Jig for coupling or uncoupling drill string sections with detachable couplings and related methods

Abstract

A jig and method useful for coupling and/or uncoupling drill string sections. In some embodiments, the jig comprises a body having an outer surface for engaging a torqueing tool and a cavity extending from a first end to a second end of the body and an engagement means at the first end of the body. The engagement means may be dimensioned to non-rotationally engage an outer surface of a first end of a drill string section and the cavity may be sized to fit about a drill string section.

Claims

1. A method for torqueing a sub to couple or uncouple the sub to a drill string, the sub comprising a body comprising a first coupling at a first end thereof and a second coupling at a second end thereof opposed to the first end, the method comprising: coupling a jig to the first coupling of the sub, the jig non-rotationally engaging the first coupling; engaging a first torqueing tool to an uphole end of the drill string; engaging a second torqueing tool to an outer surface of the jig; using one or both of the first and second torqueing tools, rotating the jig and the first coupling relative to the drill string to couple the sub to or uncouple the sub from the uphole end of the drill string; and coupling an additional drill string segment to the second coupling of the sub; wherein coupling the additional drill string segment to the second coupling of the sub comprises: non-rotationally engaging a wrench to the second coupling of the sub; uncoupling the first torqueing tool from the drill string and coupling the wrench to the first torqueing tool; uncoupling the second torqueing tool from the jig and engaging the additional drill string segment with the second torqueing tool; and using one or both of the first and second torqueing tools, rotating the additional drill string segment relative to the second coupling of the sub to couple the additional drill string segment to or uncouple the additional drill string segment from the sub.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the jig comprises a body having a cylindrical outer surface and defines a cavity wherein coupling the jig to the first coupling of the sub comprises introducing at least part of the body of the sub into the cavity of the jig.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein coupling the jig to the first coupling of the sub comprises engaging opposed flats of the jig to opposed flats on the first coupling of the sub.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the first coupling of the sub is removable from the body of the sub.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the body of the sub is subjected to no torque while rotating the additional drill string segment relative to the second coupling of the sub.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first torqueing tool comprises a rotary table.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second torqueing tool comprises a rotary table.

8. A method for torqueing a sub to couple or uncouple the sub to a drill string, the sub comprising a body comprising a first coupling at a first end thereof and a second coupling at a second end thereof opposed to the first end, the method comprising: coupling a jig to the first coupling of the sub, the jig non-rotationally engaging the first coupling; engaging a first torqueing tool to an uphole end of the drill string; engaging a second torqueing tool to an outer surface of the jig; and using one or both of the first and second torqueing tools, rotating the jig and the first coupling relative to the drill string to couple the sub to or uncouple the sub from the uphole end of the drill string; wherein the second coupling of the sub is removable from the body of the sub.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the body of the sub is subjected to no torque while rotating the jig and the first coupling relative to the drill string.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drilling operation.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a section of drill pipe according to an example embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial isometric view of the pin shown in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the box shown in FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a jig according to an example embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the drill pipe shown in FIG. 2 inserted through the jig shown in FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the drill pipe and jig shown in FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a wrench according to an example embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of the wrench shown in FIG. 8 fit around the pin shown in FIG. 2.

(11) FIG. 10 is a rear view of the wrench and pin shown in FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 11 is a front isometric view of the wrench shown in FIG. 8 fit around the box shown in FIG. 2.

(13) FIG. 12 is a rear view of the wrench and box shown in FIG. 11.

(14) FIG. 13 is a front isometric view showing wrenches like the one shown in FIG. 8, fitted to engage each of the pin and the box shown in FIG. 2.

(15) FIG. 14 is a rear isometric view of a wrench according to an example embodiment of the invention fit around the pin shown in FIG. 2.

(16) FIG. 15 is a schematic view of first and second torqueing tools used to couple the drill pipe shown in FIG. 2 to a drill string.

(17) FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the drill pipe shown in FIG. 2 in combination with the jig shown in FIG. 5 and the wrench shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION

(18) Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. The following description of examples of the technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system to the precise forms of any example embodiment. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

(19) FIG. 1 shows schematically an example drilling operation. A drill rig 10 drives a drill string 12 which includes sections of drill pipe that extend to a drill bit 14. The illustrated drill rig 10 includes a derrick 10A, a rig floor 10B, and draw works 10C for supporting the drill string. Drill bit 14 is larger in diameter than the drill string above the drill bit. An annular region 15 surrounding the drill string is typically filled with drilling fluid. The drilling fluid is pumped through a bore in the drill string to the drill bit and returns to the surface through annular region 15 carrying cuttings from the drilling operation. As the well is drilled, a casing 16 may be made in the well bore. A blow out preventer 17 is supported at a top end of the casing. The drill rig illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example only. The methods and apparatus described herein are not specific to any particular type of drill rig.

(20) FIG. 2 shows an example sub 20 including a pin 21, a box 40, and a body 22. Any of a wide range of downhole systems may be provided in compartments within sub 20.

(21) Sub 20 may be coupled into a drill string by coupling pin 21 and box 40 to adjacent drill string sections. In some cases, it may be desirable to avoid rough handling of the body 22 of sub 20 between pin 21 and box 40. For example, body 22 may have walls thinner than normally provided in drill collars to provide room for one or more downhole systems. To facilitate handling sub 20 without damage while coupling sub 20 to or uncoupling sub 20 from a drill string, sub 20 provides tool engagement features adjacent to one or both of box 40 and pin 21. These tool engagement features are configured to transmit torque to sub 20 from a jig or wrench that can, in turn, be gripped by a power tong, a rotary table, or other torqueing tool. Torque can be applied directly to a coupling (e.g. pin 21 or box 40) by way of the tool engagement features. This permits torqueing of sub 20 without risking damage to sub 20 that could otherwise occur as a result of the power tong, rotary table, or other torqueing tool applying clamping force and/or torque directly to body 22. Torque can be applied directly to box 40 or pin 21.

(22) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, pin 21 and box 40 comprise opposed flats 26 and 46, respectively, defined in the outer circumference of each of pin 21 and box 40 at a proximal end thereof proximate to body 22. In other embodiments, pin 21 and/or box 40 may comprise pairs of opposed flats, a square or hexagonal array of flats around the outer circumference of pin 21 and/or box 40, or any other tool engagement means commonly used in the art, for example a pinned engagement.

(23) In some embodiments, pin 21 and/or box 40 are provided on components that are detachable from body 22. Removing one or both of these components may provide access to an electronics package or other equipment inside sub 20 and may optionally provide a way to replace pin 21 and/or box 40. Replacing pin 21 and/or box 40 may be done to replace damaged couplings and/or to change one or both couplings to couplings of different types (for example, to permit sub 20 to be coupled to a specific drill string component).

(24) In some such embodiments, one or both of the component carrying pin 21 and the component carrying box 40 may be threadedly coupled to body 22. In such cases, applying torque to sub 20 by way of the tool engagement faces on the component carrying the box or pin being coupled into the drill string avoids the risks of over torqueing the connection between pin 21 or box 40 and body 22 or detaching pin 21 or box 40 from body 22 while trying to couple or uncouple sub 20 from a drill string.

(25) FIG. 3 shows pin 21 in greater detail. Pin 21 is connected to body 22 by a connection (not shown). A bore 22 extends through pin 21.

(26) Pin 21 may be connected to body 22 by, for example, a threaded connection. In other embodiments, pin 21 may be connected to body 22 by another connection commonly used in the art, for example, a pinned connection.

(27) In the illustrated embodiment, pin 21 comprises a tapered protrusion 23 having male threads 24 therearound. Threads 24 may correspond to female threads on a particular type of threaded coupling used on a particular section of drill string to which it is desired to attach sub 20. A set of different interchangeable pins 21 may be provided, each with different threads 24 for coupling to a different type of threaded coupling, wherein threads 24 match the threaded connection used to connect pin 21 to body 22. Threads 24 of different pins 21 may have different diameter, taper, pitch, cross-sectional shape, etc. Threads 24 may be API threads, ACME threads, etc.

(28) Pin 21 may be replaced if it becomes damaged (e.g. if threads 24 become overly worn or otherwise damaged) by uncoupling pin 21 from body 22. Pin 21 may be made of a material that is resistant to galling (e.g. beryllium copper) for enhanced wear-resistance.

(29) FIG. 4 shows box 40 in greater detail. Box 40 may be attached removably to body 22 by a suitable connection (not shown). A bore 42 passes through box 40.

