Drill pipe tubing and casing protectors

Details Drill pipe tubing and casing protectors Drill pipe tubing and casing protectors

1996-09-09

1999-05-11

Tsay, Frank

Boring or penetrating the earth

With tool shaft detail

Shaft carried guide or protector

1662413, E21B17/10

Patent

active

059017988

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to protectors, and relates more particularly to protectors for pipe strings movable within the bore of a well (for example, a hydrocarbon well).
Protectors of this general type are described in published UK Patent GB 2204895-B (U.S. Pat. No. 4907661), the specification of which discusses the desirability of protectors for the protection of pipe strings in well bores, and for the protection of casings which may line such wells. FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present application illustrate the general usage of protectors of this type.
The protector 1 comprises a generally annular body which surrounds the drill pipe 2 and is free to rotate with respect thereto. The outer diameter of the protector 1 is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the pin and box portions 3 and 4 of the length of drill pipe 2, and less than the inside diameter of the well bore 5 or casing 6 (if present). The protector 1 serves to prevent the string of drill pipe 2 coming into contact with the bore 5 or casing 6, and is constructed so as to provide a relatively low coefficient of friction between the drill pipe 2 and its own inner surface and also between the outer surface of the protector and the bore or casing. A number of protectors can be fitted to the pipe string as required, with one or more protectors on individual pipe sections.
In the event that the protector 1 contacts the surface of the bore/casing, the drill pipe 2 may still rotate freely within the protector 1. This minimises the increases in torque or drag which would otherwise be caused by contact between the pipe string and the bore/casing, reduces the likelihood of damage being caused to either the pipe or casing thereby, and allows drilling parameters such as the weight-on-bit to be controlled more effectively so as to improve the rate of penetration.
FIG. 1 shows a simple installation of a protector 1 on the drill pipe 2. In this case the protector is free to move longitudinally between the upper and lower ends of the pipe 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, annular retaining clamps 7 may be applied to the pipe 2 above and below the protector 1 to restrict its range of longitudinal movement. The clamps 7 may be positioned so as to locate the protector 1 at a fixed position, or may be more widely spaced to allow longitudinal movement over a predetermined length of the pipe 2.
The present invention provides various improvements over the protectors and clamps of the type described in GB 2204895-B. The improvements provided by the various aspects of the invention arise from the shape and configuration of the protector and associated clamps, the use of separate bearing elements in various arrangements and the selection of materials. These various factors may be combined in various ways to provide protector assemblies which are robust, resistant to snagging on obstacles and which minimise torque and drag in use.
As noted above, the protector must firstly allow low-friction rotation of the pipe with respect thereto, and must also perform the function of spacing the pipe string from the bore/casing. Accordingly, the device must provide the required low-friction characteristics and must be capable of bearing the mechanical loads encountered in use. It must also be able to withstand the temperatures, pressures and hostile chemical conditions of a downhole environment.
As used hereinafter, references to the "bore" of a well are to be taken as including references to a casing lining a bore, and vice versa, as appropriate.
The protector as disclosed in GB-2204895-B is formed, essentially, from a single material, which must satisfy all of the requirements noted above.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a protector assembly for a pipe string movable within the bore of a well, said protector assembly comprising a generally annular body internally dimensioned to fit around said pipe string and externally dimensioned to fit within said bore, said body being formed from a first material or materials, and further comprising bearing means inte

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