PIPE JOINT APPARATUS AND METHOD
A pipe joint apparatus includes a stabbing guide configured to protect a rim of a box of a first pipe end while guiding a second pipe end into the first pipe end. At least one actuator is configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working position where the stabbing guide does not guide the second pipe end into the first pipe end and a working position where the stabbing guide guides the second pipe end into the first pipe end.
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The present application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/680,896, filed on Aug. 8, 2012, entitled “Pipe Joint Apparatus and Method,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for making connections between pipes. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for guiding one pipe end into another.
2. Background of the Technology
Operations in an oil or gas well are normally carried out using tool strings made of “pipes” and other tools. The term “pipe” encompasses any tubular good that can be included in a tool string for the purpose of carrying out an operation in a well. A drill string is an example of a tool string used for drilling a well and is made up of drill pipes and other drilling-related tools. For a drilling operation, a rotary table or power drive, arranged above the well, engages the top of the drill string and rotates the drill string to drill the borehole. Periodically, drill pipes are added to the drill string, e.g., in order to make the drill string of sufficient length to reach the desired depth of the well. Periodically, drill pipes are also removed from the drill string, e.g., in order to change the configuration of a tool, such as a drill bit, in the drill string. Drill pipes are typically added to or removed from the drill string in the form of “pipe stands.” A pipe stand is made up of multiple connected pipes.
To add a new pipe stand to a pipe in a well, the new pipe stand is suspended over the pipe in the well by an elevator and then moved vertically towards the pipe in the well by draw-works. The lowermost end of the pipe stand includes a pin, and the uppermost end of the pipe in the well includes a box. To make a connection between the pipe stand and the pipe in the well, the pin has to be stabbed into the box. After the pin has been stabbed into the box, the pipe stand can be rotated to make up the connection. However, the threads on the pin or box or the sealing areas of the pin or box can be damaged if the pin is not property aligned with the box prior to the stabbing. To prevent this damage, a manual stabbing guide can be used to guide the pin into the box. This manual operation often requires personnel to be in close proximity to the well center during the stabbing process, which may be dangerous.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,235 (Jansch et al.) discloses an automated pipe joining system. In this system, a wrenching assembly is positioned above and centered with a first tubular body, and a stabbing guide is mounted on and centered with the wrenching assembly. While the stabbing guide is in the open position, a second tubular body is positioned above the first tubular body and near the center of the stabbing guide. The stabbing guide has two movable semi-circular segments. In the closed position, these semi-circular segments create a substantially circular inside diameter for at least partially encircling the second tubular body. The smallest inner diameter formed by the closed stabbing guide is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the second tubular body, which permits vertical movement of the second tubular body while substantially inhibiting horizontal movement. The pin of the second tubular body is guided into the box of the first tubular body when the stabbing guide is closed.
SUMMARYIn one aspect of the present disclosure, a pipe joint apparatus includes a stabbing guide configured to protect a rim of a box end of a first pipe end while guiding a second pipe end into the first pipe end. At least, one actuator is configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working position where the stabbing guide does not guide the second pipe end into the first pipe end and a working position where the stabbing guide guides the second pipe end into the first pipe end.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a pipe joint apparatus includes a stabbing guide having a pipe guard that is movable between a non-working position and a working position. In the working position, the pipe guard defines a first hole, a seat above the first hole, and a second hole above the seat that is axially aligned with the first hole. At least one actuator is coupled to the pipe guard for moving the pipe guard between the non-working position and the working position.
In one embodiment, the at least one actuator is remotely operable.
In one embodiment, the pipe guard comprises a pair of jaws. Each of the jaws has a first inner surface, a second inner surface, and a third inner surface. The jaws are movable between an open position corresponding to the non-working position and a closed position corresponding to the working position. In the closed position, the first inner surfaces define the first hole, the second inner surfaces define the scat, and the third inner surfaces define the second hole.
In one embodiment, the jaws are made of a material softer than steel.
In one embodiment, the stabbing guide further comprises a retainer removably coupled to the pipe guard. The retainer is made of a harder material than that of the pipe guard and provides support to the pipe guard.
