METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TORQUE AND ROTATION TO CONNECTIONS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of connecting threaded tubular for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- rotating a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, wherein each of the threaded tubulars comprises a shoulder;
during rotation of the first threaded tubular;
calculating a rate of change in torque with respect to rotation; and
detecting a shoulder condition by monitoring the rate of change in torque with respect to rotation;
determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and
stopping rotation of the first threaded member when reaching a predefined rotation value from the shoulder condition.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made. In one embodiment, the applied torque and/or rotation are measured at regular intervals throughout a pipe connection makeup. When a shoulder contact is detected, a predetermined torque value and/or rotation value is added to the measured torque and/or rotation values, respectively, at shoulder contact and rotation continued until this calculated value(s) is reached.
41 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of connecting threaded tubular for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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rotating a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, wherein each of the threaded tubulars comprises a shoulder;
during rotation of the first threaded tubular;
calculating a rate of change in torque with respect to rotation; and
detecting a shoulder condition by monitoring the rate of change in torque with respect to rotation;
determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and
stopping rotation of the first threaded member when reaching a predefined rotation value from the shoulder condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for connecting threaded tubular members for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a power drive unit operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular;
a power drive control system operably connected to the power drive unit, and comprising;
a torque detector;
a turns detector; and
a computer receiving torque measurements taken by the torque detector and rotation measurements taken by the turns detector;
wherein the computer is configured to perform an operation, comprising;
rotating a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, wherein each of the threaded tubulars comprises a shoulder;
during rotation of the first threaded tubular;
calculating a rate of change in torque with respect to rotation; and
detecting a shoulder condition by monitoring the rate of change in torque with respect to rotation;
determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and
stopping rotation of the first threaded member when reaching a predefined rotation value from the shoulder condition. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of connecting threaded tubular for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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rotating a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, wherein each of the threaded tubulars comprises a shoulder;
during rotation of the first threaded tubular;
calculating a torque differential at regular rotation intervals, wherein the torque differential is an incremental change in torque divided by an incremental change in rotation; and
detecting a shoulder condition by monitoring the torque differential;
determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and
stopping rotation of the first threaded member when reaching a predefined rotation value from the shoulder condition.
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25. A method of connecting threaded tubular for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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rotating a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, wherein each of the threaded tubulars comprises a shoulder;
during rotation of the first threaded tubular;
calculating a rate of change in torque with respect to rotation;
detecting a shoulder condition by monitoring the rate of change in torque with respect to rotation; and
determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and
stopping rotation of the first threaded member when reaching a predefined rotation value from the shoulder condition if the threaded connection is acceptable.
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Specification