WO2023017387A1

WO2023017387A1 - Elevator for tubular handling in well operations

Info

Publication number: WO2023017387A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/057312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ruben Gomez; Ernst Führing; Anandraj DAIRIAM
Original assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc
Priority date: 2021-08-11
Filing date: 2022-08-05
Publication date: 2023-02-16

Abstract

An elevator can include an elevator body, a set of ears on the elevator body configured for cooperative engagement with a set of bails, and another set of ears configured for cooperative engagement with another set of bails. A method of operating an elevator can include connecting a set of bails to a set of ears on an elevator body, and connecting another set of bails to another set of ears on the elevator body, the sets of bails being different from each other. A well system can include a lifting apparatus, an elevator including an elevator body, and one of two sets of bails connected between the lifting apparatus and the elevator. One set of ears on the elevator body being configured to cooperatively engage one set of bails, and another set of ears on the elevator body being configured to cooperatively engage the other set of bails.

Description

ELEVATOR FOR TUBULAR HANDLING

IN WELL OPERATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in one example described below, more particularly provides an elevator for tubular handling.

BACKGROUND

An elevator is an item of equipment used in well operations to raise or lower a tubular (such as, casing, liner, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) into or out of a well. The elevator releasably secures a lifting apparatus (such as, a top drive or a draw works) to the tubular, so that the lifting apparatus can raise or lower the tubular.

It will be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of designing, constructing and utilizing elevators for use in well operations. The present specification provides such improvements, which can be used with a variety of different types of well rigs and other equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative top view of an example of an elevator body that may be used with the FIG. 1 system and method.

FIG. 3 is a representative elevational view of the elevator body.

FIG. 4 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of an ear of the elevator body, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional view of an example of another ear of the elevator body, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6 & 7 are representative upper and lower perspective views, respectively, of an example of an elevator.

FIG. 8 is a representative cross-sectional view of the FIGS. 6 & 7 elevator.

FIG. 9 is a representative cross-sectional view of a guide member and actuator of the elevator.

FIG. 10 is a representative view of an example of a hydraulic circuit diagram for the elevator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 for use in well operations, and an associated method, which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the system 10 and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the system 10 and method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings. In the FIG. 1 example, a well rig 30 is used to convey tubulars 32 into and out of a well. As depicted in FIG. 1 , the well rig 30 is a land-based rig, but in other examples the rig may be water-based. The tubular 32 may comprise equipment known to those skilled in the art as casing, liner, tubing, drill pipe and similar tubular goods, including associated couplings, collars, etc.

To enable the tubulars 32 to be supported by the rig 30, a lifting apparatus 12 is provided with the rig. The lifting apparatus 12 may comprise, for example, a top drive or a draw works.

Bails 18 are connected at their upper ends to the lifting apparatus 12. At their lower ends, the bails 18 are connected to an elevator 14. The elevator 14 is specially configured to grip or otherwise engage the tubular 32, so that a weight of the tubular (and any equipment, including additional tubulars, connected below the upper tubular) is supported by the elevator and the connected bails 18 and lifting apparatus 12.

At different points in well operations, very different loads may be supported by the lifting apparatus 12, bails 18 and elevator 14. For example, if at a particular point in the well operations, a greater weight must be supported, then the bails 18 can be replaced with another set of bails that has a corresponding greater load rating.

It would be advantageous if the same elevator 14 could be used with the replacement set of bails 18, as well as with the previous set of bails, so that there is no need to take additional time to replace the elevator, or to maintain multiple elevators in inventory. It is, thus, beneficial if a single elevator 14 can be used with multiple different sets of bails 18. The sets of bails 18 may have different load ratings, different shapes or configurations, or other different features.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 2 & 3, top and side views of an example of an elevator body 16 are representatively illustrated. The elevator body 16 may be included in the elevator 14 in the FIG. 1 system 10 and method, or the elevator body 16 may be used with other elevators, systems or methods. As depicted in FIGS. 2 & 3, the elevator body 16 is generally cylindrical and tubular. In an interior of the elevator body 16, multiple circumferentially spaced apart wedges 28 are formed for guiding slips (not shown) radially into or out of engagement with a tubular 32 positioned therein.

