WO2021040529A1 - Dispositif pour empêcher une torsion d'un train d'outils de dépasser un seuil prédéterminé - Google Patents

Dispositif pour empêcher une torsion d'un train d'outils de dépasser un seuil prédéterminé Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021040529A1
WO2021040529A1 PCT/NO2020/050210 NO2020050210W WO2021040529A1 WO 2021040529 A1 WO2021040529 A1 WO 2021040529A1 NO 2020050210 W NO2020050210 W NO 2020050210W WO 2021040529 A1 WO2021040529 A1 WO 2021040529A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flexible
inner mandrel
outer pipe
rollers
tool string
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2020/050210
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Geir Lunde
Original Assignee
Toolserv As
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 Toolserv As filed Critical Toolserv As
Priority to GB2118862.8A priority Critical patent/GB2599587B/en
Publication of WO2021040529A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021040529A1/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
    • E21B17/06—Releasing-joints, e.g. safety 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
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B23/00—Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers
    • B25B23/14—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers
    • B25B23/141—Mechanical overload release couplings
    • 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
    • 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
    • E21B19/167—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints using a wrench adapted to engage a non circular section of pipe, e.g. a section with flats or splines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D7/00—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock
    • F16D7/04—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type
    • F16D7/06—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type with intermediate balls or rollers
    • F16D7/10—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type with intermediate balls or rollers moving radially between engagement and disengagement

