US20230117044A1

US20230117044A1 - Blowout preventer multi-test joint device, system, and method for using the same

Info

Publication number: US20230117044A1
Application number: US17/501,675
Authority: US
Inventors: Nadeer Ahmed Alzayer
Original assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Co
Current assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Co
Priority date: 2021-10-14
Filing date: 2021-10-14
Publication date: 2023-04-20

Abstract

A test joint device installed in a well site includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint; and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. A first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint. The first clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter.

Description

BACKGROUND

Drilling, exploring, or locating an oil or gas well includes using a drill string to break down a subterranean formation to create and extend the depth of a wellbore. Drilling operations that involve rotary drilling often utilize specially formulated drilling fluids, called drilling mud, to ensure proper lubrication, removal of drilled cuttings, and other waste created during the drilling process. Drilling mud also provides sufficient pressure to ensure that fluids located in subterranean reservoirs do not enter the borehole, or wellbore, thereby controlling formation pressures and maintaining wellbore stability.
In order to further control formation pressures, pressure control equipment may include a blowout preventer (BOP) that aids in regaining lost well control. BOPs are specialized valves, series of valves, or similar mechanical devices that are used to seal, control, and monitor oil and gas wells. During a blowout, in which crude oil or natural gas is uncontrollably released from a well, one or more BOP(s) are used to seal the wellbore. Therefore, because BOPs are considered safety critical equipment, BOPs must be routinely tested at regular intervals to ensure functionality and compliance with associated metrics. However, repetitive or inefficient drilling operations may occur throughout the testing period of the BOP.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
This disclosure presents, in one or more embodiments, a test joint device installed in a well site. The test joint device includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint; and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. A first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint. The first clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter.
This disclosure further presents a system. The system includes a wellhead disposed at an upper axial end of a well that is configured to interface with drilling and production equipment, and a test joint device. The test joint device includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a central housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axis thereof, at least four piping arms that extend radially from the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to the vertical axis, at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that each ram block extends into the vertical cavity, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of the test joint, and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. A first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint. The first clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter. The test joint is inserted into the vertical cavity of the central housing. The test joint device is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint. The test plug is configured to seal the wellhead such that pressure develops inside the test joint device when the test joint device is filled with fluid.
This disclosure also presents a method for using a test joint device. The method includes installing a test joint device in a well site. The test joint device includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a central housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axis thereof, at least four piping arms that extend radially from the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to the vertical axis, at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that each ram block extends into the vertical cavity, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of the test joint, and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. The method further includes attaching a first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps to the test joint, the first clamp including a first outer diameter and the second clamp including a second outer diameter. The test joint is then inserted into the vertical cavity of the central housing, and a pressure is tested on the test joint by the test joint device.
Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the disclosed technology will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram showing an assembly including a blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOP multi-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOP multi-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOP multi-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create any particular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as using the terms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element, and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.
In addition, throughout the application, the terms “upper” and “lower” may be used to describe the position of an element in a well. In this respect, the term “upper” denotes an element disposed closer to the surface of the Earth than a corresponding “lower” element when in a downhole position, while the term “lower” conversely describes an element disposed further away from the surface of the well than a corresponding “upper” element. Likewise, the term “axial” refers to an orientation substantially parallel to the well, while the term “radial” refers to an orientation orthogonal to the well. Similarly, the term “inner” refers to an orientation closer to a center of an object than a corresponding “outer” orientation.
In general, embodiments of the disclosure include a blowout preventer (BOP) multi-test joint device used to test different pipe ram sizes in a BOP by utilizing a drill pipe with a small outer diameter as a test joint, and enlarging the test joint diameter via one or more additional clamps. By way of example, a BOP may include three rams: a larger diameter top ram, a smaller diameter middle ram, and a larger diameter bottom ram. Clamps are installed on the test joint that match the larger diameter of the top and bottom rams, enlarging the effective outer pipe diameter of the test joint. In order to prevent the upward movement of the clamps away from the rams, one or more stop collars are fixed to the test joint above each clamp. Once the stop collars are installed, the BOP is tested to ensure proper sealing between the BOP, the clamps, and the test joint.
