Method and system for evaluating tubular makeup

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10808474-B2
Application number	US-201715792592-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2017
Priority date	Oct 24, 2017
Publication date	Oct 20, 2020
Grant date	Oct 20, 2020

Abstract

Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes engaging threads of the tubulars; engaging the first tubular with a clamp of a makeup tool; rotating the clamp of the makeup tool, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up the threaded connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; measuring turns of the clamp; and evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp. One example system generally includes a makeup tool operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular. The makeup tool includes a clamp configured to engage the first tubular. The tubular makeup system further includes a first turns counter configured to measure turns of the first tubular; and a second turns counter configured to measure turns of the clamp.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tubular makeup system, comprising:
a makeup tool operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular, the makeup tool comprising:
a clamp configured to:
engage the first tubular; and
rotate relative to the second tubular; and

a first turns counter configured to measure turns of the first tubular;
a second turns counter configured to measure turns of the clamp; and
a programmable logic controller (PLC) computer device operably connected to the makeup tool and communicatively coupled to the first turns counter and the second turns counter,
wherein the computer device is configured to control an operation, comprising:
engaging threads of the tubulars;
engaging the first tubular with the clamp;
rotating the clamp, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up a threaded connection;
during makeup of the threaded connection:
measuring turns of the first tubular; and
measuring turns of the clamp; and

evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp.

2. The tubular makeup system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first turns sensor configured to detect turns of a tubular coupling disposed on the second tubular; and
a second turns sensor configured to detect turns of the second tubular.

3. The tubular makeup system of claim 2 , wherein the operation further comprises:
during makeup of the threaded connection:
detecting turns of the tubular coupling; and
detecting turns of the second tubular; and

evaluating the threaded connection based on at least one of the detected turns of the tubular coupling and the detected turns of the second tubular.

4. The tubular makeup system of claim 3 , wherein the operation further comprises engaging the second tubular with a second clamp of the makeup tool.

5. The tubular makeup system of claim 2 , wherein:
the first turns sensor is mounted to the makeup tool; and
the second turns sensor is mounted to the makeup tool.

6. The tubular makeup system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a turns sensor configured to detect turns of the second tubular; and
the operation further comprising:
during makeup of the threaded connection, detecting turns of the second tubular; and
evaluating the threaded connection based on the detected turns of the second tubular.

7. The tubular makeup system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first turns counter is mounted to the makeup tool; and
the second turns counter is mounted to the makeup tool.

8. The tubular makeup system of claim 1 , wherein the makeup tool is a tong assembly.

9. The tubular makeup system of claim 1 , the makeup tool further comprising a second clamp configured to engage the second tubular.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular comprises rotating the first tubular relative to a coupling of the second tubular.

11. A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular, comprising:
engaging threads of the tubulars;
engaging the first tubular with a clamp of a makeup tool;
engaging the second tubular with a second clamp of the makeup tool;
rotating the clamp of the makeup tool, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up the threaded connection;
measuring turns of the first tubular;
measuring turns of the clamp while rotating the first tubular;
detecting turns of the second tubular relative to the second clamp; and
evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp and the detected turns of the second tubular.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
detecting turns of the second tubular; and
evaluating the threaded connection based on the detected turns of the second tubular.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
detecting turns of a tubular coupling disposed on the second tubular; and
evaluating the threaded connection based on the detected turns of the tubular coupling.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising rejecting the threaded connection based on the evaluation.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
detecting turns of the second tubular;
detecting turns of a tubular coupling disposed on the second tubular; and
evaluating the threaded connection based on at least one of the detected turns of the second tubular and the detected turns of the tubular coupling.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the makeup tool is a tong assembly.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
detecting turns of a tubular coupling disposed on the second tubular; and
evaluating the threaded connection based on the detected turns of the tubular coupling.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising rejecting the threaded connection based on the evaluation.

Assignees

• Weatherford Tech Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Ruehmann Rainer
• Geissler David
• Sachtleben Benjamin

Classifications

• E21B19/165

  Control or monitoring arrangements therefor · CPC title

• E21B19/166 Primary

  Arrangements of torque limiters or torque indicators · CPC title

• B23P19/061

  for pipes or pipe-couplings · CPC title

• E21B21/02

  Swivel joints in hose-lines · CPC title

• E21B19/161

  using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe (E21B19/168 takes precedence) · CPC title