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for preventing torsion in a tool string from exceeding a predetermined threshold.
  • tools or equipment are often run into the wellbore using a tool string.
  • Such a rotation may be performed using a motor at the surface, e.g. a top drive, to rotate the upper end of the tool string, and the rotation is then transmitted to the tool at the downhole end via the tool string.
  • a motor at the surface e.g. a top drive
  • devices can be used which are located between the top drive and the down- hole tool, typically close to the tool, to prevent the torsion in the tool or tool string from exceeding a predetermined threshold. Such devices are often referred to as safety subs.
  • US8852004B2 discloses a downhole torque-limiting assembly for a tool string. If the pre-set torsion threshold is exceeded, the assembly disclosed therein prevents torque from being transmitted from the motor to the tool. When the torsion is decreased to a level below the threshold, the assembly will transmit the torque again without the need of replacement of any parts.
  • the assembly includes protrusions sliding along inner surfaces of corresponding receptacles, the protrusions and receptacles suffer from a significant degree of wear.
  • the invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.
  • the invention relates to a device for preventing torsion in a tool string from exceeding a predetermined threshold, wherein the device comprises: an inner man drel for transmitting torque between said inner mandrel and a first portion of the tool string, the inner mandrel comprising at least one flexible member; an outer pipe for transmitting torque between said outer pipe and a second portion of the tool string; and a cage ar- ranged between the inner mandrel and the outer pipe, the cage comprising rollers for no slip rolling on the outer pipe; wherein the flexible member is configured to form a flexible wedge trap for trapping one of the rollers when the torsion between the inner mandrel and outer pipe is below a predetermined threshold, and for the flexible member to flex and allow the roller to roll past the flexible member and escape the flexible wedge trap when the pre-determined torsion threshold
  • the outer pipe may typically be connected to the second portion of the tool string, but alternatively the tool string may be utilized as the outer pipe so that the outer pipe is part of the second portion of the tool string. Either way torque will be transmitted to the second portion of the tools string from the outer pipe.
  • the inner mandrel may typically be con- nected to an upper portion of a tool string, i.e. transmitting torque between the inner man drel and the upper portion of the tool string, while the outer pipe may typically be connect ed to a lower portion of the tool string.
  • the device connected to a tool string will thereby prevent that torsion in the tool string or connected equipment or tools exceed a predeter mined threshold value.
  • the flexible member will flex enough for the roller to escape the wedge trap, whereby the inner mandrel and outer pipe will rotate relative to each other without being damaged.
  • This mechanism is herein referred to as a clutch feature.
  • the device will in this way be able to unload torque-transmission multiple times.
  • the free relative rotation be tween the inner mandrel and outer pipe will persist until the flexible member meets anoth- er roller, typically an adjacent roller. If the torsion has by then decreased, for example if the tool is loose again, this roller will be trapped inside the flexible wedge trap and trans mit torque between the inner mandrel and the outer pipe.
  • the inner mandrel and the outer pipe can be rotationally connected to each other using any suitable mechanism which can withstand compression and tension, for example comprising a thrust bearing.
  • rollers Since the rollers roll without slip on both the outer pipe and the flexible members, there is no or little sliding between different portions of the device, which minimizes the wear. The device will therefore function for a longer period, even if the clutch feature is activated regularly.
  • the rollers may typically be distributed evenly in the circumferential direction, whereby the wear is evenly distributed, and the device is stabilized.
  • the device may be configured so that the rollers are constantly in contact with both the outer pipe and the inner mandrel including flexible members for further stabilization of the device. At least three evenly distributed rollers are required for the rollers to function as a bearing, but more may typically be desired to decrease the wear on each roller.
  • the flexible member may be a flexible blade, or it may be an assembly comprising a flexi ble part and a rigid part, for example a spring with a rigid blade.
  • the important aspect is that the flexible member forms a flexible wedge trap which traps a roller when the torsion is below a predetermined threshold but flexes and allows the roller to escape when the torsion is above the predetermined threshold.
  • the level of the threshold depends on the flexibility of the flexible member.
  • the flexible member may be slight curved at the radially outermost side which faces the rollers, so that this side of the flexible member to a larger degree follows the curvature of the inner mandrel. In this way it may be assured that the rollers roll on the entire surface of the flexible member, which will stabilize the rollers and the device and ensure that the cage is connected with both the outer pipe and the inner mandrel at all time.
  • the inner mandrel may comprise a plurality of flexible members configured to form a plu rality of flexible wedge traps distributed evenly in the circumferential direction of the inner mandrel, wherein the number of rollers divided by the number of flexible wedge traps is equal to a positive integer.
  • the rollers and flexible wedge traps are evenly distribut ed and satisfy this condition, the positions of the wedge traps relative to the rollers will be the same for all wedge traps.
  • each wedge trap will have trapped a roller, whereby the torque transmitted between the inner mandrel and the outer pipe will be divided between the different pairs of rollers and blades. This makes the device more stable and decreases the wear on each roller and flexible member even fur ther.
  • the rollers and flexible members may for example be equally distributed in the cir- cumferential direction.
  • the risk of backspin of the device is also decreased.
  • the tool string may continue to rotate a short dis tance after the tool gets stuck downhole, and torque will be build up in the tool string.
  • the build-up torque in the tool string will cause one portion, typically the inner mandrel, to start rotating with a high rotation speed until the next pair of flexible wedge trap and roller meet. This is referred to as backspin.
  • the roller may get trapped or may escape this flexible wedge trap as well.
  • the more pairs of flexible wedge traps and rollers the more the backspin will be slowed down. The risk of injuring any portion of the tool string due to a high degree of backspin is thereby decreased.
  • the distribution and numbers of rollers and flexible members may also be chosen such that there will be more than one roller engaging the flexible member at any position. This may have the effect that the rollers stabilize the flexible members to ensure that they flex as desired and do not experience undesired strain. Such stabilization of the flexible mem bers by more than one roller may also put less requirement on the construction and at tachment of the flexible members. For example, if the flexible members are positioned at least partly in corresponding pockets in the inner mandrel, the more than one roller may additionally function to hold the flexible members in place in the pockets, whereby the flexible members are not required to be fastened any further to the inner mandrel. This may make both the production and maintenance of the device easier, and thereby more cost-effective.
  • More than one flexible member may engage a respective roller, for exam ple two flexible blades positioned in a pocket in the inner mandrel.
  • the flexible blades may provide the same force as for a single blade but a larger radial displacement at the transition point. This may make the clutch feature more reliable as there are less require ments on the accuracy of the positions of the flexible members relative to the rollers. Even if the radial position of one wedge trap is slightly different than the radial positions of other wedge traps, it will provide substantially the same force to the rollers as the others.
  • the device may comprise a plurality of layers of flexible wedge traps in an axial direction and a cage for each layer of flexible wedge traps.
  • the cages in each layer may preferably be interlocked along a longitudinal direction of the device so that all cages will rotate at the same time and speed. This will ensure that all flexible wedge traps will trap a roller at the same time so that the torque will be divided into all possible pairs of flexible members and rollers.
  • the cages may for example be in terlocked by means of protrusions and receptacles with complementing shapes, for ex ample a sawtooth structure on adjacent cages.
  • the device may be fluid-tight and comprise a lubricating fluid to lubri cate the device to further reduce wear of the moving parts.
  • the lubricating fluid may also help to distribute any heat, which may build up at specific locations, for example around the wedge traps, to other part of the device. This may ensure that the device does not overheat, thereby further prolonging the life span of the device.
  • the device may advanta geously comprise a compensation piston which is configured to balance the pressure be tween the inside and the outside of the device. Since the device is intended for use in a wellbore, the pressure surrounding the device may in use in the wellbore be significantly higher than atmospheric pressure.
  • the outer pipe may be thinner, whereby the flexi ble wedge traps and rollers may be positioned further out from the centre of the device. The device may thereby be able to transmit more torque.
  • the device may comprise a spline sleeve for locking rotation of the inner mandrel and outer pipe relative to each other.
  • the spline sleeve may for example comprise a locking mechanism which activates upon increase in pressure.
  • the spline sleeve can for example have a ball seat valve which allows pressure to be increased above the ball seat if a ball or dart is dropped into the tool string to seal the seat.
  • the spline sleeve is connected to the inner mandrel via a spline connection and comprises shear pins for maintaining the position of the spline sleeve relative to the inner mandrel
  • an increase in pressure may cause the shear pins to shear and allow the spline sleeve to move axially within the inner mandrel.
  • a portion of the splines of the spline sleeve may engage with internal splines on the outer pipe. In this way the inner mandrel and outer pipe are locked relative to each other.
  • Darts for blocking the ball seat may comprise a hole sealed by a membrane which can withstand the pres sure needed to engage the locking mechanism, but which will rupture if the pressure is increased further above a certain value. In this way fluid flow through the device may be continued after the device has been locked.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, where in the device is cut perpendicular to the axis of the tool string; and Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, where in the device is cut along the axis of the tool string.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device 1 according to the invention, wherein the device 1 is cut perpendicular to the axis of a tool string.
  • the device 1 comprises an inner mandrel 3, which is the main internal part of the device 1.
  • the inner mandrel 3 has a circular opening 4 for being connected to the tool string above the device 1.
  • the inner mandrel 3 comprises flexible blades 5 as flexible members.
  • the flexible blades 5 are posi- tioned in complementary pockets 7 in the inner mandrel 3.
  • each pocket 7 houses two blades 5, but one or more blades 5 may be used depending on the shape and flexibility of the blades 5.
  • the flexible blades 5 are shaped to form a flexible wedge trap 9 for rollers 11.
  • An advantage of using more than one blade 5 may be that the radial displacement of the blades 5 at the transition point 8 can be larger while the force provided by the flexible blade 5 is the same.
  • the flexible blades 5 are slightly curved at their radially outermost side to ensure that the rollers 11 will be in contact with the flexible blades 5.
  • the rollers 11 are positioned in a cage 15 with equal circumferential distance between each roller 11. The rollers 11 are in constant contact with an outer pipe 13 in a no-slip rolling condition.
  • the flexible blades 5 and the rollers 11 are positioned such that the relative positions of different rollers 11 in different wedge traps 9 are the same. In this way the rollers 11 transmit torque from the inner mandrel 3 via the blades 5 to the outer pipe 13.
  • the inner mandrel 3 is rotated in a clockwise direction and transmitting torque to the outer pipe 13.
  • the outer pipe 13 is connected to the tool string below the device 1. If the torsion increases, for example due to the tool getting stuck, the flexible blades 5 flex inwards and move over the rollers 11, whereby said rollers 11 will escape the flexible wedge trap 9 without transmitting torque to the outer pipe 13.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 1 according to the invention, wherein the device 1 is cut along the axis of the tool string.
  • the shown embodiment comprises two layers of flexible blades 5 and correspondingly two cages 15 comprising rollers 11, but even more layers of flexible blades 5 and cages 15 can be included to increase the stabil ity and reduce the load on each roller 11 and blade 5.
  • the shown embodiment additionally comprises a spline sleeve 17 which connects the inner mandrel 3 and the outer pipe 13.
  • the spline sleeve 17 is connected to the inner mandrel 3 with a spline connection 19.
  • Shear pins 21 ensure that the inner mandrel 3 and the spline sleeve 17 cannot move rela tive to each other.
  • a ball seat 23 provides a mechanism for shearing the shear pins 21.
  • a ball or dart can be pumped from the top of the tool string to the ball seat 23, where it stops and creates a sealed barrier for fluid, which will allow pressure to be increased above the ball seat 23.
  • the shear pins 21 will shear and allow the spline sleeve 17 to move relative to the inner mandrel 3.
  • the shear pins 21 shear, the spline sleeve 17 will move downwards and engage in the spline connection 25 (indicated with dashed lines) with the outer pipe 13.
  • the downward movement of the spline sleeve may be stopped by e.g. a shoulder (not shown) inside the outer pipe 13.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
  • Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
  • Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif pour empêcher une torsion d'un train d'outils de dépasser un seuil prédéterminé, le dispositif comprenant: un mandrin interne pour transmettre un couple entre ledit mandrin interne et une première partie du train d'outils, le mandrin interne comprenant au moins un élément flexible; un tuyau externe pour transmettre un couple entre ledit tuyau externe et une seconde partie du train d'outils; et une cage agencée entre le mandrin interne et le tuyau externe, la cage comprenant des rouleaux destinés à rouler sans glissement sur le tuyau externe; l'élément flexible est conçu pour former un piège par calage flexible pour piéger l'un des rouleaux lorsque la torsion entre le mandrin interne et le tuyau externe est inférieure à un seuil prédéterminé, et pour que l'élément flexible fléchisse et permette au rouleau de rouler au-delà de l'élément flexible et de s'échapper du piège par calage flexible lorsque le seuil de torsion prédéterminé est dépassé.
PCT/NO2020/050210 2019-08-27 2020-08-21 Dispositif pour empêcher une torsion d'un train d'outils de dépasser un seuil prédéterminé WO2021040529A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2118862.8A GB2599587B (en) 2019-08-27 2020-08-21 Device for preventing torsion in a tool string from exceeding a predetermined threshold

