MX2008006181A - Integrated top drive and coiled tubing injector - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for conducting earth borehole operations, the apparatus having a base, a mast mounted on the base, and an integrated top drive/CT injector unit carried by the mast for longitudinal movement therealong.

Description

ROTATING MOTORIZED UNION AND INTEGRATED ROLLED PRODUCTION PIPE INJECTOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatuses for carrying out wellbore drilling operations on land, such as drilling and, in particular, to apparatuses that can use both rolled production pipe and connected (threaded) pipe. The use of coiled production (CT) pipe technology in oil and gas drilling and service has become more and more common in recent years. In CT technology, a continuous tube wound on a coil straightens up and pushes down into a well by using a CT injector. CT technology can be used for both drilling and servicing, for example, add-on work. The advantages offered through the use of CT technology, including economy of time and cost, are well known. Unlike connected tube technology, where straight pipe sections typically of 9,144-10,668 meters (30-35 feet) are threaded into one section at a time while drilling the borehole, CT technology allows deployment Continuous tubing while drilling the well, significantly reducing the frequency with which such drilling should be suspended to allow additional sections of tubing to be connected. This results in a shorter connection time, and as a result, an efficiency of both cost and time. However, the adoption of CT technology in boreholes has spread less than originally anticipated as a result of certain problems inherent in using CT in a drilling application. For example, because CT tends to be less robust than the tube connected to surface-level drilling, it is often necessary to drill an initial hole in a well by using a connected pipe, cementing the casing inside the initial hole of a well, and then change to the hole with CT. Additionally, when difficult formations such as gravel are found at the bottom of the borehole, it may be necessary to change from a CT borehole to a borehole with connected tube until drilling is completed through the formation, and then switch back to the borehole. CT drilling to continue drilling the well. Similarly, when it is necessary to perform drill pipe tests to assess the conditions of the bottom of the borehole, it may again be necessary to change from a CT borehole to a borehole with connected pipe and then back again. Finally, a change back to operations with connected tube is necessary to operate the casing inside the perforated well. In summary, in CT drilling operations it is usually necessary for clients and staff to successively switch between a CT drill rig and a conventional connected pipe rig, a process that results in significant downtime. since one team moves out of the way and the other team is placed in its place. Another disadvantage of CT drilling is the slow process to assemble a (bottomhole mechanism (BHA) components at the end of the CT to drill, test, service the well, etc.) and connect the BHA to the extreme of the CT. At present, this stage is carried out manually through the use of rotary tables and threaded / unscrewed equipment. In some cases motorized rotating unions are used, but the CT injector and the motorized rotary union must move out of each other's way, that is, they can not be both aligned with the borehole. This process not only results in costly downtime, but can also present safety hazards to workers since it requires them to handle heavy components manually. To address the above problems associated with the use of CT technology and provide a selective and rapid change from the use of a CT injector to a motorized rotary joint operation, certain drilling rigs called "universal" or "hybrid" have been developed. Typical examples of universal drilling equipment, that is, a drilling rig that uses a single mast to perform both motorized rotary junction and CT operations, the motorized rotary joint and the CT injector are usually found at all times Operably connected to the mast, are shown in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0206551; and in US Patents Nos. 6,003,598 and 6,609,565. Thus, in U.S. Publication 2004/0206551, a drilling rig adapted to perform ground well drilling operations using both CT and / or connected pipes is described, the CT injector and a motorized rotary joint are mounted in the same mast, the CT injector can be moved selectively between a first position where the CT injector is aligned with the drill rig mast and therefore the hole drilled on the ground and a second position where the CT injector is out of alignment with the mast and thus drilling well on the ground. In all the systems described in the aforementioned patents, the motorized rotary joint and the CT injector are two separate units. Accordingly, as described in all the aforementioned patents, various techniques are described for selectively placing the CT injector or the motorized rotating union on the center of the sounding, depending on whether CT operations are being performed or whether performing operations with connected tube. In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for performing ground well drilling operations comprising a carrier, base or substructure, a mast mounted on the carrier and a motorized rotary joint unit / integrated CT injector. (integrated unit) mounted on the mast for a longitudinal movement along the same. In one aspect, the integrated unit comprises two assemblies, a lower portion or module comprising the motorized rotating union and an upper portion or module comprising the CT injector. The lower module comprising the motorized rotating union has an opening therethrough or along the same through which the CT of the upper module comprising the CT injector can pass when desired to perform CT operations. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated unit as described above which further comprises an S-tube or guide which is releasably connected to the CT injector module of the integrated unit and which can be mounted on the mast and moving between a first position, in which the CT that passes through the S-tube can be poured into the CT injector module, such that the CT leaving it is substantially aligned with the axis of the sounding , and a second position where the S-tube can be moved laterally or rotatably with respect to the integrated unit and therefore with the mast, such that the CT supported by the S-tube is out of alignment with the axis of the sounding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevation view, partially in section showing a modality of the apparatus of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an elevation view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the S-tube or guide disconnected from the injector of CT. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an elevation view showing another embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the S-tube or guide connected of the CT injector. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the S-tube or guide disconnected from the CT injector. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7. With reference first to Figure 1, a carrier, in general shown as being, as shown, of the diversity with wheels and includes windings 11 for stability, includes a substructure 12 on which is mounted a mast in general shown as 14, the mast 14, as shown in Figure 1, is usually vertical. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the mast 14 is comprised of two separate columns 14a and 14b, there being a suitable tie-down, eg, struts (not shown) between the columns 14a and 14b to provide structural strength. Each of the columns 14a and 14b has attached thereto a rail or tread 15 and 17, respectively, running longitudinally along the columns 14a and 14b, respectively, for the purpose described in the following. A crown 16 extends and connects the columns 14a and 14b. The crown 16 carries a crown block assembly 18 comprising sheaves or the like as is well known to those skilled in the art. The carrier 10 includes a working platform 20 and a sub-platform 22 on which is mounted a pair of bearings 24, of which only one is shown, a reel 26 of the CT which is articulated in the bearings 24. The CT 28 is freely moving out of the spool 26 extends up to and is grasped by a pipe in S / guide 30 for the purpose described in greater detail in the following. As is well known, the carrier 10 can be of the wheeled diversity having a tongue 11 for connection to a tractor or the like, by which the carrier 10 can move from one place to another. In that regard, it will be appreciated that the mast 14 can pivot from the vertical position shown in Figure 1 to a generally horizontal position for transportation purposes and for this purpose cylinders 32 are used., of which only one is shown and which is attached to the substructure 12 to pivot the mast 14 from the vertical position shown in Figure 1 to a horizontal position. A motorized rotary joint unit / integrated CT injector 40 is movably mounted, for example slidable, on the mast 14 along the treads 15, 17. The integrated unit 40 comprises a rotary attachment module 42 motorized, lower, and a superior CT 44 module. As seen with reference to Figures 1 - and 2, the integrated unit 40 includes guide flanges 15a, 15b and 17a, 17b, the flanges 15a, 15b receive the guide rail 15 therein, the flanges 17a, 17b of guide receive the guide rail 17 between them. In this way, the integrated unit 40 can be moved longitudinally along the columns 14a and 14b. Additionally, the guide flanges 15a, 15b, 17a and 17b in cooperation with the guide rails 15 and 17 serve to displace the reaction torque on the integrated unit 40, caused by the rotation of the tubular members that are driven by the motorized rotary union module 42. The construction and operation of motorized rotary unions and CT injectors are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail herein. Suffice it to say that the motorized rotary union module 42 is provided with a rotating threaded spindle 46 for connection to the threaded housing of a tubular member, such as drill pipe, casing pipe, etc., by which the tubular member it can move vertically as well as rotationally. The CT injector module 44 is provided with gripping devices / rollers 47 which can be used to either drive the CT 28 downwardly or to exert upward traction. The integrated unit 40 is integrated in the sense that the motorized rotary junction module 42 and the CT injector module 44 are not separate units, but are mechanically joined together and move longitudinally together length of the mast 14. To achieve such movement, one or more cables 48 attached to the integrated unit 40 run through the pulleys 18 of the crown to a drill lane 50 mounted on the platform 22. In this way, by operation of the probing lathe 50, the integrated unit 40 can move longitudinally along the mast 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it can be seen that the CT 28 is hollowed into the CT injector module 44 and that it extends through the motorized rotary junction portion 44 downwardly through a wellhead 54 toward a borehole (not shown). In this way, Figure 1 represents the situation in which the motorized rotary joint module 42 is inoperative and the CT injector module 44 is in use. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the guide 30 is secured to a frame comprised of a beam 60 of transverse channel, braces 62 and 64 which are secured to the body of the guide 30 and to the beam 60. The beam 60 in turn is secured to a pair of separate roller mounts 66 and 68. Rotationally articulated in the roller saddles 66 and 68 are rollers 70, a first pair of rollers that are in the roller mount 66 and a second pair of rollers that are in the roller mount 68. A first channel member 72 is secured to the column 14a while a second channel member 74 is secured to the column 14b. The channel member 72 and 74 extends transversely, for example perpendicular, to the mast 14 and forms a pair of spaced apart treads. A transverse member 76 connects the ends of the channel members 72 and 74. A first combination 78 of piston cylinders is secured to the transverse member 76, a second combination 80 of piston cylinders is secured to the opposite end of the transverse member 76. As can be seen by comparing Figures 1-3, the cylinder portions of the piston / cylinder combinations 78 and 80 are secured to the ends 76a and 76b, respectively, of the transverse member 76 while the piston rods are connected to the roller mounts 68 and 66, respectively. In this way, the piston rod of the piston cylinder combination 80 is connected to the roller mount 66 while the piston of the piston cylinder combination 78 is connected to the roller mount 68. Although not shown, the combination 78, 80 of piston cylinders is connected to a suitable source of hydraulic power by which the piston rods of the respective piston / cylinder combinations 78, 80 can be extended and retracted. In the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the piston rods of combinations 78 and 80 of piston cylinders extend and in that position the guide 30 is positioned in relation to the integrated unit 40, such that the CT 28 can be clogged into the CT injector module 44 and therefore aligned with the sounding extending from a well mouth 54. As noted above, in this position the CT injector module 44 is operated to inject or take CT 28 out of the borehole on which a wellhead is mounted. Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4, which represent the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein the motorized rotary joint module 42 is used in operations with connected tube. As noted in the foregoing, the channel members 72 and 74 form U-shaped treads which are generally transverse to the mast 14. The rollers 70 mounted on the roller mounts 66 and 68 couple the members 72 and 74 in the form of a channel, such that when extending and retracting the pistons of the combination 78, 80 of piston cylinders, the transport guide 30 of the frame can be moved laterally with respect to the mast 14. In this way, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the pistons of the combination 78 and 80 of piston cylinders are retracted, the beam 70 and the associated structural members forming the frame for the CT guide 30 are moved towards the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 and, as best seen in Figure 3, in this position the CT 28 now moves to the position in which it is no longer aligned with the sounding on which a mouth is mounted. well 54. It will be understood that to achieve this movement of the guide 30, and when the apparatus is in the position shown in Figure 1, the integrated unit 40 can be moved downwards to release the CT from the CT injector 44, thereby leaving a free end 90 as it is shown in Figure 3. It will be understood that the guide 30 will be provided with a selectively operable locking or gripping mechanism, which can grasp and / or hold the CT 28 in the position shown in Figure 3. , ie, with a free end 90 extending from the guide 30. Such a grip mechanism accomplishes at least two purposes: (a) it maintains a free end 90 of the CT 28 that can be easily inserted into the module 44 of CT injector; and (b) prevents the CT 28 from snapping back toward and / or unwinding from the reel 26, which would be extremely dangerous to personnel on or around the equipment and may also cause equipment damage. Once the CT has been removed from the CT module 44, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the motorized rotary joint module 42 is then released to perform operations with connected tube. In that sense, it can be seen with reference to Figure 3, that the spindle 46 has been threaded into the case 92 of a tubular 94, which may be a drill pipe, casing or any other tubular oilfield , or for that matter a threaded tool that in turn is connected to another tubular of the bottom of the perforation and associated tools, as desired. Thus, it will be understood that in the position shown in Figure 3, the integrated unit 40 is now in the position to operate tubular oil field, eg tubular 94, in and out of the borehole through a borehole. well 54. Although not shown, it will be understood that the oilfield tubulars 94 may be collected from a pipeline or the like by an elevator that is well known in the art and that the substructure 12 may include a rotary table, such as so that the tubular 94, suspended by means of the elevator (not shown) can be fixed against rotation while the threaded use 46 is coupled to the threaded housing 92. Also, as is well known in the art, when connected tubes, such as tubular 94 of the oilfield are used, successive connections are connected to achieve the desired string length. Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the guide 30, instead of moving laterally in relation to the mast, as shown in Figures 1-4, is connected to the mast in such a way that it can be pivoted or rotated from a position in which the CT leaving the guide 30 is aligned with the CT injector 44, so that it can be housed in the CT injector 44, a a second position in which the CT 28 is out of alignment with the CT injector 44 and is basically transverse to the mast 14. As seen in Figures 5 and 6, there is a pair of support arms 101 which are secured to columns 14a and 14b and extending laterally therefrom. Secured to the support arms 101 in its end distant columns 14a and 14b is a channel-shaped cross brace 102, the support arms 101 and the cross brace 102 form a frame. Secured to the cross brace 102 is a 106/105 combination of piston cylinders which may be hydraulic, as is well understood by those skilled in the art. The rod 106 of the piston is connected by a clamp with tensioner to an arm or crank 104 that can be rotated in relation to the clamp with tensioner and fixedly secured at its end opposite an axis 100. The shaft 100 to its it is fixedly secured to the box pipe 107, which in turn is secured in a fixed manner to the lower part of the guide 30. In the representation shown in Figures 5 and 6, the guide 30 is connected to the injector 44 of CT, such that the CT 28 aligns with the CT injector 44 as long as the CT 28 can be fed to the injector 40 and therefore to the wellhead 54 above the borehole. In that sense, in the representation of Figures 5 and 6, the CT 28 leaving the CT injector 44 is generally aligned with the sounding below the wellhead 54. As in the case discussed in the above with the embodiments of Figures 1-4, the guide 30 is releasably and selectively connected to the CT injector 44 and when in the connected condition, the CT injector 44 can perform typical CT activities, for example, perforation, complementary works, etcetera. When it is desired to use the motorized rotating joint 42 for activities with connected tube or the like, it is typically necessary to separate the guide 30 from the CT injector 44. This can be easily achieved with the modality shown in Figures 5-8. Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, the guide 30 is shown being removed from the CT injector 44 and the CT injector 44 and the motorized rotating union 42 moved upward relative to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6. To separate the guide 30 of the CT injector 44 retracts the piston rod 106 towards the cylinder 105, which moves the arm or crank 104 downwards. Since the end of the crank 104 remote from the end connected to the connection of the piston 106 is fixed to the shaft 100, and since the shaft 100 in turn is fixed to the box frame 107 as the arm 104 rotates around the jaw connection with tensioner connecting the arm 104 and the piston rod 106, the box pipe 107 and consequently the guide 30, also rotate around a central line determined by the shaft 100. In this way, when it rotates through complete to the position shown in Figure 7, the CT 28 has its free end generally transverse to the mast 14. Additionally, as can be seen in Figure 7, with the guide 30 rotated as shown, the integrated injector unit 40 CT and motorized rotatable junction 42 can now freely move longitudinally along the mast 14. As described above with respect to the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4, it will be understood that the guide 30 is provided will be assembled with an appropriate locking mechanism or locking mechanism that holds the free end of the CT in the guide 30, so that it can be easily plugged into the CT injector 44 when necessary and also prevents the CT 28 from closing under pressure again towards and / or unwinding from the spool 26. As also shown in Figures 1-4, once the guide 30 has been rotated to the position shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting module 42 Motorized swivel is then free to perform the operation with connected tube or for any other use that is appropriate. It will be appreciated that the carrier 10 can be propelled automatically. In addition, the carrier may comprise a stationary structure such as, for example, a skate or the like, which can be raised and placed on a trailer or other transport vehicle for movement to another site if desired. It will also be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention can be mounted on a marine platform by a skate or other substructure on which the mast and other components are mounted. As seen in the above, the motorized rotary joint module 42 is provided with a longitudinal opening 43 extending therethrough for the passage of the CT 28. Obviously, the integrated unit can be designed such that the module 42 The motorized rotating union was grooved so that instead of a longitudinal opening provided in the motorized rotating union unit 42, the CT 28 can pass through the groove in the motorized rotary joint module 42. Although not shown, it will be understood that the integrated unit 40 can be carried in a suitable frame or the like, attached to the cables 48 for the movement of the unit 40 integrated longitudinally along the neck 14. Although it is possible that the unit The integrated module may have a monolithic housing, for purposes of servicing the respective modules, typically the motorized rotary joint module 42 and the CT