Support apparatus for a lubricator in a coil tubing operation

Abstract

A support system for a lubricator to prevent the lubricator from deflecting during coil tubing operations, particularly on slant wells. A support member is connected to the lubricator through truss members for supporting the lubricator in tension or in compression, depending upon whether the support member is placed above or below the lubricator. A coil tubing injector is provided which is capable of manipulating the supported lubricator axially along a path coaxial to the wellhead to permit fine adjustment with the wellhead.

1 . A support apparatus for a lubricator having one or more tubular lubricator sections and connecting between a coil tubing injector and a wellhead, the support apparatus comprising: 
 one or more support members adapted to extend substantially parallel to the lubricator and at least one of which is spaced above or below the lubricator for supporting the lubricator along a substantially linearly extending path, the support member being supported at a first end at the injector; and    one or more connecting members adapted to be connected between at least a portion of the one or more support members and at least a portion of the lubricator for reducing deflection along the lubricator.    
   
   
       2 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  comprises one support member.  
   
   
       3 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of the one or more support members is spaced substantially vertically above the lubricator and is connected at a first end to the coil tubing injector.  
   
   
       4 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one of the one or more support members is spaced substantially vertically below the lubricator.  
   
   
       5 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more connecting members is adapted to be connected to each of the plurality of tubular lubricator sections.  
   
   
       6 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more support members further comprise a plurality of support segments, the segments being fastened to one another using fasteners.  
   
   
       7 . The support apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the one support member further comprises a plurality of support segments, the segments being fastened to one another using fasteners.  
   
   
       8 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support apparatus is adapted to support the lubricator between the injector and a slant wellhead.  
   
   
       9 . The support apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of support segments further comprise: 
 a cooperating socket formed in a first end of each of the plurality of support segments; and    a pin extending from a second end of each of the plurality of support segments, wherein the plurality of support segments are fastened by mating the pin at the first end of each of the plurality of support segments into a cooperating socket at the second end of a subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       10 . The support apparatus as described in  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a plurality of brackets extending outwardly from each of the plurality of support segments so as to engage auxiliary fastening means for connection between brackets of subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       11 . The support apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of support segments further comprise: 
 a cooperating socket formed in a first end of each of the plurality of support segments; and    a pin extending from a second end of each of the plurality of support segments, wherein the plurality of support segments are fastened by mating the pin at the first end of each of the plurality of support segments into a cooperating socket at the second end of a subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       12 . The support apparatus as described in  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a plurality of brackets extending outwardly from each of the plurality of support segments so as to engage auxiliary fastening means for connection between brackets of subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       13 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more connecting members further comprise: 
 one or more truss members adapted to extend transversely between the one or more support members and the lubricator; and    one or more angled truss members adapted to extend between the support member and the lubricator.    
   
   
       14 . The support apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the one or more support members each further comprise a plurality of support segments and each lubricator section is supported by one of the plurality of support segments and first and second transverse truss members and first and second angled truss members, wherein 
 the first and second transverse truss members are adapted for connection to first and second ends of the lubricator section; and    the first and second angled truss members are adapted to extend from the first and second ends of the lubricator section to substantially a centre of one of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       15 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more connecting members are adapted for connection to each of the plurality of lubricator sections using clamps.  
   
   
       16 . The support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more connecting members are integral with each of the plurality of lubricator sections.  
   
   
       17 . A method for supporting a lubricator between a coil tubing injector and a wellhead, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of supported lubricator sections, each supported lubricator section having    a lubricator section;    one or more support members extending along the lubricator section, at least one of which is spaced above or below the lubricator for supporting the lubricator section along a substantially linearly extending path; and    one or more connecting members connected between the one or more support members and the lubricator section;    engaging a first end of the lubricator section of a first supported lubricator section with the coil tubing injector;    fastening a first end of one or more subsequent supported lubricator sections of the plurality of supported lubricator sections to a second end of a previous supported lubricator section, in series, for assembling a supporting lubricator having a length sufficient to extend from the injector to the wellhead; and    aligning the assembled coil tubing injector so as to position the substantially linearly extending supported lubricator along a path coaxial with an axis of the wellhead so as to permit connection between the supported lubricator and the wellhead, the supported lubricator being supported from deflection along the path to the wellhead.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein each support member is spaced substantially vertically above each lubricator section, further comprising: 
 connecting a first end of the support member of the first supported lubricator section to the coil tubing injector.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each support member further comprises a plurality of brackets extending therefrom above the support member, and following fastening the at least a second supported lubricator section to the second end of the first supported lubricator section, the method further comprising: 
 connecting auxiliary fasteners between the brackets of each adjacent support member for further supporting the supported lubricator from deflection.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the wellhead is a slant wellhead further comprising: 
 tilting and manipulating the coil tubing injector axially so as to permit alignment of the assembled supported lubricator along an angled path coaxial to the slant wellhead.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the wellhead is a slant wellhead further comprising: 
 tilting and manipulating the coil tubing injector axially and laterally so as to permit alignment of the assembled supported lubricator along an angled path coaxial to the slant wellhead.    
   
