EP1360391A1 - A deflection joint - Google Patents
A deflection jointInfo
- Publication number
- EP1360391A1 EP1360391A1 EP02711096A EP02711096A EP1360391A1 EP 1360391 A1 EP1360391 A1 EP 1360391A1 EP 02711096 A EP02711096 A EP 02711096A EP 02711096 A EP02711096 A EP 02711096A EP 1360391 A1 EP1360391 A1 EP 1360391A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- joint
- deflection joint
- pivot means
- deflection
- pivot
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/14—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
-
- 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
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a deflection joint for use in well bores.
- Oil and gas wells are becoming increasingly deviated, with wells tending to follow optimised paths for producing hydrocarbons from a reservoir.
- multilateral wells having two or more producing well bores are becoming increasingly common. These well types tend to introduce bends in the well bore which can introduce problems when accessing the well with wireline tools.
- gravity is the primary means of placing the toolstring at the desired position within the well. Any friction experienced through contact between the toolstring and the well bore significantly reduces the efficiency of the toolstring.
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the deflection joint of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a second embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the deflection joint of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the deflection joint of Fig. 4;
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- a deflection joint generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown in a deviated well bore 12.
- the deflection joint 10 comprises tubular portions 38 and 40, a pin joint 28 positioned between tubular portions 38,40 and rollers 30,32 and 34, which act to reduce the effects of friction, with roller 30 placed directly onto the central pivotal pin joint 28 and rollers 32 and 34 located in respective tubular portions 38,40.
- swivel joints 42 and 44 which allow the toolstring to move in a hole deviated in more than one plane. Rollers 30,32 and 34 protrude beyond the surface of the tubular element portions 38 and 40 and when the toolstring encounters a bend in the well bore, the tool 10 starts to pivot about axis 29 only.
- rollers 30,32 and 34 come into contact with the well bore wall 12a thus minimising friction.
- roller 30 being placed at the point of the bend it provides friction reduction at the point most likely to be in contact with the well bore wall when running the toolstring into the bore.
- Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the invention wherein a ball joint 18 is used as the pivoting means.
- the deflection joint 10 comprises tubular portion 14 and 16, two rollers 20 and 22 and a swivel joint 24 which allows the toolstring to move into a hole deviated in one plane.
- rollers 22, 20 are located in respective tubular portions 14 and 16.
- the ball joint 18 allows the joint to bend about one axis 27 only. This is achieved by introducing alignment plate 26 into the rear of the ball joint 18 as shown in Fig. 5.
- the deflection joint operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention wherein a pin joint 28 is used as the pivoting means.
- one roller 30 is placed directly on pin joint 28.
- swivel means 42 and 44 which allow the toolstring to move into a hole deviated in more than one plane. The deflection joint operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 1.
- a swivel joint may be placed in either of the tubular elements 38,40 or two swivel joints 42,44 maybe used with joint 44 placed above the pivot means and the other joint 42 placed below the pivot means, as shown in Fig. 5.
- the deflection joint may have two or more pivot means 28, 46 spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This arrangement accommodates well bores with smaller radii of curvature more easily.
- each pivot means need only bend by 2 degrees, and the angle of incidence on the rollers would thus be reduced. Furthermore, if the two pivot means were offset by 90 degrees, this would allow the deflection joint to bend in more than one plane.
- An advantage of the arrangement disclosed in the above embodiments is that the use of rollers on either side of the pivot means or, additionally, disposed on the pivot means, reduces the friction acting on the wireline toolstring when the toolstring is being moved into or removed from a well bore.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Joints Allowing Movement (AREA)
Abstract
A deflection joint (10) for use in a well bore (12) comprises: an element provided with at least one pivot means pivotable about an axis; and at least one roller means (30,32,34) for reducing friction when the deflection joint is moved within said well bore.
Description
A Deflection Joint
The present invention relates to a deflection joint for use in well bores.
Oil and gas wells are becoming increasingly deviated, with wells tending to follow optimised paths for producing hydrocarbons from a reservoir. In addition, multilateral wells having two or more producing well bores are becoming increasingly common. These well types tend to introduce bends in the well bore which can introduce problems when accessing the well with wireline tools. When accessing the well with wireline tools, gravity is the primary means of placing the toolstring at the desired position within the well. Any friction experienced through contact between the toolstring and the well bore significantly reduces the efficiency of the toolstring.
Where a bend exists in a well bore it is normally necessary to include a "knuckle joint" in a wireline toolstring to allow the toolstring to bend to accommodate the curvature of the well bore. However, the inclusion of a conventional "knuckle joint" introduces a high load/high friction contact point with the well bore wall at the point of the bend. The contact at this point significantly increases the factional drag acting on the toolstring, thus reducing the velocity of the toolstring as it is run into or out of the well bore. Additionally the high load acting on the contact point can result in damage to the toolstring and the well bore during running and whilst jarring.
According to the present invention there is provided a deflection joint as set out in the accompanying claims.
These and other aspects of the invention will become a^^axe t from the following description, when take in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the deflection joint of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the deflection joint of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the deflection joint of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a deflection joint in a deviated well bore according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
With reference to Fig. 1, a deflection joint, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown in a deviated well bore 12. The deflection joint 10 comprises tubular portions 38 and 40, a pin joint 28 positioned between tubular portions 38,40 and rollers 30,32 and 34, which act to reduce the effects of friction, with roller 30 placed directly onto the central pivotal pin joint 28 and rollers 32 and 34 located in respective tubular portions 38,40. Also provided are swivel joints 42 and 44 which allow the toolstring to move in a hole deviated in more than one plane. Rollers 30,32 and 34 protrude beyond the surface of the tubular element portions 38 and 40 and when the toolstring encounters a bend in the well bore, the tool 10 starts to pivot about axis 29 only. As the tool bends the swivel joints 42 and 44 also rotate so that the curvature of the pin joint tool corresponds to the curvature of the well bore. As a result of the toolstring aligning itself to the well bore 12, rollers 30,32 and 34 come into contact with the well bore wall 12a thus minimising friction. In particular, with roller 30 being placed at the point of the bend it provides friction reduction at the point most likely to be in contact with the well bore wall when running the toolstring into the bore.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the invention wherein a ball joint 18
is used as the pivoting means. In this embodiment the deflection joint 10 comprises tubular portion 14 and 16, two rollers 20 and 22 and a swivel joint 24 which allows the toolstring to move into a hole deviated in one plane. With this arrangement rollers 22, 20 are located in respective tubular portions 14 and 16. The ball joint 18 allows the joint to bend about one axis 27 only. This is achieved by introducing alignment plate 26 into the rear of the ball joint 18 as shown in Fig. 5. The deflection joint operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention wherein a pin joint 28 is used as the pivoting means. In this embodiment one roller 30 is placed directly on pin joint 28. Also provided are swivel means 42 and 44 which allow the toolstring to move into a hole deviated in more than one plane. The deflection joint operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 1.
Various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a swivel joint may be placed in either of the tubular elements 38,40 or two swivel joints 42,44 maybe used with joint 44 placed above the pivot means and the other joint 42 placed below the pivot means, as shown in Fig. 5. This allows the deflection joint to rotate freely and independently of the toolstring. The deflection joint may have two or more pivot means 28, 46 spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This arrangement accommodates well bores with smaller radii of curvature more easily. For example, if two pivot means were used and the well bore radius of curvature is 4 degrees, then each pivot means need only bend by 2 degrees, and the angle of incidence on the rollers would thus be reduced. Furthermore, if the two pivot means were offset by 90 degrees, this would allow the deflection joint to bend in more than one plane.
An advantage of the arrangement disclosed in the above embodiments is that the use of rollers on either side of the pivot means or, additionally, disposed on the pivot means, reduces the friction acting on the wireline toolstring when the toolstring is being moved into or removed from a well bore.
Claims
1. A deflection joint for use in a well bore, the deflection joint comprising: an element provided with at least one pivot means pivotable about an axis; and at least one roller means for reducing friction when the deflection joint is moved within said well bore.
2. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one roller means is positioned at said pivot means.
3. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one roller means is positioned on one side of said pivot means, and a further roller means is positioned on the other side of said pivot means.
4. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises second pivot means, the two pivot means forming upper and lower pivot means, and wherein at least one roller means is positioned between said two pivot means, one roller is positioned above said upper pivot means, and one roller is positioned below said lower pivot means.
5. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper and lower pivot means are arranged to pivot about parallel axes.
6. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper and lower pivot means are arranged to pivot about axes offset by up to 90 degrees.
7. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said element is a tubular element.
8. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one pivot means comprises a aligned ball joint.
9. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one pivot means comprises a pin joint.
10. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises at least one swivel means.
11. A deflection joint as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises at least two swivel means.
12. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 11, wherein one swivel means is positioned on one side of said pivot means and another swivel means is positioned on the other side of said pivot means.
13. A deflection joint as claimed in claim 11 or 12, when also dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein one swivel means is positioned above said upper pivot means, and another swivel means is positioned below said lower pivot means.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0103803 | 2001-02-16 | ||
| GB0103803A GB0103803D0 (en) | 2001-02-16 | 2001-02-16 | A deflection joint |
| PCT/GB2002/000666 WO2002066779A1 (en) | 2001-02-16 | 2002-02-15 | A deflection joint |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1360391A1 true EP1360391A1 (en) | 2003-11-12 |
Family
ID=9908857
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP02711096A Withdrawn EP1360391A1 (en) | 2001-02-16 | 2002-02-15 | A deflection joint |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1360391A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2438358A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB0103803D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002066779A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7188671B2 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2007-03-13 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | System, method, and apparatus for survey tool having roller knuckle joints for use in highly deviated horizontal wells |
| GB0904574D0 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2009-04-29 | Wireline Engineering Ltd | Improved downhole device |
| GB2515283A (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2014-12-24 | Guy Wheater | Mud sensing hole finder (MSHF) |
| AR123419A1 (en) * | 2020-09-02 | 2022-11-30 | Impact Selector Int Llc | MOBILE JOINT TOOL FOR DOWNHOLE |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3107973C2 (en) * | 1980-07-12 | 1982-12-02 | Preussag Ag, 3000 Hannover Und 1000 Berlin | Drilling tool for producing curved sections of deep boreholes |
| GB2088554A (en) * | 1980-11-28 | 1982-06-09 | Pls Pipeline Service Uk Ltd | Pipeline route surveying device |
| US5033558A (en) * | 1985-05-16 | 1991-07-23 | R.C.R. Oilfield, Inc. | Well tool for use with down-hole drilling apparatus |
| US4880067A (en) * | 1988-02-17 | 1989-11-14 | Baroid Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for drilling a curved borehole |
| US5727641A (en) * | 1994-11-01 | 1998-03-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Articulated directional drilling motor assembly |
-
2001
- 2001-02-16 GB GB0103803A patent/GB0103803D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-02-15 EP EP02711096A patent/EP1360391A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-02-15 CA CA002438358A patent/CA2438358A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-02-15 WO PCT/GB2002/000666 patent/WO2002066779A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO02066779A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2438358A1 (en) | 2002-08-29 |
| WO2002066779A1 (en) | 2002-08-29 |
| GB0103803D0 (en) | 2001-04-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20030609 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
| AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
| 18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20040831 |