EP0298828B1 - Apparatus for remotely controlling the relative orientation of two pieces of a pipe string - Google Patents

Apparatus for remotely controlling the relative orientation of two pieces of a pipe string Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0298828B1
EP0298828B1 EP88401619A EP88401619A EP0298828B1 EP 0298828 B1 EP0298828 B1 EP 0298828B1 EP 88401619 A EP88401619 A EP 88401619A EP 88401619 A EP88401619 A EP 88401619A EP 0298828 B1 EP0298828 B1 EP 0298828B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
axis
section
tubular
column
tubular element
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
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EP88401619A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0298828A1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Morin
Jean Boulet
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IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
S M F International
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IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
S M F International
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Publication of EP0298828A1 publication Critical patent/EP0298828A1/en
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Publication of EP0298828B1 publication Critical patent/EP0298828B1/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/04—Directional drilling
    • E21B7/06—Deflecting the direction of boreholes
    • E21B7/067—Deflecting the direction of boreholes with means for locking sections of a pipe or of a guide for a shaft in angular relation, e.g. adjustable bent sub

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for the remote adjustment of the orientation, relative to the axis of a first section of a column, of a second section arranged after the first.
  • the present invention can be applied to a drill string having a drill head disposed at the end of the drill string itself.
  • a drill string consists of a set of tubular rods fixed one at the end of the other, this column carrying at its end a drill head comprising a tool and a downhole motor.
  • the drilling head constitutes the lower section of the column which comes to the bottom of the hole during drilling.
  • the drilling column proper formed by a succession of tubular rods, constitutes the upper section, the end opposite to the drilling head being on the surface and allows, in particular, the supply of drilling column to the column.
  • the drilling fluid circulates inside the column over its entire length to the bottom of the hole, which it cleans and can also allow the drive of the downhole motor.
  • the downhole motor in turn drives the drill bit in rotation.
  • the elbow fitting is a rigid fitting whose angle is predetermined. Whenever it is desired to modify the drilling trajectory, it is necessary to raise the drilling column to the surface to adapt a new elbow fitting, the angle of which is chosen as a function of the desired deviation.
  • articulated elbow fittings consisting of two tubular parts which can be placed either in alignment with one another or in a position where their axes make an angle of determined value.
  • Such articulated couplings therefore make it possible to obtain only one orientation of the drilling head relative to the column.
  • variable angle elbow fitting comprises a first straight tubular element integral with the upper section of the column and a second straight tubular element integral with the end of the lower section of the drilling column.
  • the second tubular element is fixed on the first and rotatably mounted with respect to this first element around an axis making a non-zero angle a with the axis of the first tubular element which coincides with the axis of the upper section of the column with respect to which the orientation of the lower section is carried out.
  • the axis of the first tubular element, the axis of the second tubular element and the axis of rotation are concurrent at the same point.
  • the second tubular element has a reference position where its axis is aligned with the axis of the first tubular element and therefore with the axis of the drill string. In this position of the elbow fitting, the drill string is completely straight.
  • Remotely controlled means that is to say from the surface, make it possible to rotate the second tubular element with respect to the first, about its axis of rotation.
  • the second tubular element has a misalignment relative to the first tubular element which varies between 0 and a maximum value equal to 2a.
  • Maximum misalignment is obtained by rotating the second tubular element 180 ° around its axis of rotation, from its reference position.
  • the rotation is carried out in successive steps of determined amplitude, so that one obtains successively perfectly determined orientations of the second tubular element relative to the first.
  • the lower section of the drill string, integral with the second tubular element and disposed in the axial extension of this element, can therefore be oriented relative to the axis of the upper section coincident with the axis of the first tubular element.
  • the rotational displacement of the second tubular element and the lower section of the drill string can only be obtained after unlocking a shaft ensuring the rotational connection of the two elements of the elbow fitting and therefore of the two sections of the drill string .
  • the means for moving the second tubular element in rotation relative to the first are generally actuated by the motor effect of the drilling fluid and controlled from the surface by electrical or hydraulic means.
  • the mechanical design of the remote-controlled variable angle elbow fittings is made more difficult by the fact that the two tubular elements are mounted to rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation distinct from the axes of the two tubular elements.
  • the elbow fitting must, moreover, ensure the continuity of passage of the drilling fluid in the column.
  • the elbow fitting is therefore a piece whose manufacture is delicate and the cost very high.
  • the elbow fitting must be designed to obtain a maximum misalignment determined by be the two sections of the drill string. In the case where it is desired to modify the characteristics of the elbow connection, that is to say for example in the case where it is desired to increase the maximum misalignment angle, it is necessary to design and to manufacture a new elbow fitting.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for the remote adjustment of the orientation, relative to the axis of a first section of a column, in particular of a drilling column, of a second section disposed after the first, constituted by a variable angle elbow fitting inserted between the corresponding ends of the two sections of the column and comprising a first straight tubular element integral with the end of the first section and a second straight tubular element integral with the end of the second section of the column, fixed on the first element and rotatably mounted relative to this first element around an axis making a non-zero angle a with the axis of the first section of the column, the device further comprising mechanical means for securing in rotation the two tubular elements and means controlled remotely to move in rotation in a controlled manner the second element relative to the first, this disp ositif to simplify the design and construction of the elbow fitting which can be easily adapted to variable maximum misalignment angles, by using adaptation elements of simple structure.
  • the axis of the first straight tubular element makes a non-zero angle with the axis of the first section of the column and the end parts of the first and second straight tubular elements are connected to the corresponding end parts of the first and second sections of the column by means of removable rigid elbow tubular connections, each of these end parts of the tubular elements being offset in a radial direction relative to the axis of the first section of the column.
  • FIG. 1 we see a part of a drill string generally designated by the reference 1.
  • This drill string has an upper section 2 and a lower section 3 connected by means of an elbow connector 4 allowing orienting the lower section 3 carrying the drilling tool with respect to the axis 5 of the upper section 2 of the drilling column.
  • the elbow connector consists of two straight tubular elements 4a and 4b rigidly integral with the upper section 2 and the lower section 3, respectively.
  • the lower tubular element 4b of the elbow connector 4 is fixed on the upper tubular element 4a and rotatably mounted relative to this tubular element around an axis 6 intersecting the axis 5 common to the element 4a and to the section 2 in a point 0 and making with this axis 5 a non-zero angle a.
  • the rotary mounting of the element 4b on the element 4a is obtained by means of a conical bearing 8 shown diagrammatically.
  • the axis 7 of the element 4b which is also the axis of the section 3 of the drill string also passes through the point 0 common to the axes 5 and 6.
  • the maximum misalignment angle 2a therefore depends directly on the mounting structure of the tubular elements 4a and 4b via the bearing 8 .
  • the modification of the maximum deflection angle requires a complete change of the elbow connector 4, the structure of which is provided for a well defined maximum deflection angle.
  • FIGS. 3 and 3A we see an elbow fitting according to the invention generally designated by the reference 14.
  • the fitting 14 is interposed between the lower end of the upper section 12 of a drill string and the upper end of the lower section 13 of this drilling column comprising in particular the bottom motor 30 and the drilling tool 31.
  • the sections 12 and 13 are connected to the elbow fitting 14 by means of parts with conical thread.
  • the connector 14 consists of two rectilinear tubular elements 14a and 14b and two rigid elbow tubular connectors 15a and 15b. These various elements of the elbow fitting 14 are arranged one after the other in the axial direction 18 of the drill string and have matching bores allowing continuous circulation of the drilling fluid through the elbow fitting 14.
  • the upper tubular element 14a is rigidly connected to the upper section 12 of the drilling column by means of the elbow tubular connection 15a which has parts with conical thread 19 and 19 ′ allowing it to be connected to the section 12 and to the element 14a respectively.
  • the lower element 14b is rigidly connected to the lower section 13 of the drill string via the elbow tubular connector 15b which has conical threads 21 and 21 'allowing it to be connected respectively to the element 14b and section 13.
  • the connector 14 has been shown in its reference position where the axis 20 of the lower section 13 of the drill string is aligned with the axis 18 of the upper section 12 of this column.
  • the upper tubular element 14a has an axis 16 making a non-zero angle a with the axis 18 of the upper section 12.
  • the lower tubular element 14b is fixed on the upper element 14a and rotatably mounted on this element through of a conical bearing 23 whose axis 16 coincides with the axis of the tubular element 14a making an angle a with the axis 18 of the upper section 12 of the drill string.
  • the axis 22 of the lower tubular element 14b is also coincident with the axis 16 and thus forms an angle a with the axis 20 of the lower section of the drill string.
  • the ends of the elements 14a and 14b connecting to the elbow fittings 15a and 15b respectively are offset in a radial direction and in opposite directions, relative to the axis 18, 20 of the drill string.
  • FIG 3A there is shown schematically the tubular elements 14a and 14b as well as the elbow fittings 15a and 15b.
  • the lower tubular element 14b is rotatably mounted on the upper element 14a around the axis 16 common to these two tubular elements.
  • the axis 16 intersects the axis 18 at a point 0 and defines with the axis 18 a plane of symmetry of the fitting.
  • the upper section of the drill string shown schematically by its axis 18, the elbow fitting 15a and the upper tubular element 14a which are integral with each other constitute the fixed parts of the drill string during the orientation adjustment of the lower section represented schematically by its axis 20.
  • This orientation adjustment is obtained by rotating the lower tubular element 14b around the axis 16 of the bearing 23.
  • a stepwise rotation of amplitude e of the tubular element 14b relative to the element 14a can be obtained by a device as described in the IFP patents cited previously in the present application.
  • the elbow connector 14 may include, as described in these patents, a shaft allowing either to fasten the elements 14a and 14b in rotation or to move the element 14b in rotation relative to the element 14a.
  • the element 14b which is integral with the lower section 13 of axis 20, via the elbow connector 15b, rotates this lower section whose axis 20 is capable of successively occupying the positions represented by the points P2, P3, ... P9, from the reference position P0.
  • the axis 20 occupies the position 20 'represented by the point P5.
  • the axis 20 in its position 20 ' makes an angle equal to 2a with the initial direction 18, 20, that is to say with the axis of the upper section 12 of the drill string.
  • the lower section 13 of the drill string comprising the motor 30 and the drill bit 31 is therefore capable of being oriented at successive angles relative to the upper section 12, these misalignment angles being between 0 and 2a, a being the angle made by the axis of rotation 16 with the axis 18 of the upper section of the drill string.
  • the axis of rotation 16 of the element 14b relative to the element 14a is directed along the axis common to the two tubular elements 14a and 14b.
  • the design of these elements 14a and 14b is therefore much simpler than that of the elements 4a and 4b of the device according to the prior art shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • this design does not fix the value of the angle a in turn defining the maximum misalignment that can be achieved using the fitting. This angle is determined by the shape given to the rigid elbow tubular connections 15a and 15b.
  • the axis 16 common to the elements 14a and 14b defines with the axis 18 of the drill string a plane of symmetry which is the plane of Figure 3A.
  • the axes of the elbow fittings 15a and 15b are in the plane and the elbow fittings 15a and 15b are symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis 18.
  • this is by no means limiting and these elements can be of different length, the rigid elbow fittings 15a and 15b being designed accordingly.
  • the connecting faces of the element 14a and 14b with the tubular connections 15a and 15b respectively are offset radially with respect to the axis 18 by the same length but in different directions.
  • FIGS. 4 and 4A a second embodiment of an elbow connection is shown, the tubular elements 24a and 24b of which are identical to the elements 14a and 14b of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a.
  • the axis of rotation 26 of the tubular element 24b relative to the tubular element 24a is coincident with the axis common to the tubular elements 24a and 24b.
  • the rigid elbow tubular connections 25a and 25b have a shape and an arrangement such that the axis 26 makes a non-zero angle a with the axis 28 of the upper section of the drill string which is merged, in the reference position shown on Figure 4, with the axis 29 of the lower section of the drill string.
  • the axis 26 intersects the axis 28 at a point 0 'situated far below the tubular elements 24a and 24b mounted so that they can rotate relative to each other.
  • This point 0 ' is located in the vicinity of the downhole motor 30 and a little above the drilling tool 31.
  • This arrangement which is obtained by using an intermediate tubular connector 32 to connect the lower tubular element 24b and the connector bent 25b makes it possible to bring the pivot center 0 'closer to the lower section of the drill string, of the drilling tool 31. This arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the adjustment and the orientation efficiency of the drilling.
  • the intermediate tubular connection 32 may include the motor 30.
  • the rotational movement may be transmitted to the drilling tool by a shaft passing through this rigid elbow fitting, this shaft comprising a universal joint.
  • FIG. 4A the lower section of the drill string is shown diagrammatically by its axis 29.
  • the axis 29 of the lower section of the drill string goes from position 29 to position 29 '.
  • the axis of the lower section of the drill string makes an angle equal to 2a with the axis 28 of the upper section.
  • the connecting faces of the elements 24a and 24b are offset radially relative to the axis 28 in the same direction; the axis 26 which joins the center of these faces intersects the axis 28 at point 0 'located very below the elements 24a and 24b.
  • the axes 26 and 28 define a plane which is a plane of symmetry for the entire fitting and which is the plane of Figure 4A.
  • the elbow tubular connections 25a and 25b have, as before, inverted arrangements, these connections being placed on either side of the axis 28, thanks to the very long connection 32.
  • FIGS. 4 and 4A there is shown in dotted lines the position 33 'of the bearing 33 which it would be necessary to adopt to obtain a pivot center at 0', in the case where one wishes to use an elbow fitting of the type shown in Figures 3 and 3A where the pivot center is in the connection plane of the upper and lower tubular elements.
  • the tubular elements which would be necessary in the case of the use of a device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A have also been designated by 24'a and 24'b. It is therefore quite obvious that the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 4A makes it possible to considerably simplify the design of the rotary tubular elements of the elbow connector, while moving the center of pivoting downwards.
  • FIGS. 5 and 5A show a third embodiment of an elbow fitting 44 comprising an upper element 44a and a lower element 44b rotatably mounted on the element 44a around the axis 46 common to the tubular elements 44a and 44b.
  • the connecting faces of the elements 44a and 44b with the corresponding elbow fittings 45a and 45b making it possible to connect the tubular elements 44a and 44b to the upper section and to the lower section of the drill string respectively are offset on the same side of the axis 48 of the drill string.
  • the axis of rotation 46 of the tubular element 44b with respect to the element 44a makes an angle a with the axis 48 and intersects this axis 48 at a point 0 'located in the vicinity of the bottom motor 30 of the column of drilling.
  • FIG 6 there is shown a fourth embodiment of a variable angle elbow fitting 54 according to the invention.
  • This elbow fitting is made up as before of two straight tubular elements 54a and 54b and two elbow fittings 55a and 55b.
  • the elbow fitting 55a allows mounting of the tubular element 54a at the end of the upper section of the drill string, so that the axis 52 of this tubular element 54a makes a certain angle a non-zero with the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string .
  • the tubular element 54b is fixed on the element 54a and rotatably mounted thereon by means of a bearing 53 with an axis 56.
  • the axis 56 of the bearing 53 makes an angle a1 with the axis 52 of the tubular member 54a.
  • the axis 56 makes an angle a2 with the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string.
  • the device according to the invention therefore makes it possible not only to produce an orientation with a connector comprising two tubular elements having a common axis around which one of the elements is rotatably mounted relative to the other, but also to modify the angle at will. maximum misalignment obtained from a device according to the prior art.
  • the device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain great flexibility as regards the adjustment of the maximum misalignment angle which can be obtained and as to the position of the pivot point of the section of the drill string whose we realize the orientation.
  • the two tubular elements of the elbow connector can be joined in rotation by a device controlled remotely.
  • any remote actuation device can be used to achieve the step-by-step rotation of one of the tubular elements for orientation relative to the other.
  • These actuation means can be of any type as described in the IFP patents mentioned above.
  • This device can also be a remote actuation device as described in French patent 2,575,793 of the Company SMF International.
  • the axis of rotation of the straight tubular elements can be not only coplanar with the axis of the drill string, as in the examples described where these axes intersect at the pivot point of the fitting, but also not coplanar. In the latter case, the two axes have no common point and the elbow tubular connections have no common plane of symmetry.
  • the connecting means between the rigid elbow fittings 15a; 25a; 45a; 55a; 15b; 25b; 45b or 55b and respectively the tubular elements 14a; 24a; 44a; 54a; 14b; 24b; 44b or 54b must allow identification and / or setting of the angular position of these two parts with respect to each other.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
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Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de réglage à distance de l'orientation, par rapport à l'axe d'un premier tronçon d'une colonne, d'un second tronçon disposé à la suite du premier. La présente invention peut être appliquée à une colonne de forage comportant une tête de forage disposée à l'extrémité de la colonne de forage proprement dite.The invention relates to a device for the remote adjustment of the orientation, relative to the axis of a first section of a column, of a second section arranged after the first. The present invention can be applied to a drill string having a drill head disposed at the end of the drill string itself.

