Supported Connection Assembly
A wellbore servicing operation connection system comprising a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, wherein each of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit is fluidicly connected to a wellbore servicing equipment component, a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and a housing, generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDHydrocarbon-producing wells are often stimulated, for example, by hydraulic fracturing operations, wherein a fracturing fluid may be introduced into a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. A subterranean formation may act as a source and/or storage location for natural resources such as hydrocarbons. Stimulating or treating the wellbore in such ways may increase hydrocarbon production from the well. Suitable fluid supplies are sometimes required to prepare wellbore servicing fluids employed in the performance of various wellbore servicing operations.
The transport of hydrocarbons, water, lubricants, wellbore servicing fluids, and/or the like, for example, oil and gas from a subterranean formation, may require a plurality of fluid conduits (e.g., tubular members) and the use of various connections, of various types and/or configurations, between such fluid conduits, both above and below the earth's surface. For example, it may be necessary to connect various tubular members, such as pipeline members or riser members, transfer conduits, joints, or the like, to each other, to a platform, to other hydrocarbon production equipment, to storage units, to totes, and/or combinations thereof.
In some instances the integrity of some of these conduits and/or connections may become compromised, for example, as a result of fluid seals deterioration, failure of mechanical components of such connections, operator error, over-pressuring situations, and/or combinations thereof. As a result of such compromised connections, a fluid such as hydrocarbons, water, lubricants, wellbore servicing fluids (e.g., fracturing fluids), wellbore servicing fluid components, and/or the like may be discharged from the fluid conduits and into the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, fluid conduit connections made within a workspace may be susceptible to accidental disconnections, for example, as a result of an operator accidentally releasing a latching mechanism between a pair of fluid conduits or failing to properly secure a connection, thereby causing fluid to be discharged into the surrounding environment. In some instances, for example, the fluid may be pressurized within the fluid conduit and may be hazardously discharged (e.g., sprayed or spewed) at a high velocity. Additionally or alternatively, in some instances, for example, the fluid may comprise hazardous materials and, when discharged, may contaminate the surrounding area or present a hazard to personnel. As such, there is a need to prevent fluid leaks and/or to control fluids that may leak or otherwise escape from such conduit connections.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein is a wellbore servicing operation connection system comprising a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, wherein each of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit is fluidicly connected to a wellbore servicing equipment component, a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and a housing, generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
Also disclosed herein is a wellbore servicing method comprising providing a first wellbore servicing equipment component, the first wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a first fluid conduit, providing a second wellbore servicing equipment component, the second wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a second fluid conduit, establishing a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
Further disclosed herein is a wellbore servicing method comprising providing a primary connection which provides a route of fluid communication between a first wellbore servicing equipment component and a second fluid conduit, identifying a fluid leak from the primary connection, and providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection to contain the fluid leak.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description:
In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. In addition, similar reference numerals may refer to similar components in different embodiments disclosed herein. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.
Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to a direct interaction between those elements and may also include an indirect interaction between the elements described.
Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “up,” “upper,” “upward,” “up-hole,” “upstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally from the formation toward the surface or toward the surface of a body of water; likewise, use of “down,” “lower,” “downward,” “down-hole,” “downstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally into the formation away from the surface or away from the surface of a body of water, regardless of the wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the foregoing terms shall not be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis.
Unless otherwise specified, use of the term “subterranean formation” shall be construed as encompassing both areas below exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh water.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a supported connection assembly (SCA) and methods of using the same. Particularly, disclosed herein are one or more embodiments of a SCA incorporated along two or more fluid conduits, for example, at a connection between two or more conduits. In an embodiment, a SCA may provide additional structural support to a primary connection, for example, between a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. In such an embodiment, the SCA may be effective to contain any fluid leaks from a primary connection (e.g., to reduce environmental contamination, fluid losses, and/or hazardous conditions, as may be due to a leak from the primary connection). Additionally or alternatively, in one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, a SCA may be effective to shield the primary connection (e.g., to reduce the potential that a primary connection will be unintentionally discounted).