In one embodiment, the pipe guard comprises a pair of jaws as described above and the retainer comprises a pair of retainer ring halves. Each of the jaws is coupled to one of the retainer ring halves via a removable joint, making the jaws disposable.
In one embodiment, the at least one actuator is coupled to the pair of retainer ring halves and rotation of the pair of ring halves by the at least one actuator moves the jaws between the open and closed positions.
In one embodiment, the pipe joint apparatus further includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the stabbing guide and operable to selectively translate and rotate the stabbing guide along and about a select axis.
In one embodiment, the pipe joint apparatus further includes a lubricator configured to sit on a pipe end and deliver a lubricant to the pipe end. The positioning mechanism is coupled to the lubricator and operable to selectively translate and rotate the lubricator along and about the select axis.
In one embodiment, the lubricator is spatially separated from the stabbing guide to allow selective positioning of the stabbing guide and lubricator at a select location by the positioning mechanism.
In one embodiment, the pipe joint apparatus further includes a translation mechanism for moving the stabbing guide, the lubricator, and the positioning mechanism between a parked position where the stabbing guide and lubricator cannot be selectively positioned at the select location and a use position where the stabbing guide and lubricator can be selectively positioned at the select location.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of guiding pipes on a drill floor includes suspending a first pipe within a hole in the drill floor such that a pipe end of the first pipe protrudes above the hole. The method includes suspending a second pipe such that a pipe end of the second pipe is above the pipe end of the first pipe. The method includes positioning a stabbing guide on the pipe end of the first pipe and actuating a pipe guard of the stabbing guide to a working position where the pipe guard defines a first hole in which the pipe end of the first pipe is received, a seat above the first hole that sits on a rim of the pipe end of the first pipe, and a second hole above the seat and axially aligned with the first hole. The method includes lowering the pipe end of the second pipe through the second hole into the pipe end of the first pipe while the pipe guard protects the rim of the pipe end of the first pipe from substantial contact with the pipe end of the second pipe.
In one embodiment, the method includes centering the second pipe with the first pipe prior to lowering the pipe end of the second pipe into the pipe end of the first pipe.
In one embodiment, the method includes delivering a lubricant to the pipe end of the first pipe prior to positioning the stabbing guide on the pipe end of the first pipe.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary of the disclosure and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the disclosure.
The following is a description of the figures in the accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art when embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features or processes may not be described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure. In addition, like or identical reference numerals may be used to identify common or similar elements.
In one embodiment, the positioning mechanism 122 includes a linear actuator 124 that provides linear motion along a vertical axis Y. Two arms 126, 128 are coupled to the linear actuator 124 (also see
The shapes of the arms 126, 128 may be such that the stabbing guide 118 and lubricator 120 are generally diametrically opposed about the vertical axis Y (also see
The linear actuator 124 can be operated to move the arms 126, 128 linearly along the vertical axis Y, where the stabbing guide 118 and lubricator 120 will move with the arms 126, 128. The linear actuator 124 can have any suitable configuration to provide the linear motion to the arms 126, 128. In one example, the linear actuator 124 includes a conveyor 130, such as a belt conveyor, that moves along the vertical axis Y and a fixture 132 that is coupled to the conveyor 130. The arms 126, 128 are coupled to the fixture 132. In another example, the linear actuator 124 includes a track that is oriented along the vertical axis Y and a carriage that travels along the track. In this second example that is not shown, the arms 126, 128 would be coupled to the traveling carriage. There are other types of linear actuators besides those mentioned above, e.g., a fluid-powered piston cylinder or screw-type linear actuator. The linear actuator 124 may respond to external control signals, which would allow for remote or automated control of the position of the arms 126, 128, and hence the position of the stabbing guide 118 and lubricator 120, along the vertical axis Y. The external control signals may take on any suitable form, e.g., mechanical, electrical, or radio. The stabbing guide 118 and lubricator 120 may have proximity sensors (not shown) to assist in determining When to stop moving the arms 126, 128. Alternatively, appropriately positioned mechanical stops can assist in determining when to stop moving the arms 126, 128.
The positioning mechanism 122 further includes a rotary actuator 134, whose output shaft or pin is coupled to the linear actuator 124. The rotary actuator 134 may be mounted below the linear actuator 124, as shown, or above the linear actuator 124. The rotary actuator 134 can have any suitable configuration to provide rotary motion. For example, the rotary actuator 134 may be an electric motor. The rotary actuator 134 can be operated to impart rotary motion on the linear actuator 124 such that the linear actuator 124 is rotated about the vertical axis Y by a predetermined rotational angle. As the linear actuator 124 is rotated, the arms 126, 128 to which the stabbing guide 118 and lubricator 120 are attached, respectively, will also be rotated. The angle of rotation can be selected such that either of the stabbing guide 126 and lubricator 128 is vertically aligned with the box (112 in
In the working position of the stabbing guide 118, the jaws 200a, 200b are brought together, i.e., moved to the closed position, such that the inner walls 202a, 202b are opposing and form an encircling wall 211. In this position, the surfaces of the lower vertical sections 202a3, 202a4 define a hole 203 in which a box can be received. The surfaces of the upper tapered sections 202a1, 202b1 and the upper vertical sections 202a2, 202b2 define a hole 204 in which a pin can be received. The hole 204 is axially aligned with the hole 203. The hole 204 is shaped to encourage a pin to fall into alignment with a box that is received in the hole 203. For example, the hole 204 may have a funnel shape. Also in the working position of the stabbing guide 118, the horizontal shoulders 202a4, 202b4 form a seat 205 that is designed to sit on the rim of a box received in the hole 203. The seat 205 is between the holes 203, 204. The seat 205 is generally annular in shape and will substantially cover the rim such that when the pin is being inserted into the box, the pipe guard will prevent substantial contact between the pin and the rim of the box.
The stabbing guide 118 also has a retainer 214 in which the pipe guard 200 is held. The retainer 214 is made of two retainer ring halves 214a, 214b. The jaws 200a, 200b are mounted on the inner surfaces of the retainer ring halves 214a, 214b, respectively, via removable joints, such as tongue-and-groove joints 216a, 216b. This arrangement allows the jaws 200a, 200b to be replaceable. The jaws 200a, 200b are made of a relatively soft material whereas the ring halves 214a, 214b are made of a relatively hard material 214a, 214b. Thus the retainer ring halves 214a, 214b provide support to the jaws 200a, 200b. The material of the jaws 200a, 200b will also be selected to be softer than the material of the pipes or the box and pin. This is so that if the pin hits the jaws 200a, 200b as it is being lowered into the box, any damage will be taken by the jaws 200a, 200b rather than by the pin. Typically, the pipes or the box and pin and the stabbing guide 118 will be made of a hard material such as steel. The jaws 200a, 200b can be made of a softer material such as plastic or soft metal, e.g., aluminum. In general, the material of the jaws 200a, 200b will be softer than steel.
Ears 206a, 206b, which are best seen in
Because the retainer ring halves 214a, 214b carry the jaws 200a, 200b, rotation of the ears 206a, 206b about the pivot joints 210a, 210b will result in rotation of the jaws 200a, 200b about the same pivot joints. By this arrangement, the jaws 200a, 200b can be moved between their open and closed positions. In the open position, the jaws 200a, 200b are separated from each other, as shown, for example, in
The cap 306 has a port 317 that is in communication with the inside of the drum 300 and through which lubricant or “dope” can be delivered to the inside of the drum 300. A tubing 318 couples the port 317 to a lubricant source (not shown), which may be located remotely from the lubricator 120. The drum 300 is perforated or has pores 320. Lubricant 322 received inside the drum 300 is distributed about the drum 200 and squeezed out of the pores 320 of the drum 300 via centrifugal force, which is provided by rotation of the shaft 310. In use, the lubricator 120 is vertically aligned with the box 112 using the rotary actuator 134 (in
In one embodiment, a linear actuator 420 is coupled to the link 414 of the front linkage 402 by a pivot joint 422. The linear actuator 420 can be operated to apply a push or pull force to the link 414 depending on the direction in Which the base frame 142 is to be moved. The push or pull force will cause the front linkage 402 to rotate about the pivot joint 418. As the front linkage 402 rotates clockwise, the base frame 142, which is coupled to the front linkage 402, will move to the right, i.e., in a direction towards the hole 104 (in
Each support arm 500, 502 carries a centralizer arm 504, 506, respectively. As shown in
It is envisioned that the pipe joint apparatus 100 can be controlled remotely or automatically so that it is not necessary for personnel to be near the well center, or hole in the drill floor, while potentially dangerous operations such as stabbing are being performed. The stabbing guide of the pipe joint apparatus 100 is configured to sit on the rim of a box so that it protects the rim of the box while a pin is being inserted into the box. By protecting the rim of the box, the stabbing guide also protects the pin.
