ELEVATOR FOR TUBULAR HANDLING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application No. 63/644,912 filed on 9 May 2024. The entire disclosure of the prior application is incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in at least one example described below, more particularly provides an elevator for tubular handling, and associated systems and methods.

An elevator is used to suspend a tubular (such as, the types known to those skilled in the art as liner, casing, riser, tubing, pipe, screens, etc.) at a well rig. One type of elevator includes a slip assembly to grip an outside surface of the tubular, similar to a slip assembly of the type used in a spider typically secured in or on a rig floor.

It will, therefore, be readily appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of designing, constructing and utilizing elevators with subterranean wells. The present disclosure provides such improvements, which may be used with a wide variety of different types of well rigs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative perspective view of an example of an elevator that may be used in the FIG. 1 system and method.

FIG. 3 is a representative perspective view of an example of a load indicator that may be used with the elevator.

FIG. 4 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of an example of a fluid spring portion of the load indicator.

FIG. 5 is a representative side view of an example of a position indicator portion of the load indicator.

FIG. 6 is a representative schematic view of an example of a fluid circuit of the elevator.

FIG. 7 is a representative schematic view of another example of the fluid circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 for use in well operations, and an associated method, which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the system 10 and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the system 10 and method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.

In the FIG. 1 example, a well rig 30 is used to convey tubulars 32 into and out of a well. As depicted in FIG. 1, the well rig 30 is a land-based rig, but in other examples the rig may be water-based. The tubular 32 may comprise equipment known to those skilled in the art as casing, liner, riser, tubing, pipe and similar tubular goods, including associated couplings, collars, etc.

To enable the tubulars 32 to be supported by the rig 30, a lifting apparatus 12 is provided with the rig. The lifting apparatus 12 may comprise, for example, a top drive or a draw works.

Bails 18 are connected at their upper ends to the lifting apparatus 12. At their lower ends, the bails 18 are connected to an elevator 14. The elevator 14 is specially configured to grip or otherwise support the tubular 32, so that a weight of the tubular (and any equipment, including additional tubulars, connected below the upper tubular) is supported by the elevator and the connected bails 18 and lifting apparatus 12. The elevator 14, with the bails 18 and lifting apparatus 12 can be used to raise or lower the tubular 32 through a floor 20 of the rig 30.

At different points in well operations, very different loads may be supported by the lifting apparatus 12, bails 18 and elevator 14. In addition, loads (such as, a weight of a tubular string suspended in the well) can be supported by a spider 16 secured in or on the rig floor 20.

When a load is being supported by the elevator 14, it is advantageous for the elevator to continue to support the load, until the load is supported by other equipment (such as, the spider 16). For example, if the elevator 14 releases the tubular 32 before it is supported by other equipment, the tubular (and any tubular string connected there below) will drop into the well, and costly and time-consuming remedial operations will need to be performed. In the FIG. 1 system 10, the elevator 14 is provided with a load indicator that helps to ensure that the elevator will not release the tubular 32 until after the tubular is supported by other equipment.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, an example of the elevator 14 is representatively illustrated. The FIG. 2 elevator may be used with the FIG. 1 system 10 and method, or it may be used with other systems and methods. For convenience and clarity, the FIG. 2 elevator 14 is described below as it may be used with the FIG. 1 system 10 and method.

In the FIG. 2 example, the elevator 14 includes an elevator housing 34 with outwardly extending “ears” 36. The ears 36 provide for attachment of the bails 18 (see FIG. 1) to the elevator 14, so that the lifting apparatus 12 can support and lift the elevator and any tubular or tubular string supported by the elevator.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the elevator 14 also includes a slip assembly 38 received in the elevator housing 34. The slip assembly 38 includes multiple circumferentially spaced apart slips 40 and actuators 42 (not visible in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 6 & 7) for displacing the slips between open and closed positions. In an open configuration of the slip assembly 38, the slips 40 are positioned so that they will not grip a tubular 32 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the elevator 14. In a closed configuration, the slips 40 are positioned so that they can grip a tubular 32 disposed in the elevator 14.