On an exterior of the elevator body 16, multiple circumferentially spaced apart sets of ears 20, 22 are formed for suspending the elevator body from bails (such as the bails 18 depicted in FIG. 1 ). Note that it is not strictly necessary for the wedges 28 or the ears 20, 22 to be integrally formed with the elevator body 16, since in some examples the wedges or the ears could be separately formed and then secured to the elevator body.

In the FIGS. 2 & 3 example, there are two sets of the ears 20, 22. Each set of ears 20, 22 includes two ears positioned 180 degrees apart from each other on the elevator body 16. The sets of ears 20, 22 are circumferentially offset from each other by an angle A of 90 degrees. Different circumferential spacings may be used in other examples.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of one of the ears 20, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, is representatively illustrated. In this view, the ear 20 is depicted as cooperatively engaging one of a set of bails 18a having a certain load rating.

The ear 20 has a bail engagement surface 24 that is shaped for engagement with a corresponding upper surface of the bail 18a. In this example, the bail engagement surface 24 has a radius of curvature R that is complementarity shaped to match a curvature of the upper surface of the bail 18a.

The ear 20 extends a radial distance D outward from the elevator body 16. The ear 20 also has a vertical thickness T. The ear 20 is preferably designed (e.g., with appropriate dimensions and material), so that it is matched to the load rating of the bail 18a. However, it is not necessary for a load rating of the ear 20 to be exactly the same as the load rating of the bail 18a. Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of one of the ears 22, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, is representatively illustrated. In this view, the ear 22 is depicted as cooperatively engaging one of a set of bails 18b having a load rating that is different from the load rating of the FIG. 4 bails 18a.

The ear 22 has a bail engagement surface 26 that is shaped for engagement with a corresponding upper surface of the bail 18b. In this example, the bail engagement surface 26 has a radius of curvature R that is complementarity shaped to match a curvature of the upper surface of the bail 18b.

The ear 22 extends a radial distance D outward from the elevator body 16. The ear 22 also has a vertical thickness T. The ear 22 is preferably designed (e.g., with appropriate dimensions and material), so that it is matched to the load rating of the bail 18b. However, it is not necessary for a load rating of the ear 22 to be exactly the same as the load rating of the bail 18b.

In this example, the ear 22 extends radially outward from the elevator body 16 by the same distance D as the ear 20, but the vertical thickness T of the ear 22 is greater than the vertical thickness T of the ear 20. In other examples, the radial distances D of the ears 20, 22 may be different, or the vertical thicknesses T of the ears may be the same.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 6 & 7, top and bottom perspective views of another example of the elevator 14 are representatively illustrated. In this example, the elevator 14 includes a hydraulic control system 34 for controlling actuation of the slips 40 (see FIG. 8) in the elevator body 16, and a tubular guide assembly 38 to assist in centralizing a tubular 32 (see FIG. 1 ) in the elevator body. An optional flagging device 36 can be included with the elevator 14 to detect whether a coupling or other enlarged diameter on the tubular 32 is present at the upper side of the elevator.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 & 7, the guide assembly 38 includes six circumferentially spaced apart guide members 42 configured to surround, contact and slide against an outer surface of the tubular 32. In addition, the guide members 42 are radially adjustable, so that a variety of different tubular diameters can be accommodated by the guide assembly 38. Other numbers, configurations or spacings of the guide members 42 may be used in other examples.

In this example, the guide assembly 38 includes linear actuators 44 for radially displacing the guide members 42. An opening 46 in a side of each actuator 44 can be used to view markings on an inner component of the actuator, as an indication of the radial position of the respective guide member 42, as described more fully below.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, a vertical cross-sectional view of the FIGS. 6 & 7 elevator 14 is representatively illustrated. In this view, the manner in which the slips 40 are displaced relative to the wedges 28 in the elevator body 16 can be more clearly seen.