Referring to the embodiment of
In an embodiment, the operating environment may comprise a well site comprising a drilling or servicing rig 102 and may generally comprise a derrick with a rig floor through which a tubular string 104 (e.g., a drill string; a work string such as a segmented tubing string, a coiled tubing string, jointed pipe string, or the like; a casing string; or combinations thereof) may be lowered into the wellbore. In such an embodiment, the tubular string 104 may comprise a wellbore servicing apparatus configured for one or more wellbore servicing operations (e.g., a cementing or completion operation, a clean-out operation, a perforating operation, a fracturing operation, production of hydrocarbons, etc.) which may be integrated within the tubular string for the purpose of performing one or more wellbore servicing operations. The drilling or servicing rig 102 may be conventional and may comprise a motor driven winch and other associated equipment for lowering the tubular string and/or wellbore servicing apparatus into the wellbore. Alternatively, a mobile workover rig, a wellbore servicing unit (e.g., coiled tubing units), or the like may be present at the well site and may be used to lower the tubular string and/or wellbore servicing apparatus into the wellbore for the purpose of performing a wellbore servicing operation. In an alternative embodiment, the operating environment may comprise well site comprising a drilling, servicing, and/or production rig which may be located on a platform (e.g., a drilling, servicing, and/or production platform) at the surface of a body of water and may be employed to drill and/or service a wellbore and/or to produce hydrocarbons therefrom. In an embodiment, the operational environment may further comprise one or more wellbore servicing equipment components generally positioned at the well site, for example, a wellbore servicing manifold trailer, a blender, a boost pump, a high-pressure pump, a treatment system, a water tank, an additive tank, a mixer, and/or any other suitable wellbore servicing equipment components. Additionally or alternatively, such wellbore servicing fluid components may comprise one or more valves, for example, an input and/or discharge valve, such as may be configured to control fluid communication to/from a treatment tank. In such an embodiment, the treatment tank may comprise a tote, an open top tank, an open air tank, an enclosed tank, a tanker trailer, a tanker truck, a trailer mounted water tank, an over-road tanker truck, a suction tank, a feed tank, or any other suitable tank, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this application. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the valve may comprise a valve stem handle, for example, for the purpose of allowing or disallowing fluid communication there-through. Additionally, the operational environment may further comprise a wellhead (e.g., via a “Christmas tree”).
In such an embodiment, two or more of such wellbore servicing equipment components may be fluidicly connected (e.g., in fluid communication with one another via one or more fluid conduits, tubulars, valves, etc.), for example, for performing a drilling wellbore drilling operation, a wellbore servicing operation, a hydrocarbon production operation, or combination thereof. For example, in an embodiment two or more of such wellbore servicing components may be directly, fluidicly connected (e.g., a valve, directly connected to a tank). Alternatively, in an embodiment two or more wellbore servicing components may be indirectly, fluidicly connected, for example, via one or more fluid conduits. Non-limiting examples of such fluid conduits may include a hose, a manifold, a pipe, a tubular, a valve, and/or any other suitable structures as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. Further, one or more of such wellbore servicing equipment components may be fluidicly connected to the wellbore via the wellhead, for example, via a fluid conduit. Therefore, in such embodiments, a number and variety of fluid connections (e.g., between two or more wellbore servicing equipment components, between a component and a fluid conduit, and/or between two or more fluid conduits) may be present at the well site.
The SCA 300, as will be disclosed herein, may be disclosed with reference to a connection between two fluid conduits (e.g., a first conduit 110a, a second fluid conduit 110b). In such an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b may communicate a fluid for a wellbore servicing operation or component thereof, communicate a produced fluid, communicate a fluid for disposal, or communicate a fluid for any other suitable purpose. As used herein, the term “fluid conduit” may generally refer to a flow pathway and associated physical structure via which a fluid may be conveyed. Unless otherwise noted, the term “fluid conduit” may include any suitable configuration of wellbore servicing equipment components, tubulars, or the like, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. As such, a SCA 300 may be employed at a fluid connection between two or more wellbore servicing equipment components, at a fluid connection between a component and a fluid conduit, at a fluid connection between two or more fluid conduits, or at some combination of these. Therefore, while one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may reference a particular type and/or configuration of fluid connection, the SCA should not be construed as limited to use with any particular type or configuration of fluid connection.
