CA2521763C - Pump plug - Google Patents

Pump plug Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2521763C
CA2521763C CA2521763A CA2521763A CA2521763C CA 2521763 C CA2521763 C CA 2521763C CA 2521763 A CA2521763 A CA 2521763A CA 2521763 A CA2521763 A CA 2521763A CA 2521763 C CA2521763 C CA 2521763C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
pump plug
tube
slit
slits
closed
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 - Lifetime
Application number
CA2521763A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2521763A1 (en
Inventor
Wilhelmus Christianus Maria Lohbeck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schlumberger Canada Ltd
Original Assignee
ThruBit BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ThruBit BV filed Critical ThruBit BV
Publication of CA2521763A1 publication Critical patent/CA2521763A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2521763C publication Critical patent/CA2521763C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0553Cylindrically shaped pigs
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/08Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
    • E21B23/10Tools specially adapted therefor
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16LPIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F16L55/28Constructional aspects
    • F16L55/30Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables
    • F16L55/38Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables driven by fluid pressure

Abstract

Pump plug (1) for flowline operations, which pump plug (1) comprises a resilient body (2) and a flexible cage (3) having a wear-resistant outer surface (4) arranged around the resilient body (2), wherein the flexible cage (3) comprises a tube having a first end (6) and a second end (7), which tube is provided with a number of slits closed (16) at at least one end.

