WO2015189622A1 - Accouplement de conduites - Google Patents

Accouplement de conduites Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015189622A1
WO2015189622A1 PCT/GB2015/051721 GB2015051721W WO2015189622A1 WO 2015189622 A1 WO2015189622 A1 WO 2015189622A1 GB 2015051721 W GB2015051721 W GB 2015051721W WO 2015189622 A1 WO2015189622 A1 WO 2015189622A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
profiled section
coupling system
tubular member
profiled
tubular
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2015/051721
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Neil Thomson
William Luke MCELLIGOTT
Original Assignee
Meta Downhole Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meta Downhole Limited filed Critical Meta Downhole Limited
Publication of WO2015189622A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015189622A1/fr

Links

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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
    • E21B17/046—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like with ribs, pins, or jaws, and complementary grooves or the like, e.g. bayonet catches
    • 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
    • E21B17/08—Casing joints
    • 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
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
    • E21B43/103—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
    • E21B43/106—Couplings or joints therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coupling system between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore.
  • the invention relates to a coupling system in which swaged profiled sections on the tubulars are connected using a radially applied force to form a metal to metal sealed connection providing a substantially continuous tubular.
  • tubulars in the form of tubing, pipe, casing and liner are run into the well bore. As the depth of each well bore can be hundreds of metres, the tubulars are manufactured in fixed lengths and then they require to be joined together.
  • a typical method of joining tubulars together is to use a screw threaded connection to form a tubular string for insertion in a well bore.
  • each tubular member is manufactured with a box section at a first end and a pin section at the opposing end having respective male and female screw threads.
  • the outer surface at the ends of the tubulars are keyed to allow one tubular to be held in place while the second tubular is turned so as to mate with the first and make-up the threaded connection.
  • a known disadvantage of such a connection is that if the tubular string becomes stuck in the well bore, the string cannot be rotated counter to the direction of the screw thread as the connection may come apart.
  • Standard screw threaded connections may also not provide a reliable seal between the inside of the tubulars and the outside of the tubulars at the connection as a fluid path can exist along the helical screw thread. Additionally the threads can be prone to make up problems, require the use of dope (lubricant and sealant) and can have a complex supply chain.
  • a pipe coupling described in GB2503344 as a coupling system between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore in which profiled sections on the tubulars are connected using a radially applied force to form a metal to metal sealed connection.
  • the profiled sections are grooved and/or tapered, additional profiles are provided to prevent relative rotation of the tubulars, the radial force is applied inwardly, outwardly or in both directions, and a connector is used as an additional tubular member to form the coupling.
  • a disadvantage in this coupling arrangement has been found when the radial force is applied.
  • tubular members are of a significant length, such as drill pipe, liner and casing sections used in the oil and gas industry, there is insufficient space on a drilling rig to insert an expansion tool through the tubular members to the coupling point. This leads to use of an inwardly applied radial force.
  • Use of hydraulic fluid pressure directly against the outer surface of the coupling will cause both profiled sections to elastically deform and, as this is difficult to control, the connection may be formed with a reduced inner and, potentially, outer diameter compared to the tubulars. Such narrowing of the throughbore of the tubulars is undesirable and limits usefulness of the coupled tubulars.
  • a coupling system between first and second tubular members comprising : a first tubular member having :
  • a cylindrical body with an inner body diameter and an outer body diameter substantially along its length; a first end with a first end inner diameter and a first end outer diameter, the first end including a first profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an outer surface;
  • the first and second end inner diameters are greater than the inner body diameter
  • the first and second end outer diameters are greater than the outer body diameter
  • first tubular member being inserted within the second end of the second tubular member so that the profiled sections are coaxial and by application of a radially inward force creating a connection having a metal to metal seal between the tubular members at the profiled sections with the connection having substantially the inner body diameter and the outer body diameter.
  • tubular members can be coupled directly together by an interference fit creating a connection which has the same inner and outer diameter as the tubular members, providing a substantially continuous tubular.
  • first tubular member has the second end opposite the first end.
  • second tubular member has the first end opposite the second end.
  • first and second tubular members may be identical.
  • the inner and outer body diameters are selected to match standard diameters of tubulars used in downhole oil and gas exploration and production. In this way, a tubular string can be made-up without requiring box sections at the coupling points.
  • the force is applied radially inwards over the ends of the tubulars. More preferably, the force is applied by a swaged die being driven over the outer surface of the second tubular towards the first tubular. In this way, the force is applied to an outer surface of the second tubular to cause it to move radially inwards and contact the inner surface of the first tubular, both ends are elastically deformed and morphed to have the outer body diameter. In this way, an interference is created between the first and second profiled sections on each tubular member. By applying a radial force to make-up the coupling, the tubular members do not have to be turned as would be required for a screw-thread.
  • the first profiled section comprises one or more circumferential grooves formed on the outer surface of the first end.
  • the second profiled section comprises one or more circumferential grooves formed on the inner surface of the first end. More preferably, a continuous annular rim is formed between each pair of grooves.
  • grooves are formed on the first and second profiled sections. More preferably, each groove on the first and second profiled section is arranged to mate with a rim on the opposing second and first profiled section, respectively. In this way, the first profiled section is a reverse of the second profiled section so that the sections perfectly mate causing an interference fit when the force is applied.
  • the coupling may be considered as a meshed teeth arrangement.
  • the first profiled section is tapered. In this way, the thickness of the tubular wall reduces across the first end being narrowest at a distal end.
  • the second profiled section is tapered. In this way, the thickness of the tubular wall reduces across the first end being narrowest at a distal end. Tapering the ends provides a combined wall thickness which, when morphed, has the inner body diameter and the outer body diameter.
  • a wall thickness of the first end is substantially the same as the wall thickness of the second end.
  • the wall thickness of the first and second ends is substantially the same as the wall thickness of the body of the first and second members. In this way, wall thickness across the connection is maintained.
  • the first tubular member includes a third profiled section at an end face and the second tubular member includes a fourth profiled section at an end face wherein the third and fourth profiled sections mate to prevent relative rotation of the tubular members.
  • the third profiled section comprises at least one lug on the end face and the fourth profiled section comprises at least one notch, each notch being sized to receive a lug when the force is applied.
  • the fourth profiled section comprises at least one lug on the end surface and the third profiled section comprises at least one notch.
  • Figure 1 is a half cross-sectional view of a coupling system according to an embodiment of the present
  • Figure 2 is a half cross-sectional view of the coupling system of Figure 1 as a made-up joint;
  • Figure 3 is a side view of a first profiled section of the first tubular member of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of first and second profiled sections of the first and second tubular members, respectively, of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an anti-rotation fitting in a coupling system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 a coupling system, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, providing a connection between a first tubular member 12 and a second tubular member 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first tubular member 12 has a substantially cylindrical body 16 having a bore 18 therethough providing an inner surface 20 with a first diameter 22 and an outer surface 24 with a second diameter 26 along a majority of it's length. Note that the Figure marks the diameters to the longitudinal axis 32 of the bore 18, the distance representing the radius.
  • the body 16 of first tubular member 12 is of metal construction and has dimensions typical of tubulars found in the oil and gas industry as used in tubing strings, casings and liners.
  • the first tubular member 12 has a first end 28 with an annular end face 30 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore 18.
  • the first end 28 is radially expanded from the body 16 providing an increased inner diameter 34 to the inner surface 36 of the first end 28 and an increased outer diameter 36 to the outer surface 40 of the first end 28.
  • the wall thickness at the first end 28 is the same or substantially similar to the wall thickness of the body 16.
  • the second tubular member 14 has a substantially cylindrical body 42 having a bore 18 therethough providing an inner surface 46 with the first diameter 22 and an outer surface 48 with the second diameter 26 along a majority of it's length.
  • the body 16 of the first tubular member 12 and the body 42 of the second tubular member 14 have the same dimensions.
  • the body 42 of the second tubular member 14 is also of metal construction and has dimensions typical of tubulars found in the oil and gas industry as used in tubing strings, casings and liners.
  • the second tubular member 14 has a second end 50 with an annular end face 52 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32 of the bore 44. It is noted that the bores 18,44 are collinear on the longitudinal axis 32.
  • the second end 50 is also radially expanded from the body 42 providing an increased inner diameter 54 to the inner surface 56 of the second end 50 and an increased outer diameter 58 to the outer surface 60 of the second end 50.
  • the wall thickness at the second end 50 is the same or substantially similar to the wall thickness of the body 42.
  • Profiled section 62 is a shape machined into the outer surface 40.
  • the shape is entirely circumferential in that, a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 1, would be identical for every cross-section around the tubular 12.
  • Profiled section 62 is tapered. In this way the outer surface 40 reduces from the outer diameter 38 towards the inner diameter 22, leaving a wall thickness of the annular end face 30 at the distal end 64.
  • the taper is gradual and thus easily machined on the end 28 of the tubular 12. While this embodiment shows a taper it will be appreciated that a taper is not essential, but merely preferred.
  • the profiled section 62 of the first tubular member 12 is provided with grooves 66 having rims 68 there between.
  • the grooves 66 and rims 68 are arranged along the tapered edge. Note that the depths of the grooves 66 and the respective heights of the rims 68 are small in relation to the thickness of the wall of the first tubular member 12. This is done to provide maximum strength at the end 28.
  • the grooves 66 and rims 68 provide a sawtooth arrangement.
  • Each groove 66 has a tapered base 70 with sloping side walls 72,74.
  • the side wall 74 closer to the end face 30 is sloped at an angle which is closer to perpendicular to the bore 18 than the side wall 72. This assists in loading when the coupling 10 is made up.
  • a rim 68 Between each groove 66 there is provided a rim 68.
  • the side walls 72,74 match those of the grooves bounding the rim 68.
  • the rim 68 is trapezoidal in shape so that its top 76 is substantially parallel to the bore 18.
  • grooves/rims can be of any complementary shape, for example trapezoidal or triangular. Equally the sides need not be straight, they may be curved or have any profile which increases the potential surface area or number of points of contact to make a seal.
  • FIG. 3 A side view of the first tubular member 12 is shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the second groove 82 from the end face 30 has an increased slope on the taper. This provides a pilot end to the member 12 and an increased surface area over which contact can be made at a point on the first end 28 where the wall will be particularly thin.
  • the arrangement of parallel grooves 66, being perpendicular to the bore 18 and providing a continuous circumferential profile on the outer surface 40, can be clearly seen. This is in direct contrast to the screw thread arrangement which would provide a single groove helically wound on the outer surface.
  • Profiled section 80 is a shape machined into the inner surface 56.
  • the shape is entirely circumferential in that, a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 1, would be identical for every cross-section around the tubular 14.
  • the profiled section 80 of the second tubular member 14 is also provided with grooves 82 having rims 84 there between.
  • the grooves 82 and rims 84 are the inverse of the grooves 66 and rims 68. In this way, the rims 68,84 lie within the opposing grooves 82,66, respectively when the first 28 and second 50 ends are arranged coaxially together as per Figure 1.
  • the profiled section 80 is tapered so that the thickness of the wall of the tubular member 14 reduces towards a distal end 86 to provide an annular end face 88.
  • the grooves 82 and the rims 84 are arranged on the tapered surface 56.
  • each rim 844 has a tapered top 90 with sloping side walls 92,94.
  • the side wall 92 furthest from the end face 88 is sloped at an angle which is closer to perpendicular to the bore 44 than the side wall 94.
  • the side walls 92,94 match those of the grooves bounding the rim 68.
  • the groove 82 is trapezoidal in shape so that its base 96 is substantially parallel to the bore 44.
  • the grooves 66,82 may be filled with a compliant material being a sealant, foam or gel which may be compressed when the coupling 10 is made-up as will be described hereinafter.
  • first end 28 of the first tubular member 12 is inserted into the second end 50 of the second tubular member 14 until the profiled sections 62,80 are coaxially arranged and the bores 18,44 are collinear.
  • a metal to metal seal is created between the profiled sections 62,80 at the first end 28 of the first tubular member 12 and the second end 50 of the second tubular member 14. This is achieved by applying force to the outer surface 60 at the second end 50 of the second tubular member 14.
  • This inward radial force can be applied by a swage die as is known in the art.
  • the swage die (not shown) is fitted around the outer surface 48 of the second tubular member 14 on the body 42.
  • the tubulars 12,14 are then moved relative to the swage die to cause the die to move over the outer surface 60 of the second end 60.
  • the second end 50 will be elastically deformed and move radially inwards so that the second profiled section is progressively pressed into the first profiled section 62 with the respective rims 68,84 locating in the opposing grooves 82,66 and creating a mesh arrangement.
  • a metal to metal seal is created between the elastically deforming ends 28,50 of the first and second tubular members 12,14, the first end 28 of the first tubular member 12 is also moved radially inwards.
  • the tubular members 12,14 may be identical with each having a first end 28 and a second end 50.
  • a tubing string can be formed. If the body 16,42 of the identical tubular members 12,14 is selected to be a standard size used in the oil and gas exploration and production, the tubing string can then be used as a drill string, casing string or liner string. The resulting string will have a continuous inner and outer surface with a uniform bore therethrough. The use of pin and box sections is removed so that there are no protrusions from the cylindrical body of the string .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an anti-rotation fitting, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, for use in a coupling system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fitting 100 comprises a lug 102 located on the end face 104 of the second tubular member 14 which is located within a recess 106 machined in the end face 30 of the first tubular member 12.
  • Lug 102 provides first 108a and second 108b surfaces which are not parallel to the end faces 30,104 and each does not extend circumferentially around the tubular member 14.
  • the recess 106 provides first 110a and second 110b abutting surfaces for contact with the first 108a and second 108b surfaces respectively.
  • First 110a and second 110b abutting surfaces do not extend circumferentially around the tubular member. In the embodiment shown the surfaces 108,110 are perpendicular to the end faces 30,104.
  • the fitting 100 prevents the tubular member 12,14 rotating with respect to the other tubular member 14,12 at the coupling 10.
  • the principle advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coupling system for connecting two tubular members which provides a joint having the same inner and outer diameter as the body of the tubular members.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a coupling system for connecting two tubular members with a metal to metal seal between the members without requiring a screw thread .
  • a yet further advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a coupling system for connecting two tubular members which prevents relative rotation of the tubular members when joined together.
  • tubular members have been described as metal structures, only the end portions need to have metal to form the seal and thus the tubular members may be of composite form with metal ends.
  • a single lug is described as being located on the second tubular member, any number of lugs may be used and the one or more lugs can be located on the first tubular member. Additionally the lug may take any shape provided it has the required surface for preventing rotation.

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  • 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)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système d'accouplement entre des éléments tubulaires, tels que des tubes, des conduites, des tubages et chemisages pour la mise en place dans un puits de forage où les extrémités de chaque élément tubulaire sont dilatées et ont des sections profilées coopérantes sur les surfaces dilatées. Les sections profilées sont disposées de manière coaxiale et une force vers l'intérieur appliquée radialement est appliquée pour former un raccord étanche métal sur métal. Le raccord obtenu présente sensiblement le même diamètre interne et externe que les éléments tubulaires. Des modes de réalisation sont proposés dans lesquels un profil supplémentaire est prévu pour empêcher la rotation relative des éléments tubulaires.
PCT/GB2015/051721 2014-06-12 2015-06-11 Accouplement de conduites WO2015189622A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1410489.7 2014-06-12
GB1410489.7A GB2527109A (en) 2014-06-12 2014-06-12 Pipe coupling

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015189622A1 true WO2015189622A1 (fr) 2015-12-17

Family

ID=51266492

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2015/051721 WO2015189622A1 (fr) 2014-06-12 2015-06-11 Accouplement de conduites

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2527109A (fr)
WO (1) WO2015189622A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001004520A1 (fr) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-18 Enventure Global Technology, Llc Connecteur de raccord extensible
GB2395501A (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-05-26 Weatherford Lamb A method of jointing and running expandable tubulars
US6769722B1 (en) * 1999-12-02 2004-08-03 Selck Gmbh & Co. Kg Tube coupling device
GB2503344A (en) * 2013-05-17 2013-12-25 Meta Downhole Ltd Pipe coupling

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2403932C (fr) * 2000-03-29 2009-07-07 Shell Canada Limited Procede d'assemblage de materiaux tubulaires metalliques et puits produit a l'aide de ces materiaux
US6767035B2 (en) * 2002-03-11 2004-07-27 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. High torque modified profile threaded tubular connection
DE102004020065B3 (de) * 2004-04-24 2005-09-22 Mössinger + Wolter Maschinenbau GmbH Rohrverbindung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001004520A1 (fr) * 1999-07-13 2001-01-18 Enventure Global Technology, Llc Connecteur de raccord extensible
US6769722B1 (en) * 1999-12-02 2004-08-03 Selck Gmbh & Co. Kg Tube coupling device
GB2395501A (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-05-26 Weatherford Lamb A method of jointing and running expandable tubulars
GB2503344A (en) * 2013-05-17 2013-12-25 Meta Downhole Ltd Pipe coupling

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2527109A (en) 2015-12-16
GB201410489D0 (en) 2014-07-30

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