As depicted in FIG. 8, hydraulic actuators 48 are provided in the elevator body 16 for displacing the slips 40. A slip carrier ring 50 is connected at upper ends of the actuators 48. The slips 40 are also connected to the ring 50, so that, as the actuators 48 displace the ring upward or downward, the slips are also displaced respectively upward or downward.

In FIG. 8, the slips 40 and ring 50 are depicted in a fully upwardly displaced position, in which the slips are radially outwardly displaced. In this position of the slips 40, a tubular 32 (see FIG. 1 ) will not be gripped by the slips, and instead the tubular will be permitted to displace longitudinally through the elevator 14.

If the slip carrier ring 50 and slips 40 are displaced downward by the actuators 48, the slips will be radially inwardly displaced, due to the sliding contact of the slips with the wedges 28. In this downwardly displaced position of the slips 40, the tubular will be gripped by the slips, and the tubular will not be permitted to displace longitudinally through the elevator 14.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of one set of the guide member 42 and actuator 44 of the guide assembly 38 is representatively illustrated. In this view, the manner in which the actuator 44 is used to radially displace the guide member 42 can be more clearly seen.

In this example, the actuator 44 includes an externally threaded lead screw 52 and an internally threaded sleeve 54. Rotation of the lead screw 52 will cause the sleeve 54 to displace longitudinally along the lead screw.

The sleeve 54 is connected to an outer end of an inner tube 56. An inner end of the tube 56 is attached to the guide member 42. Thus, rotation of the lead screw 52 causes the tube 56 and the guide member 42 to displace with the sleeve 54 radially relative to the elevator body 16.

A head of the lead screw 52 is retained by a cap 58 on an outer housing 60 of the actuator 44, although the lead screw can rotate relative to the cap. The outer housing 60 in this example is generally tubular, with a rounded square lateral cross-sectional shape. The tube 56 has a complementary exterior shape, so that the tube 56 is prevented from rotating when the lead screw 52 is rotated.

A linear bearing 62 can be positioned between the inner tube 56 and the outer housing 60. The linear bearing 62 is attached to and displaces with the inner tube 56 when the lead screw 52 is rotated. Markings can be provided on an exterior of the bearing 62, and the markings can be visible through the opening 46 in the outer housing 60 (see FIG. 8) as an indication of the radial position of the guide member 42.

When it is desired to increase a radial separation between the guide members 42 (e.g., to accommodate a larger diameter tubular 32), the lead screw 52 of each actuator 44 can be rotated in one direction to thereby radially outwardly displace the sleeve 54, the inner tube 56 and the guide member 42 of the actuator. When it is desired to decrease a radial separation between the guide members 42 (e.g., to accommodate a smaller diameter tubular 32), the lead screw 52 of each actuator 44 can be rotated in an opposite direction to thereby radially inwardly displace the sleeve 54, the inner tube 56 and the guide member 42 of the actuator. Referring additionally now to FIG. 10, an example of a hydraulic circuit diagram for the hydraulic control system 34 and the flagging device 36 is representatively illustrated. In this example, the flagging device 36 is releasably coupled to the remainder of the hydraulic control system 34, so that the flagging device 36 has “plug and play” functionality. That is, the flagging device 36 can be conveniently and quickly incorporated into the hydraulic control system 34, or disconnected from the remainder of the hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system 34 can be used to operate the elevator 14 when the flagging device 36 is disconnected, although the functionality of the flagging device will not be available if it is disconnected.

In the FIG. 10 example, the flagging device 36 includes an indicator arm 64 with a roller 66 at an outer end thereof. The roller 66 contacts an outer surface of the tubular 32. The tubular 32 has at least a smaller diameter d and a larger diameter D. The roller 66 displaces the indicator arm 64 and a valve shuttle 68 against a biasing force exerted by a biasing device 70 when the roller transitions between contact with the smaller and larger diameters d, D.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the roller 66 is in contact with the larger diameter D. The larger diameter D may be on a coupling, an external upset, a well tool or any other enlarged diameter of the tubular 32. The smaller diameter d may be on any portion of the tubular 32 with a diameter reduced relative to the larger diameter D.

