is
4 lifted with conventional lifting apparatus 15 until the joint between length l0a and length lOB is accessible by conventional upper power tongs 16 and lower power tongs 18.
Any of numerous power tongs, back up power tongs or the like may be used in the operation of the invention. The first length of tubing l0A is then unscrewed from the next length of tubing lOB by holding the length lOB with the lower power tongs 18 and rotating length l0A with the upper power tongs 16.
In the next step, illustrated in Fig. 2, the first length of tubing 10A is lifted clear of the power tongs 16 with conventional lifting apparatus 15. The rod is gripped with the upper power tongs 16 at a first position 20. The lower power tongs 18 hold the rod 14 at a second position 22 against rotational movement. The rod 14 is then torqued by application of power to the upper power tongs until failure of the rod 14 at a failure point 24. This severs a portion 14A of the rod 14 at 23. Both the first length of tubing l0A and the severed portion 14A of the rod 14 are now removed with conventional lifting apparatus 15.
These method steps are then repeated with the next length of jointed tubing lOB replacing the first length of jointed tubing l0A until a desired length of the jointed tubing 10 is removed.
In one manner of operation of the invention, the gripping dies 17 of the power tongs 16, 18 may be changed between unscrewing of the jointed tubing 10 and torquing of the rod 14 so that gripping dies of suitable size are used.
This additional step of replacing the dies slows the process, so that in the case of elliptical or flattened rod 14 shown in Fig. 3A, wherein the rod has a first cross-sectional width 28 that is larger than a second cross-sectional width 29, it is preferred to grip the rod 14 with cylindrical inserts 30, 31 shown in Figs. 4-7 that are slid around the rod 14 to grip the rod.
The cylindrical inserts 30, 31 are formed from cylindrical members 32, 33 that have slots 34, 35
Any of numerous power tongs, back up power tongs or the like may be used in the operation of the invention. The first length of tubing l0A is then unscrewed from the next length of tubing lOB by holding the length lOB with the lower power tongs 18 and rotating length l0A with the upper power tongs 16.
In the next step, illustrated in Fig. 2, the first length of tubing 10A is lifted clear of the power tongs 16 with conventional lifting apparatus 15. The rod is gripped with the upper power tongs 16 at a first position 20. The lower power tongs 18 hold the rod 14 at a second position 22 against rotational movement. The rod 14 is then torqued by application of power to the upper power tongs until failure of the rod 14 at a failure point 24. This severs a portion 14A of the rod 14 at 23. Both the first length of tubing l0A and the severed portion 14A of the rod 14 are now removed with conventional lifting apparatus 15.
These method steps are then repeated with the next length of jointed tubing lOB replacing the first length of jointed tubing l0A until a desired length of the jointed tubing 10 is removed.
In one manner of operation of the invention, the gripping dies 17 of the power tongs 16, 18 may be changed between unscrewing of the jointed tubing 10 and torquing of the rod 14 so that gripping dies of suitable size are used.
This additional step of replacing the dies slows the process, so that in the case of elliptical or flattened rod 14 shown in Fig. 3A, wherein the rod has a first cross-sectional width 28 that is larger than a second cross-sectional width 29, it is preferred to grip the rod 14 with cylindrical inserts 30, 31 shown in Figs. 4-7 that are slid around the rod 14 to grip the rod.
The cylindrical inserts 30, 31 are formed from cylindrical members 32, 33 that have slots 34, 35
5 respectively that extend from one end of the cylindrical member 32, 33 to the other. The slots 34, 35 have a width (a gripping width) that is between the widths 28 and 29.
The width of the slots 34, 35 need not be continuously of this size. It is necessary only that the slots 34, 35 have this width over a sufficient portion of the slot length that the elliptical rod 14 may be gripped with the cylindrical inserts 30, 31 and rotated until failure. For example, the slots 34, 35 may be continuously of gripping width, with the cylindrical members solid elsewhere or the cylindrical members could be hollow with the slots extending only over a portion of the cylindrical member, for example only at flange 36. The flange 36 may extend across the top of the cylindrical member and extend radially outward from the cylindrical member, with the slot 34 only having the gripping width at the flange 36. In the case when the flange 36 is the only portion of the insert in which the slot has the gripping width, the balance of the cylindrical insert 30 may be tubular. The flange 36 on insert 30 prevents the insert from sliding down the rod past the upper power tongs 16. The insert 31 may be held by various designs of holding devices. The location of flange 38 depends on the holding device. For example, flange 38 may be placed on a central portion of insert 31 to prevent the insert 31 from sliding through a lower rod holding device such as the lower power tongs 18.
Other methods may be used to hold the rod against rotation. For example, a forked member with a slot having the gripping width may be used and slid around the rod. In this instance, the lower power tongs are not necessary.
The width of the slots 34, 35 need not be continuously of this size. It is necessary only that the slots 34, 35 have this width over a sufficient portion of the slot length that the elliptical rod 14 may be gripped with the cylindrical inserts 30, 31 and rotated until failure. For example, the slots 34, 35 may be continuously of gripping width, with the cylindrical members solid elsewhere or the cylindrical members could be hollow with the slots extending only over a portion of the cylindrical member, for example only at flange 36. The flange 36 may extend across the top of the cylindrical member and extend radially outward from the cylindrical member, with the slot 34 only having the gripping width at the flange 36. In the case when the flange 36 is the only portion of the insert in which the slot has the gripping width, the balance of the cylindrical insert 30 may be tubular. The flange 36 on insert 30 prevents the insert from sliding down the rod past the upper power tongs 16. The insert 31 may be held by various designs of holding devices. The location of flange 38 depends on the holding device. For example, flange 38 may be placed on a central portion of insert 31 to prevent the insert 31 from sliding through a lower rod holding device such as the lower power tongs 18.
