Non-threaded tubular connection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11649683-B2
Application number	US-201314434104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 10, 2013
Priority date	Oct 12, 2012
Publication date	May 16, 2023
Grant date	May 16, 2023

Abstract

A technique facilitates connection of tubulars along a tubing string via a linear motion. A first tubular is provided with a first connector end having a non-circular transverse cross-section, and a second tubular is provided with a second connector end having a corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section. The non-circular cross-section and the corresponding non-circular cross-section are designed to matingly engage when the first and second tubulars are moved linearly toward each other to form a tubing string. A seal is provided to seal the first connector end with the second connector end once linearly engaged. A locking mechanism may be employed to linearly lock the first connector end with the second connector end.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A well system, comprising:
a well tubing string comprising:
a first tubular with a first connector end having an exterior surface with a non-circular transverse cross-section;
a second tubular with a second connector end having an interior surface with a corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section linearly receiving the first connector end;
a seal between the first connector end and the second connector end, the seal positioned in a seal groove formed in the exterior surface of the first connector end or in the interior surface of the second connector end; and
a locking mechanism coupling the first tubular to the second tubular and consisting of one or more wires disposed in corresponding radial grooves formed in the exterior surface of a non-tapered portion of the first connector end and in the interior surface of a non-tapered portion of the second connector end to prevent inadvertent separation of the first connector end from the second connector end, and
wherein the non-circular transverse cross-section of the first connector end and the corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section of the second connector end, which slidably receives the first connector end therein, each comprises a pair of rounded ends connected by longitudinal flat sides.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first tubular comprises a pair of isolated, internal fluid flow passages.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first tubular and the second tubular form a multilateral Y-block.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a control line disposed in the external bypass slot.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises an O-ring seal.

6. The system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the seal comprises a backup ring.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of wires which are each fed through an opening in the second connector end to a position between the first connector end and the second connector end.

8. The well system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the longitudinal flat sides creates room for an external bypass slot that extends lengthwise along an exterior of the first tubular and the second tubular.

9. A method of forming a connection, comprising:
forming a first tubular with a first connector end having an exterior surface with a non-circular transverse cross-section;
forming a second tubular with a second connector end having an interior surface with a corresponding, non-circular transverse cross-section which matingly engages the first connector end,
wherein the non-circular transverse cross-section of the first connector end and the corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section of the second connector end, which slidably receives the first connector end therein, each comprises a pair of rounded ends connected by longitudinal flat sides;
providing an external control line bypass slot in at least one of the longitudinal flat sides and along an exterior of the first tubular and the second tubular;
causing linear movement between the first tubular and the second tubular until the first connector end and the second connector end are engaged to form a tubing string;
sealing the first connector end with the second connector end by positioning a seal in a seal groove formed in the exterior surface of the first connector end or in the interior surface of the second connector end; and
coupling together the first tubular and the second tubular via a locking mechanism consisting of one or more locking wires inserted in corresponding radial grooves formed in the exterior surface of a non-tapered portion of the first connector end and in the interior surface of a non-tapered portion of the second connector end after engagement of the first connector end and the second connector end.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising moving the tubing string downhole into a wellbore after locking.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising placing a control line in the external control line bypass slot and moving the tubing string downhole into a wellbore.

12. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein sealing comprises using an O-ring seal.

13. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising providing a plurality of isolated flow passages through at least one of the first tubular and the second tubular.

14. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein causing linear movement comprises forming a multilateral Y-block in the tubing string.

15. A well system, comprising:
a Y-block having a pair of tubular components coupled via linear sliding engagement of a first connector end with a second connector end at a non-tapered connection region, the first connector end having an exterior surface with a non-circular transverse cross-section and the second connector end having an interior surface with a corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section, the Y-block further comprising a locking mechanism consisting of one or more wires disposed in corresponding radial grooves formed in the exterior surface of a non-tapered portion of the first connector end and in the interior surface of a non-tapered portion of the second connector end, which couples and linearly locks together the first connector end and the second connector end,
wherein the non-circular transverse cross-section of the first connector end and the corresponding non-circular transverse cross-section of the second connector end, which slidably receives the first connector end therein, each comprises a pair of rounded ends connected by longitudinal flat sides, and
wherein the Y-block further comprises an external bypass slot in at least one of the longitudinal flat sides for receiving at least one control line.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Wolf John C
• Gonzalez Luis A
• Huang Andrew Brian

Classifications

• E21B17/18 Primary

  Pipes provided with plural fluid passages {(E21B17/203 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16L37/142

  where the securing element is inserted tangentially · CPC title

• E21B17/046 Primary

  with ribs, pins, or jaws, and complementary grooves or the like, e.g. bayonet catches · CPC title

• F16L37/14

  Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain · CPC title

• F16L21/08

  with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title