The larger diameter D is large enough to displace the valve shuttle 68 to the position depicted in FIG. 10, in which a hydraulic line 72 is placed in fluid communication with another hydraulic line 74. Another hydraulic line 76 is blocked with the valve shuttle 68 in the FIG. 10 position.

Each of the hydraulic lines 72, 74, 76 is connected to a respective one of quick disconnects 78, 80, 82. Each of the quick disconnects 78, 80, 82 includes check valves 84 which are open when the quick disconnects are operatively connected, but which are closed to isolate the respective lines when the quick disconnects are disconnected. The quick disconnect 78 is connected on one side to a hydraulic line 86 that is in fluid communication with an elevated pressure output of a pump 88 or other pressure source. The quick disconnect 80 is connected on one side to a hydraulic line 90 that is in fluid communication with a hydraulic control device 92 that controls application of pressure to the slip actuators 48 (see FIG. 8). The quick disconnect 82 is connected on one side to a line 94 that is in fluid communication with a reservoir 96.

In the configuration depicted in FIG. 10, the roller 66 is in contact with the larger diameter D of the tubular 32, and fluid pressure can be transmitted from the pump 88 to the hydraulic control device 92 via the lines 86, 72, 74 and 90. The hydraulic control device 92 can include various hydraulic elements, such as a pilot-operated valve 98 that will allow the fluid pressure to be transmitted to the slip actuators 48 only if the fluid pressure is in the line 90 connected to the hydraulic control device 92.

Thus, if the roller 66 is in contact with the larger diameter D, fluid pressure output by the pump 88 can be applied by the hydraulic control device 92 to the slip actuators 48 (such as, in response to an operator activating a switch, etc.). However, if the roller 66 is in contact with the smaller diameter d, the fluid pressure from the pump 88 will not be in the line 90, since the valve shuttle 68 will be displaced to a position in which the line 72 is blocked and the line 74 is vented to the reservoir 96.

Preferably, the hydraulic control device 92 is configured so that the fluid pressure cannot be delivered to the slip actuators 48 to close the slips 40 (see FIG. 8, in which the slips are downwardly displaced in order to radially inwardly displace or “close” the slips, so that they grippingly engage the outer surface of the tubular 32), unless the roller 66 is in contact with the larger diameter D and the fluid pressure is, therefore, present in the line 90.

If it is not desired to use the flagging device 36 (or, for example, maintenance is to be performed on the flagging device), the flagging device can be conveniently disconnected from the remainder of the hydraulic control system 34 by disconnecting the quick disconnects 78, 80, 82. A bypass valve 100 is connected between the lines 86, 90, so that fluid communication can be provided from the output of the pump 88 to the hydraulic control device 92 when the flagging device 36 is disconnected.

The bypass valve 100 is closed for normal operation of the elevator 14 when the flagging device 36 is operatively connected. The bypass valve 100 is opened (thereby enabling operation of the elevator 14) when the flagging device 36 is disconnected. Thus, the elevator 14 can be operated whether or not the flagging device 36 is connected — only the functionality of the flagging device is removed when the flagging device is disconnected.

It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of designing, constructing and utilizing elevators for use in well operations. In one example, the elevator 14 includes multiple different sets of ears 20, 22 for use with respective different sets of bails 18a,b.

The above disclosure provides to the art an elevator 14 for use with well operations. In one example, the elevator 14 can comprise: an elevator body 16; a first set of ears 20 on the elevator body 16, the first set of ears 20 being configured for cooperative engagement with a first set of bails 18a; and a second set of ears 22 on the elevator body 16, the second set of ears 22 being configured for cooperative engagement with a second set of bails 18b.

The second set of bails 18b may be different from the first set of bails 18a. The first set of bails 18a may have a load rating different from a load rating of the second set of bails 18b.