Une colonne de forage est constituée par un ensemble de tiges tubulaires fixées l'une à l'extrémité de l'autre, cette colonne portant à son extrémité une tête de forage comportant un outil et un moteur de fond. La tête de forage constitue le tronçon inférieur de la colonne qui vient en fond de trou pendant le forage. La colonne de forage proprement dite, formée par une succession de tiges tubulaires, constitue le tronçon supérieur dont l'extrémité opposée à la tête de forage se trouve en surface et permet, en particulier, l'alimentation de la colonne en fluide de forage. Le fluide de forage circule à l'intérieur de la colonne sur toute sa longueur jusqu'au fond du trou dont il assure le nettoyage et peut permettre également l'entraînement du moteur de fond. Le moteur de fond entraîne à son tour le trépan en rotation.A drill string consists of a set of tubular rods fixed one at the end of the other, this column carrying at its end a drill head comprising a tool and a downhole motor. The drilling head constitutes the lower section of the column which comes to the bottom of the hole during drilling. The drilling column proper, formed by a succession of tubular rods, constitutes the upper section, the end opposite to the drilling head being on the surface and allows, in particular, the supply of drilling column to the column. The drilling fluid circulates inside the column over its entire length to the bottom of the hole, which it cleans and can also allow the drive of the downhole motor. The downhole motor in turn drives the drill bit in rotation.

