US3051238A - Duel completion apparatus for use with walking beams - Google Patents

Description

g- 1962 LE ROY R. ARNOLD ETAL 3,051,238

DUAL COMPLETION APPARATUS FOR USE WITH WALKING BEAMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25, 1958 FIG. I

INVENTORS LEROY R. ARNOLD JUDSON E. BLOYD FORREST L. CARSON ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w mmwwmwwwww INVENTORS' LEROY R. ARNOLD JUDSON E. BLOYD FORREST L.CARSON ATTORNEY Aug. 28, 1962 LE ROY R. ARNOLD ETAL DUAL COMPLETION APPARATUS FOR USE WITH WALKING BEAMS Filed Aug. 25, 1958 FIG. H

g- 1962 LE ROY R. ARNOLD ETAL 3,051,238

DUAL COMPLETION APPARATUS FOR USE WITH WALKING BEAMS Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. I

FIG. Y

INVENTORS LEROY R. ARNOLD JUDSON E. BLOYD FORREST L. CARSON ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fifice 3,951,238 Patented Aug. 23, 1962 3,051,238 DUEL COMPLETION APPARATUS FOR USE WITH WALKING BEAMS Le Roy Randolph Arnold, Judson Evan Bloyd, and Forrest Leon Carson, Borger, Tex., assignors to J. M- gluber Corporation, Locust, N.J., a corporation of New ersey Filed Aug. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 756,939 4 Claims. (Cl. 166-75) This invention relates to oil wells and more particularly to an apparatus for dual completion pumping equipment wherein, for example, one conventional well casing is used to contain two well tubings whereby to effect pumping from two different producing strata contacted through the same well hole.

It is an object of our invention to make an improved dual completion apparatus that is durable, sturdy, and simple to use in the field.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a dual completion apparatus and process that minimizes any interference of each of a pair of closely spaced carrier bars with the vertical reciprocation of the other even when rod rotators are used. It is a further object of our invention to provide a dual completion apparatus comprising a set of carrier bars in close proximity to each other, and stabilizing units for each carrier bar whereby to simultaneously operate two closely adjacent rod strings.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

'FIG. I is an overall view of a dual completion apparatus embodying our invention;

FIG. II is an isometric view showing details of one of the two stabilizing unit and carrier bar assemblies of FIG. I as seen from the upper rear thereof;

FIG. III is a view of the front of one carrier bar assembly shown in FIGS. I and II;

FIG. IV is an end view of the carrier bar assembly of FIG. III as seen through the surface indicated by line IV-IV' of FIG. III;

FIGURE V is a cross-sectional view of the carrier bar assembly of FIGURE IV as seen through the surface indicated by line V-V of FIGURE IV;

FIG. VI is an isometric view showing details of an alternative torque resistant connection of the stabilizer assembly to the Samson post. 7

Referring now to the figures in detail, FIG. I shows a conventional Samson post, 21., carrying a walking beam, 22, horses head, 23, and wire line bridle, one of which cables is shown as 24. A carrier bar assembly, indicated generally as 25, is carried by the wire line bridle and supports a polish rod, 26, for vertical reciprocatory movement thereof, and thereby actuates a rod string, (not shown) attached thereto within a well tubing in a well hole (not shown). The polish rod is shown as supported by a polish rod clamp, 27, on a rod rotator, 30, which latter is actuated by means such as an actuator cable, 28.

polish rod holder, 37, herein also supported on a rod rotator actuated by an actuator cable, 38. The carrier bar assembly, 35, is guided in its vertical reciprocatory path by the stabilizer assembly, 39, which connects said carrier bar assembly to the Samson post, 31. The polish rod, 36, actuates a rod string (not shown) in a tubing adjacent to the tubing above described, and contained within the same casing and well hole. The units on Samson post 31 are similar to similarly named units on Samson post 21.

Each of the above mentioned walking beams is operated by a conventional pitman rod which in turn is connected with a conventional driving disc of a conventional pumping unit, all as shown in US. Patent 2,280,408 (FIG. I) or 2,444,842 (FIG. I).

