WO2015080593A2 - Dispositif de déblocage de sécurité - Google Patents

Dispositif de déblocage de sécurité Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015080593A2
WO2015080593A2 PCT/NO2014/050217 NO2014050217W WO2015080593A2 WO 2015080593 A2 WO2015080593 A2 WO 2015080593A2 NO 2014050217 W NO2014050217 W NO 2014050217W WO 2015080593 A2 WO2015080593 A2 WO 2015080593A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
release device
safety release
drill pipe
stop means
safety
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NO2014/050217
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2015080593A3 (fr
Inventor
Kristian AUTHEN
Peter Erik JENKINS
Vegard MARTINSEN
Sveinung ERIKSRUD
Rodney PECK
Harald Holden
Trond PYTTE
Stefano MARCOLONGO
Jo Espen RØNNINGEN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
4Subsea AS
Original Assignee
4Subsea AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 4Subsea AS filed Critical 4Subsea AS
Publication of WO2015080593A2 publication Critical patent/WO2015080593A2/fr
Publication of WO2015080593A3 publication Critical patent/WO2015080593A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
    • E21B17/06—Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a safety release device for any operation where a load is carried or pulled, e.g. drilling operations, lifting operations with the help of cranes, anchoring operations, tethering operations, towing operations and pulling operations.
  • a drill pipe string, hoist rope, guy line, tether, pulling rope etc. is connected between at least to objects in order to drill, carry, lift, pull, anchor or tether.
  • the load on one or more parts of the system may reach such high magnitude that the integrity of the equipment or structures involved may be compromised, possibly resulting in equipment failure, operation delays, costly operation interruptions and health, safety and environment risks.
  • a safety release device that will yield when some predetermined maximum force or load is reached or exceeded.
  • One such device is a weak link, where a weakening or releasing function is provided in by the equipment used, and which is set to yield or release when a predetermined maximum force or load is reached or exceeded.
  • Conventional weak links typically comprise a weakening cut or the inclusion of a weaker material somewhere in the safety release mechanism, wherein the weak link breaks when the predetermined maximum load is reached or approached. This requires full scale qualification testing in order to document repeatability (since there will be a spread in obtained release load). The tested elements cannot be used afterwards. The tests are destructive.
  • a drawback with conventional weak links that rely on material failure to activate is that it is difficult to achieve a system that fulfills normal safety margins against yielding or release during normal operations while at the same time releasing at a load below the maximum allowable load before the integrity of other components in the system is compromised.
  • One reason that these two requirements are difficult to achieve is the spread in material properties making it difficult to predict exactly when the weak link relying on material failure will release. Due to material ductility and deformation, the range of tensile forces that is necessary to break the weak link may vary a great deal. One may easily get into a situation where the weak link should break, but doesn't. Also, the integrity of a weak link may have been compromised without actual breakage occurring, resulting in uncertainty during further operations.
  • subsea drilling operations may be mentioned.
  • the integrity of the system is relying on the functionality of the heave compensator system on the rig or ship. This system ensures that the vertical motions of the drilling rig or ship is not transferred into the drilling pipe or landing string. If a failure in the heave compensator system occurs, or if the vertical motion of the rig or ship exceeds the compensating capacity of the heave compensator, the vertical motion of the ship will be transferred directly into the drilling pipe or landing string.
  • Christmas trees running of tubing using a simplified landing string, using well intervention risers or workover risers to either run production tubing or to perform other intervention work on a subsea well.
  • Many similar scenarios can be foreseen.
  • the present invention relates to a safety release device that primarily does not rely on material failure.
  • the present relates to a safety release device that more precisely can be set to the correct and desired release force in advance.
  • the present relates to a safety release device that leaves a predictable connection interface after disconnect.
  • Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows an exploded sectional view of the same embodiment as fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows in detail a possible embodiment of a release mechanism
  • Fig. 4 shows in detail another possible embodiment of a release mechanism
  • Fig. 5 shows a possible pressure equalizing arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention, where the safety release device is arranged in a wire line system
  • Fig. 7 shows in detail another possible embodiment of a release mechanism
  • Figs. 8 and 9 show first and second interlocking members for provision of a strong mode functionality, in which strong mode the safety release device cannot release.
  • Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of safety release device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention where the safety release device 1 is arranged in-line in a drill string, comprising a drill pipe box connection 2 and a drill pipe pin connection 3.
  • the drill pipe box connection 2 comprises a first spline 4 which is arranged to mate with a corresponding second spline 25 (as shown in Fig. 2) inside the drill pipe box section 2, in order to transfer torque across the safety release device.
  • the first and second splines 4, 25 may be omitted and first 26 and second 27 interlocking means (shown in Figs.
  • the first and second interlocking means 26, 27 are configured to be relatively rotatable such that in a first relative position, they interlock to prevent the drill pipe pin connection 3 to be moved away from the drill pipe box connection 2, and such that in a second relative position, the drill pipe pin connection 3 is movable away from the drill pipe box connection 2.
  • the passages or recesses 32 allow the first interlocking means 26 to be axially moved when in the second position.
  • the second interlocking means 27 are provided on the closing cap 16, although in other embodiments, the first interlocking means 26 could be provided elsewhere on the drill pipe box connector 2.
  • the drill pipe pin connection 3 is arranged to be inserted into the drill pipe box connection 2 and be connected and fastened to a locking sleeve 5 by means of an appropriate number of latch bolts 6.
  • the latch bolts 6 comprise a tapered portion 31 and are arranged to mate into corresponding tapered grooves 11 in the drill pipe pin connection 3. This is shown in figures 1, 2 and 3.
  • the latch bolts 6 are not aligned with latch bolt ejection apertures 7, such that the latch bolts 6 are trapped between the drill pipe box connection 2 and a drill pipe pin connection 3 to prevent the drill pipe pin connection 3 to be released.
  • the locking sleeve 5 has been forced to move such the latch bolts 6 are aligned with the with latch bolt ejection apertures 7, wherein the latch bolts 6 will move, or be ejected, radially outwards through the latch bolt ejection apertures 7, effectively releasing the drill pipe pin connection 3 from the pipe box connection 2.
  • the ejection is in this embodiment effected by virtue of the interaction between the tapered portion 31 and the corresponding tapered grooves 11 together forcing the latch bolts 6 radially outwards, although other mechanisms for release of the drill pipe pin connection 3 according to other embodiments are feasible within the scope of the present invention, some embodiments of which will be further described below.
  • drill pipe box connection 2 is intact and substantially undamaged, facilitating future reconnecting/fishing of the lower part of the drill string which now has been left unattached below the drilling rig either inside a marine riser or in open water, or above the drill floor on the drilling rig depending on where the safety release device was located at the time of release.
  • Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a release mechanism, similar to the one of fig. 1.
  • Figure 4 shows another possible embodiment of a release mechanism comprising at least one oval, circular, or egg shaped latch body 12 mating into at least one suitably shaped corresponding groove 13 in the drill pipe pin connection 3.
  • the oval, circular, or egg shaped latch body 12 eventually will align with the ejection aperture 7, whereupon the shape of the groove 13 and the oval, circular, or egg shaped latch body 12 will ensure that the oval, circular, or egg shaped latch body 12 is ejected though the ejection aperture 7 and the drill pipe pin connection 3 is released from the drill pipe box connection 2.
  • the safety release device comprises a stop means configured to withstand a predetermined threshold of applied pull force and thereby prevent movement of the first member from its locking position towards its release position unless the predetermined force is exceeded.
  • the stop means comprises a spring 14 configured to bias the first member in its locking position towards the second member.
  • the stop means determines the release tensile force required to move the release mechanism, which comprises the latch bolts or latch bodies 6, 12, to the release position.
  • the biased spring 14 acts as a solid, rigid body until the predetermined compression force in the spring 14 is exceeded, where after the spring 14 acts as a compliant and resilient member.