Dans la technique du forage, il est devenu nécessaire de réaliser des forages dirigés, c'est-à-dire des forages avec modification et réglage de la trajectoire de l'outil de forage.In the drilling technique, it has become necessary to carry out directional drilling, that is to say drilling with modification and adjustment of the trajectory of the drilling tool.

Pour cela, on a généralement proposé de régler l'orientation de la tête de forage par rapport à la colonne proprement dite, grâce à un raccord coudé déterminant l'orientation du forage.For this, it has generally been proposed to adjust the orientation of the drilling head with respect to the column proper, by means of an elbow fitting determining the orientation of the drilling.

Dans la technique la plus ancienne, le raccord coudé est un raccord rigide dont l'angle est prédéterminé. A chaque fois que l'on désire modifier la trajectoire du forage, il est nécessaire de remonter la colonne de forage en surface pour adapter un nouveau raccord coudé dont l'angle est choisi en fonction de la déviation désirée.In the oldest technique, the elbow fitting is a rigid fitting whose angle is predetermined. Whenever it is desired to modify the drilling trajectory, it is necessary to raise the drilling column to the surface to adapt a new elbow fitting, the angle of which is chosen as a function of the desired deviation.

On a également proposé des raccords coudés articulés constitués de deux parties tubulaires qui peuvent être placées soit dans l'alignement l'une de l'autre soit dans une position où leurs axes font un angle de valeur déterminée. De tels raccords articulés ne permettent donc d'obtenir qu'une seule orientation de la tête de forage par rapport à la colonne. Lorsqu'on utilise de tels raccords articulés, il est également nécessaire de remonter en surface au moins un élément constitutif du raccord, lorsque la déviation désirée n'est pas compatible avec l'angle que peuvent former entre elles les deux parties du raccord.We have also proposed articulated elbow fittings consisting of two tubular parts which can be placed either in alignment with one another or in a position where their axes make an angle of determined value. Such articulated couplings therefore make it possible to obtain only one orientation of the drilling head relative to the column. When using such articulated fittings, it is also necessary to raise to the surface at least one component of the fitting, when the desired deviation is not compatible with the angle that the two parts of the fitting can form between them.

Plus récemment, on a proposé dans les brevets Français 2.432.079, 2.453.268, 2.453.269, 2.491.989 et 2.519.686, déposés par l'institut Français du Pétrole, un raccord coudé à angle variable commandé à distance qui est intercalé entre deux tronçons de la colonne de forage et, généralement entre la colonne proprement dite et la tête de forage. Un tel raccord coudé permet de régler à distance l'orientation de la tête de forage constituant le tronçon inférieur de la colonne, par rapport à l'axe du tronçon supérieur dont l'extrémité se trouve en surface. Le raccord coudé à angle variable comporte un premier élément tubulaire rectiligne solidaire du tronçon supérieur de la colonne et un second élément tubulaire rectiligne solidaire de l'extrémité du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage. Le second élément tubulaire est fixé sur le premier et monté rotatif par rapport à ce premier élément autour d'un axe faisant un angle a non nul avec l'axe du premier élément tubulaire qui est confondu avec l'axe du tronçon supérieur de la colonne par rapport auquel est effectuée l'orientation du tronçon inférieur.More recently, French patents 2,432,079, 2,453,268, 2,453,269, 2,491,989 and 2,519,686, filed by the French Petroleum Institute, have proposed a remote-controlled variable angle elbow which is interposed between two sections of the drill string and, generally between the column itself and the drill head. Such an elbow connection makes it possible to remotely adjust the orientation of the drilling head constituting the lower section of the column, relative to the axis of the upper section, the end of which is located on the surface. The variable angle elbow fitting comprises a first straight tubular element integral with the upper section of the column and a second straight tubular element integral with the end of the lower section of the drilling column. The second tubular element is fixed on the first and rotatably mounted with respect to this first element around an axis making a non-zero angle a with the axis of the first tubular element which coincides with the axis of the upper section of the column with respect to which the orientation of the lower section is carried out.

L'axe du premier élément tubulaire, l'axe du second élément tubulaire et l'axe de rotation sont concourants en un même point. Le second élément tubulaire présente une position de référence où son axe est aligné avec l'axe du premier élément tubulaire et donc avec l'axe de la colonne de forage. Dans cette position du raccord coudé, la colonne de forage est entièrement rectiligne.The axis of the first tubular element, the axis of the second tubular element and the axis of rotation are concurrent at the same point. The second tubular element has a reference position where its axis is aligned with the axis of the first tubular element and therefore with the axis of the drill string. In this position of the elbow fitting, the drill string is completely straight.

Des moyens commandés à distance c'est-à-dire depuis la surface permettent de faire tourner le second élément tubulaire par rapport au premier, autour de son axe de rotation.Remotely controlled means, that is to say from the surface, make it possible to rotate the second tubular element with respect to the first, about its axis of rotation.

Au cours de cette rotation, depuis sa position de référence, le second élément tubulaire présente un désalignement par rapport au premier élément tubulaire qui varie entre 0 et une valeur maximale égale à 2a. Le désalignement maximal est obtenu en faisant tourner le second élément tubulaire de 180° autour de son axe de rotation, depuis sa position de référence.During this rotation, from its reference position, the second tubular element has a misalignment relative to the first tubular element which varies between 0 and a maximum value equal to 2a. Maximum misalignment is obtained by rotating the second tubular element 180 ° around its axis of rotation, from its reference position.

La rotation est effectuée par pas successifs d'amplitude déterminée, si bien qu'on obtient des orientations successives parfaitement déterminées du second élément tubulaire par rapport au premier. Le tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage, solidaire du second élément tubulaire et disposé dans le prolongement axial de cet élément, peut donc être orienté par rapport à l'axe du tronçon supérieur confondu avec l'axe du premier élément tubulaire.The rotation is carried out in successive steps of determined amplitude, so that one obtains successively perfectly determined orientations of the second tubular element relative to the first. The lower section of the drill string, integral with the second tubular element and disposed in the axial extension of this element, can therefore be oriented relative to the axis of the upper section coincident with the axis of the first tubular element.

Le déplacement en rotation du second élément tubulaire et du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage ne peut être obtenu qu'après déblocage d'un arbre assurant la liaison en rotation des deux éléments du raccord coudé et donc des deux tronçons de la colonne de forage.The rotational displacement of the second tubular element and the lower section of the drill string can only be obtained after unlocking a shaft ensuring the rotational connection of the two elements of the elbow fitting and therefore of the two sections of the drill string .

Les moyens de déplacement en rotation du second élément tubulaire par rapport au premier sont généralement actionnés grâce à l'effet moteur du fluide de forage et commandés depuis la surface par voie électrique ou hydraulique.The means for moving the second tubular element in rotation relative to the first are generally actuated by the motor effect of the drilling fluid and controlled from the surface by electrical or hydraulic means.

La conception mécanique des raccords coudés à angle variable télécommandés est rendue plus difficile par le fait que les deux éléments tubulaires sont montés rotatifs l'un par rapport à l'autre autour d'un axe de rotation distinct des axes des deux éléments tubulaires.The mechanical design of the remote-controlled variable angle elbow fittings is made more difficult by the fact that the two tubular elements are mounted to rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation distinct from the axes of the two tubular elements.

Le raccord coudé doit, de plus, assurer la continuité de passage du fluide de forage dans la colonne.The elbow fitting must, moreover, ensure the continuity of passage of the drilling fluid in the column.

Le raccord coudé est donc une pièce dont la fabrication est délicate et le coût très élevé.The elbow fitting is therefore a piece whose manufacture is delicate and the cost very high.

En outre, le raccord coudé doit être conçu pour l'obtention d'un désalignement maximal déterminé entre les deux tronçons de la colonne de forage. Dans le cas où l'on désire modifier les caractéristiques du raccord coudé, c'est-à-dire par exemple dans le cas où l'on désire augmenter l'angle maximal de désalignement, il est nécessaire de concevoir et de mettre en fabrication un nouveau raccord coudé.In addition, the elbow fitting must be designed to obtain a maximum misalignment determined by be the two sections of the drill string. In the case where it is desired to modify the characteristics of the elbow connection, that is to say for example in the case where it is desired to increase the maximum misalignment angle, it is necessary to design and to manufacture a new elbow fitting.

Il est difficile de prévoir a priori la fabrication d'une gamme étendue de raccords coudés, pour l'obtention de désalignements maximum variables.It is difficult to predict a priori the manufacture of a wide range of elbow fittings, to obtain maximum variable misalignments.

Il est ainsi pratiquement impossible de prévoir une fabrication en série de raccords coudés utilisables dans un grand nombre d'applications.It is thus practically impossible to provide for mass production of elbow fittings which can be used in a large number of applications.

Le but de l'invention est donc de proposer un dispositif de réglage à distance de l'orientation, par rapport à l'axe d'un premier tronçon d'une colonne notamment de forage, d'un second tronçon disposé à la suite du premier, constitué par un raccord coudé à angle variable intercalé entre les extrémités correspondantes des deux tronçons de la colonne et comportant un premier élément tubulaire rectiligne solidaire de l'extrémité du premier tronçon et un second élément tubulaire rectiligne solidaire de l'extrémité du second tronçon de la colonne, fixé sur le premier élément et monté rotatif par rapport à ce premier élément autour d'un axe faisant un angle a non nul avec l'axe du premier tronçon de la colonne, le dispositif comportant en outre des moyens mécaniques pour solidariser en rotation les deux éléments tubulaires et des moyens commandés à distance pour déplacer en rotation de manière réglée le second élément par rapport au premier, ce dispositif permettant de simplifier la conception et la réalisation du raccord coudé qui peut être facilement adapté à des angles de désalignement maximum variables, en utilisant des éléments d'adaptation de structure simple.The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for the remote adjustment of the orientation, relative to the axis of a first section of a column, in particular of a drilling column, of a second section disposed after the first, constituted by a variable angle elbow fitting inserted between the corresponding ends of the two sections of the column and comprising a first straight tubular element integral with the end of the first section and a second straight tubular element integral with the end of the second section of the column, fixed on the first element and rotatably mounted relative to this first element around an axis making a non-zero angle a with the axis of the first section of the column, the device further comprising mechanical means for securing in rotation the two tubular elements and means controlled remotely to move in rotation in a controlled manner the second element relative to the first, this disp ositif to simplify the design and construction of the elbow fitting which can be easily adapted to variable maximum misalignment angles, by using adaptation elements of simple structure.

Dans ce but, l'axe du premier élément tubulaire rectiligne fait un angle non nul avec l'axe du premier tronçon de la colonne et les parties d'extrémité du premier et du second éléments tubulaires rectilignes sont reliées aux parties d'extrémité correspondantes du premier et du second tronçons de la colonne par l'intermédiaire de raccords tubulaires coudés rigides amovibles, chacune de ces parties d'extrémité des éléments tubulaires étant décalée dans une direction radiale par rapport à l'axe du premier tronçon de la colonne.For this purpose, the axis of the first straight tubular element makes a non-zero angle with the axis of the first section of the column and the end parts of the first and second straight tubular elements are connected to the corresponding end parts of the first and second sections of the column by means of removable rigid elbow tubular connections, each of these end parts of the tubular elements being offset in a radial direction relative to the axis of the first section of the column.

Afin de bien faire comprendre l'invention, on va maintenant décrire, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en se référant aux figures jointes en annexe, plusieurs modes de réalisation d'un dispositif de réglage suivant l'invention.

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un raccord coudé à angle variable suivant l'art antérieur dans sa position de référence.
  • La figure 2 est une vue du raccord coudé de la figure 1 dans sa position de désalignement maximal.
  • La figure 3 est une vue en élévation d'un raccord coudé à angle variable d'un dispositif de réglage suivant l'invention et suivant un premier mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 3A est une vue schématique montrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un raccord coudé tel que représenté sur la figure 3.
  • La figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'un raccord coudé d'un dispositif de réglage d'orientation suivant l'invention et suivant un second mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 4A est une vue schématique montrant la structure et le fonctionnement du raccord coudé représenté sur la figure 4.
  • La figure 5 est une vue en élévation d'un raccord coudé d'un dispositif de réglage d'orientation suivant l'invention et suivant un troisième mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 5A est une vue schématique montrant la structure et le fonctionnement d'un raccord coudé tel que représenté sur la figure 5.
  • La figure 6 est une vue en élévation d'un raccord coudé d'un dispositif de réglage suivant l'invention et suivant un quatrième mode de réalisation.
In order to clearly understand the invention, a description will now be given, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures, several embodiments of an adjustment device according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a variable angle elbow fitting according to the prior art in its reference position.
  • Figure 2 is a view of the elbow fitting of Figure 1 in its position of maximum misalignment.
  • Figure 3 is an elevational view of a variable angle elbow fitting of an adjustment device according to the invention and according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the structure and the operation of an elbow fitting as shown in FIG. 3.
  • Figure 4 is an elevational view of an elbow fitting of an orientation adjustment device according to the invention and according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the structure and the operation of the elbow connector shown in FIG. 4.
  • Figure 5 is an elevational view of an elbow fitting of an orientation adjustment device according to the invention and according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the structure and the operation of an elbow connector as shown in FIG. 5.
  • Figure 6 is an elevational view of an elbow fitting of an adjustment device according to the invention and according to a fourth embodiment.

Sur la figure 1, on voit une partie d'une colonne de forage désignée de manière générale par le repère 1. Cette colonne de forage comporte un tronçon supérieur 2 et un tronçon inférieur 3 reliés par l'intermédiaire d'un raccord coudé 4 permettant d'orienter le tronçon inférieur 3 portant l'outil de forage par rapport à l'axe 5 du tronçon supérieur 2 de la colonne de forage.In Figure 1, we see a part of a drill string generally designated by the reference 1. This drill string has an upper section 2 and a lower section 3 connected by means of an elbow connector 4 allowing orienting the lower section 3 carrying the drilling tool with respect to the axis 5 of the upper section 2 of the drilling column.

Le raccord coudé selon l'art antérieur est constitué de deux éléments rectilignes tubulaires 4a et 4b rigidement solidaires du tronçon supérieur 2 et du tronçon inférieur 3, respectivement. L'élément tubulaire inférieur 4b du raccord coudé 4 est fixé sur l'élément tubulaire supérieur 4a et monté rotatif par rapport à cet élément tubulaire autour d'un axe 6 coupant l'axe 5 commun à l'élément 4a et au tronçon 2 en un point 0 et faisant avec cet axe 5 un angle a non nul. Le montage à rotation de l'élément 4b sur l'élément 4a est obtenu par l'intermédiaire d'un palier conique 8 représenté de façon schématique. L'axe 7 de l'élément 4b qui est également l'axe du tronçon 3 de la colonne de forage passe également par le point 0 commun aux axes 5 et 6.The elbow connector according to the prior art consists of two straight tubular elements 4a and 4b rigidly integral with the upper section 2 and the lower section 3, respectively. The lower tubular element 4b of the elbow connector 4 is fixed on the upper tubular element 4a and rotatably mounted relative to this tubular element around an axis 6 intersecting the axis 5 common to the element 4a and to the section 2 in a point 0 and making with this axis 5 a non-zero angle a. The rotary mounting of the element 4b on the element 4a is obtained by means of a conical bearing 8 shown diagrammatically. The axis 7 of the element 4b which is also the axis of the section 3 of the drill string also passes through the point 0 common to the axes 5 and 6.

Sur la figure 1, le raccord coudé 4 a été représenté dans sa position de référence où les axes 5 et 7 sont alignés.In Figure 1, the elbow fitting 4 has been shown in its reference position where the axes 5 and 7 are aligned.

Des moyens qui ne sont pas représentés mais qui sont décrits dans les brevets précités permettent de commander à distance le déplacement en rotation de l'élément 4b par rapport à l'élément 4a, autour de l'axe 6, comme représenté par la flèche 9.Means which are not shown but which are described in the aforementioned patents make it possible to remotely control the rotational movement of the element 4b relative to the element 4a, around the axis 6, as represented by the arrow 9 .

En se reportant à la figure 2, on voit que la rotation de l'élément 4b autour de l'axe 6, par pas identiques de valeur e amène l'axe 7 dans des positions successives définies par les points P0, P1, ... P9. Dans chacune de ces positions, l'axe 7 de l'élément 4b et du tronçon inférieur 3 de la colonne de forage fait, avec l'axe 5 du tronçon supérieur 2 de la colonne de forage, un angle compris entre 0 et 2a. L'angle de désalignement maximum = 2a est obtenu pour un angle de rotation e = 180°, depuis la position de référence P0.Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the rotation of the element 4b around the axis 6, by identical steps of value e brings the axis 7 into successive positions defined by the points P0, P1, .. P9. In each of these positions, the axis 7 of the element 4b and of the lower section 3 of the drill string forms, with the axis 5 of the upper section 2 of the drill string, an angle between 0 and 2a. The maximum misalignment angle = 2a is obtained for a rotation angle e = 180 ° , from the reference position P0.

Dans le cas d'un dispositif selon l'art antérieur tel que représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, l'angle de désalignement maximum 2a dépend donc directement de la structure de montage des éléments tubulaires 4a et 4b par l'intermédiaire du palier 8.In the case of a device according to the prior art as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the maximum misalignment angle 2a therefore depends directly on the mounting structure of the tubular elements 4a and 4b via the bearing 8 .

La modification de l'angle de débattement maximum nécessite un changement complet du raccord coudé 4 dont la structure est prévue pour un angle de débattement maximal bien déterminé.The modification of the maximum deflection angle requires a complete change of the elbow connector 4, the structure of which is provided for a well defined maximum deflection angle.

Sur les figures 3 et 3A, on voit un raccord coudé suivant l'invention désigné de manière générale par le repère 14. Le raccord 14 est intercalé entre l'extrémité inférieure du tronçon supérieur 12 d'une colonne de forage et l'extrémité supérieure du tronçon inférieur 13 de cette colonne de forage comportant en particulier le moteur de fond 30 et l'outil de forage 31. Les tronçons 12 et 13 sont reliés au raccord coudé 14 par l'intermédiaire de pièces à filetage conique.In FIGS. 3 and 3A, we see an elbow fitting according to the invention generally designated by the reference 14. The fitting 14 is interposed between the lower end of the upper section 12 of a drill string and the upper end of the lower section 13 of this drilling column comprising in particular the bottom motor 30 and the drilling tool 31. The sections 12 and 13 are connected to the elbow fitting 14 by means of parts with conical thread.

Le raccord 14 est constitué par deux éléments tubulaires rectilignes 14a et 14b et deux raccords tubulaires coudés rigides 15a et 15b. Ces différents éléments du raccord coudé 14 sont disposés l'un à la suite de l'autre suivant la direction axiale 18 de la colonne de forage et comportent des alésages en concordance permettant une circulation continue du fluide de forage à travers le raccord coudé 14.The connector 14 consists of two rectilinear tubular elements 14a and 14b and two rigid elbow tubular connectors 15a and 15b. These various elements of the elbow fitting 14 are arranged one after the other in the axial direction 18 of the drill string and have matching bores allowing continuous circulation of the drilling fluid through the elbow fitting 14.

L'élément tubulaire supérieur 14a est relié rigidement au tronçon supérieur 12 de la colonne de forage par l'intermédiaire du raccord tubulaire coudé 15a qui comporte des parties à filetage conique 19 et 19' permettant de le relier au tronçon 12 et à l'élément 14a respectivement.The upper tubular element 14a is rigidly connected to the upper section 12 of the drilling column by means of the elbow tubular connection 15a which has parts with conical thread 19 and 19 ′ allowing it to be connected to the section 12 and to the element 14a respectively.

De la même façon, l'élément inférieur 14b est relié de façon rigide au tronçon inférieur 13 de la colonne de forage par l'intermédiaire du raccord tubulaire coudé 15b qui comporte des filetages coniques 21 et 21' permettant de le relier respectivement à l'élément 14b et au tronçon 13.In the same way, the lower element 14b is rigidly connected to the lower section 13 of the drill string via the elbow tubular connector 15b which has conical threads 21 and 21 'allowing it to be connected respectively to the element 14b and section 13.

Sur la figure 3, le raccord 14 a été représenté dans sa position de référence où l'axe 20 du tronçon inférieur 13 de la colonne de forage est aligné avec l'axe 18 du tronçon supérieur 12 de cette colonne.In FIG. 3, the connector 14 has been shown in its reference position where the axis 20 of the lower section 13 of the drill string is aligned with the axis 18 of the upper section 12 of this column.

L'élément tubulaire supérieur 14a comporte un axe 16 faisant un angle a non nul avec l'axe 18 du tronçon supérieur 12. L'élément tubulaire inférieur 14b est fixé sur l'élément supérieur 14a et monté rotatif sur cet élément par l'intermédiaire d'un pallier conique 23 dont l'axe 16 est confondu avec l'axe de l'élément tubulaire 14a faisant un angle a avec l'axe 18 du tronçon supérieur 12 de la colonne de forage.The upper tubular element 14a has an axis 16 making a non-zero angle a with the axis 18 of the upper section 12. The lower tubular element 14b is fixed on the upper element 14a and rotatably mounted on this element through of a conical bearing 23 whose axis 16 coincides with the axis of the tubular element 14a making an angle a with the axis 18 of the upper section 12 of the drill string.

L'axe 22 de l'élément tubulaire inférieur 14b est également confondu avec l'axe 16 et fait ainsi un angle a avec l'axe 20 du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage.The axis 22 of the lower tubular element 14b is also coincident with the axis 16 and thus forms an angle a with the axis 20 of the lower section of the drill string.

Les extrémités des éléments 14a et 14b se raccordant aux raccords coudés 15a et 15b respectivement sont décalées dans une direction radiale et dans des sens opposés, par rapport à l'axe 18, 20 de la colonne de forage.The ends of the elements 14a and 14b connecting to the elbow fittings 15a and 15b respectively are offset in a radial direction and in opposite directions, relative to the axis 18, 20 of the drill string.

Sur la figure 3A, on a représenté de façon schématique les éléments tubulaires 14a et 14b ainsi que les raccords coudés 15a et 15b. L'élément tubulaire inférieur 14b est monté rotatif sur l'élément supérieur 14a autour de l'axe 16 commun à ces deux éléments tubulaires. De plus, l'axe 16 coupe l'axe 18 en un point 0 et définit avec l'axe 18 un plan de symétrie du raccord.In Figure 3A, there is shown schematically the tubular elements 14a and 14b as well as the elbow fittings 15a and 15b. The lower tubular element 14b is rotatably mounted on the upper element 14a around the axis 16 common to these two tubular elements. In addition, the axis 16 intersects the axis 18 at a point 0 and defines with the axis 18 a plane of symmetry of the fitting.

Le tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage représenté de façon schématique par son axe 18, le raccord coudé 15a et l'élément tubulaire supérieur 14a qui sont solidaires les uns des autres constituent les parties fixes de la colonne de forage pendant le réglage d'orientation du tronçon inférieur représenté de façon schématique par son axe 20.The upper section of the drill string shown schematically by its axis 18, the elbow fitting 15a and the upper tubular element 14a which are integral with each other constitute the fixed parts of the drill string during the orientation adjustment of the lower section represented schematically by its axis 20.

Ce réglage d'orientation est obtenu en faisant tourner l'élément tubulaire inférieur 14b autour de l'axe 16 du palier 23. Une rotation pas à pas d'amplitude e de l'élément tubulaire 14b par rapport à l'élément 14a peut être obtenue par un dispositif tel que décrit dans les brevets de l'IFP cités précédemment dans la présente demande.This orientation adjustment is obtained by rotating the lower tubular element 14b around the axis 16 of the bearing 23. A stepwise rotation of amplitude e of the tubular element 14b relative to the element 14a can be obtained by a device as described in the IFP patents cited previously in the present application.

Le raccord coudé 14 peut comporter, comme il est décrit dans ces brevets, un arbre permettant soit de solidariser en rotation les éléments 14a et 14b soit de déplacer en rotation l'élément 14b par rapport à l'élément 14a.The elbow connector 14 may include, as described in these patents, a shaft allowing either to fasten the elements 14a and 14b in rotation or to move the element 14b in rotation relative to the element 14a.

L'élément 14b qui est solidaire du tronçon inférieur 13 d'axe 20, par l'intermédiaire du raccord coudé 15b, entraîne en rotation ce tronçon inférieur dont l'axe 20 est susceptible d'occuper successivement les positions représentées par les points P2, P3, ... P9, à partir de la position de référence P0. Lorsque l'élément 14b a tourné d'un angle e = 180°, l'axe 20 occupe la position 20' représentée par le point P5. L'axe 20 dans sa position 20' fait un angle égal à 2a avec la direction 18, 20 initiale, c'est-à-dire avec l'axe du tronçon supérieur 12 de la colonne de forage.The element 14b which is integral with the lower section 13 of axis 20, via the elbow connector 15b, rotates this lower section whose axis 20 is capable of successively occupying the positions represented by the points P2, P3, ... P9, from the reference position P0. When the element 14b has rotated by an angle e = 180 ° , the axis 20 occupies the position 20 'represented by the point P5. The axis 20 in its position 20 'makes an angle equal to 2a with the initial direction 18, 20, that is to say with the axis of the upper section 12 of the drill string.

Le tronçon inférieur 13 de la colonne de forage comportant le moteur 30 et le trépan de forage 31 est donc susceptible d'être orienté suivant des angles successifs par rapport au tronçon supérieur 12, ces angles de désalignement étant compris entre 0 et 2a, a étant l'angle que fait l'axe de rotation 16 avec l'axe 18 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage.The lower section 13 of the drill string comprising the motor 30 and the drill bit 31 is therefore capable of being oriented at successive angles relative to the upper section 12, these misalignment angles being between 0 and 2a, a being the angle made by the axis of rotation 16 with the axis 18 of the upper section of the drill string.

Dans le mode de réalisation des figures 3 et 3A, l'axe de rotation 16 de l'élément 14b par rapport à l'élément 14a est dirigé suivant l'axe commun aux deux éléments tubulaire 14a et 14b. La conception de ces éléments 14a et 14b est donc beaucoup plus simple que celle des éléments 4a et 4b du dispositif selon l'art antérieur représenté sur les figures 1 et 2. De plus, cette conception ne fixe pas la valeur de l'angle a définissant à son tour le désalignement maximal qui peut être obtenu en utilisant le raccord. Cet angle est déterminé par la forme donnée aux raccords tubulaires coudés rigides 15a et 15b.In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 3A, the axis of rotation 16 of the element 14b relative to the element 14a is directed along the axis common to the two tubular elements 14a and 14b. The design of these elements 14a and 14b is therefore much simpler than that of the elements 4a and 4b of the device according to the prior art shown in Figures 1 and 2. In addition, this design does not fix the value of the angle a in turn defining the maximum misalignment that can be achieved using the fitting. This angle is determined by the shape given to the rigid elbow tubular connections 15a and 15b.

