Method and apparatus for coiled tubing inspection

• US 5,303,592 A
• Filed: 12/05/1991
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Waylon A. Livingston
• Original Assignee: Waylon A. Livingston
• Inventors: Livingston, Waylon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US07/802,536
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 73/151, 73/155, 73/622
• US Class Current: 73/622
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2634 cylindrical from outside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/27 by moving the material relative to a stationary sensor

Abstract

An inspection head for continuous acoustic energy inspection of coiled tubing consisting of a generally cylindrical test head for receiving the tubing longitudinally therethrough while being sealed on each end to maintain fluid couplant circulation. A cylindrical test array is disposed within the head to receive the tubing while directing a plurality of radially aligned compressional wave acoustic sensors and single in-line, angularly oriented shear wave acoustic sensors. Analysis of the various signal returns enables derivation of ovality, inside wall pitting, outside wall pitting, wall thickness, and transverse and/or longitudinal flaws.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing of continuous tubing at a well site adjacent to a well bore, comprising:

an elongate housing securely supported between a source of continuous tubing and the well bore to receive the tubing therethrough;

first and second resilient sealing means secured on opposite ends of said elongate housing and each receiving said continuous tubing therethrough in sealed manner;

an acoustic energy test array having generally cylindrical form being disposed in alignment between said first and second resilient sealing means to receive the continuous tubing axially;

plural, equi-spaced, circumferentially placed acoustic energy sensors disposed in radial alignment around said test array and being operative for determining the degree of ovality of said continuous tubing;

compartmentation means within said elongate housing having couplant fluid input and output and extending through said test array and between said first and second resilient sealing means to surround said continuous tubing; and

couplant fluid continually flowing through said compartmentation means.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

an air-tight electronic housing having a communication conduit connected to said elongate housing;

a second compartmentation means within said elongate housing in communication with said conduit and enveloping each of said acoustic energy sensors; and

purging means for circulating non-combustible gas through said electronic housing and the second compartmentation means including all electrical connectors.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:

a plurality of pulser/pre-amp circuits mounted in said electronic housing and connected through said conduit to a respective one of said plurality of acoustic sensors.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second resilient sealing means each comprise:

plural, elastomeric discs having a round central hole that when under compression is slightly smaller in diameter than said continuous tubing.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 which is further characterized to include:

first and second pairs of spaced rollers each mounted adjacent the respective first and second sealing means in contact with and directing said continuous tubing.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:

a multi-conductor cable having a first multi-contact connector;

a second multi-contact connector at said electronic housing for mating engagement with the first multi-contact connector; and

a receptacle enclosure sealingly secured to said electronic housing to enclose said first and second multi-contact connectors and maintain sealed within the circulating non-combustible gas.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim which is further characterized to include:

a second acoustic energy sensor disposed in said test array as directed radially but at a longitudinal angle of approximately 55°

to the axis of said test array for determining pitting of an outside surface of said continuous tubing.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which is further characterized to include:

a third acoustic energy sensor disposed in said test array as directed radially but at a longitudinal angle of approximately 70°

to the axis of said test array for determining pitting of an inside surface of said continuous tubing.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized to include:

first and second pairs of spaced rollers each mounted adjacent the respective first and second sealing means in contact with and directing said continuous tubing.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim which is further characterized to include:

a third acoustic energy sensor disposed in said test array as directed radially but at a longitudinal angle of approximately 70°

to the axis of said test array for determining pitting of an inside surface of said continuous tubing.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim which is further characterized to include:

first and second pairs of spaced rollers each mounted adjacent the respective first and second sealing means in contact with and directing said continuous tubing.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 which is further characterized to include:

first and second eccentric bushings rotatably supporting said first and second pairs of spaced rollers.

13. Apparatus for on-site testing of continuous tubing when fed from a spool source to a well bore, comprising:

a housing assembly adapted for enclosure around said continuous tubing;

first and second resilient seals disposed on opposite sides of said housing assembly and in alignment to receive the continuous tubing therethrough;

fluid-tight first compartmentation means enveloping said continuous tubing and extending between said seals,

a portion of said first compartmentation means being formed as a generally cylindrical test array frame disposed coaxially with said continuous tubing passing therethrough;

a plurality of acoustic sensors seated about the circumference of said test array frame and directed in radial alignment toward said continuous tubing;

a fluid couplant maintained within said first compartmentation means;

a plurality of pulser-preamp circuits connected to control respective acoustic sensors and provide a signal output; and

means for processing the signal output and determining the degree of ovality of said continuous tubing.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which is further characterized to include:

first and second pairs of rollers affixed adjacent said respective first and second resilient seals to receive said continuous tubing in firm roller contact therethrough.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which is further characterized to include:

a shear wave acoustic sensor means seated in said test array frame to provide indication of pitting along an outside surface of the continuous tubing.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which is further characterized to include:

a Lamb wave acoustic sensor means seated in said test array frame to provide indication of pitting along an inside surface of the continuous tubing.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said resilient seals each comprise:

plural plys of radially slit, elastomer seal rings secured in overlay and defining a central hole that is slightly less in diameter than said continuous tubing.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 which further comprises:

a compressor ring for closing the slit in said elastomer seal rings.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said housing assembly further comprises:

an upper half housing having a joinder surface bisecting first and second passages for receiving said seals;

a lower half housing having a joinder surface bisecting first and second passages for receiving said seals;

a sealing gasket for disposal between said upper half housing and lower half housing; and

means for rigidly securing the upper and lower half housings.

20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said resilient seals each comprise:

plural plys of elastomer seal rings secured in overlay and defining a central hole that is slightly less in diameter than said continuous tubing, each of said plys being split radially at a selected position.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said test array frame comprises:

a cylinder portion of selected diameter to receive continuous tubing therethrough;

a collar portion formed on one end of said cylinder portion coaxial therewith;

a plurality of equi-spaced, circumferal holes formed around the circumference of said cylinder portion for receiving radially directed acoustic sensors; and

first and second holes formed in the cylinder portion disposed in-line and directed radially but at longitudinal angles to the axis of the cylinder portion of 70° and

55°

respectively, said holes receiving first and second acoustic sensors.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein:

said radially directed acoustic sensors disposed in said circumferal holes each transmit a compressional wave; and

said first and second acoustic sensors disposed in said first and second holes each transmit shear waves.

23. A method for testing of continuous tubing at a well bore, comprising the steps of:

intercepting the continuous tubing between a reel source and the point of entry into the well bore;

maintaining a fluid couplant envelope at said point of interception as said continuous tubing moves therethrough;

effecting plural acoustic sensor operation within said fluid couplant envelope to determine any variations between orthogonal diameters of said tubing; and

indicating said variations between orthogonal diameters as a degree of ovality of said tubing.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 which is further characterized by steps of:

effecting a second acoustic sensor operation within said fluid couplant to determine and indicate any pitting of an outside surface of the tubing.

25. A method as set forth in claim 23 which is further characterized by steps of:

effecting another acoustic sensor operation within said fluid couplant to determine and indicate any pitting along an inside surface of the tubing.

26. A method as set forth in claim 24 which is further characterized by steps of:

effecting a third acoustic sensor operation within said fluid couplant to determine and indicate any pitting along an inside diameter surface of the tubing.

27. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein:

said plural acoustic sensor operation includes transmission of compression waves.

28. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein:

said second acoustic sensor operation includes transmission of shear waves.

29. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein:

said third acoustic sensor operation includes generation and detection of Lamb waves.

30. A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein:

said third acoustic sensor operation includes generation and detection of Lamb waves.

31. A method as set forth in claim 23 which is further characterized by the step of:

maintaining at said point of interception an envelope of Nitrogen in surround of all electronics components and electrical connections.