module 44 may be separate, connected housings which allow selective access to one of the modules according to the invention. is desired It will also be understood that suitable structural members can connect the motorized rotary joint module 42 to the CT module 44 in such a way that they move as a one piece unit. It is intended that the term "integrated", as used with respect to the integrated motorized CT / swivel joint injector of the present invention, encompasses a structure whether monolithic, separate, linked modules or the like, which, whatever its shape, can move longitudinally as length of the mast as a single unit opposite the CT injector and the motorized swivel joint that can move independently with respect to each other along the mast. Further, although the integrated unit of the present invention has been described with respect to the module or portion of CT that is located above the motorized rotary attachment module or portion, it is within the scope of the present invention that the relative positions of the CT and the motorized rotating union can be reversed, for example, with the motorized rotating union on top of the CT injector. However, although such a configuration presents greater difficulties from the engineering point of view, it may be possible to construct such an integrated unit. One of the advantages of the integrated unit of the present invention is the fact that the CT injector and the motorized rotary joint can share common components, for example, hydraulic systems, planetary gear systems, and other pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical systems. which are or can be used either in a CT injector or in a motorized rotating union. It can be seen that the present invention provides a unique universal equipment, which can selectively operate and operate different types of tubes, CT and other equipment for ground-hole drilling, thereby eliminating the need for two equipment, one equipment to use a motorized rotating union in the conventional manner and a separate CE injector unit to perform CT operations. As described above, the guide 30 can be mounted either on a truck or trolley that moves along the transverse treads and attached to the columns 14a and 14b of the mast 14 or on a chassis attached to the mast 14 which allows the guide 30 to pivot or rotate as described. In this way, the guide 30 can move laterally or rotationally in relation to the mast, for example from a first position in which the guide can be attached to the CT injector and the free end 90 of the CT 28 can be pocketed to the module 44 of CT when CT operations are employed to a second position where, once the CT of the CT module 44 is removed, the CT of the guide will be out of alignment with the CT module 44 in order to allow that the motorized rotary union module 42 performs operations with connected tube. It will also be separate that the guide 30 does not need to be mounted on a truck / trolley or rotation system secured to the mast. For example, a separate crane, for example a davit crane, can be used to maintain the guide 30 in a position, as shown in Figure 3, where the free end of the CT 90 does not go into the CT module 44. or alternatively in the position shown in Figure 1 when the CT 28 does not hover in the CT module 44. In that regard, when a separate crane or other lifting device is used to position the guide in such a way that the CT can be holed in the CT module 44, the carrier 10 need not be a single vehicle, platform or the like. In contrast, the CT reel 26 with the guide 30 can be found in a separate trailer, carrier or the like, while the mast transporting the integrated unit 40 can be found in yet another trailer, carrier or the like. Additionally, the crane can be in the form of a crane pole or telescopic arms that were mounted on a separate trailer that carried the CT reel and the guide and that can be used to raise the guide 30 and place it, so that the CT can be clogged in the CT module 44.

The above description and examples illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention. In view thereof, variations and modifications will be suggested to someone skilled in the art, all of which are in the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for carrying out well drilling operations on land, characterized in that it comprises: a base; a mast mounted on the base; and a motorized rotating union / integrated CT injector unit, carried by the mast for longitudinal movement therealong.
2. 2. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the integrated unit comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprises the CT injector, the lower portion comprises the motorized rotating union, the lower portion has an opening therethrough to allow the passage of CT of the CT injector.
3. 3. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 2, further characterized in that it comprises a guide for CT, the guide is releasably connected to the CT injector.
4. 4. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 3, characterized in that the guide is mounted on the mast for its lateral movement in relation to the mast, between a first position in which the CT of the guide can be clogged in the CT injector and a second position in which the CT of the guide is out of alignment with the CT injector. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide is mounted on the mast for its pivoting movement between a first position in which the CT of the guide can be holed in the CT injector to a second position in which the CT of the guide is substantially transverse to the mast.