As will be disclosed with reference to
In an embodiment, one or more connections may be used to join two or more fluid conduits, for example, conduits connecting wellbore servicing components for the purpose of communicating and/or transporting a fluid therethrough (e.g., hydrocarbons, water, lubricants, fracturing fluids, wellbore servicing fluids, wellbore servicing fluid components, produced fluids, fluids to be disposed of, the like, or combinations thereof). In an embodiment, a primary connection 100 may form a fluid-tight and/or substantially fluid-tight seal and may join the two or more fluid conduits, as will be disclosed herein. Referring to
As disclosed above, in an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a and/or the second fluid conduit 110b may comprise any suitable type of fluid conduit, for example, non-limiting examples of the suitable types of fluid conduits include a tubular (such as a pipe, a tubular, a hose, a valve, a and/or manifold), a wellbore servicing equipment component (e.g., as disclosed herein and/or as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art), a container (such as a reservoir, tank, or the like), or combinations thereof. Additionally, in such an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or various portions thereof may be formed of one or more suitable materials such as, but not limited to, iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, non-metallic material, brass, aluminum, plastic, elastomers, composites, and/or any other suitable material as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure.
In an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a comprises and terminates with a first connecting interface 100a and the second fluid conduit 110b comprises and terminates with a second connecting interface 100b. The first connecting interface may be complementary to the second connecting interface. In such an embodiment, the first connecting interface 100a and/or the second connecting interface 100b may be formed of one or more suitable materials such as, but not limited to, iron, steel, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, composites, and/or any other suitable materials as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. In such an embodiment, the primary connection 100 may be formed by joining the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b. In an embodiment, the primary connection may comprise any suitable type and/or configuration of connection. Examples of suitable types and/or configurations of such connections include, but are not limited to, an air king coupling, a cam and groove coupling, a ground joint coupling, a hoselink coupling, a hozelock coupling, a storz coupling, a Guillemin symmetrical clutch coupling, a Barcelona coupling, a Nakajima coupling, a gost coupling, a machine coupling, a threaded coupling (e.g., national standard thread coupling), an expansion ring coupling, a holedall coupling, a mulconroy coupling, a bolted flange coupling, and/or any other suitable type of coupling as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. In an such embodiment, the first connecting interface 100a and/or the second connecting interface 100b may comprise any suitable make-up for use in making the primary connection, for example, an internally and/or externally threaded coupling, a box pin coupling, a tensioning coupling, a latching coupling, a compression coupling, a mechanical bolt type coupling, an adapter coupling, a sleeve coupling, a restraint harness coupling, a quick connect coupling, a hose clamp, a male coupling, a female coupling, a sexless coupling, a quarter turn coupling, a flanged lip, a collar, and/or any other suitable devices, or combinations thereof, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure.
In an embodiment, the housing 200 may be generally configured to substantially enclose (e.g., to be positioned about or around) at least a portion of the fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the primary connection 100. In an embodiment, the housing 200 generally comprises a cylindrical or tubular-like structure. In an embodiment, the housing 200 may be constructed, for example, of a rigid and/or substantially rigid material (e.g., plastic tubing, iron, steel tubing, brass tubing, copper tubing, polyvinylchloride), a flexible and/or substantially flexible material (e.g., elastomeric compound, rubber hose, vinyl tubing, reinforced vinyl tubing, latex hose, heat shrinkable tubing, nylon tubing, polyolefin tubing), and/or some combination thereof.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise a viewing window. In such an embodiment, the viewing window may be at least partially or substantially transparent and may allow for an interior portion of the housing 200 to be viewed from a location exterior to the housing. In an embodiment, the viewing window may comprise a plastic, glass, laminate, or any other suitable material, or combinations thereof, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art.
Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise one or more recesses, grooves, slots, or the like (for example, a circumferential groove) circumscribed into or onto the inner diameter of the housing 200. For example, in an embodiment, the one or more grooves may be sized to retain one or more seals, as will be disclosed herein.
Additionally, in an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise a drain port (e.g., an orifice with a drain plug, valve, spigot, or the like), for example, on a lower end, portion, or side thereof as oriented relative to the primary connection 100. In such an embodiment, the drain plug may be configured to selectively provide a route of fluid communication out of the axial bore 124 to the exterior of the housing 200. In an embodiment, the drain port may comprise a threaded bore within the structure of the housing 200 and a threaded drain plug. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the drain port may comprise valve such as stopcock or an adjustable bleeder valve.
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, the housing 200 may be made up of two or more operably connected portions (e.g., a first portion and a second portion). In such an embodiment, for example, as illustrated in
Alternatively, in the embodiment of
Additionally, in an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise one or more alignment pins and holes, grooves and slots, and/or the like along one or more of the circumferential edges 201a and 201b or along one or more of the longitudinal edges 202a and 202b. For example, in an embodiment, the one or more alignment pins and hole (or other suitable, complementary structures) may be employed to align the respective edges and/or faces of the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b of the housing 200, for example, prior to or during the steps of joining the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b, as will be disclosed herein.
In an embodiment where the housing 200 comprises two or more portions (e.g., as disclosed with reference to
Alternatively, referring to
Additionally, in an embodiment secondary connection 150 may be configured so as to be substantially fluid-tight. For example, in an embodiment, the housing 200 may comprise one or more seals, gaskets, a sealing adhesive, or the like at the interface between the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b. For example, in the embodiment of
In various embodiments, for example, as illustrated in
In an embodiment, the one or more seals 210 may be displaced within one or more recesses, grooves, slots or the like within the housing 200. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the one or more seals may be disposed onto the first fluid conduit 110a and/or the second conduit 110b and may be positioned to be at least partially covered by the housing 200. Upon establishing the secondary connection 150, in an embodiment, the one or more seals 210 may form a substantially fluid-tight interface (and define an inner sealed volume of the housing 200) between the inner surface of the housing 200 and the first fluid conduit 110a and/or between the inner diameter surface of the housing 200 and the second fluid conduit 110b. In an embodiment, the one or more seals 210 may be used to resist, impede, or prohibit movement of the housing 200 relative to the first fluid conduit 110a and/or the second fluid conduit 110b. Additionally, in such an embodiment, the one or more seals 210 may provide a fluid-tight and/or substantially fluid-tight seal preventing a route of fluid communication out of the axial bore 124 of the housing 200.
For example, in the embodiments illustrated in
Also disclosed herein are one or more embodiments of a wellbore servicing method utilizing the SCA 300, for example, as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, such a wellbore servicing method may generally comprise the steps of providing and/or assembling a SCA 300 and communicating a fluid via the SCA 300. In an additional embodiment, the wellbore servicing method may further comprise monitoring the SCA 300 for fluid leaks, draining the SCA 300, and disassembling the SCA 300.
In an embodiment, the step of providing and/or assembling a SCA 300 may further comprise the sub-steps of providing one or more fluid conduits 110, establishing a primary connection 100, and providing a housing 200 disposed around the primary connection, as will be disclosed herein.
As noted above, a plurality of fluid conduits and various connections between such conduits may be found at a wellsite. For example, in such an embodiment, various wellbore servicing equipment components may be generally positioned at a well site and may be attached to a wellhead of a wellbore, for example, for the purpose of performing one or more wellbore servicing operations. In such an embodiment, a plurality of fluid conduits (e.g., hoses, steel tubing) may be employed for transporting fluids (e.g., water, hydrocarbons, wellbore servicing fluids) throughout the well site (e.g., between various wellbore servicing equipment components). For example, in an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a may comprise of a hose and the second fluid conduit 110b may comprise an input and/or output valve of a tank. Alternatively, in an embodiment, a connection may be made between any wellbore servicing components, tubulars, and/or various other fluid conduits as disclosed herein and as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this application.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such fluid conduits, for example, various wellbore servicing equipment components, tubulars, or the like, may be transported to the wellsite and there assembled (e.g., fluidicly connected), for example, to yield a desired configuration (e.g., a “fracturing spread”).
In an embodiment, where the housing 200 comprises a unitary structure, as previously disclosed with reference to
In an additional embodiment, prior to establishing the primary connection, one or more seals, for example, a first seal 210a (e.g., an O-ring) may be introduced over and disposed onto the first fluid conduit 110a. Additionally, in an embodiment, a second seal 210b (e.g., an O-ring) may be introduced over and disposed onto the second fluid conduit 110b, as illustrated in
In an embodiment, establishing a primary connection 100 may comprise joining the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b. In such an embodiment, the first fluid conduit 110a may comprise a suitable first connecting interface 100a (for example, a sexless quarter turn coupling) and the second fluid conduit 110b may comprise a suitable second connecting interface 100b (for example, a sexless quarter turn coupling). In such an embodiment, establishing the primary connection 100 may comprise joining the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b.
In an embodiment, the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b may be positioned so as to engage one another and be joined. In such an embodiment, joining the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b may form a fluid-tight or substantially fluid-tight connection, thereby establishing the primary connection 100. Alternatively, the primary connection 100 may be established by any suitable methods, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure, so as to join any of the previously disclosed connection types and/or configurations.