Current BOP test practices involve running at least two separate test joint sizes to pressure test each blowout preventer ram separately. Each test joint size is pressure tested by closing rams of the BOP around the test joint, confirming a requisite pressure has been reached, and replacing the test joint with a test joint of a separate size, which is then tested as well.
However, BOP multi-test joint devices according to one or more embodiments can seal around multiple test joint sizes in order to withstand the compression pressure developed during drilling and seal off the well from the surface in case of a blowout. Consequently, the increased efficiency of the BOP aids drilling operations by saving time and money during BOP testing procedures involving multiple test joint sizes. Moreover, some embodiments may eliminate the need to run multiple test joints to perform blowout preventer rams pressure testing by containing all necessary test joint diameters to be tested, which reduces the time needed to swap the tested test joint thereof.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram block illustrating an example of a well site 11. In general, well sites may be configured in a myriad of ways. Therefore, well site 11 is not intended to be limiting with respect to the particular configuration of the drilling equipment. For example, the well site 11 is depicted as being offshore on a marine riser 13, however the well site 11 may be on land.
A drilling operation at the well site 11 may include drilling a borehole into a subterranean formation 21 of the Earth. During the drilling and completion stages of a drilling operation a blowout preventer (BOP) 17 is lowered via a drill string 15 to a well 23, where the BOP 17 is installed on a wellhead 19 of the well 23. The BOP 17 is configured to seal and isolate fluid inside of the well 23 from the surface and surrounding environment by actuating a series of ram blocks (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ) that close the well 23 in case of uncontrolled fluid loss. The BOP 17 may also be configured to, in certain circumstances, sever the drill string 15 with a shear ram, thus preventing further fluid loss of the well 23 via the wellhead 19.
The drill string 15 includes a columnar series of connected drill pipes configured to transmit drilling mud from mud pumps disposed on the marine riser 13 to the well 23. The drilling mud is continuously circulated through the drill string 15 into the well 23 to aid in drilling operations and lubricate downhole tools (not shown). In addition, the wellhead 19 provides a structural and pressure containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. Specifically, the wellhead 19 provides a suspension point and pressure seals for a drill string 15 disposed within the well 23. As such, during the formation of the well 23 a wellhead 19 is typically welded onto the first or second string of the casing 25, which is cemented in place subsequent to drilling a section to form an integral structure of the well 23.
After the wellhead 19 is welded to the casing 25, the BOP 17 is attached to the wellhead 19 and is pressure tested to confirm functionality. To pressure test the BOP 17, drilling rams (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ) of the BOP 17 are closed around a test joint (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ), and testing fluid, such as water, is pumped into the BOP 17. The testing fluid is then pressurized from a pump system (not shown) of the marine riser 13, which causes pressure to develop between the BOP 17 and the test joint (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ). Once a requisite test pressure is reached without failure, the pressure testing is complete and a drilling operation may resume.
FIG. 2 depicts a BOP multi-test joint device 27 of a BOP 17 according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In particular, during a testing operation of the BOP 17, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is configured to actuate and surround the test joint 16 such that a test fluid cannot escape the BOP 17. As seen in FIG. 2 , the test joint 16 is embodied as an axially oriented drill pipe with an outer pipe diameter 31. However, the test joint 16 may alternatively be embodied as a series of interconnected drill pipes.
At a lower axial end, the test joint 16 also includes a test plug 22. As seen in FIG. 2 , the test plug 22 is configured to seal the wellhead 19 during a pressurized testing of the BOP 17. The test plug 22 may further include a wear bushing (not shown), and may be embodied as a steel or rubber BOP cup tester that is attached to the lower end of test joint 16 prior to inserting the test joint 16 into the BOP 17. Specifically, the test plug 22 is lowered with the test joint 16 through the BOP multi-test joint device 27 until the test plug 22 lands on a load shoulder (not shown) of the wellhead 19. During the testing phase, the test plug 22 retains testing fluid within the BOP 17 by preventing the testing fluid from entering and exiting the wellhead 19.
By way of example, the test fluid may be water used to pressure test the BOP 17 throughout the pressurized testing procedure. As seen in FIG. 2 , test fluids that are being returned to the surface are returned through the vertical cavity 33 of the BOP multi-test joint device 27, which is an annular space between a central housing 35 of the BOP multi-test joint device 27 and the test joint 16. Thus, the test joint 16 and test plug 22 are subjected to the hydrostatic pressure developed within the BOP multi-test joint device 27 during pressurized testing of the BOP 17.
In order to achieve the purpose of sealing said annular space, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 includes a central housing 35, formed as a tubular body, that houses a plurality of piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 configured to actuate in and out of a vertical cavity 33 of the central housing 35 to surround the test joint 16. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are rigidly fixed to the central housing 35 and extend radially outwards such that the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 extend orthogonal to a vertical axis 29 of the central housing 35. As shown in FIG. 2 , the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are bolted to the central housing 35. However, the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 may also be welded, riveted, or otherwise rigidly attached to the central housing 35.