  • the predetermined threshold of applied pull force is adjustable by selecting a spring 14 with a suitable spring constant, i.e. a spring 14 that is correctly dimensioned for the forces involved, and then adjusting the preloading of the spring 14 by screwing a make-up sleeve 15 to a desired axial position within the drill pipe pin connection (the make-up sleeve 15 is provided with external threads and the drill pipe connection 3 is provided with corresponding threads).
  • the preloaded spring 14 in the safety release device according to the embodiment shown in figures 1-4 with act as a solid, rigid body until a predetermined compression force is exceeded. Since the preloaded spring 14 is trapped between the locking sleeve 5 and the make-up sleeve 15 and closing cap 16, ref. figure 5, the axial tensile force on the drill string will correspond to the compression force on the preloaded spring 14. As long as the axial tensile force on the drill string, and thereby the compression force on the preloaded spring 14 is below the predetermined threshold, the preloaded spring 14 will act as a solid, rigid body, and the safety release device will remain in the locking position and not disconnect.
  • the preloaded spring 14 will start to compress, effectively permitting the drill pipe pin connection 3 to be drawn upwards in relation to the drill pipe box connection 2, ref. fig 3, until the latch bolts 6 eventually align with the with latch bolt ejection apertures 7, wherein the latch bolts 6 are ejected radially outwards through the latch bolt ejection apertures 7. At this point, the drill pipe pin connection 3 is released from the pipe box connection 2.
  • string in this context is meant to cover various alternatives, e.g. drill pipe landing string, workover riser, casing riser etc. Possible operations include installation and pulling of well production pipes, completion strings, tubing hanger, Christmas tree etc. Furthermore, operations where the string is attached to a subsea installation are also included, e.g.
  • the safety release device comprises a first member and a second member insertable into and engageable to the first member, wherein disengagement of the first and second members requires pulling the first member away from the second member, wherein the safety release device comprises a stop means configured to withstand a predetermined threshold of pull force on the first and second members and thereby prevent movement of the first member away from the second member unless the predetermined force is exceeded, wherein the safety release device further comprises a release mechanism movable between a locking position in which it locks the first member to the stop means, and an release position in which it releases the first member from the stop means, wherein the release mechanism is configured to move from its locking position to its release position upon movement of the first member away from the second member.
  • the stop means comprises an intermediate member configured to break when the applied pull force exceeds the predetermined threshold.
  • the threshold force first has to be exceeded, where after the intermediate member breaks, such that the first member is free to move from its locking position to its release position.
  • the first member and a second member may correspond to the drill pipe box connection 2 and a drill pipe pin connection 3, respectively, the stop means may correspond to the pre-loaded spring 14, the release mechanism may correspond to the latch mechanism 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 etc.
  • the safety release device 1 allows a certain amount of pull force to be applied without releasing the first member 3 from the second member 2.
  • the pull force applied to the first member 3 is transferred to the release mechanism which in turn transfers the force to the stop means 14 which normally prevents movement of the first member 3 away from the second member 2.
  • the stop means 14 no longer stops the first member 3 from moving away from the second member 2, wherein the first member 3 starts moving away from the second member 2.
  • the first member 3 reaches its release position, wherein the release mechanism is released from first member 3 such that the first member 3 can freely leave the rest of the safety release device 1 without causing any damage.
  • the stop means 14 comprises a resilient member.
  • the resilient member In order to pull the first member away from the second member, the biasing force of the resilient member first has to be exceeded.
  • the resilient member provides an easy way of controlling the predetermined threshold of applied pull force. Further, by changing the resilient member to another resilient member with different material properties/values, such as stiffness/resiliency, it is possible to control the biasing strength and thereby the threshold.
  • the resilient member is a pre-loaded spring. The spring is advantageous, since its biasing power can easily be controlled by altering the compression of the spring, by adjustment of the axial position of a support member 15 or other abutment portion, in the above embodiment being the make-up sleeve 15.