For example, in an embodiment where the first connecting interface 100a and/or the second connecting interface 100b comprise a male threaded coupling and a female threaded coupling (or vice versa), forming the primary connection 100 may comprise radially rotating the first connecting interface 100a with respect to the second connecting interface 100b about a longitudinal axis 400, such that the male and female threads become engaged. In another embodiment, where the first connecting interface comprises one or more exterior grooves and the second interface 100b comprises one or more cam arms, forming the primary connection may comprise inserting the male coupling within the female coupling and engaging the one or more cam arms of the female coupling with the one or more grooves of the male coupling, thereby applying a force to the male coupling (e.g., against a gasket within the female coupling) to form the primary connection 100. In another embodiment where the first connecting interface 100a and/or the second connecting interface 100b may comprise sexless couplings, forming the primary connection may comprise butting the first and second interfaces, 100a and 100b, against one another, thereby forming a common flow path, radially rotating one or both about a common longitudinal axis 400 to form the primary connection 100.
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b comprise outwardly flanged lips, forming the primary connection may comprise butting the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b against one another, thereby creating a common flow path, and introducing a collar comprising an internal groove over the flanged lips such that the flanged lips of the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b are retained within the groove of the collar. In an embodiment, the collar may comprise one or more threaded bores and may be fastened via one or more threaded bolts penetrating one or more threaded bores (or non-threaded bores and secured via threaded nuts) in the collar. In an alternative embodiment, the collar may be fastened via a latching mechanism. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the primary connection 100 may be established by introducing a plurality of threaded bolts penetrating a plurality of common threaded bores within the flanged lips of the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b.
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b may be butted against one another, thereby creating a common flow path, the primary connection 100 may be established by welding one or more bonds at the interface between the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the primary connection 100 may be established by introducing a restraint harness onto the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b. In such an embodiment, the restraint harness may forcibly pull the first connecting interface 100a and the second connecting interface 100b together via one or more threaded bolts penetrating one or more threaded bores (or non-threaded bores and secured via threaded nuts) within the restraint harness. Alternatively, the primary connection 100 may be established by any suitable methods as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure.
In an embodiment, providing a housing disposed around the primary connection may generally comprise positioning the housing 200 over, around, and/or substantially covering the primary connection 100 and establishing the secondary connection.
For example, in an embodiment where the housing 200 is axially joinable (e.g., as disclosed with reference to
In such an embodiment, with the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b positioned over/around the primary connection 100, the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b may be joined, for example, thereby establishing the secondary connection 150.
For example, in an embodiment where the housing 200 is axially joinable and the first portion 200a and/or the second portion 200b of the housing 200 may comprise a male threaded coupling and a female threaded coupling, forming the secondary connection 150 may comprise radially rotating the first portion 200a with respect to the second portion 200b, such that the male and female threads become engaged. In another embodiment, where the first portion 200a comprises one or more exterior grooves and the second portion 200b comprises one or more cam arms, forming the secondary connection 150 may comprise inserting the male coupling within the female coupling and engaging the one or more cam arms of the female coupling with the one or more grooves of the male coupling, thereby applying a force to the male coupling (e.g., against a gasket within the female coupling) to form the secondary connection 150. In another embodiment where the first portion 200a and/or the second portion 200b comprises sexless coupling, forming the secondary connection may comprise butting the first and second portions, 200a and 200b, against one another, thereby forming a common flow path, radially rotating one or both with respect to about the common longitudinal axis 400 to form the secondary connection 150.
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the housing 200 is axially joinable and the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b of the housing 200 comprise outwardly flanged lips, forming the secondary connection 150 may comprise butting the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b against one another, thereby creating a common flow path, and introducing a collar comprising an internal groove over the flanged lips such that the flanged lips of the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b are retained within the groove of the collar. In an embodiment, the collar may comprise one or more threaded bores and may be fastened via one or more threaded bolts penetrating one or more threaded bores (or non-threaded bores and secured via threaded nuts) in the collar. In an alternative embodiment, the collar may be fastened via a latching mechanism. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the secondary connection 150 may be established by introducing a plurality of threaded bolts penetrating a plurality of common threaded bores (or non-threaded bores and secured via threaded nuts) within the flanged lips of the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b. Additionally, in such an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise one or more seals 210 disposed within the union of the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b.
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the housing 200 is axially joinable and the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b of the housing 200 may be butted against one another creating a common flow path, the secondary connection 150 may be established by welding one or more bonds at the interface between the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the secondary connection 150 may be established by introducing a restraint harness onto the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b. In such an embodiment, the restraint harness may forcibly pull the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b together via one or more threaded bolts penetrating one or more threaded bores (or non-threaded bores and secured via threaded nuts)within the restraint harness. Additionally, in such an embodiment, the housing 200 may further comprise one or more seals 210 disposed within the union of the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b.