The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are hydraulic actuators configured to extend and withdraw from the central housing 35. To achieve this purpose, the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are actuated by a remote accumulator (not shown) such as a hydro-pneumatic or spring accumulator that pressurizes and extends the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 may alternatively be extended by electromagnetic means or pneumatically actuated. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are formed of one or more of the following: steel, stainless steel, manganese bronze, aluminum, iron, alloys, or equivalents known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
At the inner radial end of the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 a ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 is fixed to the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 such that the ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 extends into the central housing 35, while the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are rigidly fixed to the exterior of the central housing 35. As depicted in FIG. 2 , the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are each embodied as one half of a pipe ram and contain an axially extending semicircular hole configured to surround one side of the test joint 16. The ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are formed of metals such as steel, aluminum, or equivalent.
To form a complete seal around the test joint 16, the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are disposed radially opposite to each other, such that each ram block 49, 53, 57 cooperates with another ram block 51, 55, 59 to form a pipe ram. To this end, the uppermost ram blocks are referenced herein as the upper ram blocks 49, 51, while the central pair of ram blocks are referenced as the middle ram blocks 53, 55 and the lowermost pair of ram blocks are referenced as the lower ram blocks 57, 59.
During a testing operation, the test joint 16 may be interchanged with a second test joint (not shown). This second test joint (not shown) may be formed of piping with an outer pipe diameter that is larger or smaller than the outer pipe diameter 31 of the test joint 16. In order to accommodate the second test joint (not shown), the opening created by the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the opening created by the lower ram blocks 57, 59 each correspond to the size of the second test joint (not shown). Conversely, the opening created by the middle ram blocks 53, 55, matches the outer pipe diameter 31 of the test joint 16.
Due to this orientation, the second test joint (not shown) is supported within the BOP multi-test joint device 27 at corresponding upper and lower axial ends. However, depending on the outer pipe diameter 31 of the test joint 16, the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 may not seal properly around the test joint 16 during pressurized testing of the BOP 17. To this end, if the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 form an opening that is larger than the outer pipe diameter 31 the pressurized fluid used during testing will bypass the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59.
To remedy the above situation, a first clamp 61 and a second clamp 63 are fixed to the test joint 16. The first clamp 61 and second clamp 63 are formed as two half-annulus shaped pieces that are attached with a screw or bolt to form a piping clamp. The clamps 61, 63, and may be formed of steel, aluminum, iron, an alloy, or equivalent material, and are lined with rubber on the interior faces to facilitate sealing inside of the BOP multi-test joint device 27. Finally, the clamps 61, 63 extend in a vertical direction above and below the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 to ease sealing the BOP multi-test joint device 27 around the test joint 16.
The first clamp 61 and second clamp 63 are configured to enlarge the outer pipe diameter 31 to the dimensions of the opening created between the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the opening created by the lower ram blocks 57, 59 when the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are in an extended position. Therefore, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is sealed when the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59 are extended such that fluid cannot pass through the vertical cavity 33 of the central housing 35.
In order to ensure that the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and lower ram blocks 57, 59 contact the clamps 61, 63, the first clamp 61 and the second clamp 63 are separated by a fixed axial distance that corresponds to the axial distance between the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59. Specifically, the first clamp 61 is fixed to the test joint 16 at first location that is higher than a second location at which the second clamp 63 is installed, the first location and second location being spaced apart the same distance that the upper ram blocks 49, 51 are spaced apart from the lower ram blocks 57, 59.
In addition, this fixed distance is also maintained via stop collars 65, 67 that are attached to the test joint 16 at the upper axial end of the clamps 61, 63 to prevent upward movement of the clamps 61, 63. The stop collars 65, 67 are attached to the test joint 16 prior to inserting the test joint 16 into the central housing 35 such that the stop collars 65, 67 abut against the uppermost axial surface of the clamps 61, 63 when in the BOP multi-test joint device 27. The stop collars 65, 67 may be embodied as hinged spiral nail collars, slip on set screw collars, hinged bolted collars, or equivalents, and may be formed of steel, aluminum, or equivalent.
Table 1, below, summarizes one example of potential sizes of the test joint 16, the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, the clamps 61, 63, and the stop collars 65, 67. The values depicted in Table 1 are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any regard. Rather, these values are provided in order to further enhance the description of one embodiment of the claimed invention.