The stabilizer assembly, generally shown as 29 in FIG; I and FIG. II, comprises an anchor bar, 40, attached to the Samson post as by clamps 41 and 42. The vertical location of the anchor bar, 40, is preferably at the same height as the center of the vertical reciprocatory path of the carrier bar assembly, 25. A bracket, 43, via bearings 44 and 45, supports a cross shaft, 46, which cross shaft includes a hollow rigid sleeve, 47, in which a cylindrical stabilizer bar, 48, freely and smoothly slides. An adjustable clamp, 49, on rod 48 is arranged to be adjustably yet firmly attached thereto; this clamp carries a pin, 50; thereby a spring, 51, which is attached to a pin, 52, on the cross shaft, urges the pin, 50, and the distant end (near 53) of stabilizer bar, 48, toward the cross shaft. The stabilizer bar is attached through a T, 53, via bearings 54 and 55, to a bracket, 56. Bracket 56 in turn is firmly attached to the central portion, 57, of the carrier bar assembly. This central portion is made of cast steel in the preferred embodiment. Structural details thereof are shown in FIGS. III, IV and V.

The carrier bar assembly comprises a central, rigid, strong central portion 57, a lower curved elastic bumper block 66, upper curved elastic bumpers as 58 and 59, the polish rod clamp 27, and a rod rotator 30. 'It will be noted that the outline of the carrier bar assembly, 25, is such as to provide a flared front to back (FIG. IV) as well as side to side ('FIG. III) outline to minimize the shock in case of accidental contact of this assembly with carrier bar assembly 35 during their vertical reciprocation.

Rubber bumper collars, 58 and 59, are supported on top of the carrier bar central portion 57, and wire line cables 24 and 61, respectively, pass therethrough--via slots 64 and 65-from the wire rope socket therefor (socket 62 for line 24, and socket 63 for line 61); these sockets are, respectively, held in chambers provided therefor in slots 64 and 65. A rubber bottom bumper, 66, is held to the central portion of the carrier bar, 57, by bolts, 67 and 68, which are located, respectively, in the countersunk zones 69 and 70.

In operation, notwithstanding any expectable torque that may be applied to the hanger bar assembly-such as through the polish rod clamp and rod rotator and due to the action of the rod rotator and the normally expectable resistance to rotation that may be provided by the rod stringthe stabilizer assembly limits the carrier bar assembly from sideways movement parallel to bar 40 and from swaying or rotating about the vertical axis passing through the center of bracket 43 and bar 48. This action of the stabilizer unit in preventing such swaying and rotation is dependent on the stiffness of bar 48, the tightness of fit of bar 43 in sleeve 47, the rigidity of attachment of sleeve 47 to shaft 46 and the rigidity of the T 53, as well as the tightness of fit of bearings 44, 45, 54 and 55. The stabilizer assembly, further, substantially prevents the carrier bar assembly from rotating about the axis passing through or near the center of polish rod 26. This control and prevention of rotation is dependent on the rigidity of rod '48 and of T 53-, tightness of fit of bearings 54 and 55, and a torque resistant connection, as to sleeve 47, for bar 48. In the preferred embodiment of our invention, illustrated in the figures and described below in some detail, steel bar 48 is quite strong and rigid, fits slidably but closely into sleeve 47, and T 53 is tough, strong and rigid. Also shaft 46 and sleeve 47 are rigidly joined, and bearings 44, 45, 54- and 55 are firm. Spring 52 permits rod 48 to slide in sleeve 47 to act as a slack adjuster during erratic pumping cycles. Sleeve 47 may be provided with conventional means for lubrication to facilitate motion of rod 48 therein.

It will thus be seen that, due to the rigidity of the stabilizer bar, and its hinged connections with the Samson post and carrier bar, notwithstanding the presence and action of the rod rotator, the carrier bar assembly motion is substantially and effectively limited to oscillation in the zone determined by vertical generation of the maximum horizontal cross section of the carrier bar assembly for the range of height traversed by the carrier bar assembly during its upward and downward reciprocation. There is substantially no rotation of the carrier bar assembly about the axis of the polish rod '(due to the stabilizer as sembly action) and sidewise motion of the carrier bar assembly in the plane parallel to the lines of the wire line cables 61 and 24 is also minimized by the weight of the rod strings, the rigidity of junction of cross shaft 46 and sleeve 47, and the rigidity of shaft 48 and T 53. Any point in the carrier bar assembly thus oscillates substantially and efiectively only in a single straight line. The

difierent carrier bar assemblies, 25 and 35, initially separated from each other, are thus prevented from intersecting each other during their travel. Thus, dual completion may be accomplished, according to our invention, using two carrier bar assemblies that do not interfere with each other in their close reciprocatory paths, notwithstanding the use of rod rotators on either or both of the rod strings. It is to be understood, of course, that our invention can be operated without rod rotators on either string, or on one string only, or on both rod strings. However, our invention is particularly desirable for use where dual completion is desired and rod rotators on either or both strings are also desired.