Dans le cas du dispositif représenté sur les figures 3 et 3A, l'axe 16 commun aux éléments 14a et 14b définit avec l'axe 18 de la colonne de forage un plan de symétrie qui est le plan de la figure 3A. Les axes des raccords coudés 15a et 15b se trouvent dans le plan et les raccords coudés 15a et 15b sont symétriques l'un de l'autre par rapport à l'axe 18. Le centre de pivotement 0 autour duquel pivote le tronçon inférieur 13 de la colonne de forage qui est à l'intersection de l'axe 18 et de l'axe 16 se trouve à égale distance des faces de raccordement des éléments 14a et 14b, c'est-à-dire dans leur plan de jonction, ces éléments étant de même longueur. Bien entendu ceci n'est nullement limitatif et ces éléments peuvent être de longueur différente, les raccords coudés rigides 15a et 15b étant conçus en conséquence.In the case of the device shown in Figures 3 and 3A, the axis 16 common to the elements 14a and 14b defines with the axis 18 of the drill string a plane of symmetry which is the plane of Figure 3A. The axes of the elbow fittings 15a and 15b are in the plane and the elbow fittings 15a and 15b are symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis 18. The pivot center 0 around which the lower section 13 of the drill string which is at the intersection of the axis 18 and the axis 16 is equidistant from the connection faces of the elements 14a and 14b, that is to say in their junction plane, these elements being of the same length. Of course this is by no means limiting and these elements can be of different length, the rigid elbow fittings 15a and 15b being designed accordingly.

Dans le cas représenté aux figures 3 et 3A il est bien évident qu'en changeant les dimensions des raccords tubulaires coudés 15a et 15b et en gardant leur position symétrique par rapport à l'axe 18, on peut soit augmenter soit diminuer l'angle a tout en maintenant la position du point 0 dans le plan de jonction des éléments 14a et 14b.In the case shown in Figures 3 and 3A it is obvious that by changing the dimensions of the elbow tubular connections 15a and 15b and keeping their symmetrical position relative to the axis 18, we can either increase or decrease the angle a while maintaining the position of point 0 in the junction plane of the elements 14a and 14b.

Dans ce cas, les faces de raccordement des élément 14a et 14b avec les raccords tubulaires 15a et 15b respectivement sont décalées radialement par rapport à l'axe 18 d'une même longueur mais dans des sens différents.In this case, the connecting faces of the element 14a and 14b with the tubular connections 15a and 15b respectively are offset radially with respect to the axis 18 by the same length but in different directions.

Sur les figures 4 et 4A, on a représenté un second mode de réalisation d'un raccord coudé dont les éléments tubulaires 24a et 24b sont identiques aux éléments 14a et 14b du dispositif représenté sur les figures 3 et 3a. L'axe de rotation 26 de l'élément tubulaire 24b par rapport à l'élément tubulaire 24a est confondu avec l'axe commun aux éléments tubulaires 24a et 24b.In FIGS. 4 and 4A, a second embodiment of an elbow connection is shown, the tubular elements 24a and 24b of which are identical to the elements 14a and 14b of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. The axis of rotation 26 of the tubular element 24b relative to the tubular element 24a is coincident with the axis common to the tubular elements 24a and 24b.

Les raccords tubulaires coudés rigides 25a et 25b ont une forme et une disposition telles que l'axe 26 fasse un angle a non nul avec l'axe 28 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage qui est confondu, dans la position de référence représentée sur la figure 4, avec l'axe 29 du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage.The rigid elbow tubular connections 25a and 25b have a shape and an arrangement such that the axis 26 makes a non-zero angle a with the axis 28 of the upper section of the drill string which is merged, in the reference position shown on Figure 4, with the axis 29 of the lower section of the drill string.

De plus, comme il est visible sur les figures 4 et 4A, l'axe 26 coupe l'axe 28 en un point 0' situé très en dessous des éléments tubulaires 24a et 24b montés rotatifs l'un par rapport à l'autre. Ce point 0' est situé au voisinage du moteur de fond 30 et un peu au-dessus de l'outil de forage 31. Cette disposition qui est obtenue en utilisant un raccord tubulaire intermédiaire 32 pour relier l'élément tubulaire inférieur 24b et le raccord coudé 25b permet de rapprocher sensiblement le centre de pivotement 0' du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage, de l'outil de forage 31. Cette disposition permet de faciliter le réglage et l'efficacité d'orientation du forage. Le raccord tubulaire intermédiaire 32 pourra comporter le moteur 30.In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the axis 26 intersects the axis 28 at a point 0 'situated far below the tubular elements 24a and 24b mounted so that they can rotate relative to each other. This point 0 'is located in the vicinity of the downhole motor 30 and a little above the drilling tool 31. This arrangement which is obtained by using an intermediate tubular connector 32 to connect the lower tubular element 24b and the connector bent 25b makes it possible to bring the pivot center 0 'closer to the lower section of the drill string, of the drilling tool 31. This arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the adjustment and the orientation efficiency of the drilling. The intermediate tubular connection 32 may include the motor 30.

Lorsque le moteur de fond est situé au-dessus d'un raccord coudé rigide 25b, le mouvement de rotation pourra être transmis à l'outil de forage par un arbre traversant ce raccord coudé rigide, cet arbre comportant un joint universel.When the downhole motor is located above a rigid elbow fitting 25b, the rotational movement may be transmitted to the drilling tool by a shaft passing through this rigid elbow fitting, this shaft comprising a universal joint.

Sur la figure 4A, on a représenté de manière schématique le tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage, par son axe 29.In FIG. 4A, the lower section of the drill string is shown diagrammatically by its axis 29.

Lors de la rotation de 180° de l'élément tubulaire 24b par rapport à l'élément tubulaire 24a autour de l'axe 26, à partir de la position de référence représentée sur la figure 4, l'axe 29 du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage passe de la position 29 à la position 29'. Dans sa position 29', l'axe du tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage fait un angle égal à 2a avec l'axe 28 du tronçon supérieur.During the 180 ° rotation of the tubular element 24b relative to the tubular element 24a around the axis 26, from the reference position shown in FIG. 4, the axis 29 of the lower section of the drill string goes from position 29 to position 29 '. In its position 29 ′, the axis of the lower section of the drill string makes an angle equal to 2a with the axis 28 of the upper section.

Dans la disposition représentée sur les figures 4 et 4A, les faces de raccordement des éléments 24a et 24b sont décalées radialement par rapport à l'axe 28 dans le même sens ; l'axe 26 qui joint le centre de ces faces recoupe l'axe 28 au point 0' situé très en dessous des éléments 24a et 24b.In the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 4A, the connecting faces of the elements 24a and 24b are offset radially relative to the axis 28 in the same direction; the axis 26 which joins the center of these faces intersects the axis 28 at point 0 'located very below the elements 24a and 24b.

Les axes 26 et 28 définissent un plan qui est un plan de symétrie pour l'ensemble du raccord et qui est le plan de la figure 4A.The axes 26 and 28 define a plane which is a plane of symmetry for the entire fitting and which is the plane of Figure 4A.

Les raccords tubulaires coudés 25a et 25b ont, comme précédemment, des dispositions inversées, ces raccords étant placés de part et d'autre de l'axe 28, grâce au raccord de grande longueur 32.The elbow tubular connections 25a and 25b have, as before, inverted arrangements, these connections being placed on either side of the axis 28, thanks to the very long connection 32.

Sur la figure 4, on a représenté en pointillés la position 33' du palier 33 qu'il serait nécessaire d'adopter pour obtenir un centre de pivotement en 0', dans le cas où l'on voudrait utiliser un raccord coudé du type représenté sur les figures 3 et 3A où le centre de pivotement se trouve dans le plan de raccordement des éléments tubulaires supérieur et inférieur. On a également désigné par 24'a et 24'b les éléments tubulaires qui seraient nécessaires dans le cas de l'utilisation d'un dispositif tel que représenté sur les figures 3 et 3A. Il est donc tout-à- fait évident que la disposition des figures 4 et 4A permet de simplifier considérablement la conception des éléments tubulaires rotatifs du raccord coudé, tout en déplaçant vers le bas le centre de pivotement.In Figure 4, there is shown in dotted lines the position 33 'of the bearing 33 which it would be necessary to adopt to obtain a pivot center at 0', in the case where one wishes to use an elbow fitting of the type shown in Figures 3 and 3A where the pivot center is in the connection plane of the upper and lower tubular elements. The tubular elements which would be necessary in the case of the use of a device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A have also been designated by 24'a and 24'b. It is therefore quite obvious that the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 4A makes it possible to considerably simplify the design of the rotary tubular elements of the elbow connector, while moving the center of pivoting downwards.

Ce résultat peut être obtenu, comme indiqué, en utilisant des éléments 24a et 24b identiques aux éléments 14a et 14b utilisés précédemment.This result can be obtained, as indicated, by using elements 24a and 24b identical to the elements 14a and 14b used previously.