TABLE 1

Example Component Sizes

Component	Inner Diameter (in)	Outer Diameter (in)

Test Joint 16	3.64	4
Upper Ram Blocks 49, 51	5.5	N/A
Middle Ram Blocks 53, 55	4	N/A
Lower Ram Blocks 57, 59	5.5	N/ A
Clamps

61, 63	4	5.5
Stop Collar 65, 67	4	7

As shown in Table 1, for a test joint 16 with an outer pipe diameter 31 of four inches and a BOP multi-test joint device 27 with five and a half inch openings created by the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59, the clamps 61, 63 will each have a four inch inner diameter and a five and a half inch outer diameter, while the stop collars 65, 67 each have a four inch inner diameter as well. Accordingly, the clamps 61, 63 are sized according to the respective sizes of the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59. To this end, the first clamp 61 may have a larger, smaller, or equivalent diameter to the second clamp 63 depending on the opening created by the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59.
During situations where the second test joint (not shown) is lowered through the BOP multi-test joint device 27 and has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening created by the middle ram blocks 53, 55, the middle ram blocks 53, 55 remain fully retracted within the central housing 35. The second test joint (not shown) is then sealed using the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59. In such instances, the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59 are sized according to the size of the second test joint (not shown) such that the second test joint (not shown) is sealed without the use of clamps 61, 63 and the stop collars 65, 67.
Once the test joint 16, test plug 22, and the clamps 61, 63 are installed, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is pressure tested. To pressure test the BOP multi-test joint device 27, pressurized fluid, such as drilling mud or water, is circulated through the BOP multi-test joint device 27 until the vertical cavity 33, and, thus, the central housing 35, are filled with the pressurized fluid. The hydrostatic pressure from the pressurized fluid is exerted on the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, test joint 16, and test plug 18, and continues to build until a requisite pressure is reached. Because the central housing 35 is configured to handle a plurality of test pressures, once the requisite pressure is reached the BOP multi-test joint device 27 and BOP 17 are considered successfully tested and drilling operations may resume. By way of example, the requisite pressure reached may be the lesser of the rated test pressure of the wellhead 19 or the rated test pressure of the BOP 17.
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the BOP multi-test joint device 27 in which the upper ram blocks 49, 51 are larger than both the lower ram blocks 57, 59 and the middle ram blocks 53, 55. Specifically, the first clamp 61 and the stop collar 65 are sized with an inner diameter that matches the outer pipe diameter 31, while the outer diameter of the first clamp 61 and the stop collar 65 matches the inner diameter of the upper ram blocks 49, 51. Similarly, the second clamp 63 and the stop collar 67 are sized with an inner diameter that matches the outer pipe diameter 31, while the outer diameter of the second clamp 63 and the stop collar 67 matches the inner diameter of the lower ram blocks 57, 59.
Advantageously, this arrangement allows different sizes of drill pipe and casing to be used with the BOP multi-test joint device 27 during BOP 17 testing procedures. In order to accommodate the multiple sizes of pipes, the middle ram blocks 53, 55 are sized according to the size of the test joint 16, the upper ram blocks 49, 51 are sized according to the outer diameter of a casing 25, and the lower ram blocks 57, 59 are sized according to the outer diameter of a second test joint (not shown).
FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the invention in which the BOP multi-test joint device 27 contains blind ram blocks 69, 71 that seal the vertical cavity 33 during testing. Specifically, the blind ram blocks 69, 71 replace the upper ram blocks 49, 51 such that only the second clamp 63 and the stop collar 67 are used to pressure test the BOP 17. The blind ram blocks 69, 71 are shaped and sized such that they interlock with each other in order to prevent fluid from exiting the upper axial end of the vertical cavity 33 when a drill string 15 has not been lowered into the well 23.
As seen in FIG. 4 , the blind ram blocks 69, 71 are disposed within the central housing 35 when the blind ram blocks 69, 71 are not actuated. Advantageously, this allows the blind ram blocks 69, 71 to avoid interfering with the insertion and removal of the test joint 16 from the BOP multi-test joint device 27. In addition, by combining the blind ram blocks 69, 71 with the middle ram blocks 53, 55 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59, the BOP 17, well 23, and wellhead 19 can be pressure tested when a test joint 16 is not present.