A bail engagement surface 24 of each of the first set of ears 20 may have a curvature R different from a curvature R of a bail engagement surface 26 of each of the second set of ears 22. A vertical thickness T of each of the first set of ears 20 may be different from a vertical thickness T of each of the second set of ears 22. The first set of ears 20 may be offset from the second set of ears 22 by ninety degrees on the elevator body 16. The first and second sets of ears 20, 22 may extend a same radial distance D outward from the elevator body 16.

Also provided to the art by the above disclosure is a method of operating an elevator 14. In one example, the method can comprise: connecting a first set of bails 18a to a first set of ears 20 on an elevator body 16; and connecting a second set of bails 18b to a second set of ears 22 on the elevator body 16, the first set of bails 18a being different from the second set of bails 18b. The method can include disconnecting the first set of bails 18a from the first set of ears 20 prior to the step of connecting the second set of bails 18b to the second set of ears 22.

A well system 10 is also described above. In one example, the well system can comprise: a lifting apparatus 12; an elevator 14 comprising an elevator body 16; and a selected one of first and second sets of bails 18a,b connected between the lifting apparatus 12 and the elevator 14. A first set of ears 20 on the elevator body 16 are configured to cooperatively engage the first set of bails 18a, and a second set of ears 22 on the elevator body 16 are configured to cooperatively engage the second set of bails 18b.

Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example’s features are not mutually exclusive to another example’s features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used. It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.

The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An elevator for use with well operations, the elevator comprising: an elevator body; a first set of ears on the elevator body, the first set of ears being configured for cooperative engagement with a first set of bails; and a second set of ears on the elevator body, the second set of ears being configured for cooperative engagement with a second set of bails.

2. The elevator of claim 1 , in which the second set of bails is different from the first set of bails.

3. The elevator of claim 1 , in which the first set of bails has a load rating different from a load rating of the second set of bails.

4. The elevator of claim 1 , in which a bail engagement surface of each of the first set of ears has a curvature different from a curvature of a bail engagement surface of each of the second set of ears.

5. The elevator of claim 1 , in which a vertical thickness of each of the first set of ears is different from a vertical thickness of each of the second set of ears.

6. The elevator of claim 1 , in which first set of ears are offset from the second set of ears by ninety degrees on the elevator body.

7. The elevator of claim 1 , in which the first and second sets of ears extend a same radial distance outward from the elevator body.

- 15 -

8. A method of operating an elevator, the method comprising: connecting a first set of bails to a first set of ears on an elevator body; and connecting a second set of bails to a second set of ears on the elevator body, the first set of bails being different from the second set of bails.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising disconnecting the first set of bails from the first set of ears prior to the connecting the second set of bails to the second set of ears.

10. The method of claim 8, in which the first set of bails has a load rating that is different from a load rating of the second set of bails.

11 . The method of claim 8, in which a bail engagement surface of each of the first set of ears has a curvature different from a curvature of a bail engagement surface of each of the second set of ears.

12. The method of claim 8, in which a vertical thickness of each of the first set of ears is different from a vertical thickness of each of the second set of ears.

13. The method of claim 8, in which first set of ears are offset from the second set of ears by ninety degrees on the elevator body.

14. The method of claim 8, in which the first and second sets of ears extend a same radial distance outward from the elevator body. - 16 -

15. A well system, comprising: a lifting apparatus; an elevator comprising an elevator body; and a selected one of the group consisting of first and second sets of bails connected between the lifting apparatus and the elevator, in which a first set of ears on the elevator body are configured to cooperatively engage the first set of bails, and a second set of ears on the elevator body are configured to cooperatively engage the second set of bails.

16. The well system of claim 15, in which the first set of bails has a load rating different from a load rating of the second set of bails.

17. The well system of claim 15, in which a bail engagement surface of each of the first set of ears has a curvature different from a curvature of a bail engagement surface of each of the second set of ears.

18. The well system of claim 15, in which a vertical thickness of each of the first set of ears is different from a vertical thickness of each of the second set of ears.

19. The well system of claim 15, in which first set of ears are offset from the second set of ears by ninety degrees on the elevator body.

20. The well system of claim 15, in which the first and second sets of ears extend a same radial distance outward from the elevator body.