Sur les figures 5 et 5A, on a représenté un troisième mode de réalisation d'un raccord coudé 44 comportant un élément supérieur 44a et un élément inférieur 44b monté rotatif sur l'élément 44a autour de l'axe 46 commun aux éléments tubulaires 44a et 44b. Les faces de raccordement des éléments 44a et 44b avec les raccords coudés correspondants 45a et 45b permettant de relier les éléments tubulaires 44a et 44b au tronçon supérieur et au tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage respectivement sont décalées d'un même côté de l'axe 48 de la colonne de forage. L'axe de rotation 46 de l'élément tubulaire 44b par rapport à l'élément 44a fait un angle a avec l'axe 48 et coupe cet axe 48 en un point 0' situé au voisinage du moteur de fond 30 de la colonne de forage. On obtient ainsi des avantages similaires à ceux obtenus dans le cas du dispositif représenté sur les figures 4 et 4A.FIGS. 5 and 5A show a third embodiment of an elbow fitting 44 comprising an upper element 44a and a lower element 44b rotatably mounted on the element 44a around the axis 46 common to the tubular elements 44a and 44b. The connecting faces of the elements 44a and 44b with the corresponding elbow fittings 45a and 45b making it possible to connect the tubular elements 44a and 44b to the upper section and to the lower section of the drill string respectively are offset on the same side of the axis 48 of the drill string. The axis of rotation 46 of the tubular element 44b with respect to the element 44a makes an angle a with the axis 48 and intersects this axis 48 at a point 0 'located in the vicinity of the bottom motor 30 of the column of drilling. There are thus obtained advantages similar to those obtained in the case of the device shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A.

On a représenté, comme précédemment, sur la figure 5, en pointillés, la position 43' du palier 43 qu'il serait nécessaire d'utiliser pour obtenir des résultats équivalents avec un dispositif du type représenté sur les figures 3 et 3A. De même, on a représenté en pointillés la position et la forme du raccord coudé 45'b qui devrait se substituer au raccord 45b. Les éléments 44a et 44b seraient alors remplacés par les éléments tubulaires 44'a et 44'b. La disposition représentée sur les figures 5 et 5A nécessite simplement l'utilisation d'un raccord tubulaire rectiligne 42 pour relier le raccord coudé 45b au tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage.There is shown, as previously, in Figure 5, in dotted lines, the position 43 'of the bearing 43 which it would be necessary to use to obtain equivalent results with a device of the type shown in Figures 3 and 3A. Likewise, the position and the shape of the elbow fitting 45'b, which should replace the fitting 45b, have been shown in dotted lines. The elements 44a and 44b would then be replaced by the tubular elements 44'a and 44'b. The arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 5A simply requires the use of a straight tubular connector 42 to connect the elbow connector 45b to the lower section of the drill string.

Sur la figure 6, on voit un quatrième mode de réalisation d'un raccord coudé à angle variable 54 suivant l'invention.In Figure 6, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a variable angle elbow fitting 54 according to the invention.

Ce raccord coudé est constitué comme précédemment de deux éléments tubulaires rectilignes 54a et 54b et de deux raccords coudés 55a et 55b.This elbow fitting is made up as before of two straight tubular elements 54a and 54b and two elbow fittings 55a and 55b.

Le raccord coudé 55a permet un montage de l'élément tubulaire 54a à l'extrémité du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage, de façon que l'axe 52 de cet élément tubulaire 54a fasse un certain angle a non nul avec l'axe 58 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage.The elbow fitting 55a allows mounting of the tubular element 54a at the end of the upper section of the drill string, so that the axis 52 of this tubular element 54a makes a certain angle a non-zero with the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string .

L'élément tubulaire 54b est fixé sur l'élément 54a et monté rotatif sur celui-ci par l'intermédiaire d'un palier 53 d'axe 56. L'axe 56 du palier 53, comme dans le cas du dispositif représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, fait un angle a1 avec l'axe 52 de l'élément tubulaire 54a.The tubular element 54b is fixed on the element 54a and rotatably mounted thereon by means of a bearing 53 with an axis 56. The axis 56 of the bearing 53, as in the case of the device shown in the Figures 1 and 2, makes an angle a1 with the axis 52 of the tubular member 54a.

D'autre part, l'axe 56 fait un angle a2 avec l'axe 58 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage.On the other hand, the axis 56 makes an angle a2 with the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string.

Sur la figure 6, le raccord coudé a été représenté dans sa position de référence où l'axe 58 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage est aligné avec l'axe 60 du tronçon inférieur de cette colonne.In Figure 6, the elbow fitting has been shown in its reference position where the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string is aligned with the axis 60 of the lower section of this column.

Lors de la mise en rotation de l'élément tubulaire inférieur 54b par rapport à l'élément supérieur 54a, autour de l'axe 56, le tronçon inférieur de la colonne de forage sera susceptible de s'orienter par rapport au tronçon supérieur, avec un axe de désalignement maximal égal à 2a 2.When the lower tubular element 54b is rotated relative to the upper element 54a, around the axis 56, the lower section of the drill string will be able to orient itself relative to the upper section, with a maximum misalignment axis equal to 2a 2.

Le fait d'avoir disposé l'axe 52 de l'élément tubulaire supérieur 54a avec un angle a non nul par rapport à l'axe 58 du tronçon supérieur de la colonne de forage en utilisant des raccords de rattrapage coudés 55a et 55b a permis de transformer un dispositif selon l'art antérieur d'angle a1 en un dispositif selon l'invention d'angle a2 = a1 - a, dont le désalignement maximal est 2 a 2 = 2 (a1 - a).Having the axis 52 of the upper tubular element 54a at a non-zero angle a with respect to the axis 58 of the upper section of the drill string using bent take-up fittings 55a and 55b has enabled to transform a device according to the prior art of angle a1 into a device according to the invention of angle a2 = a1 - a, the maximum misalignment of which is 2 a 2 = 2 (a1 - a).

Le dispositif suivant l'invention permet donc non seulement de réaliser une orientation avec un raccord comportant deux élément tubulaires ayant un axe commun autour duquel l'un des éléments est monté rotatif par rapport à l'autre mais encore de modifier à volonté l'angle maximal de désalignement obtenu à partir d'un dispositif selon l'art antérieur.The device according to the invention therefore makes it possible not only to produce an orientation with a connector comprising two tubular elements having a common axis around which one of the elements is rotatably mounted relative to the other, but also to modify the angle at will. maximum misalignment obtained from a device according to the prior art.

Il est donc bien évident que le dispositif suivant l'invention permet d'obtenir une grande souplesse quant au réglage de l'angle maximal de désalignement qui peut être obtenu et quant à la position du point de pivotement du tronçon de la colonne de forage dont on réalise l'orientation. Comme dans les dispositifs selon l'art antérieur, les deux éléments tubulaires du raccord coudé peuvent être solidarisés en rotation par un dispositif commandé à distance.It is therefore very obvious that the device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain great flexibility as regards the adjustment of the maximum misalignment angle which can be obtained and as to the position of the pivot point of the section of the drill string whose we realize the orientation. As in the devices according to the prior art, the two tubular elements of the elbow connector can be joined in rotation by a device controlled remotely.

Il est bien évident également qu'on peut utiliser tout dispositif d'actionnement à distance pour réaliser la mise en rotation pas à pas de l'un des éléments tubulaires d'orientation par rapport à l'autre. Ces moyens d'actionnement pourront être d'un type quelconque tel que décrit dans les brevets de l'IFP mentionnés ci-dessus.It is also obvious that any remote actuation device can be used to achieve the step-by-step rotation of one of the tubular elements for orientation relative to the other. These actuation means can be of any type as described in the IFP patents mentioned above.

Ce dispositif peut être également un dispositif d'actionnement à distance tel que décrit dans le brevet Français 2.575.793 de la Société SMF International.This device can also be a remote actuation device as described in French patent 2,575,793 of the Company SMF International.

L'axe de rotation des éléments tubulaires rectilignes peut être non seulement coplanaire à l'axe de la colonne de forage, comme dans les exemples décrits où ces axes se coupent au point de pivotement du raccord, mais encore non coplanaires. Dans ce dernier cas, les deux axes n'ont pas de point commun et les raccords tubulaires coudés n'ont pas de plan de symétrie commun.The axis of rotation of the straight tubular elements can be not only coplanar with the axis of the drill string, as in the examples described where these axes intersect at the pivot point of the fitting, but also not coplanar. In the latter case, the two axes have no common point and the elbow tubular connections have no common plane of symmetry.

Il est bien évident qu'on pourra associer à un ensemble constitué par deux éléments tubulaires rectilignes montés rotatifs l'un par rapport à l'autre autour de leur axe commun, tout type de raccord coudé et de raccord rectiligne, pour obtenir un angle d'orientation voulu de l'axe de rotation relatif des éléments tubulaires par rapport à l'axe de la colonne de forage et une position voulue du point de pivotement du tronçon orientable de la colonne de forage, en fonction du résultat recherché.It is obvious that we can associate with a set consisting of two straight tubular elements mounted to rotate relative to each other around their common axis, any type of elbow fitting and straight fitting, to obtain an angle d 'desired orientation of the relative axis of rotation of the tubular elements relative to the axis of the drill string and a desired position of the pivot point of the orientable section of the drill string, depending on the desired result.