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 5 describes a method for using a BOP multi-test joint device 27. In some embodiments, the method may be implemented using the devices described in reference to FIGS. 1-4 . While the various blocks in FIG. 5 are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the blocks may be executed in different orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of the blocks may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the blocks may be performed actively or passively.
In block 510, a BOP multi-test joint device 27 is installed at the well site 11. The BOP multi-test joint device 27 includes, but is not limited to, the central housing 35, clamps 61, 63, stop collars 65, 67, a piping arm 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, and a ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 attached at the end of a piping arm 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47. The central housing 35 extends along a vertical axis 29 with a vertical cavity 33 running axially therethrough. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 extends from the central housing 35 in a radial direction, orthogonal to the vertical axis 29.
In block 520, the clamps 61, 63 are fixed to the test joint 16 by installing the clamps 61, 63 to the test joint 16. The clamps 61, 63 each enlarge the size of the test joint 16 to the size of the ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 corresponding thereto. Therefore, each clamp 61, 63 has a respective outer diameter that matches the respective diameter of the opening created by the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59.
Stop collars 65, 67 are also attached to the test joint 16, and the stop collars 65, 67 may be attached by clamping, with or without a set screw, the stop collars 65, 67 to the test joint 16. The stop collars 65, 67 serve to retain the clamps 61, 63 in a vertical direction when pressure is applied to the clamps 61, 63. As such, the stop collars 65, 67 are disposed above the clamps 61, 63 such that the stop collars 65, 67 abut against the upper axial end of the clamps 61, 63.
In block 530, the test joint 16 is inserted into the vertical cavity 33 of the central housing 35. Specifically, the test joint 16 is run through the entirety of the BOP multi-test joint device 27 such that the test joint 16 extends above the BOP multi-test joint device 27 while the test plug 22 is landed in the wellhead 19. Concurrently, the first clamp 61 and the second clamp 63, which are attached to the test joint 16, are axially aligned with the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59.
In block 540, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is used to test a pressure on the test joint 16 and test plug 22. Testing the pressure includes actuating the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 in a radial direction such that the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 securely abut against the first clamp 61, the second clamp 63, and the test joint 16. Subsequently, pressurized fluid is pumped through the test joint 16 into the vertical cavity 33. The hydrostatic pressure from the pressurized fluid exerts a resultant pressure on the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59. Once a predetermined test pressure has been reached without failure, the testing is complete and a drilling operation may resume.
While FIGS. 1-5 show various configurations of components, other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, various components in FIG. 1-4 may be combined to create a single component. As another example, the functionality performed by a single component may be performed by two or more components. Further, the number of ram blocks and piping arms may be increased or decreased as desired. Finally, although the ram blocks are described herein as being pipe rams, the ram blocks may be replaced with shear rams, variable bore rams, or blind-shear rams.
As discussed above, current blowout preventer (BOP) test practices involve running two separate test joint sizes to pressure test each blowout preventer ram separately. Accordingly, BOPs equipped with a BOP multi-test joint device may eliminate the need to run multiple test joints to perform blowout preventer ram blocks pressure testing by containing all necessary test joint diameters to be tested, which reduces the time needed to swap the test joints. In turn, the increased safety of the BOP aids drilling operations by saving time and money during BOP pressure testing procedures involving multiple test joint sizes.
While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A test joint device installed in a well site, the test joint device comprising:

