Downhole swivel apparatus and method

• US 7,296,628 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
• Inventors: Caillouet, Kenneth G., Robichaux, Terry P., Robichaux, Kip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach; Thomas A
• Application Number:
  US11/284,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20060157253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 166/339, 166/363, 166/348, 166/367, 166/285, 166/291, 166/292, 166/255, 166/177.4, 175/5
• US Class Current: 166/339
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/01 Risers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/05 Swivel joints
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/001 specially adapted for underwater drilling dual gradient drilling E21B21/082
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/038 Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/06 Blow-out preventers , i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers rotating blow-out preventers E21B33/085
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/064 specially adapted for underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/085 Rotatable packing means, e.g. rotating blow-out preventers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0007 for underwater installations E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/12 Underwater drilling using heave compensators E21B19/09

Abstract

What is provided is a method and apparatus which can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve of the swivel.

Claims

1. A method of removing fluid from a well bore and riser, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) attaching a swivel to a drill string, the swivel including a mandrel and a sleeve, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel;

(b) inserting the swivel into the riser, the riser being fluidly connected to the well bore, the riser and well bore being fluidly connected to a blowout preventer, the blow-out preventer being located at a first level, the riser and well bore being at least partially filled with a first fluid, the first fluid being at a level in the riser which is above the first level;

(c) detachably connecting the blowout preventer to the sleeve thereby separating the first fluid into an upper section of the first fluid, located above the first level, and a lower section of the first fluid, located below the first level;

(d) displacing a portion of the lower section of the first fluid;

(e) displacing a portion of the upper section of the first fluid; and

(f) wherein in step “

a”

the sleeve includes at least one catch, the catch tending to restrict longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to the blow out preventer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in steps “

d” and

“

e”

a second fluid is used for displacement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

a second fluid is used for displacement.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein in step “

e”

a third fluid is used for displacement.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second fluid is the same as the third fluid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is drilling fluid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step “

d”

is performed before step “

e”

.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step “

d”

is performed after step “

e”

.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is rotated continuously for a set period of time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is rotated intermittently for a set period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is rotated reciprocally for a set period of time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is rotated between about sixty to ninety revolutions per minute.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is rotated at about ninety revolutions per minute.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is rotated continuously for a set period of time.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is rotated intermittently for a set period of time.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is rotated reciprocally for a set period of time.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is rotated between about sixty to ninety revolutions per minute.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is rotated at about ninety revolutions per minute.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the lower section of the first fluid in step “

f”

is displaced through a choke line.

20. The method of claim 3, wherein the second fluid is a completion fluid.

21. The method of claim 4, wherein the third fluid is a completion fluid.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the completion fluid includes calcium.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is kept at a constant longitudinal height.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is kept at a constant longitudinal height.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is reciprocated in a longitudinal direction.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is reciprocated in a longitudinal direction.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the drill string is reciprocated in a longitudinal direction and also rotated.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the drill string is reciprocated in a longitudinal direction and also rotated.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein between steps “

d” and

“

e”

the blowout preventer is disconnected from the sleeve.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein after step “

c”

the sleeve moves longitudinally relative to the mandrel.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

a”

the mandrel is fixed relative to the drill string.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

d”

the sleeve moves longitudinally relative to the blowout preventer.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

e”

the sleeve moves longitudinally relative to the blowout preventer.

34. The method of claim 1, where in the sleeve includes two catches which are spaced apart and which both tend to restrict longitudinal movement relative to the blow out preventer.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein each catch is radially symmetric relative to the sleeve.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein each catch includes at least one portion which is frustoconical.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the catches and sleeve are fabricated from a single piece of stock material.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the catch includes a contacting surface, the contacting surface having at least one opening or groove for allowing fluid flow across at least part of the surface.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “

a”

the sleeve includes at least one lubrication portion.

40. A swivel comprising:

(a) a mandrel having upper and lower end sections and connected to and rotatable with upper and lower drill or work string sections, the mandrel including a longitudinal passage forming a continuation of a passage in the drill or work string sections;

(b) a sleeve having a longitudinal sleeve passage, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings;

(c) a seal between upper and lower end portions of the mandrel and sleeve, the seal preventing leakage of fluid between the mandrel and sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes at least one catch, the catch tending to restrict longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to a blow out preventer when the swivel detachably connected to the blowout preventer.

41. The swivel of claim 40, wherein the sleeve includes two catches which are spaced apart and which both tend to restrict longitudinal movement relative to the blow out preventer.

42. The swivel of claim 41, wherein each catch is radially symmetric relative to the sleeve.

43. The swivel of claim 42, wherein each catch includes at least one portion which is frustoconical.

44. The swivel of claim 41, wherein the catches and sleeve are fabricated from a single piece of stock material.

45. The swivel of claim 40, wherein the catch includes a contacting surface, the contacting surface having at least one opening or groove for allowing fluid flow across at least part of the surface.

46. A swivel insertable into a drill or work string comprising:

(a) a mandrel having upper and lower end sections and connected to and rotatable with upper and lower drill or work string sections, the mandrel including a longitudinal passage forming a continuation of a passage in the drill or work string sections;

(b) a sleeve having a longitudinal sleeve passage, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings;

(c) a pair of spaced apart packing units between upper and lower end portions of the mandrel and sleeve, the packing units preventing leakage of fluid between the mandrel and sleeve, the packing units each comprising a rope seal; and

(d) the sleeve restricting fluid flow between its interior and exterior sections.

47. The swivel of claim 46, wherein each packing unit further comprises a female packing end and a male packing end.

48. The swivel of claim 47, wherein a chevron type seal is placed between the female and male packing ends.

49. The swivel of claim 46, further comprising a pair of packing retainer nuts threadably engaging the sleeve, each packing retainer nut engaging one of the packing units.

50. The swivel of claim 46, wherein the sleeve further comprises a protruding section, the protruding section engaging each of the packing units.

51. The swivel of claim 46, wherein the sleeve includes at least one catch, the catch tending to restrict longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to a blow out preventer when the swivel detachably connected to the blowout preventer.

52. The swivel of claim 51, wherein the sleeve includes two catches which are spaced apart and which both tend to restrict longitudinal movement relative to the blow out preventer.

53. The swivel of claim 52, wherein each catch is radially symmetric relative to the sleeve.

54. The swivel of claim 53, wherein each catch includes at least one portion which is frustoconical.

55. The swivel of claim 52, wherein the catches and sleeve are fabricated from a single piece of stock material.

56. The swivel of claim 51, wherein the catch includes a contacting surface, the contacting surface having at least one opening or groove for allowing fluid flow across at least part of the surface.

57. A swivel insertable into a drill or work string comprising:

(a) a mandrel having upper and lower end sections and connected to and rotatable with upper and lower drill or work string sections, the mandrel including a longitudinal passage forming a continuation of a passage in the drill or work string sections;

(b) a sleeve having a longitudinal sleeve passage, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings;

(c) a pair of spaced apart packing units between upper and lower end portions of the mandrel and sleeve, the packing units preventing leakage of fluid between the mandrel and sleeve, the packing units each comprising a plurality of rope seals;

(d) the sleeve comprising an inlet port positioned between the spaced bearings; and

(e) a coated section located in the vicinity of at least one of the packing units.

58. The swivel of claim 57, wherein the coated section is chrome plated.

59. A swivel comprising:

(a) a mandrel having upper and lower end sections and connected to and rotatable with upper and lower drill or work string sections, the mandrel including a longitudinal passage forming a continuation of a passage in the drill or work string sections;

(b) a sleeve having a longitudinal sleeve passage, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings;

(c) a seal between upper and lower end portions of the mandrel and sleeve, the seal preventing leakage of fluid between the mandrel and sleeve, and

(d) the sleeve being reciprocable between the upper and lower end sections of the mandrel.

60. The swivel of claim 59, wherein the sleeve includes at least one catch, the catch tending to restrict longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to a blow out preventer when the swivel detachably connected to the blowout preventer.

61. The swivel of claim 59, wherein the sleeve includes two catches which are spaced apart and which both tend to restrict longitudinal movement relative to the blow out preventer.

62. The swivel of claim 61, wherein each catch is radially symmetric relative to the sleeve.

63. The swivel of claim 62, wherein each catch includes at least one portion which is frustoconical.

64. The swivel of claim 61, wherein the catches and sleeve are fabricated from a single piece of stock material.

65. The swivel of claim 60, wherein the catch includes a contacting surface, the contacting surface having at least one opening or groove for allowing fluid flow across at least part of the surface.