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the housing 200 is longitudinally joinable (e.g., as disclosed with reference to
Alternatively, in an embodiment where the housing 200 comprises a unitary structure (e.g., a sleeve as disclosed with reference to
Additionally, in an embodiment where the SCA 300 comprises one or more seals 210, the seals may be positioned at and/or within the interface between the housing 200 and the first fluid conduit 110a and/or the second fluid conduit 110. In an embodiment, the seals 210 may be positioned prior to establishing the secondary connection 150, for example, as disclosed above. Alternatively, the seals 210 may be positioned after the housing 200 has been positioned. For example, a swellable seal, as disclosed herein, may be loosely disposed at the interface and caused to expand, thereby providing a substantially fluid-tight seal, for example, via contact with a suitable fluid (e.g., water and/or a hydrocarbon). Alternatively, seals 210 may be formed, for example, by placing an expanding material (e.g., pressurized foam or expanding sealant) in a gap between the housing 200 or the fluid conduits.
In an embodiment, once the SCA 300 has been provided, a fluid may be communicated via the fluid conduits and the primary connection 100. For example, a servicing fluid (e.g., a stimulation fluid such as a fracturing fluid) may be transported into/from a wellbore via the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the SCA 300. In an alternative embodiment, a produced fluid, for example, hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and/or gas) may be transported from a wellbore via the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the SCA 300. In an alternative embodiment, water may be transported via the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the SCA 300. In an alternative embodiment, any suitable fluid may be transported via the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the SCA 300, as previously disclosed.
In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be monitored for fluid leaks, for example, during the time in which a fluid is communicated therethrough. For example, the SCA 300 may be monitored by monitoring and/or inspecting the primary connection 100 within the axial bore 124 of the housing 200 via a viewing window. In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be examined for fluid leaks and/or monitored for some duration of time, for example, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, or any other suitable duration of time.
In an embodiment, where the SCA 300 is found (e.g., as a result of monitoring the SCA 300) to contain a fluid (e.g., as may result from a fluid leak) the SCA 300 may be drained, for example, following a fluid leak contained within the sealed axial bore 124 of the housing 200. In such an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be drained via a drain port in the housing 200. In an embodiment, an adjustable bleeder valve may be opened to provide a route of fluid communication from of the housing 200 and/or to extract fluid from within the sealed axial bore 124 of the housing 200.
In an embodiment, following a wellbore servicing operation, the SCA 300 may be disassembled, for example, the SCA 300 may be disassembled and/or removed from the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the primary connection 100. In such an embodiment, the secondary connection 150 may be broken (e.g., unscrewing mating couplings) and/or the housing 200 may be removed. Additionally, in an embodiment, the primary connection 100 may be broken (e.g., unscrewing mating couplings). Further still, in an embodiment, one or more seals 210 may be removed from the SCA 300.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, a wellbore servicing method comprises a method of repairing a fluid leak utilizing the SAC 300. In an embodiment, such a wellbore servicing method may generally comprise the steps of identifying a leak and providing a housing 200 around the leak. In an additional embodiment, such a repair method may further comprise monitoring the SCA 300, and draining the SCA 300.
In an embodiment, a fluid leak may be identified from one or more fluid conduits and/or at a connection between the one or more fluid conduits, for example, a servicing fluid leak from a connection between a pressure hose and a tank outlet valve. In an additional or alternative embodiment, a leak may be identified from crack or fracture in a fluid conduit and/or at a failed fluid connection, for example, a fracture in a segment of steel tubing.
In an embodiment, a housing 200, for example, a longitudinally joinable housing 200 as disclosed with reference to
In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be monitored, for example, by monitoring the fluid leak within the contained , sealed axial bore 124 of the housing 200 via a viewing window. In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be examined and/or monitored for some duration of time, for example, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, or any other suitable duration of time, as previously disclosed.
In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be drained, for example, following a fluid leak within the axial bore 124 of the housing 200. In such an embodiment, the SCA 300 may be drained via a drain port in the housing 200, as previously disclosed. In an embodiment, an adjustable bleeder valve may be opened to provide a route of fluid communication from of the housing 200 and/or to extract fluid from within the sealed axial bore 124 of the housing 200.
In an embodiment, a SCA 300, a system comprising a SCA 300, and/or a connection method employing such a system and/or SCA 300, as disclosed herein or in some portion thereof, may be advantageously employed to prevent, repair, isolate, shield, and/or to monitor fluid leaks from fluid conduit connections. For example, in an embodiment, a SCA like SCA 300 enables a fluid leak from a first fluid conduit 110a, a second fluid conduit 110b, and/or a primary connection 100 between the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b to be contained within the sealed axial bore 124 of the housing 200 of the SCA 300. In an embodiment, the SCA 300 may also enable a fluid connection to be monitored for fluid leaks from the first fluid conduit 110a, the second fluid conduit 110b, and/or the primary connection 100 between the first fluid conduit 110a and the second fluid conduit 110b while decreasing the risk of loss of fluid as a result of such leaks. For example, following the SCA 300 installation, the integrity of the primary connection 100 may be monitored over some duration of time. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the SCA 300 enables the area proximate to the primary connection 100 to be shielded from a high velocity fluid discharge from the primary connection 100 by the SCA 300. Additionally, in an embodiment, the SCA 300 may secure the primary connection 100, for example, from being accidentally disconnected by an operator and/or equipment.
As may be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the SCA 300 can be incorporated onto new or existing connections and/or plurality of fluid conduits. Conventional methods of providing a connection do not provide a way to isolate and/or to contain fluid leaks from a connection. Additionally, conventional methods do not provide a way to shield against high velocity fluid discharges from a connection. Conventional methods also do not provide a way to secure a connection from an accidental disconnection. Therefore, the methods disclosed herein provide a means by which a fluid leak can be prevented, repaired, isolated, contained, and/or monitored.
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSUREThe following are non-limiting, specific embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure:
A first embodiment, which is a wellbore servicing operation connection system comprising:
-
- a first fluid conduit;
- a second fluid conduit, wherein each of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit is fluidicly connected to a wellbore servicing equipment component;
- a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; and
- a housing, generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
A second embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of the first embodiment, wherein the housing comprises two or more portions, wherein each of the two or more portions comprises an axial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
A third embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of the second embodiment, wherein the two or more portions are interlockable via a secondary connection extending radially around the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
A fourth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the third embodiments, wherein the housing comprises two or more portions, wherein each of the two or more portions comprises a radial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
A fifth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of the fourth embodiment, wherein the two or more portions are interlockable via a secondary connection extending longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
A sixth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of the fifth embodiment, wherein the housing further comprises a hinge along a longitudinal edge of a first of the two or more portions and a longitudinal edge of the second of the two or more portions.
A seventh embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the sixth embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a varying axial bore diameter.
An eighth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the seventh embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a variable axial bore diameter.
A ninth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the seventh embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a rigid or substantially rigid structure.
A tenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the eighth embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a flexible structure.
An eleventh embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one of the first through the tenth embodiments, wherein the housing further comprises a drain plug selectively configurable to allow a route of fluid communication from the axial bore of the housing to the exterior of the housing.
A twelfth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of one or the first through the eleventh embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a viewing window configured to allow visual inspection of an interior of the housing.
A thirteenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing operation connection system of on of the first through the twelfth embodiments, further comprising one or more seals, wherein the one or more seals are disposed at an interface between the first fluid conduit and the housing, at an interface between the second fluid conduit and the housing, or combinations thereof.
A fourteenth embodiment, which is a wellbore servicing method comprising:
-
- providing a first wellbore servicing equipment component, the first wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a first fluid conduit;
- providing a second wellbore servicing equipment component, the second wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a second fluid conduit;
- establishing a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; and
- providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
A fifteenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the fourteenth embodiment, wherein providing the housing comprises:
-
- positioning a first housing portion and a second housing portion so as to substantially enclose the primary connection; and
- establishing a secondary connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
A sixteenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein the first housing portion is positioned around the first fluid conduit and the second housing portion is positioned around the second fluid conduit prior to establishing the primary connection.
A seventeenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein the secondary connection extends radially around the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
An eighteenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are positioned around the primary connection after the primary connection has been established.
A nineteenth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the eighteenth embodiment, wherein the secondary connection extends longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
A twentieth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of one of the fourteenth through the nineteenth embodiments, further comprising communicating fluid via the first fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit, and the primary connection.
A twenty-first embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the twentieth embodiment, further comprising monitoring the primary connection during at least a portion of the duration over which a fluid is communicated there through.
A twenty-second embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the twentieth embodiment, further comprising draining a fluid from the housing via a drain plug.
