Lockable swivel apparatus and method

Wells – Processes – Freeing stuck object – grappling or fishing in well

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C175S074000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06244345

ABSTRACT:

DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a drill string apparatus for use in drilling operations, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for selectively locking an inline swivel to permit rotational movement of the drill string.
2. Background Art
In wireline operations, it is often desirable to selectively allow the drill string to rotate freely while the wireline operator manipulates the wireline.
Previously, if the operator desired to rotate the drill string during wireline operations, the wireline was pulled from the well bore and the entry devices were disengaged from the drill string. The removal of the wireline could be avoided if an inline swivel was placed in the drill string between the wireline device and the rotary table. This arrangement would permit rotation to be accomplished with a wireline in place, but effectively disengaged the top-drive unit from its preferred role of providing both lifting power and rotation to the drill string.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein provides an apparatus which would allow the connection of various wireline devices
106
to be placed in the drill string
100
between the top drive unit
102
and the rotary table
114
of a conventional drilling rig throughout wireline operations. Such devices
106
as the Boyd Borehole Drill Pipe Continuous Side Entry Or Exit Apparatus (such as described in U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 33,150) or applicant's Top Entry Sub Arrangement (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,210) may both be utilized for various wireline operations.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, the invention is a lockable in-line swivel device
110
which is selectively engaged by the operator to permit or inhibit rotational movement provided by a top drive unit
102
to be transmitted through the swivel
110
to the pipe string
112
and to allow disengagement of the locked swivel
110
so that rotation may be accomplished by the rotary table
114
simultaneously with the wireline operations.
Accordingly, it is the primary purpose of the invention disclosed herein to provide an apparatus and method which permits the wireline entry devices
106
described above to be left in the drill string
100
during all operations involving the wireline operation. This avoids the time consuming makeup and disengagement of the entry tools
106
required to safely permit entry of the wireline into the well bore. If rotation and longitudinal movement is desired with the invention disclosed herein, the wireline alone is removed from the wellbore, but the entry tool
106
remains in place and the swivel
110
is locked to provide transmission of all rotation through the swivel
110
into the pipe string
112
.
At other times, the operator using a top-drive unit
102
may desire to pick up the drill string
100
and yet maintain torque which has been put into the pipe string
112
in pipe recovery operations. This is best done by engaging the swivel
110
in locked position and picking up with the top drive unit
102
. As the torque is worked through the drill string
100
, additional wireline operations may be desired. In this eventuality, the operator would set the drill string
100
down, disengage the swivel
110
, continue to rotate with the rotary table
114
and continue the wireline operations.
Using prior conventional technology, the drill pipe was separated and raised high above the rig floor on each run in order to change out tools. Although the pipe can be rotated, the operator could not circulate or reciprocate the pipe during these periods. Circulation was achieved by adding a pump-in sub and another T.I.W. safety valve immediately above the existing T.I.W. valve; which, however, put the disconnect or break point between the upper T.I.W. valve and the swivel several feet above the rig floor creating a safety hazard while operating the rig tongs.
Further, since the tool strings must be stripped in and out beneath the upper assembly, a lubricator or tool protection device could not be used and all tools and explosives were brought onto the rig floor unshielded and unconfined. In the event of an inadvertent detonation of the explosive string shot or perforators, all personnel on the rig floor were totally exposed to this unnecessary life-threatening hazard.
Once rigged-up and going in the hole using conventional technology such as the Boyd side-entry sub, the wireline passed through the acute angle in the side entry sub. This caused excessive wearing of the wireline and creates sever grooving in the sub. The single rubber pack-off, which is commonly used with this system, is very susceptible to leaking and/or line gripping and stoppage during pump-down operations. The system cannot be used when working under surface pressure and with the need to utilize a grease injector and wireline blow out preventers (BOPs).
During pipe recovery operations, both right and left-hand torque must be worked down-hole using the rig tongs. This is a procedure has long been recognized to be one of the greatest safety hazards to be encountered during pipe recovery operations. When using this prior technology, pipe tongs were attached to the drill string and secured to the rig to hold torque that had been put into the drill string from the rotary table or top drive unit. With the present invention, this torque can be maintained while continuing circulation and wireline operation.


REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33150 (1990-01-01), Boyd
patent: 5168943 (1992-12-01), Falgout
patent: 5284210 (1994-02-01), Helms et al.
patent: 5373906 (1994-12-01), Braddick
patent: 5735351 (1998-04-01), Helms
patent: 5738178 (1998-04-01), Williams et al.
patent: 5996712 (1999-12-01), Boyd

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