ROTATING ASSEMBLY FOR ALIGNMENT OF STRING TOOLS

Abstract

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubing joint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint. A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon, rotating the components to align with each other, and connecting the components operably to one another. A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

Description

BACKGROUND

In the drilling and completion industry, running strings having various components that require alignment with one another in order to properly connect with one another, communicate, convey fluid, etc. is an extremely common occurrence. Alignment of such components has invariably required timing of threads in adjacent tubulars forming the base string. The method has been perfected over many decades and works exceptionally well for aligning components needing such treatment but it also increases cost in manufacture, increases time in running the string, etc. With increasing complexity of strings being run, the requirements for alignment are not likely to ebb. The art would therefore be quite receptive to alternate methods for aligning components on adjacent joints without resorting to the timing of threads.

SUMMARY

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubing joint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint.

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon, rotating the components to align with each other, and connecting the components operably to one another.

A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two adjacent joints of tubing string having components thereon requiring alignment in an unaligned position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two adjacent joints of FIG. 1 with components thereon having been aligned;

FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2 but with a leakoff tube connecting the two aligned components;

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 but with jumper tubes and connectors illustrated;

FIG. 5 illustrates end rings of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of one end of one of the components to illustrate stopper rings; and

FIG. 7 is an alternate axial capture arrangement using a single stopper ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, two joints 10 and 12 of a tubing string 14 are coupled together with a coupling 16. A component 18 is disposed upon one of the joints and a component 20 on the other. While the components illustrated are shunt tube assemblies, the disclosure is not intended to be limited only to such assemblies but to any assembly that would require alignment including any ancillary fluid conveying tubular assemblies that form an extended fluid conveyance, communication lines that require alignment, etc. As illustrated, the components 18 and 20 each comprise a shroud 22, two shunt tubes 24 and 26, a leak off tube 28 and an end ring 30 and 32. While only one end ring is illustrated for each component, it is contemplated in some embodiments that an end ring 30 and 32 may be located on each end of such components. Rings 30 and or 32, in the illustrated embodiment have recesses 34, 36 and 38, respectively, for passage of the shunt tubes 24 and 26 and the leak off tube 28. The recesses are labeled in FIG. 5.

In each case, the components 18 or 20 are disposed over a joint 10 or 12 at a manufacturing location and then restricted in axial movement in that position by stopper rings 40 that are most easily seen in FIG. 6. Stopper rings 40 may be continuous or discontinuous members that are proud of the surface of each joint and are located on an end of a component. Stopper rings 40 are secured to the joint 10 or 12 by securement means such as welding, interference fit, snap ring in a groove, etc. Stopper rings 40 on both axial ends of a component 18 or 20 easily ensure axial restriction while allowing rotational movement. Alternatively, a single stopper ring 40 may be used if a component cannot otherwise move axially on a joint for other structural reason or if the stopper ring 40 itself is captured such as by securing a capture ring 42 (continuous or discontinuous) to end ring 30 with securement 44 such as fasteners, weld, etc. as shown in FIG. 7.

In any event, with the components secured axially but allowed to rotate on their respective joints 10 and 12, the joints 10 and 12 may be secured together by threaded connection, which may be a coupling 16 as shown or a pin and box connection, without regard for timing of threads. Making up the joints then is a rapid and conventional affair. The string and components will then appear as in FIG. 1. At this point, the components 18 and 20 may be rotated on the joints 10 and 12 respectively until the components are aligned. In this case, alignment is related to the shunt tubes 24 and 26 and leak off tube 28 of each of component 18 and 20. Once aligned, as shown in FIG. 2, connection hardware can be engaged with these components to create a fluid pathway. Connection hardware for the illustrated embodiment includes illustrated shunt tube jumpers 50 and 52 and leakoff jumper 54. Not illustrated but which will be appreciated as a part of the connection hardware to one of ordinary skill is another shroud to protect the jumper tubes. The shroud (not shown) that may be installed contemporaneously with the jumper tubes or shortly thereafter to protect the same for the trip downhole. A commercial embodiment of connection hardware is available from Baker Hughes Incorporated identifiable by Direct Pak Screen, product number H48654.

FIG. 3 illustrates the string 14 after the leakoff tube jumper 54 is installed and FIG. 4 illustrates the string 14 after the shunt tube jumpers 50 and 52 are added. These are all connected to shunt tubes and leak off tubes by individual connectors 56 and 58 for example, in one embodiment.

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment includes, threading adjacent joints together having components thereon; rotating the components to align with each other; and connecting the components operably to one another. In some embodiments connecting the components to one another includes the addition of connection hardware while in other embodiments, the components may be connected together directly.

Further contemplated herein is a downhole system comprising a string; and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string. The system includes one or more stop rings to restrict axial movement of components. As illustrated the system also includes screens 60 (best seen in FIG. 6) that are operationally cooperative with the components, which are shunt tube assemblies to perform a gravel packing operation.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubing joint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint.

Embodiment 2

The assembly as in any prior embodiment further comprising a stopper ring fixedly attached to the joint.

Embodiment 3

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the stopper ring is welded to the joint.

Embodiment 4

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component includes an end ring.

Embodiment 5

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein a cover ring is fixedly attached to the end ring trapping a stopper ring therebetween.

Embodiment 6

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component includes a portion requiring alignment.

Embodiment 7

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component is a shunt tube assembly.

Embodiment 8

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the shunt tube assembly comprises a shunt tube, a leak off tube and a shroud.

Embodiment 9

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon, rotating the components to align with each other, and connecting the components operably to one another.

Embodiment 10

The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the connecting includes engaging connection hardware.

Embodiment 11

A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

Embodiment 12

The system as in any prior embodiment further including one or more stopper rings to restrict axial movement of components.

Embodiment 13

The system as in any prior embodiment further including a screen in operable communication with one or more of the plurality of components.

Embodiment 14

The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the components are shunt tube assemblies configured to perform a gravel packing operation.

Embodiment 15

The system as in any prior embodiment further including jumper tubes configured to connect one component to the next component of the plurality of components.

Embodiment 16

The system as in any prior embodiment further including connection hardware.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

Claims

1. A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings comprising:

a tubing joint; and

a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a stopper ring fixedly attached to the joint.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stopper ring is welded to the joint.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component includes an end ring.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein a cover ring is fixedly attached to the end ring trapping a stopper ring therebetween.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component includes a portion requiring alignment.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component is a shunt tube assembly.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the shunt tube assembly comprises a shunt tube, a leak off tube and a shroud.

9. A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment comprising:

threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon;

rotating the components to align with each other; and

connecting the components operably to one another.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the connecting includes engaging connection hardware.

11. A downhole system comprising:

a string; and

a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 further including one or more stopper rings to restrict axial movement of components.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11 further including a screen in operable communication with one or more of the plurality of components.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the components are shunt tube assemblies configured to perform a gravel packing operation.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11 further including jumper tubes configured to connect one component to the next component of the plurality of components.

16. The system as claimed in claim 11 further including connection hardware.