a test joint with an outer diameter;

a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint;

a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint; and

a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction;

wherein a first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint, the first clamp being configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp being configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter.

2. The test joint device of claim 1, further comprising:

a central housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axis thereof;

at least four piping arms that extend radially from the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to the vertical axis;

at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that each ram block extends into the vertical cavity;

wherein the test joint is inserted into the vertical cavity of the central housing, and

wherein the test joint device is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint.

3. The test joint device of claim 1, wherein the first clamp is attached to the test joint at a first location that is higher than a second location at which the second clamp is attached.

4. The test joint device of claim 2, wherein the first outer diameter is equivalent to the second outer diameter.

5. The test joint device of claim 2, wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.

6. The test joint device of claim 2, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter.

7. The test joint device of claim 2, wherein the central housing is a tubular body configured to handle a plurality of pressure ratings.

8. The test joint device of claim 1, wherein each stop collar of the plurality of stop collars abuts against a separate clamp of the plurality of clamps.

9. A system comprising:

a wellhead disposed at an upper axial end of a well, the wellhead being configured to interface with drilling and production equipment,

a test joint device, the test joint device comprising:

a test joint with an outer diameter;

a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint;

a central housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axis thereof,

at least four piping arms that extend radially from the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to the vertical axis,

at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that each ram block extends into the vertical cavity,

a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of the test joint, and

a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction,

wherein a first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint, the first clamp being configured to enlarge the outer pipe diameter to a first outer diameter and the second clamp being configured to enlarge the outer pipe diameter to a second outer diameter,

wherein the test joint is inserted into the vertical cavity of the central housing,

wherein the test joint device is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint,

wherein the test plug is configured to seal the wellhead such that pressure develops inside the test joint device when the test joint device is filled with fluid.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first clamp is attached to the test joint at a first location that is higher than a second location at which the second clamp is attached.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first outer diameter is equivalent to the second outer diameter.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter.

14. A method for using a test joint device, the method comprising:

installing the test joint device in a well site, the test joint device comprising:

a test joint with an outer diameter;

a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint;

a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of a test joint, and

attaching a first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps to the test joint, the first clamp including a first outer diameter and the second clamp including a second outer diameter.

15. The method of claim 14,

wherein the test joint device further comprises:

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the central housing is a tubular body configured to handle a plurality of pressure ratings.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first clamp is attached to the central housing at a first location that is higher than a second location at which the second clamp is attached.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outer diameter is equivalent to the second outer diameter.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter.