HORIZONTAL PIPE CONNECTION AND LENGTH DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20160356105A1
• Filed: 06/08/2016
• Published: 12/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Jonah, Kevin Bradley, Denness, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 10,519,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/15 Racking of rods in horizontal position; Handling between horizontal and vertical position
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/161 using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe E21B19/168 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/165 Control or monitoring arrangements therefor

Abstract

A tubular handling apparatus for a drilling system, a method for handling tubulars, and a drilling system. The apparatus includes a first trough configured to receive at least a first tubular and a second tubular, a first skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a first end of the first tubular, and a second skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a second end of the second tubular. The first and second skates are configured to push a third end of the first tubular into engagement with a fourth end of the second tubular in the first trough. The apparatus also includes a tongs configured to engage the first and second tubulars in the first trough and apply torque thereto.

Claims

1. A tubular handling apparatus for a drilling system, comprising:

a first trough configured to receive at least a first tubular and a second tubular;

a first skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a first end of the first tubular;

a second skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a second end of the second tubular, wherein the first and second skates are configured to push a third end of the first tubular into engagement with a fourth end of the second tubular in the first trough; and

a tongs configured to engage the first and second tubulars in the first trough and apply torque thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a measuring device configured to measure a distance between the first and second skates, wherein the distance corresponds to a length of the first and second tubulars when connected together.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measuring device comprises one or more encoders coupled to the skates or drivers configured to move the skates, wherein the one or more encoders are configured to provide information from which the distance is determined.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second trough extending generally parallel to the first trough, the first and second troughs being generally horizontal, wherein the second trough is configured to receive the first and second tubulars from the first rough.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a V-door, wherein the second trough is aligned with the V-door and a well center.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a reader positioned proximal to the second trough and the v-door, wherein the reader is configured to acquire an identifier associated with the first tubular, the second tubular, or both.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising one or more kicking devices configured to transfer the first and second tubulars from the first trough to the second trough after connecting together the first and second tubulars in the first trough.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more spinners configured to engage the first tubular, the second tubular, or both in the first trough, the one or more spinners being configured to rotate the first and second tubulars relative to one another.

9. A method for handling tubulars in a drilling system, the method comprising:

receiving a first tubular and a second tubular into a first trough;

moving the first and second tubulars together in the first trough using a first skate that engages a first end of the first tubular, and a second skate that engages a second end of the second tubular;

connecting together a third end of the first tubular and a fourth end of the second tubular by applying torque thereto; and

determining a distance between the first and second skates after connecting together the first and second tubulars, wherein the distance corresponds to a length of the first and second tubulars after being connected together.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein connecting together the first and second tubulars comprises:

rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular using one or more spinners in the first trough; and

torqueing a connection between the first and second tubulars using a tongs that engages the first and second tubulars in the first trough.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising transferring the first and second tubulars, after connecting the first and second tubulars together, to a second trough that is generally parallel to the first trough and is aligned with a well center.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the first and second tubulars from the second trough to the well center.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising reading an identifier from the first tubular, the second tubular, or both while moving the first and second tubulars from the second trough to the well center.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising storing the identifier in association with the distance using a processor.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein transferring the first and second tubulars comprises:

lifting the first and second tubulars out of the first trough using one or more kicking devices; and

rolling the first and second tubulars along a surface into the second trough.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the first and second tubulars comprises receiving the first tubular on a first side of the tongs and receiving the second tubular on a second side of the tongs.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein pushing the first and second tubulars together comprises pushing the third end of the first tubular and the fourth end of the second tubular into engagement within the tongs.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second tubulars are received in the first trough substantially simultaneously.

19. A drilling system, comprising:

a drilling platform positioned over a well;

a V-door extending from the drilling platform, the drilling platform being configured to receive a tubular stand via the V-door; and

a catwalk positioned adjacent to the V-door, the V-door being configured to receive the tubular stand from the catwalk, the catwalk comprising;

a first trough configured to receive at least a first tubular and a second tubular;

a first skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a first end of the first tubular;

a second skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a second end of the second tubular, wherein the first and second skates are configured to push a third end of the first tubular into engagement with a fourth end of the second tubular in the first trough; and

a tongs configured to engage the first and second tubulars in the first trough and apply torque thereto.

20. The drilling system of claim 19, wherein the catwalk further comprises a second trough extending generally parallel to the first trough, the second trough being configured to receive the first and second tubulars after the first and second tubulars are connected together in the first trough, wherein the second trough is aligned with the well.