  • a drill string has been run down a marine riser and through a BOP with a tool hanging off its end, where the tool is latched to the inside of the casing somewhere below the BOP, it is crucial that the tool is not ripped out of its position because it acts as an important well barrier. If an emergency situation should arise where the heave compensators lock up, the safety release device must disconnect. Assuming the drill string is 300 m long and the maximum tensile force the tool can bear is 2500 kN, a spring constant of 16 700 kN/m can be chosen, wherein the predetermined threshold is achieved by preloading the spring 14 with 2000 kN.
  • the release load for the safety release device is highly adjustable, based on project specific needs for each application (load resistance, water depth, pressure, vessel, operation etc.).
  • the release load is controlled by the pre-load in the system and is not dependent of other material properties than the module of elasticity in the element that is pre-loaded.
  • the release load is testable, repeatable, and does not require extensive material testing.
  • the release is nondestructive and allows for reuse.
  • the safety release device may be pressure balanced, avoiding (a possible) pressure in the string affecting the release load (this feature is described in closer detail below).
  • a machined spring a leaf spring, a stack of plate springs, compound spring, laminated spring, filament wound composite spring, rubber or elastomeric body or some other compliant and resilient member, or a combination thereof may be used, that acts as a mainly stiff member until a predetermined threshold of compression or tensile force is reached and/or exceeded.
  • the stop means may instead comprise a non-resilient body, such as a glass, ceramic or composite body, which is not necessarily biased, but which acts as a mainly stiff member until a predetermined threshold of compression or tensile force is reached and/or exceeded, wherein it breaks to allow movement of the release mechanism to the release position.
  • a non-resilient body such as a glass, ceramic or composite body, which is not necessarily biased, but which acts as a mainly stiff member until a predetermined threshold of compression or tensile force is reached and/or exceeded, wherein it breaks to allow movement of the release mechanism to the release position.
  • Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a fully assembled safety release device 1 according to the embodiments shown in figures 1-4.
  • a spring 14 has been inserted into the drill pipe box connection 2 on top of a locking sleeve 5 and a lower spring foot 17, the lower spring foot 17 comprising inner and outer seals 18, 20 in order to prevent flow from passing the lower spring foot 17.
  • the purpose of the inner and outer seals 18, 20, if present, will be explained in more detail below.
  • an upper spring foot 19, comprising inner and outer seals 18, 20 in order to prevent flow from passing the upper spring foot 19, is inserted before a threaded make-up sleeve 15 is threaded above the spring 14.
  • the make-up sleeve 15 may be used to preload the spring 14.
  • a closing cap 16 is threaded on top of the make-up sleeve 15.
  • the purpose of the closing cap 16 in this embodiment is to provide a tapered shoulder that prevents the drill string from getting stuck during tripping. It may also serve as a back-up for the make-up sleeve 15, e.g. in order to prevent the make-up sleeve 15 from unthreading/loosening.
  • Shown in figure 5 are also a number of apertures in the form of through holes 24 in the drill pipe pin connection 3, which allow for the fluid and pressure inside the drill string to be relayed into the annular intermediate space 9 that is in part occupied by the spring 14. Since the lower and upper spring feet 17, 19 both comprise inner and outer seals 18, 20, fluid leaks to/from the intermediate space 9 is mitigated. The lower and upper spring feet 17, 19 together with inner and outer sealing members 18, 20 form first and second sealing members 29, 30 having respective surface areas facing into the intermediate space 9.
  • Said surface areas of the first and second sealing members 29, 30 provide a respective area onto which the pressure from the inside of the drill pipe will exert forces that will counter the compression force that will act on the spring 14 due to pull apart of the drill pipe pin connection 3 and drill pipe box connection 2 and/or due to over pressure within the inner space 28 of the drill pipe pin connection 3.