Description

PUMP PLUG

The present invention relates to a pump plug for use in flowline operations, such as for displacing well tools via a flowline to a well, for well swabbing operations, for displacing well tools through a production tubing in a well, or for displacing a device for expanding a well tubular, such as an expandable slotted tube or an expandable solid tube. In general, the pump plug is used to displace a tool through a flowline having a flow passage, wherein the pump plug is pumped through the flowline. Examples of such flowlines are flowlines, surface pipe, well tubulars and so on.
An example of such a pump plug is described in British patent specification No. 1 321 152. The known pump plug had been developed to provide a pump plug that could pass through a flowline having abrupt changes in diameter of the flow passage. To this end the known pump plug comprises a cylindrical body, a tubing of elastomeric material surrounding the body, and rigid fittings attached to the outer surface of the tubing, wherein the rigid fittings comprise a first series of segmental fittings spaced-apart around the centre of the body at right angles to its longitudinal axis and a second series of fitting, the fittings of the second series being elongate and each having one end in contact with a fitting of the first series. Furthermore an elongated fitting is situated adjacent a space between two fittings of the first series, and between every two elongated fittings adjacent a space there is arranged at least one other elongated fitting.
A disadvantage of the known pump plug is that its manufacture is complicated, because of the two series of fittings that have to be made separately and assembled so as to form a seal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler design of a pump plug-To this end the pump plug for flowline operations according to the present invention comprises a resilient body and a flexible cage having a wear-resistant outer surface arranged around the resilient body, wherein the flexible cage comprises a tube having a first end and a second end, which tube is provided with a repeating pattern of slits closed at at least one end and with at least one slit open at one end.
The invention will now be described by way of example in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows schematically a longitudinal section of the pump plug according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically a flattened view of part of the pump plug according to Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows schematically a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and Figure 4 shows schematically a flattened view of part of the pump plug according to Figure 3.
Reference is now made to Figure 1, showing a first embodiment of the pump plug 1 for flowline operations according to the present invention. The pump plug 1 comprises a resilient cylindrical body 2 and a flexible cage 3 having a wear-resistant outer surface 4 arranged around the resilient cylindrical body 2.
We now refer to Figure 2 to discuss the flexible cage 3 in more detail. The flexible cage 3 comprises a tube 5 having a first end 6 and a second end 7. The tube 5 is provided with a number of axial slits 9 and 10 closed at at least one end. For the sake of simplicity the resilient body is not shown in Figure 2.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slits 9 and 10 form a repeating pattern of two slits, a first slit 9 that is closed at the first end 6 of the tube 5 and open at the second end 7, and a second slit 10 that is closed at the second end 7 of the tube 5 and open at the first end 6. Adjacent slits define elongated bars 15 that are joined at their ends by connection elements 16 that serve as a dam.
The repeating pattern of the slits 9 and 10 is repeated in circumferential direction, so that the pattern is symmetrical about an axis 17 that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18 of the pump plug 1.
When the pump plug 1 is inserted in a flowline (not shown), the flexible cage 3 serves as a sliding seal for the pump plug 1 because the connection elements 16 prevent fluids from flowing along the resilient cylindrical body 2. Since the outer surface 4 of the flexible cage 3 is of wear-resistant material, the flexible cage 3 forms a protective outer layer on the resilient cylindrical body 2. The resilient cylindrical body 2 forms a static seal.
During normal operations, the pump plug of the present invention is used for displacing a well tool through a flowline (not shown). The dimensions of the pump plug should be so selected that the outer surface 4 of the flexible cage 3 is in contact with the inner surface of the flowline, in such a way that a seal is formed. Assume that the pump plug 1 is displaced through the flowline with its first end 6 in the direction of displacement, and that it encounters a part with a reduced flow passage. When encountering a reduced flow passage, the following will happen. At the front end 6 of the pump plug 1 the bars 15 will be forced to rotate in the direction of arrow 19, so that the ends of the bars 15 at the front end 6 will displace into the resilient cylindrical body 2. This will enable the pump plug to pass along the part with the reduced flow passage. The rotation can go on until the gaps of the slits 10 close. Thus dimensions of the flexible cage 3 have to be selected such that the pump plug can pass along the smallest flow passage that is expected in the flowline through which the pump plug is pumped.
Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4 showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The pump plug la comprises a resilient cylindrical body 2a, 2b and a flexible cage 3a having a wear-resistant outer surface 4a arranged around the resilient cylindrical body 2a, 2b, wherein the flexible cage 3a comprises a tube 5a having a first end 6 and a second end 7, which tube 5a is provided with a number of slits 41, 42 and 43 that are closed at at least one end. For the sake of simplicity the resilient body is not shown in Figure 4.
The resilient cylindrical body 2a, 2b comprises a rigid cylindrical core 2a and a mantle 2b of resilient material fixed on the outer surface of the rigid core 2a.
The use of a rigid core is particularly suitable for operations in which a large pressure difference is applied over the pump plug.
The slits 41, 42 and 43 form a repeating pattern of a first slit 41 a second 42 and a third slit 43. The first slit 41 is closed at both ends 6 and 7 of the tube 5a.
The third slit 43 is aligned with the second slit 42. The second slit 42 and the third slit 43 are open at opposite ends of the tube 5a and closed in the middle of the tube 5a by connection elements 45. Between the slits 41 and 42 and 43 bars 15a are defined, wherein the bars 15a at either side of a first slit 41 are joined at their ends by connection elements 16a. The connection elements 45 and 16a serve as dams. When the pump plug la is inserted in a flowline (not shown), the flexible -cage 3a serves as a sliding seal. The resilient cylindrical body 2a forms a static seal.
In an alternative embodiment, the connection elements 16a at the end 7 of the pump plug can be 5 omitted.
The repeating pattern of the slits 41, 42 and 43 is repeated in circumferential direction, so that the pattern is symmetrical about an axis 17a that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18 of the pump plug la.
The repeating pattern of the slits 41, 42 and 43 can be construed as a repetition of the pattern shown in Figure 2 in axial direction, wherein the pattern shown in Figure 2 is mirrored about a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 18. The intersection of the plane and the plane of drawing of Figure 2 is a dot and dash line referred to with reference numeral 46.
It will be understood that the repeating pattern of the slits 41, 42 and 43 can be repeated as well in axial direction, by mirroring the pattern shown in Figure 4 about a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 18. The intersection of the plane and the plane of drawing of Figure 4 is a dot and dash line referred to with reference numeral 47. The mirrored image of slit 41 is shown in dashed lines and referred to with reference numeral 41a. In this way the repeating pattern of the slits 41, 42 and 43 is extended in axial direction with its mirror image.
The resilient cylindrical body (or the mantle) can be made of a rubber, and the slits of the tube can be filled with rubber that is vulcanised together with the rubber of the resilient body so as to form an integral part.
In order to obtain more radial resilience, the resilient cylindrical body (or the mantle) can be provided with circumferential ridges. On these ridges the flexible cage is provided. The ridges still prevent fluid from flowing along the pump plug.
The slits shown in the embodiments of the present invention discussed with reference to Figures 1-4 extend in axial direction, however, the slits can as well be arranged under a sharp angle (less than 45 ) with the central longitudinal axis of the pump plug.
The slits are so formed that the bars 15 and 15a have a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the cross-section is in the form of a trapezium, wherein the shorter side points in to the resilient body.
The flexible cage discussed above has a wear-resistant outer surface, this requirement is also met when the tube from which the flexible cage is made consists of wear-resistant material. Suitable tube materials are beryllium, titanium, bronze, tool steel or a ceramic.
When needed more than one pump plug can be used in series, or a resilient body can be provided with more than one flexible cage.
In order to increase the pressure exerted during normal operation of the outer surface of the flexible cage on the inner surface of a flowline, the pump plug shown in Figure 3 can be provided with a tapering space between the rigid cylindrical body 2a and the mantle 2b that is closed at one end, so that pressurized fluid can enter under the mantle 2b.
In order to push or to pull devices through the flowline, the pump plug is provided with suitable connectors, which are not discussed.
The present invention provides a simple pump plug that is easy to manufacture because the flexible cage is made of a tube provided with labyrinth slits. The pump plug according to the present invention is easy to manufacture and does not have small parts that can be lost during operation.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:
1. Pump plug for flowline operations, which pump plug comprises a resilient body and a flexible cage having a wear-resistant outer surface arranged around the resilient body, wherein the flexible cage comprises a tube having a first end and a second end, which tube is provided with a repeating pattern of slits closed at at least one end and with at least one slit open at one end.
2. Pump plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern comprises two slits, a first slit that is closed at the first end of the tube and open at the second end and a second slit that is closed at the second end of the tube and open at the first end.
3. Pump plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern comprises a first, second and third slit, wherein the first slit is closed at both ends of the tube, wherein the third slit is aligned with the second slit, and wherein the second and third slit are open at opposite ends of the tube and closed in the middle of the tube.
4. Pump plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the repeating pattern is extended in axial direction with its mirror image.
5. Pump plug as claimed in any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the resilient body comprises a rigid core and a mantle of resilient material fixed on the outer surface of the rigid core.
CA2521763A 2003-04-15 2004-04-13 Pump plug Expired - Lifetime CA2521763C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03076115.9 2003-04-15
EP03076115 2003-04-15
PCT/EP2004/050505 WO2004092535A1 (en) 2003-04-15 2004-04-13 Pump plug