A twenty-third embodiment, which is a wellbore servicing method comprising:
-
- providing a primary connection which provides a route of fluid communication between a first wellbore servicing equipment component and a second fluid conduit;
- identifying a fluid leak from the primary connection; and
- providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection to contain the fluid leak.
A twenty-fourth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of the twenth-third embodiment, wherein providing the housing comprises:
-
- positioning a first housing portion and a second housing portion so as to substantially enclose the primary connection, wherein each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion comprises a radial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
- establishing a secondary connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the secondary connection extends longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
A twenty-fifth embodiment, which is the wellbore servicing method of one of the twenty-third through the twenty-fourth embodiments, further comprising draining a fluid from the housing via a drain plug.
While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R1, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=R1+k*(Ru−R1), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.
Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the embodiments of the present invention. The discussion of a reference in the Detailed Description of the Embodiments is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.
Claims
1. A wellbore servicing operation connection system comprising:
- a first fluid conduit;
- a second fluid conduit, wherein each of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit is fluidicly connected to a wellbore servicing equipment component;
- a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; and
- a housing, generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
2. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises two or more portions, wherein each of the two or more portions comprises an axial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
3. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 2, wherein the two or more portions are interlockable via a secondary connection extending radially around the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
4. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises two or more portions, wherein each of the two or more portions comprises a radial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
5. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 4, wherein the two or more portions are interlockable via a secondary connection extending longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
6. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises a hinge along a longitudinal edge of a first of the two or more portions and a longitudinal edge of the second of the two or more portions.
7. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a varying axial bore diameter.
8. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a variable axial bore diameter.
9. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rigid or substantially rigid structure.
10. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a flexible structure.
11. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a drain plug selectively configurable to allow a route of fluid communication from the axial bore of the housing to the exterior of the housing.
12. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a viewing window configured to allow visual inspection of an interior of the housing.
13. The wellbore servicing operation connection system of claim 1, further comprising one or more seals, wherein the one or more seals are disposed at an interface between the first fluid conduit and the housing, at an interface between the second fluid conduit and the housing, or combinations thereof.
14. A wellbore servicing method comprising:
- providing a first wellbore servicing equipment component, the first wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a first fluid conduit;
- providing a second wellbore servicing equipment component, the second wellbore servicing equipment component being in fluid communication with a second fluid conduit;
- establishing a primary connection between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, wherein the primary connection provides a route of fluid communication between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; and
- providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection.
15. The wellbore servicing method of claim 14, wherein providing the housing comprises:
- positioning a first housing portion and a second housing portion so as to substantially enclose the primary connection; and
- establishing a secondary connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
16. The wellbore servicing method of claim 15, wherein the first housing portion is positioned around the first fluid conduit and the second housing portion is positioned around the second fluid conduit prior to establishing the primary connection.
17. The wellbore servicing method of claim 16, wherein the secondary connection extends radially around the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
18. The wellbore servicing method of claim 15, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are positioned around the primary connection after the primary connection has been established.
19. The wellbore servicing method of claim 18, wherein the secondary connection extends longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
20. The wellbore servicing method of claim 14, further comprising communicating fluid via the first fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit, and the primary connection.
21. The wellbore servicing method of claim 20, further comprising monitoring the primary connection during at least a portion of the duration over which a fluid is communicated there through.
22. The wellbore servicing method of claim 20, further comprising draining a fluid from the housing via a drain plug.
23. A wellbore servicing method comprising:
- providing a primary connection which provides a route of fluid communication between a first wellbore servicing equipment component and a second fluid conduit;
- identifying a fluid leak from the primary connection; and
- providing a housing generally defining an axial bore with respect to a longitudinal axis and substantially enclosing the primary connection to contain the fluid leak.
24. The wellbore servicing method of claim 23, wherein providing the housing comprises:
- positioning a first housing portion and a second housing portion so as to substantially enclose the primary connection, wherein each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion comprises a radial portion of the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
- establishing a secondary connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the secondary connection extends longitudinally along the housing with respect to the longitudinal axis.
25. The wellbore servicing method of claim 23, further comprising draining a fluid from the housing via a drain plug.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 16, 2012
Publication Date: Apr 17, 2014
Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. (Houston, TX)
Inventor: Kevin W. HALLIBURTON (Tomball, TX)
Application Number: 13/653,158
International Classification: E21B 17/02 (20060101); E21B 47/10 (20120101); E21B 43/00 (20060101);