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20191030 2019-08-27
NO20191030A NO347056B1 (en) 2019-08-27 2019-08-27 Device for preventing torsion in a tool string from exceeding a predetermined threshold

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021040529A1 true WO2021040529A1 (fr) 2021-03-04

Family

ID=74685656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2020/050210 WO2021040529A1 (fr) 2019-08-27 2020-08-21 Dispositif pour empêcher une torsion d'un train d'outils de dépasser un seuil prédéterminé

Country Status (3)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2599587B (fr)
NO (1) NO347056B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021040529A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5271486A (en) * 1989-03-13 1993-12-21 Ntn Corporation Torque limiter
GB2281577A (en) * 1993-09-03 1995-03-08 Baker Hughes Inc Swivel/tilting bit crown for earth-boring drills
GB2363811A (en) * 2000-06-16 2002-01-09 Xl Technology Ltd Steerable drilling tool
US20150226015A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2015-08-13 Nov Downhole Eurasia Limited Downhole tool with rotational drive coupling and associated methods

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2034420B (en) * 1978-11-23 1982-10-13 Itt Creed Freewheel clutch
WO1993007401A1 (fr) * 1991-09-30 1993-04-15 Ntn Corporation Limiteur de couple possedant des fonctions de recalage automatique
EP2935757B1 (fr) * 2012-12-19 2017-07-05 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Ensemble limiteur de couple en fond de trou pour rame de tiges de forage

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5271486A (en) * 1989-03-13 1993-12-21 Ntn Corporation Torque limiter
GB2281577A (en) * 1993-09-03 1995-03-08 Baker Hughes Inc Swivel/tilting bit crown for earth-boring drills
GB2363811A (en) * 2000-06-16 2002-01-09 Xl Technology Ltd Steerable drilling tool
US20150226015A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2015-08-13 Nov Downhole Eurasia Limited Downhole tool with rotational drive coupling and associated methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20191030A1 (en) 2021-03-01
GB2599587A (en) 2022-04-06
GB2599587B (en) 2023-03-01
NO347056B1 (en) 2023-05-02

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