On pourra donc concevoir une fabrication en série des éléments tubulaires rectilignes montés rotatifs l'un par rapport à l'autre, ces éléments pouvant être totalement standardisés et la fourniture de raccords coudés appropriés permettant l'obtention de différentes configurations à partir des éléments rectilignes standard. Ces éléments rectilignes montés à rotation pourront constituer des mécanismes complets comportant les moyens de blocage et de mise en rotation relative.It will therefore be possible to conceive of a series production of straight tubular elements mounted to rotate with respect to each other, these elements being able to be fully standardized and the supply of suitable elbow fittings allowing different configurations to be obtained from standard straight elements . These rectilinear elements mounted for rotation could constitute complete mechanisms comprising the locking means and relative rotation.

Les moyens de liaisons entre les raccords coudés rigides 15a ; 25a ; 45a ; 55a ; 15b ; 25b ; 45b ou 55b et respectivement les éléments tubulaires 14a ; 24a ; 44a ; 54a ; 14b ; 24b ; 44b ou 54b devront permettre un repérage et/ou un calage de la position angulaire de ces deux pièces l'une par rapport à l'autre.The connecting means between the rigid elbow fittings 15a; 25a; 45a; 55a; 15b; 25b; 45b or 55b and respectively the tubular elements 14a; 24a; 44a; 54a; 14b; 24b; 44b or 54b must allow identification and / or setting of the angular position of these two parts with respect to each other.

Claims (8)

1. Device for remotely adjusting the orientation, relative to the axis of a first section (12) of a column, of a second section (13) arranged following the first, which device consists of a variable-angle elbow coupling (14) interposed between the corresponding ends of the two sections (12, 13) of the column, and having a first rectilinear tubular element (14a) integral with the end of the first section (12) and a second rectilinear tubular element (14b) integral with the end of the second section (13) of the drilling column, fixed to the first element (14a) and mounted rotatably relative to this first element (14a) about an axis (16) forming a non-zero angle a with the axis (18) of the first section (12) of the column, the device furthermore comprising remotecon- trolled means for making the two tubular elements (14a, 14b) integral in rotation and remote-controlled means for displacing in rotation, in a regulated manner, the second element (14b) relative to the first (14a), characterized in that the axis (16) of the first rectilinear tubular element (14a) forms a non-zero angle with the axis (18) of the first section (12) of the drilling column and that the end parts of the first and of the second rectilinear tubular elements (14a, 14b) are connected to the corresponding end parts of the first and of the second sections (12, 13) of the column via rigid tubular elbow couplings (15a, 15b) which are removable, each of these end parts of the tubular elements (14a, 14b) being offset in a radial direction relative to the axis (18) of the first section of the column.
2. Orientation-adjustment device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the axis (16, 26, 46) of the first rectilinear tubular element (14a, 24a, 44a) and the axis (22) of the second rectilinear element (14b, 24b, 44b) are placed in alignment with each other and that the second tubular element (14b, 24b, 44b) is mounted on the first tubular element (14a, 24a, 44a) rotatably about the common axis (16, 26, 46) of the two elements.
3. Orientation-adjustment device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the end parts of the first tubular element (14a) and of the second tubular element (14b) are offset radially on either side of the axis (18) of the first section (12) of the drilling column, the axis (16, 22) which is common to the two tubular elements (14a, 14b) and which forms the axis of rotation of the tubular element (14b) relative to the tubular element (14a) intersecting the axis (18) of the first section at a point (0) situated between the end parts of the tubular elements (14a, 14b).
4. Orientation-adjustment device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the end parts of the tubular element (24a, 44a) and of the tubular element (24b, 44b) are offset radially relative to the axis (28, 48) of the first section of the column on a same side of the axis (28, 48) of the column, the axis (26, 46) which is common to the two tubular elements and which forms the axis of rotation of the second tubular element (24b, 44b) relative to the first (24a, 44a) intersecting the axis (28, 48) of the column at a point (0') situated in a position at a distance from the tubular elements (24a, 44a) and (24b, 44b).
5. Orientation-adjustment device according to Claim 4, in the case where the first section of the column is an upper section of a drilling column and the second section is a lower section having a bottom motor (30) and a drilling tool (31) at its lower end, characterized in that the point (0') which is common to the axis (26) of the tubular elements (24a, 24b) and to the axis (28) of the upper section of the drilling column is situated in the vicinity of the bottom motor (30) and of the drilling tool (31), this point (0') forming the centre of pivoting for the lower section of the drilling column relative to the upper section.
6. Orientation-adjustment device according to either of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the tubular elbow coupling (25b) ensuring the connection with the second section of the column is connected to the second rectilinear tubular element (24b) via a rectilinear tubular coupling (32) having as an axis the axis (26) which is common to the tubular elements (24a, 24b) and a length greater than the distance between the end part of the second tubular element (24b) and the point of pivoting (0') situated on the axis (28), the tubular elbow couplings (25a, 25b) being arranged on either side of the axis (28) of the first section of the column in the plane of symmetry defined by the axes (26, 28).
7. Orientation-adjustment device according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the tubular elbow couplings (45a, 45b) for joining the tubular elements (44a, 44b) to the first section and to the second section of the column, respectively, are arranged on a same side of the axis (48) of the first section of the column in the plane of symmetry defined by the axis (48) of the first section and the axis (46) which is common to the two tubular elements (14a, 44b).
8. Orientation-adjustment device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second tubular element (54b) is mounted rotatably relative to the first tubular element (54a) about an axis (56) which differs from the axis (52) of the first tubular element (54a) and from the axis of the second tubular element (54b) forming a non-zero angle a2with the axis (58) of the first section of the column.
EP88401619A 1987-06-30 1988-06-24 Apparatus for remotely controlling the relative orientation of two pieces of a pipe string Expired - Lifetime EP0298828B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8709230 1987-06-30
FR8709230A FR2617533B1 (en) 1987-06-30 1987-06-30 DEVICE FOR REMOTELY ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE ORIENTATION OF TWO SECTIONS OF A DRILLING COLUMN

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0298828A1 EP0298828A1 (en) 1989-01-11
EP0298828B1 true EP0298828B1 (en) 1990-10-03

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EP88401619A Expired - Lifetime EP0298828B1 (en) 1987-06-30 1988-06-24 Apparatus for remotely controlling the relative orientation of two pieces of a pipe string

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US (1) US4836303A (en)
EP (1) EP0298828B1 (en)
CA (1) CA1294604C (en)
DE (1) DE3860741D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2617533B1 (en)
NO (1) NO302428B1 (en)

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US5139094A (en) * 1991-02-01 1992-08-18 Anadrill, Inc. Directional drilling methods and apparatus
US5117927A (en) * 1991-02-01 1992-06-02 Anadrill Downhole adjustable bent assemblies
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CA2154135C (en) * 1995-07-18 2000-08-15 Paul Noe Downhole sub for directional drilling
GB9523901D0 (en) * 1995-11-22 1996-01-24 Astec Dev Ltd Bend and orientation apparatus
US6394193B1 (en) 2000-07-19 2002-05-28 Shlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole adjustable bent housing for directional drilling
CA2353249A1 (en) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-18 Maurice William Slack Pipe centralizer and method of attachment
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US20080142268A1 (en) * 2006-12-13 2008-06-19 Geoffrey Downton Rotary steerable drilling apparatus and method
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CA2904774A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Tercel Ip Limited Downhole directional drilling assembly
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FR2453269A2 (en) * 1979-04-06 1980-10-31 Inst Francais Du Petrole Crank connector for adjustment of drilling path - comprises interconnected tubes having variable relative angular positioning
FR2432079A1 (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-02-22 Inst Francais Du Petrole Crank connector for adjustment of drilling path - comprises interconnected tubes having variable relative angular positioning
FR2453268A2 (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-10-31 Inst Francais Du Petrole Crank connector for adjustment of drilling path - comprises interconnected tubes having variable relative angular positioning
FR2491989A2 (en) * 1980-10-13 1982-04-16 Inst Francais Du Petrole VARIABLE ANGLE ELBOW CONNECTION FOR DIRECTED DRILLING
FR2519686A2 (en) * 1978-07-24 1983-07-18 Inst Francais Du Petrole Pipe connector with variable angle for directional drilling - where hydraulically actuated valve is used to restrict flow of drilling liq. while connector angle is changed
FR2575793B1 (en) * 1985-01-07 1987-02-27 Smf Int DEVICE FOR THE REMOTE OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A CONDUIT IN WHICH AN INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID FLOWS
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US4745982A (en) * 1986-11-28 1988-05-24 Wenzel Kenneth H Adjustable bent sub

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2617533B1 (en) 1994-02-11
NO302428B1 (en) 1998-03-02
DE3860741D1 (en) 1990-11-08
NO882909L (en) 1989-01-02
FR2617533A1 (en) 1989-01-06
CA1294604C (en) 1992-01-21
EP0298828A1 (en) 1989-01-11
US4836303A (en) 1989-06-06
NO882909D0 (en) 1988-06-29

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