Other methods may be used to hold the rod against rotation. For example, a forked member with a slot having the gripping width may be used and slid around the rod. In this instance, the lower power tongs are not necessary.
6 Although the invention has been described in relation to continuous, or coilable rod, the same procedure may be used for jointed rod, whether coilable or not.
A person skilled in the art could make immaterial modifications to the invention described in this patent document without departing from the essence of the invention that is intended to be covered by the scope of the claims that follow.
A person skilled in the art could make immaterial modifications to the invention described in this patent document without departing from the essence of the invention that is intended to be covered by the scope of the claims that follow.
Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of removing jointed tubing from a well, wherein rod is encased within the jointed tubing, the method comprising the steps of:
a) removing a first length of tubing from the well, the first length of tubing being attached to a next length of tubing;
b) unscrewing the first length of tubing from the next length of tubing with power tongs;
c) lifting the first length of tubing clear of the power tongs;
d) gripping the rod with the power tongs at a first position;
e) holding the rod at a second position against rotational movement;
f) torquing the rod with the power tongs until failure of the rod to sever a portion of the rod;
g) removing the first length of tubing and the severed portion of the rod; and h) repeating steps a-g with the next length of jointed tubing being the first length of jointed tubing until a desired length of the jointed tubing is removed.
a) removing a first length of tubing from the well, the first length of tubing being attached to a next length of tubing;
b) unscrewing the first length of tubing from the next length of tubing with power tongs;
c) lifting the first length of tubing clear of the power tongs;
d) gripping the rod with the power tongs at a first position;
e) holding the rod at a second position against rotational movement;
f) torquing the rod with the power tongs until failure of the rod to sever a portion of the rod;
g) removing the first length of tubing and the severed portion of the rod; and h) repeating steps a-g with the next length of jointed tubing being the first length of jointed tubing until a desired length of the jointed tubing is removed.
2. The method of claim 1 in which the rod is flattened rod having first and second widths and gripping the rod with power tongs comprises:
obtaining a first cylindrical insert, wherein the first cylindrical insert has a slot whose width is less than the first width and greater than the second width;
sliding the first cylindrical insert onto the rod with the rod in the slot; and gripping the first cylindrical insert with the power tongs.
obtaining a first cylindrical insert, wherein the first cylindrical insert has a slot whose width is less than the first width and greater than the second width;
sliding the first cylindrical insert onto the rod with the rod in the slot; and gripping the first cylindrical insert with the power tongs.
3. The method of claim 2 in which the first cylindrical insert is prevented from dropping past the power tongs by a first flange on the first cylindrical insert.
4. The method of claim 2 in which holding the rod comprises:
obtaining a second cylindrical insert, wherein the cylindrical insert has a slot whose width is less than the first width and greater than the second width;
sliding the second cylindrical insert onto the rod with the rod in the slot; and gripping the second cylindrical insert with the power tongs.
obtaining a second cylindrical insert, wherein the cylindrical insert has a slot whose width is less than the first width and greater than the second width;
sliding the second cylindrical insert onto the rod with the rod in the slot; and gripping the second cylindrical insert with the power tongs.
5. The method of claim 4 in which the second cylindrical insert is prevented from dropping past the second position by a second flange on the second cylindrical insert.
6. A cylindrical insert for gripping flattened rod, wherein the rod has a first cross-sectional width and a second cross-sectional width, the cylindrical insert comprising:
a cylindrical member having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis;
a slot extending along the cylindrical member from the first end to the second end;
the slot having a width, at least over some portion of its length, that is less than the first cross-sectional width and greater than the second cross-sectional width; and a flange extending radially outward from the cylindrical member at a central portion of the cylindrical member.
a cylindrical member having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis;
a slot extending along the cylindrical member from the first end to the second end;
the slot having a width, at least over some portion of its length, that is less than the first cross-sectional width and greater than the second cross-sectional width; and a flange extending radially outward from the cylindrical member at a central portion of the cylindrical member.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207832 CA2207832C (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1997-06-17 | Rod removal system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207832 CA2207832C (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1997-06-17 | Rod removal system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2207832A1 CA2207832A1 (en) | 1998-12-17 |
| CA2207832C true CA2207832C (en) | 2006-08-29 |
Family
ID=4160892
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2207832 Expired - Fee Related CA2207832C (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1997-06-17 | Rod removal system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2207832C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8844616B2 (en) | 2009-02-26 | 2014-09-30 | West Drilling Products As | Method for withdrawal and insertion of a drill pipe string in a borehole and also a device for use when practicing the method |
| WO2018117853A1 (en) | 2016-12-21 | 2018-06-28 | Mhwirth As | System and method for handling a pipe string |
-
1997
- 1997-06-17 CA CA 2207832 patent/CA2207832C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8844616B2 (en) | 2009-02-26 | 2014-09-30 | West Drilling Products As | Method for withdrawal and insertion of a drill pipe string in a borehole and also a device for use when practicing the method |
| WO2018117853A1 (en) | 2016-12-21 | 2018-06-28 | Mhwirth As | System and method for handling a pipe string |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2207832A1 (en) | 1998-12-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |