WO2015191959A1 - Tubular drive system - Google Patents
Tubular drive system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2015191959A1 WO2015191959A1 PCT/US2015/035486 US2015035486W WO2015191959A1 WO 2015191959 A1 WO2015191959 A1 WO 2015191959A1 US 2015035486 W US2015035486 W US 2015035486W WO 2015191959 A1 WO2015191959 A1 WO 2015191959A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tubular
- gripping device
- length
- drive system
- load
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 21
- 244000261422 Lysimachia clethroides Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B3/00—Rotary drilling
- E21B3/02—Surface drives for rotary drilling
- E21B3/022—Top drives
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/02—Rod or cable suspensions
- E21B19/06—Elevators, i.e. rod- or tube-gripping devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/24—Guiding or centralising devices for drilling rods or pipes
Definitions
- Present embodiments relate generally to the field of drilling and processing of wells, and, more particularly, to a top drive system for coupling with, rotating, and releasing driUpipe elements to facilitate insertion and removal of the driUpipe elements into and out of a wellbore during drilling operations and the like.
- a drilling rig In conventional oil and gas operations, a drilling rig is used to drill a wellbore to a desired depth using a drill string, which includes driUpipe, drill collars and a bottom hole drilling assembly.
- the drill string may be turned by a rotary table and kelly assembly or by a top drive to facilitate the act of drilling.
- additional driUpipe is added to the drill string.
- the driUpipe or drill string generally couples with a rotatable cylindrical stem of the top drive that may be referred to as the quill.
- the driUpipe or drill string couples with the quill via a top drive sub that threadably couples with the quill and the driUpipe or drill string. The sub may function to limit wear on the quill.
- a tubular drive system includes a gripping device configured to couple with a length of tubular, a rotational system configured to drive rotation of the gripping device, and a load support feature coupled to the gripping device and the rotational system and configured to support the gripping device and the rotational system.
- a method includes gripping a distal end of a length of tubular with a gripping device; driving rotation a gear fixed to the gripping device with at least one motor; and coupling the length of tubular to a drill string stump, wherein the gripping device and the at least one motor are supported by a load plate.
- a system includes a gripping device configured to couple with a distal end of a length of tubular, a rotational system comprising a plurality of motors configured to drive rotation of a gear fixed to the gripping device, a load plate coupled to the gripping device and the rotational system and configured to support the gripping device and the rotational system, and a thrust bearing disposed between the gripping device and the load plate, wherein the thrust bearing is configured to transfer a load from the gripping device to the load plate.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of a well being drilled in accordance with present techniques
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tubular drive system, in accordance with present techniques
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a tubular drive system, in accordance with present techniques.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a tubular drive system, in accordance with present techniques.
- Present embodiments are directed to a system for facilitating assembly and disassembly of tubular (e.g., drill pipe elements).
- tubular e.g., drill pipe elements
- present embodiments include a tubular drive system having a gripping device and a rotational system supported by a load plate that is suspended by yoke links and a yoke from a traveling block or other component of a drilling rig.
- the gripping/lifting system may include features configured to engage and lift a length of tubular (e.g., a drill pipe element) and align the length of tubular with a drill string.
- the gripping device may include components configured to grip, seal, and engage with the length of tubular without creating a threaded connection between the gripping device and the length of tubular.
- the rotational system may drive rotation of the gripping device, and thus drive rotation of the length of tubular.
- the tubular drive system may add the length of tubular to the drill string.
- the gripping device and the rotational drive system may similarly function to grip and remove (e.g., unthread) a length of tubular from the drill string to disassemble the drill string.
- the disclosed embodiments may not include components such as a quill, grabber legs, and so forth, which would add to the total overall length of the tubular drive system.
- the tubular drive system may have a shorter overall length as compared to traditional top drive systems, which may improve the operation and functionality of the tubular drive system in accordance with present embodiments.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of a drilling rig 10 in the process of drilling a well in accordance with present techniques.
- the drilling rig 10 features an elevated rig floor 12 and a derrick 14 extending above the rig floor 12.
- a supply reel 16 supplies drilling line 18 to a crown block 20 and traveling block 22 configured to hoist various types of drilling equipment above the rig floor 12.
- the drilling line 18 is secured to a deadline tiedown anchor 24, and a drawworks 26 regulates the amount of drilling line 18 in use and, consequently, the height of the traveling block 22 at a given moment.
- a drill string 28 extends downward into a wellbore 30 and is held stationary with respect to the rig floor 12 by a rotary table 32 and slips 34 (e.g., power slips). A portion of the drill string 28 extends above the rig floor 12, forming a stump 36 to which another length of tubular 38 (e.g., a joint of drill pipe) may be added.
- tubular 38 e.g., a joint of drill pipe
- a tubular drive system 40 (e.g., a top drive system) in accordance with present embodiments, hoisted by the traveling block 22, positions the tubular 38 above the wellbore 30.
- the tubular drive system 40 includes a gripping device 42 and a rotational system 44.
- the gripping device 42 of the tubular drive system 40 is engaged with a distal end 46 (e.g., box end) of the tubular 38.
- the tubular drive system 40 once coupled with the tubular 38, may then be utilized to lower the coupled tubular 38 toward the stump 36, and the rotational system 44 may rotate the gripping device 42 and the tubular 38 such that the tubular 38 connects with the stump 36 and becomes part of the drill string 28.
- the tubular drive system 40 may not include a quill, a sub, and/or other components which would add to a total length of the tubular drive system 40.
- the tubular drive system 40 may have a shorter overall length than traditional top drive systems, thereby improving and simplifying the functionality and operation of the tubular drive system 40.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tubular drive system 40, including the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44.
- the gripping device 42 may be a system similar to the systems (e.g., gripping devices) described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/655,798, which is published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20130168106, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44 are supported by a load plate 50 (e.g., a load bearing body, load frame, or other load support feature) of the tubular drive system 40.
- a load plate 50 e.g., a load bearing body, load frame, or other load support feature
- the weight and torque acting on the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44 are transferred to the drilling rig 10 via yoke links 52 and a yoke 54 coupled to the load plate 50.
- the weight and torque acting on the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44 may also be transferred to the drilling rig 10 by a torque restrained device (e.g., a torque track system), which is not shown in FIG. 2.
- a torque restrained device e.g., a torque track system
- the load plate 50, the yoke links 52, and the yoke 54 are coupled to one another via pivotable connections 56 to enable rotation and/or pivoting of the components relative to one another.
- the yoke 54 may couple to hooks or another component coupled to the traveling block 22 of the drilling rig 10.
- the tubular drive system 40 may grip the length of tubular 38, and the traveling block 22, drawworks 26, and other components may be used to raise and lower the tubular drive system 40 and tubular 38, as desired.
- the rotational system 44 includes four motors 58 supported by the load plate 50.
- the motors 58 may be hydraulic motors, electric motors, or other suitable types of motors configured to generate and apply a rotational force.
- the motors 58 are configured to drive rotation of a transmission (e.g., transmission 1 12 shown in FIG. 3) coupled to the gripping device 42. In this manner, the gripping device 42 and the tubular 38 gripped and supported by the gripping device 42 may be rotated during assembly and/or disassembly of the drill string 28.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the tubular drive system 40.
- the tubular drive system 40 includes the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44, which are both supported by the load plate 50 of the tubular drive system 40.
- the gripping device 42 is disposed generally above the load plate 50. Weight and torque acting on the gripping device 42 are transferred to the load plate 50 via a thrust bearing 100 disposed between a body 102 of the gripping device 42 and the load plate 50.
- a centralizer bearing 104 is disposed between the load plate 50 and the body 102 of the gripping device 42 to enable and improve alignment of the gripping device 42 within the load plate 50.
- the centralizer bearing 104 and the thrust bearing 100 may cooperatively align the gripping device 42 along a vertical axis 105 to keep the gripping device 42 and the tubular 38 supported by the gripping device 42 in a vertical orientation.
- the gripping device 42 may be similar to the systems (e.g., gripping devices) described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/655,798, which is published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20130168106, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the gripping device 42 may include various pipe or tubular 38 gripping features and a hydraulically energized piston 106 that moves with the gripping device 42 and seals against the tubular 38.