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2521763A1 CA2521763A1 (en) 2004-10-28
CA2521763C true CA2521763C (en) 2012-08-14

Family

ID=33185906

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2521763A Expired - Lifetime CA2521763C (en) 2003-04-15 2004-04-13 Pump plug

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20060266512A1 (en)
CN (1) CN100378290C (en)
BR (1) BRPI0409299B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2521763C (en)
GB (1) GB2415985B (en)
NO (1) NO339509B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2344267C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2004092535A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7748466B2 (en) * 2006-09-14 2010-07-06 Thrubit B.V. Coiled tubing wellbore drilling and surveying using a through the drill bit apparatus
US8443915B2 (en) 2006-09-14 2013-05-21 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Through drillstring logging systems and methods
WO2008125581A1 (en) * 2007-04-12 2008-10-23 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Drill bit assembly and method of performing an operation in a wellbore
US8264532B2 (en) * 2007-08-09 2012-09-11 Thrubit B.V. Through-mill wellbore optical inspection and remediation apparatus and methodology
US8316703B2 (en) * 2008-04-25 2012-11-27 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flexible coupling for well logging instruments
AU2011213541B2 (en) * 2010-02-07 2015-07-30 Ian Doig Pipeline conveyor systems
CN110107241B (en) * 2019-04-29 2021-08-17 成都英诺思科技有限公司 Underground pumping method

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1638429A (en) * 1924-07-02 1927-08-09 Alfred J Allard Motor-vehicle direction indicator
US1683429A (en) * 1926-11-17 1928-09-04 Walker Edward Plug for cleaning tubes
US3605159A (en) * 1968-11-20 1971-09-20 Harry J Girard Pipe line pig or swipe
US3725968A (en) * 1971-05-27 1973-04-10 M Knapp Double-dished pipeline pig
NL8402419A (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-03-03 Jochim Van Beugen Cleaning pig for pipe-line bore - has open cell foam core with glued in brushes in spiral pattern
US6569255B2 (en) * 1998-09-24 2003-05-27 On Stream Technologies Inc. Pig and method for cleaning tubes
US5966768A (en) * 1998-03-25 1999-10-19 The Atlantic Group, Inc. Adjustable tube-cleaner device
US7086476B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2006-08-08 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Expandable devices and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004092535A1 (en) 2004-10-28
CN100378290C (en) 2008-04-02
BRPI0409299B1 (en) 2015-09-01
GB2415985A (en) 2006-01-11
CA2521763A1 (en) 2004-10-28
US20060266512A1 (en) 2006-11-30
BRPI0409299A (en) 2006-04-11
CN1774559A (en) 2006-05-17
GB0520261D0 (en) 2005-11-16
NO339509B1 (en) 2016-12-27
NO20055373L (en) 2005-11-14
GB2415985B (en) 2006-06-07
RU2005135442A (en) 2006-03-20
RU2344267C2 (en) 2009-01-20

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