Claims
1. A pipe joint apparatus, comprising:
- a stabbing guide configured to protect a rim of a box of a first pipe end while guiding a second pipe end into the first pipe end; and
- at least one guide actuator configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working position where the stabbing guide is not vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end and a working position where the stabbing guide is vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end.
2. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a lubricator configured to provide lubricant to the box of the first pipe; and
- at least one lubricator actuator configured to move the lubricator between a non-working position where the lubricator is not vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end and a working position where the lubricator is vertically aligned with the box of the first pipe end.
3. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
- a positioning mechanism coupled to the stabbing guide and the lubricator and is configured to position the stabbing guide and the lubricator in their non-working and working positions.
4. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 3, wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises:
- a conveyor configured to vertically move the stabbing guide and the lubricator; and
- a fixture coupled to the stabbing guide and the lubricator, wherein the fixture is coupled to the conveyor and is configured to move vertically along the conveyor.
5. A pipe joint apparatus, comprising:
- a stabbing guide comprising a pipe guard having an inner wall including an upper tapered section, an upper vertical section and a lower vertical section, wherein a horizontal shoulder is formed between the upper vertical section and the lower vertical section; and
- at least one guide actuator configured to move the stabbing guide between a non-working and a working position
- wherein the horizontal shoulder of the inner surface of the pipe guard at least partially covers a rim of a box end of a first pipe.
6. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pipe guard comprises two jaws that are configured to encircle the box of the first pipe, wherein the jaws include an open position and a closed position.
7. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an actuator configured to transition the pipe guard between the open position and the closed position.
8. A method for guiding one pipe into another, comprising:
- vertically aligning a stabbing guide of a pipe joint apparatus vertically over a box of a first pipe;
- covering a rim of the box of the first pipe with a pipe guard of the stabbing guide; and
- inserting a pin of a second pipe into the box of the first pipe.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising vertically aligning a lubricator of the pipe joint apparatus vertically over the box of the first pipe.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising lubricating the box of the first pipe using the lubricator of the pipe joint apparatus.
11. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stabbing guide comprises a pipe guard having an inner wall including an upper tapered section configured to receive a pin end of a pipe.
12. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inner wall of the pipe guard comprises an upper vertical section and a lower vertical section, wherein a horizontal shoulder is formed between the upper vertical section and the lower vertical section.
13. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 12, wherein the horizontal shoulder of the inner wall of the pipe guard at least partially covers a rim of the box of the first pipe end.
14. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pipe guard comprises two jaws that are configured to encircle the box of the first pipe end, wherein the jaws include an open position and a closed position.
15. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an actuator configured to transition the pipe guard between the open position and the closed position.
16. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide actuator comprises a rotary actuator configured to impart rotary motion to the stabbing guide.
17. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 16, wherein the rotary actuator is coupled to a linear actuator configured to move the stabbing guide linearly along a vertical axis of the linear actuator.
18. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one guide actuator is configured to vertically align the stabbing guide with the box end of the first pipe.
19. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one guide actuator comprises a rotary actuator configured to impart rotary motion to the stabbing guide.
20. The pipe joint apparatus of claim 19, wherein the rotary actuator is coupled to a linear actuator configured to move the stabbing guide linearly along a vertical axis of the linear actuator.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 25, 2015
Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P. (Houston, TX)
Inventor: Jaroslav Belik (Smithville, TX)
Application Number: 14/420,242