- the gripping device 42 includes elevators 108 and torsional clamping actuators 1 10 (e.g., torsional clamp devices). These features operatively cooperate to facilitate surrounding the distal end 46 of the tubular 38, vertically securing the tubular 38 within the gripping device 42, creating a sealed engagement between the gripping device 42 and the tubular 38, centralizing the tubular 38 within the gripping device 42, and applying torque to the tubular 38 via the gripping device 42.
- torsional clamping actuators 1 10 e.g., torsional clamp devices
- the rotational system 44 of the tubular drive system 40 includes a transmission 1 12 configured to transfer rotational forces generated by the motors 58 to the gripping device 42.
- the transmission 1 12 includes a main gear 1 14, which is fixedly attached to the main body 102 of the gripping device 42, as indicated by arrows 1 16.
- the main gear 1 14 may be bolted, welded, brazed, threaded, or otherwise mechanically coupled to the main body 102 of the gripping device 42.
- Rotational forces generated by the motors 58 may be transferred to the main gear 1 14 by belts, chains, teeth, cogs, helical surfaces, beveled surfaces, crown surfaces, worm gears, and/or other suitable connections configured to transfer rotational movement.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the tubular drive system 40.
- the illustrated embodiment includes similar elements and element numbers as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
- the gripping device 42 is supported by the load plate 50 near a top of the gripping device 42. That is, an upper end 120 of the main body 102 of the gripping device 42 includes a flange 122 that engages with the thrust bearing 100 of the tubular drive system 40. Weight and torque acting on the gripping device 42 may be transferred from the main body 102 to the thrust bearing 100 and further to the load plate 50 of the tubular drive system 40.
- the gripping device 42 may include gripping an outer portion of the tubular 38 with the elevators 108 and/or torsional clamping actuators 1 10 rather than attaching a sub via threaded engagement.
- the upper distal end 46 of the tubular 38 being added may be gripped around its outer perimeter with the gripping device 42 without making-up an extension of the tubular drive system 40 to threads of the distal end 46 such that more rapid positioning of the drillpipe element is facilitated. This may result in difficulty flowing fluids from the tubular drive system 40 through the tubular 38 being added or the drill string 28 during certain phases of the process.
- the tubular drive system 40 includes a variety of fluid flow components and associated sealing elements and/or sealing features.
- the tubular drive system 40 includes a gooseneck connection 124 and a washpipe 126, which may receive a flow of fluid and direct the flow of fluid through the hydraulically energized piston 106 and into the tubular 38.
- the tubular drive system 40 also includes various seals to block fluid from exiting the flow path through the gooseneck connection 124, the washpipe 126, the hydraulically energized piston 106, and the tubular 38.
- the tubular drive system 40 includes a rotary seal 128 disposed between the washpipe 126 and an outer shell 130 surrounding the washpipe 126.
- the tubular drive system 40 also includes an upper seal 132 disposed between the hydraulically energized piston 106 and the main body 102 of the gripping device 42 and a lower seal 134 configured to be disposed between the hydraulically energized piston 106 and the tubular 38.
- the seals 128, 132, and 134 enable proper circulation of fluids during certain portions of the drill string 28 assembly and/or disassembly process. That is, present embodiments are directed to providing a seal between the tubular drive system 40 and the tubular 38 such that fluid can efficiently pass from the tubular drive system 40 into the drillpipe element or tubular 38.
- the tubular drive system 40 may include other features, such as one or more control features.
- the tubular drive system 40 may include a controller configured to regulate operation of the gripping device 42, the rotational system 44 (e.g., the motors 58), the elevators 108, the torsional clamping actuators 1 10, and/or other components of the tubular drive system 40.
- the tubular drive system 40 may include sensors configured to detect one or more operating parameters of one or more components of the tubular drive system 40. The one or more operating parameters may be used as feedback by the controller, and the controller may further control operation of one or more components of the tubular drive system 40 based on the feedback (e.g., the operating parameters measured by the sensors).
- present embodiments are directed towards a tubular drive system 40 having the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44 which are supported by the load plate 50.
- the load plate 50 is suspended by yoke links 52 and the yoke 54 from the traveling block 22 or other component of the drilling rig 10.
- the gripping system 42 may include features configured to engage and lift the tubular 38 and align the tubular 38 with the stump 36 of the drill string 28.
- the gripping device 42 may include components, such as elevators 108 and or torsional clamping actuators 1 10, configured to grip, seal, and engage with the length of tubular 38 without creating a threaded connection between the gripping device 42 and the length of tubular 38.
- the rotational system 44 may drive rotation of the gripping device 42, and thus drive rotation of the length of tubular 38.
- the tubular drive system 40 may add the length of tubular 38 to the drill string 28.
- the gripping device 42 and the rotational system 44 may similarly function to grip and remove (e.g., unthread) the tubular 38 from the drill string 28 to disassemble the drill string 28.
- the disclosed embodiments may not include components such as a quill, grabber legs, and so forth, which may add to the total overall length of the tubular drive system 40.
- the tubular drive system 40 may have a shorter overall length as compared to traditional top drive systems, which may improve the operation and functionality of the tubular drive system 40.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
MX2016016611A MX2016016611A (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-12 | Tubular drive system. |
CA2952104A CA2952104A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-12 | Tubular drive system |
GB1700034.0A GB2542723A (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-12 | Tubular drive system |
AU2015274398A AU2015274398A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-12 | Tubular drive system |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201462011964P | 2014-06-13 | 2014-06-13 | |
US62/011,964 | 2014-06-13 | ||
US14/737,274 | 2015-06-11 | ||
US14/737,274 US20150361723A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-11 | Tubular drive system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2015191959A1 true WO2015191959A1 (en) | 2015-12-17 |
Family
ID=53443044
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2015/035486 WO2015191959A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2015-06-12 | Tubular drive system |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20150361723A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2015274398A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2952104A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2542723A (en) |
MX (1) | MX2016016611A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015191959A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10323484B2 (en) * | 2015-09-04 | 2019-06-18 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Combined multi-coupler for a top drive and a method for using the same for constructing a wellbore |
US10337265B1 (en) * | 2018-08-24 | 2019-07-02 | Deep Well Services | Well pipe guide spool |
CN113914790A (en) * | 2021-10-27 | 2022-01-11 | 陕西星通石油工程技术有限公司 | Novel closed hydraulic elevator matched with inclined and straight well workover rig and use method |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6688394B1 (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 2004-02-10 | Coupler Developments Limited | Drilling methods and apparatus |
US20060124305A1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2006-06-15 | Daniel Juhasz | Pipe running tool having a cement path |
US20130168106A1 (en) | 2011-12-28 | 2013-07-04 | Tesco Corporation | Pipe drive sealing system and method |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7370707B2 (en) * | 2003-04-04 | 2008-05-13 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Method and apparatus for handling wellbore tubulars |
NO20032220L (en) * | 2003-05-15 | 2004-11-16 | Mechlift As | Ceiling Tool II and method for using the same |
US9506304B2 (en) * | 2013-09-12 | 2016-11-29 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Apparatus and method for connecting tubulars of a wellsite |
US10036215B2 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2018-07-31 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Swivel elevator |
-
2015
- 2015-06-11 US US14/737,274 patent/US20150361723A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-12 GB GB1700034.0A patent/GB2542723A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2015-06-12 AU AU2015274398A patent/AU2015274398A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-12 WO PCT/US2015/035486 patent/WO2015191959A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-06-12 CA CA2952104A patent/CA2952104A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-12 MX MX2016016611A patent/MX2016016611A/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6688394B1 (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 2004-02-10 | Coupler Developments Limited | Drilling methods and apparatus |
US20060124305A1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2006-06-15 | Daniel Juhasz | Pipe running tool having a cement path |
US20130168106A1 (en) | 2011-12-28 | 2013-07-04 | Tesco Corporation | Pipe drive sealing system and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2542723A (en) | 2017-03-29 |
GB201700034D0 (en) | 2017-02-15 |
AU2015274398A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
US20150361723A1 (en) | 2015-12-17 |
MX2016016611A (en) | 2017-04-27 |
CA2952104A1 (en) | 2015-12-17 |
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