  • This feature may be particularly useful if the safety release device is lowered to a location with a high or strongly varying fluid column pressure or pumping pressure, resulting in forces acting between the drill pipe pin connection 3 and drill pipe box connection 2 to force them apart, which forces may approach or even exceed the rated threshold of the safety release device and thereby cause unwanted release of the safety release device 1.
  • the tensile forces in the drill pipe walls that are generated by the fluid column pressure inside the drill string will scavenge on the initial rating of the safety release device.
  • a carefully designed intermediate space 9 with correctly dimensioned surface area of the first and second sealing members 29, 30, will provide a means for equalizing or offsetting the effect of the fluid column pressure and/or pumping pressure, whereby the release force of the safety release device will not be affected or reduced. This is important when deciding what force the safety release device is to release at, and when choosing the correct spring and preload. Without such an equalizing feature, the force at which the safety release device is to release becomes unsure, and safety margins in the one or other direction has to be implemented. It is understood that such an equalizing feature is not necessary when the safety release device is implemented in applications without internal fluid pressure, such as the following embodiment.
  • Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the safety release device is adapted for use on a wire line, hoist rope, guy line, tether, pulling rope or the like.
  • the safety release device is mounted in-line with a wire 21.
  • the pin connection 22 of the wire 21 may comprise a crimped sleeve provided with tapered latching grooves 11.
  • the embodiment shown in figure 6 corresponds, both functionally and in terms of parts used, to the embodiments shown in figures 1-5.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de déblocage de sécurité comprenant un premier élément et un second élément pouvant être inséré dans et accouplé avec le premier élément, le désaccouplement des premier et second éléments nécessitant la traction du premier élément en éloignement du second élément.Le dispositif de déblocage de sécurité comprend un moyen de butée conçu pour supporter un seuil prédéterminé de force de traction sur les premier et second éléments et empêcher ainsi un déplacement du premier élément en éloignement du second élément à moins que la force prédéterminée soit dépassée. Le dispositif de déblocage de sécurité comprend en outre un mécanisme de déblocage mobile entre une position de blocage dans laquelle il bloque le premier élément sur le moyen de butée et une position de de déblocage dans laquelle il débloque le premier élément du moyen de butée, le mécanisme de déblocage étant configuré pour se déplacer de sa position de blocage à sa position de déblocage lors d'un déplacement du premier élément en éloignement du second élément.
PCT/NO2014/050217 2013-11-28 2014-11-20 Dispositif de déblocage de sécurité Ceased WO2015080593A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20131576 2013-11-28
NO20131576A NO339511B1 (no) 2013-11-28 2013-11-28 Sikkerhetsutløsningsinnretning

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015080593A2 true WO2015080593A2 (fr) 2015-06-04
WO2015080593A3 WO2015080593A3 (fr) 2015-08-27

Family

ID=52103147

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2014/050217 Ceased WO2015080593A2 (fr) 2013-11-28 2014-11-20 Dispositif de déblocage de sécurité

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NO (1) NO339511B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015080593A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2708100A (en) * 1951-06-01 1955-05-10 Wayne N Sutliff Safety joint for oil well drilling stems
US3136366A (en) * 1958-08-22 1964-06-09 Brown Coupling devices
FR1589366A (fr) * 1967-10-06 1970-03-31
US4281722A (en) * 1979-05-15 1981-08-04 Long Year Company Retractable bit system
US5158142A (en) * 1991-06-27 1992-10-27 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Apparatus for releasing a pipe string from an object stuck downhole by continuously applying tension to said apparatus
NO303351B1 (no) * 1997-01-27 1998-06-29 Thor Bjoernstad Frigj÷ringsutstyr for borestreng
NO310525B1 (no) * 1999-08-30 2001-07-16 Bakke Technology As Utlösbar koplingsanordning
GB0515073D0 (en) * 2005-07-22 2005-08-31 Moyes Peter B Improved connector

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20131576A1 (no) 2015-05-29
WO2015080593A3 (fr) 2015-08-27
NO339511B1 (no) 2016-12-27

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