Control lines 44, 46 are connected to a control system 48 (see FIGS. 6 & 7) for application of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to actuate the slip assembly 38. In this example, fluid pressure is applied by the control system 48 to the line 44 (and the line 46 is vented) to actuate the slip assembly 38 to its closed configuration, and fluid pressure is applied by the control system 48 to the line 46 (and the line 44 is vented) to actuate the slip assembly to its open configuration.

The slip assembly 38 is axially displaceable a limited distance relative to the elevator housing 34. An outer housing 50 of the slip assembly 38 is slidingly received in a central cavity of the elevator housing 34. An upper radially enlarged flange 52 of the slip assembly 38 limits downward displacement of the slip assembly relative to the elevator housing 34.

A load indicator 54 is disposed axially between the flange 52 and an upper end of the elevator housing 34. It will be readily appreciated that, when a load (such as, due to the weight of one or more tubulars 32) is supported by the slip assembly 38, and the elevator housing 34 is supported by the bails 18, the load indicator 54 will be compressed between the flange 52 and the upper end of the elevator housing 34.

In other examples, the load indicator 54 could be positioned between other features of the elevator 14. For example, the load indicator 54 could be positioned within the elevator housing 34 and could be supported by an internal shoulder in the elevator housing, or the load indicator could be in contact with a portion of the slip assembly 38 other than the flange. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular position or configuration of the load indicator 54 or any other component of the elevator 14.

In the FIG. 2 example, the load indicator 54 surrounds the outer housing 50 below the flange 52. The load indicator 54 includes an upper ring 56 and a lower ring 58 that each encircle the outer housing 50 of the slip assembly 38.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, an example of the load indicator 54 is representatively illustrated. In this view it may be seen that the upper ring 56 has an upper surface 60 that contacts the flange 52, and the lower ring 58 has a lower surface 62 that contacts the upper end of the elevator housing 34, when the load indicator 54 is incorporated into the elevator 14.

The FIG. 3 load indicator 54 includes multiple circumferentially distributed springs 64 that bias the rings 56, 58 away from each other. In this example, the springs 64 are coiled springs, but other types of springs (such as, Belleville washers, leaf springs, elastomers, etc.) may be used in other examples.

The FIG. 3 load indicator 54 also includes multiple circumferentially distributed fluid springs 66 that can be pressurized (e.g., hydraulically or pneumatically) to bias the rings 56, 58 away from each other. In this example, the fluid springs 66 comprise pistons and cylinders, but other types of fluid springs (such as, diaphragms, bellows, etc.) may be used in other examples.

Note that it is not necessary for the load indicator 54 to include multiple types of springs 64, 66, for there to be the same number of each type of spring, or for the springs to be in any particular position relative to the upper and lower rings 56, 58. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular type, configuration, or position of any springs used in a load indicator.

The springs 64, 66 in the FIG. 3 example allow the upper and lower rings 56, 58 to be displaced away from each other when a load is removed from the elevator 14. For example, when the load (such as, the weight of one or more tubulars 32) is taken by another item of equipment (such as, the spider 16), and the elevator 14 is lowered by the lifting apparatus 12 in the FIG. 1 system 10 and method, the springs 64, 66 can displace the upper ring 56 upward relative to the lower ring 58. In order to achieve this result, the biasing force exerted by the combined springs 64, 66 is greater than a combined weight of the upper ring 56 and the slip assembly 38.

The upward movement of the upper ring 56 when the load is removed from the elevator 14 can be used to provide an indication that the load is no longer supported by the slip assembly 38. Once this indication is provided, the slip assembly 38 can be actuated to its open configuration, without any danger of inadvertently dropping one or more tubulars 32.

To provide this indication of the movement of the upper ring 56 relative to the lower ring 58, the load indicator 54 includes a position indicator 68. In this example, the position indicator 68 comprises a valve 28 (see FIGS. 6 & 7), but in other examples an electrical switch, position sensor, proximity sensor, Hall effect device, or other type of position indicator may be used.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, a partially cross-sectional view of the load indicator 54 is representatively illustrated. In this view it may be seen that the fluid spring 66 includes a piston 70 slidingly and sealingly received in a cylinder 72. A seal between the piston 70 and cylinder 72 is not depicted in FIG. 4, but a suitable seal (such as, an o-ring, v-packing, etc.) may be used as desired.

In the FIG. 4 example, the cylinder 72 is formed as part of the upper ring 56, and the piston 70 is formed as part of the lower ring 58. In other examples, these positions could be reversed, or the piston 70 and cylinder 72 could be separate from the upper and lower rings 56, 58.

As depicted in FIG. 4, a fluid passage 74 is formed through the lower ring 58 and the piston 70 to communicate with a chamber 76 between the piston and the cylinder 72. In other examples, the fluid passage 74 could be formed through the upper ring 56, or the fluid passage may not be formed through either of the rings 56, 58 (such as, if the piston 70 and cylinder 72 are separate from the rings).

A line 78 is connected to the fluid passage 74. The line 78 can be used to communicate fluid pressure to the chamber 76, for example, to regulate a force output of the fluid spring 66. An increase of fluid pressure in the chamber 76 will cause an increase in the force output of the fluid spring 66, and a decrease of fluid pressure in the chamber will cause a decrease in the force output of the fluid spring. Thus, the force biasing the rings 56, 58 away from each other can be adjusted to, for example, correspond to different loads being supported by the elevator 14.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, a portion of the load indicator 54 including the position indicator 68 is representatively illustrated. In this view it may be seen that the position indicator 68 is received in a recess 80 formed in the lower ring 58. In other examples, the position indicator 68 could be received in the upper ring 56 or could be positioned in another portion of the load indicator 54.

In the FIG. 5 example, the position indicator 68 is positioned proximate one of the fluid springs 66. The position indicator 68 includes a roller plunger 82 that can contact an extension or profiled cam 84 extending downwardly from the cylinder 72 of the adjacent fluid spring 66.

In other examples, the cam 84 may not be formed on the cylinder 72 or another component of the fluid spring 66. Devices other than cams (such as, magnets, or structures capable of being sensed by a proximity sensor, etc.) may be used. As another example, the position sensor 68 could be rotated ninety degrees clockwise from its FIG. 5 position, so that the plunger directly contacts the upper ring 56. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration, position or type of position indicator used with the load indicator 54.

In the FIG. 5 example, the plunger 82 is depressed into a body of the position indicator 68 by the cam 84 when the upper ring 56 is displaced upward relative to the lower ring 58. This depressing of the plunger 82 will cause the position indicator 68 to be actuated to a configuration in which opening of the slip assembly 38 is permitted.

When the plunger 82 is not depressed by the cam 84 (e.g., the plunger extends from the body of the position indicator 68 as depicted in FIG. 5), opening of the slip assembly 38 is prevented. In this example, the position indicator 68 includes ports 86, 88 for connection of the position indicator 68 in a fluid circuit 90 (see FIGS. 6 & 7) configured to prevent opening of the slip assembly 38 when the position indicator 68 indicates that the upper ring 56 is in its downwardly displaced position (as depicted in FIG. 5), and to permit opening of the slip assembly when the position indicator indicates that the upper ring is in its upwardly displaced position (so that the plunger 82 is depressed by the cam 84 in the FIG. 5 example).

Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, a schematic view of one example of the fluid circuit 90 is representatively illustrated. As depicted in FIG. 6, the slip assembly 38 is in its open configuration.

Pressure applied from the control system 48 to a line 92 is communicated via the position indicator 68 and a check valve 94 to the open control line 46 connected to the slip actuators 42 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 6). The close control line 44 is vented back to the control system 48. The plunger 82 of the position indicator 68 is depressed in this open configuration of the slip assembly 38.

In this example, the position indicator 68 comprises a shuttle valve 28. In other examples, the position indicator 68 could comprise another type of switch, proximity sensor, etc.

If power is lost, or the control system 48 cannot otherwise maintain the pressure on the open line 92, the check valve 94, a pilot operated pressure holding valve 98 and a pilot operated shuttle valve 96 will prevent loss of pressure from the open control line 46, thereby maintaining the slip assembly 38 in the open configuration.

When it is desired to shift the slip assembly 38 to its closed configuration (e.g., so that the slips 40 grip an outer surface of a tubular 32 positioned in the elevator 14), the control system 48 vents pressure from the open line 92 and applies pressure to the close control line 44. This causes the actuators 42 to displace the slips 40 to their closed positions, in which they grip the outer surface of the tubular 32.

The pressure in the close control line 44 causes the shuttle valve 96 to shift to a position in which the open control line 46 is vented back to the control system 48 via the open line 92. The pressure in the close control line 44 also causes the pressure holding valve 98 to shift to a position in which a line 100 between the actuator 42, the open control line 46 and the pressure holding valve 98 is vented.

Note that at this point the load indicator 54 is not in the FIG. 5 fully compressed configuration, since the elevator 14 is not supporting at least the predetermined load. The springs 64 are biasing the upper and lower rings 56, 58 away from each other. The cam 84 in this example has depressed the plunger 82 of the position indicator 68.

When the elevator 14 is raised by the lifting apparatus 12, the load indicator 54 will be compressed by the load due to the weight of the tubular 32 gripped by the slip assembly 38. This will cause the cam 84 to displace downward relative to the lower ring 58, thereby allowing the plunger 82 to extend and shift the position indicator 68 to a position in which the open control line 46 is isolated. In this position, pressure applied to the open line 92 by the control system 48 will not cause the slip assembly 38 to be actuated to its open configuration.

The elevator 14 can be opened again only after the load is no longer supported by the elevator, such as, when the load is supported by the spider 16 or another item of equipment. When the load is removed from the elevator 14, the load indicator 54 will expand axially (an axial spacing between the upper and lower rings 56, 58 will increase), due to the biasing force exerted by the springs 64, and the plunger 82 of the position indicator 68 will be depressed by the cam 84. This will allow the pressure applied to the open line 92 by the control system 48 to be communicated to the open line 46 and the actuator 42, and the close line 44 will be vented back to the control system, thereby shifting the slip assembly 38 to its open configuration.

Note that, in the FIG. 6 example, the fluid springs 66 are not used. However, the fluid springs 66 could be used with the FIG. 6 fluid circuit 90, if desired.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 7, a schematic view of another example of the fluid circuit 90 is representatively illustrated. As depicted in FIG. 7, the slip assembly 38 is in its open configuration. Operation of the slip assembly 38 using the control system 48 is essentially the same in the FIG. 7 example as described above for the FIG. 6 fluid circuit 90.

In the FIG. 7 example, the fluid springs 66 (only one of which is depicted in FIG. 7) are used, and operation of the fluid springs is controlled by application of pressure to the open line 92 by the control system 48. A pressure relief valve 102 and a check valve 104 are connected in parallel between the fluid springs 66 and the open line 92. When pressure is applied by the control system 48 to the open line 92, the check valve 104 will allow this pressure to be applied to the fluid springs 66, thereby applying a biasing force to urge the upper and lower rings 56, 58 away from each other.

When the control system 48 applies pressure to the close control line 44, the open control line 46 is vented, the slip assembly 38 is shifted to its closed configuration, at least a predetermined load is supported by the elevator 14, and the pressure relief valve 102 allows fluid to vent from the fluid spring 66 to the open line 92 (although some pressure can be retained in the fluid springs 66, depending on an adjustment of the pressure relief valve 102). This allows the load indicator 68 to be compressed by the load, so that the plunger 82 of the load indicator 68 is extended (see FIG. 5), and the open control line 46 is isolated from the open line 92 as described above.

It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of designing, constructing and utilizing elevators with subterranean wells. In examples described above, the elevator 14 cannot be inadvertently opened while at least a predetermined load is being supported by the elevator. Actuators 42 of the slip assembly 38 are isolated from the open line 92 connected to the control system 48 when the load is sufficient to compress the load indicator 54.

The above disclosure provides to the art an elevator 14 for use with a subterranean well. In one example, the elevator 14 can comprise: an elevator housing 34, a slip assembly 38 axially displaceable relative to the elevator housing 34, the slip assembly 38 comprising multiple slips 40 configured to grip an outer surface of a tubular 32 disposed in the slip assembly 38, the slip assembly 38 having open and closed configurations, and a load indicator 54 configured to prevent actuation of the slip assembly 38 from the closed configuration to the open configuration when at least a predetermined load is supported by the elevator housing 34.

The slip assembly 38 may comprise an outer housing 50 having a radially enlarged flange 52. The load indicator 54 may be positioned axially between the flange 52 and the elevator housing 50.

The load indicator 54 may comprise a first ring 56 that contacts the slip assembly 38, a second ring 58 that contacts the elevator housing 34, and a position indicator 68 configured to indicate when the predetermined load is applied to the first and second rings 56, 58. The position indicator 68 may comprise a valve 28.

The load indicator 54 may comprise at least one spring 64, 66 configured to bias the first and second rings 56, 58 away from each other. The spring 66 may comprise a fluid spring. The fluid spring 66 may be pressurized when the slip assembly 38 is in the open configuration.

The elevator 14 may comprise a control system 48 configured to apply pressure to the slip assembly 38 to actuate the slip assembly 38 from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The load indicator 54 may be configured to prevent pressure from being applied to actuate the slip assembly 38 to the open configuration when the predetermined load is supported by the elevator housing 34.

The above disclosure also provides to the art a method of handling tubulars 32 for use with a subterranean well. In one example, the method can comprise: supporting a tubular 32 with an elevator 14, thereby applying at least a predetermined load to the elevator 14; and preventing a slip assembly 38 of the elevator 14 from being actuated to an open configuration while at least the predetermined load is applied to the elevator 14. The preventing step is performed by a load indicator 54 of the elevator 14.

The supporting step may comprise compressing the load indicator 54 between the slip assembly 38 and an elevator housing 34 of the elevator 14. The compressing step may comprise compressing at least one spring 64, 66 of the load indicator 54.

The spring 66 may comprise a fluid spring. The compressing step may comprise expelling fluid from the fluid spring 66.

The compressing step may comprise reducing a distance between first and second rings 56, 58 of the load indicator 54. Each of the first and second rings 56, 58 may surround the slip assembly 38.

The preventing step may comprise actuating a position indicator 68 of the load indicator 54. The position indicator 68 may comprise a valve 28. The preventing step may comprise the valve 28 preventing application of pressure from a control system 48 to the slip assembly 38.

A system 10 for use with a subterranean well is also provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the system 10 can comprise: a spider 16 configured to support a tubular 32, and an elevator 14 axially displaceable relative to the spider 16. The elevator 14 is configured to support the tubular 32. The elevator 14 can comprise a slip assembly 38, an elevator housing 34 and a load indicator 54. The load indicator 54 is configured to prevent actuation of the slip assembly 38 to an open configuration when the elevator 14 supports the tubular 32.

The load indicator 54 may comprise a valve 28 configured to prevent application of pressure from a control system 48 to the slip assembly 38 to actuate the slip assembly 38 to the open configuration when the elevator 14 supports the tubular 32.

The load indicator 54 may comprise first and second rings 56, 58 that surround the slip assembly 38. The load indicator 54 may comprise a spring 64, 66 that biases the first and second rings 56, 58 away from each other. The spring 66 may comprise a fluid spring.

Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.

The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.