The particular stabilizer-unit structure shown is, of course, but one simple and effective embodiment of our method of effecting this limitation of motion of the carrier bar so as to permit a rod rotator to be used on dual completion wells without the carrier bars interfering with each other. Additionally, the stabilizer unit is beneficial on wells with but one string of rods by preventing strains and misalignment which are apt to occur when rotation of the carrier bar about the polish rod is not prevented.

In a specific example of the preferred embodiment for l -inch diameter wire line cables whose centers are each 4 inches from the center line of the polish rod, the carrier bar 57 has a maximum width of 11%" and a maximum thickness of 3% At the junction of the central portion 57, a steel casting, with hard rubber bumper 66, the casting has a breadth of 1'1" and a thickness of 2%". Casting 57 has a maximum height of 4 /2"; groove 64 is 1%" wide at its lateral portion; the chamber 72 in grooves 64 for socket 62 is 3% high with a 2% maximum diameter; the passage for the polish rod is 1%" diameter; bottom bumper 66 is 2%" high and has a maximum depth of 2%; the top bumpers are 4%" high and have a base of 3 /2" diameter. They may reach as high as the top of the polish rod clamp. A bushing, 71, preferably of brass, takes up the space between the 1%" passageway for the polish rod (usually of 1% diameter), to provide a firm fit for the polish rod therein and also to provide a shoulder on which the polish rod rotator is located. Rod 48 is 45" long and of 1'' diameter.

In preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier bar is only 3% thick between points (in the center of the front surface of the portion 57 and point 81 (shown at a corresponding point on the rear of portion 57 of the carrier bar assembly). It is preferred that a polish rod rotator such as that described in US. Patent No. 2,599,869, assigned to J. M. Huber Corporation, be utilized in this combination. Such rod rotators provide a maximum outside diameter of about 3 /2", and are especially suited for the purpose of a dual well completion apparatus such as that above described.

The centers of polish rods 26 and 36 in the embodiment above described are only 3%" apart and, accordingly, are especially well adapted for dual completion in a well casing, as the usual 7" casing, wherein are contained two well tubings (e.g. of .2" LD.) without danger of the carrier bar assemblies interfering with each others motion by catching on each other during their vertical reciprocation. For this purpose it Will be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, each carrier bar portion, as 57, has a profile similar to two trapezoids with their broad bases adjacent each other, i.e., a twinned trapezoidal profile; also, the tough rubber bumpers 5S, 5 and 66 have tapered profiles that provide an outline that smoothly meets the outline of the central portion 57. These bumpers and the casting 57 are rounded, as shown in the figures, so as to minimize any interference with the movement of each of such set of hanger bar assemblies past each othersuch as might result from any expectable tendency for displacement of both or either of the hanger bar assembliesas 25 either axially along a stabilizer rod, as 48, during erratic cycling or due to displacement of the hanger bar assembly due to a tendency to rotate about the axis of a polish rod, as 26, during their vertical reciprocatory motion in the above mentioned or similar closely spaced relationship. For this purpose bumper 66 not only is provided with a rounded front outline, shown in FIGS. III and V, with a central nadir, but also, as shown in side view in FIG. IV, tapers downwardly in the front and the rear of the carrier bar assembly in a smooth curve to a central nadir. Bumpers 58 and 59 have outlines which provide a soft curve from their connection with portion 57 to their summit where a smooth outline is provided at their contact with the cable enclosed therein. While the outline of the portion 57 is shown as a twinned, trapezoidal profile in FIGS. III, IV and V, rounded or other outlines which similarly minimize the possibility of interference from any engagement of carrier bar assemblies, as 25 and 35, which travel in proximate relationship to each other are included within the scope of our invention.