(30) Box 40 may be connected to body 22 by, for example, a threaded connection. In other embodiments, box 40 may be connected to body 22 by another connection commonly used in the art, for example, a pinned connection.

(31) In the illustrated embodiment, the surface of box 40 defining bore 42 comprises threads 44. Threads 44 may correspond to a particular type of threaded coupling used on a particular section of drill string to which it is desired to attach sub 20. A set of different interchangeable boxes 40 may be provided, each with different threads 44 for coupling to a different type of threaded coupling, wherein threads 44 matches the threaded connection used to connect box 40 to body 22. Threads 44 of different boxes 40 may have different diameter, taper, pitch, cross-sectional shape, etc. Threads 44 may be API threads, ACME threads, etc.

(32) Box 40 may be replaced if it becomes damaged (e.g. if threads 44 become overly worn or otherwise damaged) by uncoupling box 40 from body 22. Box 40 may be made of a material that is resistant to galling (e.g. beryllium copper) for enhanced wear-resistance.

(33) FIG. 5 shows a jig 60 comprising a cylindrical body 62 and cavity 64. Cavity 64 of jig 60 is sized to fit around body 22 of sub 20 as best seen in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, jig 60 may be made in any shape or configuration suitable to fit around body 22 and having an outer surface suitable for being gripped by the tongs or power tongs used for coupling and/or uncoupling uphole drill pipe sections. Body 62 of jig 60 is strong enough not to be crushed when it is gripped and turned by power tongs. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, jig 60 further comprises opposed flats 66 defined in the surface defining cavity 64 at a distal end 67 of cylindrical body 62. Flats 66 are complimentarily dimensioned to engage flats 26 of pin 21 and/or flats 46 of box 40. In some embodiments, jig 60 may comprise opposed flats 66 at opposing ends 67, 69 of cylindrical body 62 to engage flats 26 of pin 21 and flats 46 of box 40 simultaneously. In some other embodiments, jig 60 may comprise an array of flats 66 complementarily dimensioned to engage flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20, as described above. In some embodiments, flats 66 and flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20 may be augmented by or replaced with complementary holes through which a pin or pins (not shown) may be inserted to secure jig 60 to sub 20.

(34) Jig 60 can be engaged with the flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20, wherein cylindrical body 62 extends around body 22 of sub 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, flats 66 of jig 60 engage flats 46 of box 40. For other applications, flats 66 of jig 60 may engage flats 26 of pin 21. In some other embodiments, flats 66 at distal ends 67, 69 of jig 60 engage flats 26 of pin 21 and flats 46 of box 40 simultaneously. In some other embodiments, flats 66 of a first jig 60 engage flats 26 of pin 21 and flats 66 of a second jig 60 engage flats 46 of box 40.

(35) FIG. 8 shows a wrench 70 comprising a U-shaped member 72 defining opposed flats 76 and cavity 78. Cavity 78 of wrench 70 is sized to fit around pin 21 and/or box 40. Wrench 70 may be made in any shape or configuration suitable to fit around pin 21 and/or box 40. Wrench 70 is configured to be mounted to a rotary table which may be used for coupling and/or uncoupling uphole drill pipe sections. For example, the outside of wrench 70 may be configured to be gripped by jaws of the rotary table. In alternative embodiments, wrench 70 may comprise pins or other features for non-rotationally engaging the rotary table.

(36) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, U-shaped member 72 defines opposed flats 76 in the surface defining cavity 78. Flats 76 are complimentarily dimensioned to engage flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20. In some embodiments, wrench 70 may comprise an array of flats 76 complimentarily dimensioned to engage flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20, as described above. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, pin 21 is inserted into cavity 78 of wrench 70 such that flats 76 engage flats 26 of pin 21. In other embodiments, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, box 40 is inserted into cavity 78 of wrench 70 such that flats 76 engage flats 46 of box 40. In some other embodiments, pairs of wrenches 70 may be engaged with pin 21 and box 40 simultaneously as shown in FIG. 13.

(37) In some embodiments, U-shaped member 72 includes apertures 74 at a distal end 73 thereof. As best seen in FIG. 14, when pin 21 or box 40 is inserted into cavity 78 of wrench 70, a latch 80 can be engaged with apertures 74 to extend across the opening of cavity 78 thereby preventing pin 21 or box 40 from disengaging from wrench 70 while wrench 70 is being used.