Any polish rod clamp and rod rotator may be used which does not provide a thickness that is greater than the greatest thickness of the central portion, 57, of the hanger bar assembly and so overhang such central portion of the hanger bar assembly, as 25, in the direction of the other hanger bar, as 35, when such polish rod clamp, as 27, is in its operative position, such as supporting the polish rod on top of the carrier bar central portion, as 57. Thereby, when no torque about the axis of the polish rods, as 26 or 36, is being applied to the hanger bar assemblies, the most proximate points of each of a set of assemblies, according to our invention, arranged as shown in FIG. I, will be a point corresponding to 80 (shown in FIGS. III and IV) on one assembly, as 25, and a corresponding point on the other hanger bar assembly.

A feature of this invention is the provision that the wire guide lines may be readily removed from their position in the carrier bar assembly when such removal is desired, although in the normal course of operations such wire line cables and the sockets therefor are firmly held in the carrier bar assembly of our invention. For example, line 24 and socket 62 may be removed from central element 57as for replacement thereof due to Wear or adjustment of stroke-by removal of bottom bumper 66 from the central portion 57 by removal of bolts 67 and 68 from their position shown in FIG. V, raising bumper 59 and sliding wire line 24 downwardly through the slot 64 until socket 62 has passed completely out of slot 64. Slot 64 is made sutficiently wide for cable 24 to pass therethrough, and, as shown in FIG. V, contains an enlarged portion (chamber 72) into whichsocket 62 fits. Slot 64 is sufficiently narrow laterally of chamber 72 to hold socket 62 firmly in place in the position shown in FIGS. IV and V in normal operation of the above described dual completion apparatus. Cable 61 is securely held in place by means of a socket 63 which occupies a similar position in chamber 73 of slot 65, which slot is similarly shaped to not only permit release of cable 61'Wl1611 desired but also to provide a firm positioning of the socket 63 and cable 61 during the operative position of the hanger bar assembly as above described for cable 24 and socket 62.

Closer spacing of the polish rod centers may be obtained by arranging the downward path of the bottom of the carrier bar assembly 27 to end above the upper end of the vertical path of the top of the carrier bar 37, using the identical apparatus above described. However the Samson post construction is simpler and less expensive, and standard equipment may be used if the carrier bars assemblies 25 and 35 reciprocate in parallel spaced apart proximate zones of overlapping vertical range whereby the operator may have more choice and convenience in variation of the stroke.

As shown in FIG. I, Samson post 21 and the elements 22-29 are of a diiferent size than the Samson post 31 and the elements 32-29 attached thereto. This is to illustrate that, according to our invention, pumping units of different sizes, different stroke and different frequencies of stroke may be used together utilizing the above described invention for a dual completion well. Of course, matched or similar pumping units (as 21-29 and 31-39) of the same shape and size of structure and same estimated magnitude and frequency of stroke may be used for purposes of operating convenience within the scope of our invention. However, even when such matched pumping units are used it has been observed that the units lose synchronization after protracted period of operation unless special controls are applied. By the use of the above invention the requirement for such controls is dispensed with, and standard pumping units may be used in close proximity with each other for dual completion wells without the need of special apparatus or frequent inspection.

It is also within the scope of our invention that the particular torque resistant connection (cross shaft 46 and sleeve 47) provided for connecting the torque resistant member, 48, to the Samson post shown in FIGS. I and II may be replaced by the rigid torque resistant assembly as shown in FIG. VI. FIG. VI shows a torque resistant arm, 147-made for instance of /z"x2" steel and of 12" lengthwhich is fixedly connected at one end thereof, as by welding, to a rotatable hollow tube, 146, provided with a pair of laterally located internal bearings. These bearings rotatably connect tube 146 with the cylindrical shaft 145 supported in bracket 43; a collar for said shaft is shown at 144. The other end of arm 147 is rigidly fastened to a bracket, 243, which supports a cylindrical shaft 245, whose collar is indicated at 244.

Shaft 245 rotatably connects with a T 246. This T comprises a hollow portion, 247, provided with a pair of laterally located internal bearings to rotatably connect T 246 with shaft 245. Rod 48 passes through a hole therefor in the neck of T 246 and is there held by set screw 250. By this assembly a connection is provided for torque resistant member 48 which connection resists torque normal to the plane of movement of the stabilizer assembly components that follow the movement of the carrier bar assembly. These bearings on shaft and 245 are provided with conventional means for lubrication for long periods, not shown. The construction of FIG. VI, using internal bearings, is more resistant to wear, especially in a dusty atmosphere, than is sleeve 47, shown in FIG. II, although the construction of FIG. VI is more expensive. The torque resistant arm 147 is preferably arranged to be in vertical position when the carrier bar assembly has traveled about of the distance from its bottom position toward its maximum height; the torque resistant arm 147 is also in the vertical position when the carrier bar assembly has traveled about A of the distance from its bottom position towards its maximum height. The bracket 43, using the connection between Samson post and member 48 shown in FIG. VI, is preferably sufficiently lower than shown in and described for FIGS. I and II so that the member 48 will be in horizontal position when the carrier bar assembly is in the midpoint of its vertical travel, at which position bracket 243 is in back of bracket 43 as shown in FIG. VI.

It should be noted that it is within the scope of our invention that the sockets, as 62 and 63, may be made appropriately conically tapered to fit snugly into their similarly conically shaped respective chambers 72 and 73, rather than in the particular bevelled cylindrical shape shown in the drawings. It will also be noted that the arrangement of our invention, as shown in the drawings, permits each of the sockets to be babbitted to the corresponding wire line cable. However, in our invention the socket need not be babbitted to the carrier bar; accordingly, each socket may be rotated in the chamber therefor and so correct for the rotation of the carrier bar which might otherwise result from the tendency of the wire line cable to twist the carrier bar, especially under load. The tendency for the carrier bar to rotate is also opposed by the stabilizer assembly as above described; however, by the provision of the rotatable cable sockets as above described, the carrier bar assemblies in a dual completion apparatus may each be aligned for their best operation and minimum interference with the reciprocatory motion of the other, prior to connecting the stabilizer bar and thus reduce the torque applied thereto during operation of the rod string.

The spring, 51, not only serves to overcome any friction in the sleeve 47 but also serves to pull one carrier bar assembly away from the other and avoid interference with the motion thereof in case of accident such as breakage of a cable.

It will be noted that our invention provides mechanical members of substantial mechanical strength both in front of as well as in back of each cable-as 24 and 61; this, in turn, allows the carrier bars to have adequate strength to permit a slot therein of a width the size of the cable, which slot permits the cable to be readily and conveniently removed as above described.

It is to be understood that the forms of our invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. In a dual completion apparatus of the type including an oil Well casing having a pair of spaced parallel well tubings therein, a pair of Samson posts disposed on opposite sides of said oil well casing, a walking beam mounted on each of said Samson posts, a carrier bar assembly supported on each of said walking beams, and a polish rod mounted for vertical reciprocation in each of zontal pivot securing each of said Ts to its respective carrier bar assemblies, with said carrier bars being arranged in closely spaced relation, means for preventing contact between said carrier bar assemblies during rela tive vertical reciprocation thereof comprising a U-shaped bracket rigidly secured to the side of each of said carrier bar assemblies opposite the other of said carrier bar assemblies, a Tpositioned in each of said brackets, a horisaid well tubings supported by a respective one of said bracket with said pivots arranged in parallel relation, a stabilizer bar secured to and extending perpendicularly from the center of each of said Ts, a second U-shaped bracket rigidly secured to each of said Samson posts, and means mounting said stabilizer bar to said second U- shaped bracket for pivotal and lateral movement with respect to said second U-shaped bracket whereby said carrier bar assemblies are restrained against rotary movement about the axis of said polish rods.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said last named means includes a sleeve, a pivot mounting said sleeve in said second U-shaped bracket with said stabilizer bar slidably mounted in said sleeve and a spring extending between said stabilizer bar and said sleeve normally urging said stabilizer bar toward said Samson post.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said last named means includes an arm pivotally secured to said second U-shaped bracket and extending upwardly therefrom, a third U-shaped bracket rigidly secured to the upper end of said arm, and pivot means securing said stabilizer bar to said third U-shaped bracket, the pivots of each of said U-shaped brackets being arranged in spaced parallel relation.

- 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said last named pivot means includes means for securing said stabilizer bar thereto in horizontally adjusted relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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