(38) To couple sub 20 to the uphole end of a drill string 12, jig 60 is engaged with the coupling at the downhole end of sub 20 (usually pin 21) for example by engagement with flats 26 and/or 46 of sub 20, as discussed above, as shown schematically in FIG. 15. Body 62 of jig 60 extends upwardly and around body 22 of sub 20. The upper end of the drill string 12 is gripped by a rotary table or other torqueing tool 90. Tongs or power tongs or another torqueing tool 92 can then be used to grip body 62 of jig 60 and to torque the downhole coupling of sub 20 to couple sub 20 to the drill string 12. Sub 20 is then at the uphole end of the drill string 12. To add another section to the drill string 12, wrench 70 may be engaged with the uphole coupling of sub 20 (usually box 40). A rotary table (not shown) on rig floor 10B can be used to grip wrench 70. When the rotary table is in a locked position, another drill string section may be torqued onto the uphole coupling of sub 20 using tongs or power tongs and/or rotation of the rotary table. Both of the above operations avoid applying torque between the couplings of sub 20 and the body of sub 20. Thus, loosening or removing the pin or the box from the body is prevented. Further, clamping the tongs directly to body 22 can be prevented to avoid damage to sub 20.

(39) The process may be reversed to remove sub 20 from a drill string. When it is necessary to uncouple a drill string section that is immediately uphole from sub 20, wrench 70 is engaged with the flats of the pin and/or box of the uphole coupling of sub 20. Wrench 70 is gripped in a rotary table. Tongs or power tongs can then be used to grip and unscrew the drill string section from the uphole end of sub 20. To uncouple sub 20 from the uphole end of the drill string, the drill string section immediately downhole from sub 20 is gripped by the rotary table and jig 60 is engaged with the downhole coupling of sub 20. Tongs or power tongs can then be applied to the body 62 of jig 60 to unscrew sub 20 from the drill string.

(40) The wrench and jig as described herein can also be useful in assembling or disassembling sub 20.

(41) When sub 20 needs to be coupled to a particular uphole section of drill string with a particular type of coupling, pin 21 and/or box 40 with appropriate threads may be selected and connected to body 22. Pin 21 may be removed from body 22 and replaced with a different pin when sub 20 needs to be coupled to a different uphole section of drill string with a different type of coupling. Pin 21 may be removed from body 22, for example, by unscrewing pin 21 from body 22 using wrench 70, jig 60, or any other tool engagement means commonly known in the art. In some embodiments, a rotary table and tongs may be used to disassemble and/or assemble sub 20 on the rig floor. For example, as shown schematically in FIG. 16, wrench 70 may be engaged with a coupling on one end of sub 20. Wrench 70 may be engaged with the rotary table. Jig 60 may be engaged with the coupling on the other end of sub 20. Tongs or power tongs may be engaged with body 62 of jig 60. Torque may be applied by turning the rotary table and/or jig 60 to remove and/or tighten one or both couplings (21, 40) from body 22 of sub 20. In some embodiments, particularly where couplings at both ends of sub 20 are removable, body 22 may be provided with flats or other tool engagement features to facilitate selectively taking off or putting on one of the couplings.

(42) Box 40 with appropriate threads may also be selected and connected to an opposing end of body 22. Box 40 may be removed from body 22 and replaced with a different box 40 when sub 20 needs to be coupled to a different section of drill string with a different type of coupling. Box 40 may be removed from body 22, for example, by unscrewing box 40 from body 22 using wrench 70, jig 60, or any other tool engagement means commonly known in the art.

(43) Interchangeable pin 21 and box 40 allow for replacement of a worn or damaged pin 21 and/or box 40 from body 22 and allow access to any systems inside body 22.

(44) While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof.

(45) Interpretation of Terms

(46) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims: comprise, comprising, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to. connected, coupled, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification shall refer to this specification as a whole and not to any particular portions of this specification. or, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. the singular forms a, an, and the also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms.

(47) Words that indicate directions such as vertical, transverse, horizontal, upward, downward, forward, backward, inward, outward, vertical, transverse, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, below, above, under, uphole, downhole, proximate, distal, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present) depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.

(48) Where a component (e.g. a circuit, module, assembly, device, drill string component, drill rig system, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a means) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

(49) Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

(50) It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.