   
       22 . In a system for injection of coil tubing into vertical or slant wellbores having a wellhead attached thereto, the combination comprising: 
 a coil tubing injector supported within a carriage in a derrick, the injector and carriage being moveable along the derrick, the injector being tiltable and capable of axial movement in the carriage so as to direct coil tubing at a variety of angled paths therefrom;    a lubricator engaged with and cantilevered from the coil tubing injector and extending along an angled path coaxial to an axis of the wellhead for passage of the coil tubing therethrough; and    a support apparatus for supporting the substantially linearly extending lubricator from deflection along the angled path to the wellhead,    wherein once aligned along the angled path to the wellhead through tilting of the injector, the injector and supported lubricator are manipulated axially along the path for fine adjustment to permit connection of the lubricator with the wellhead.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the support apparatus further comprises: 
 one or more support members adapted to extend substantially parallel to the lubricator and at least one of which is spaced above or below the lubricator for substantially linearly supporting the lubricator thereon, the support member being supported at a first end at the injector; and    one or more connecting members adapted to be connected between at least a portion of the one or more support members and at least a portion of the lubricator for reducing deflection along the lubricator.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the one or more connecting members further comprise: 
 one or more truss members adapted to extend transversely between the one or more support members and the lubricator; and    one or more angled truss members adapted to extend between the support member and the lubricator.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the one or more support members each further comprise a plurality of support segments and each lubricator section is supported by one of the plurality of support segments and first and second transverse truss members and first and second angled truss members, wherein 
 the first and second transverse truss members are adapted for connection to first and second ends of the lubricator section; and    the first and second angled truss members are adapted to extend from the first and second ends of the lubricator section to substantially a centre of one of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of support segments further comprise: 
 a cooperating socket formed in a first end of each of the plurality of support segments; and    a pin extending from a second end of each of the plurality of support segments, wherein the plurality of support segments are fastened by mating the pin at the first end of each of the plurality of support segments into a cooperating socket at the second end of a subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the coil tubing injector comprises: 
 a carriage for mounting the injector in the derrick, the carriage being moveable along the derrick;    a saddle pivotally connected to the carriage;    a coil tubing injector adjustably supported in the saddle;    means for pivoting the saddle and injector supported therein for tilting the saddle and injector relative to the carriage for alignment of the injector with a wellhead; and    means for axially adjusting the injector within the saddle adapted for permitting fine adjustment of the injector with the wellhead.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  further comprising: 
 spaced apart opposing substantially vertical sleeves formed in the saddle; and    an injector frame for supporting the injector in the saddle, the frame being telescopically housed within the sleeves in the saddle for permitting axial movement of the injector therein relative to the saddle.    
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27  wherein the means for adjusting the injector within the saddle comprises one or more hydraulic actuators connected between the injector frame and the saddle for permitting the injector frame to be moved axially within the saddle sleeves.  
   
   
       30 . A coil tubing injector arrangement supportable in a derrick for injecting coil tubing into a wellbore comprising: 
 a carriage for mounting the injector in the derrick, the carriage being moveable along the derrick;    a saddle pivotally connected to the carriage;    a coil tubing injector adjustably supported in the saddle;    means for pivoting the saddle and injector supported therein for tilting the saddle and injector relative to the carriage for alignment of the injector with an axis of a wellhead of the wellbore; and    means for axially adjusting the injector within the saddle adapted for permitting fine adjustment of the injector with the wellhead.    
   
   
       31 . The injector arrangement of  claim 30  further comprising: 
 spaced apart opposing substantially vertical sleeves formed in the saddle; and    an injector frame for supporting the injector in the saddle, the frame being telescopically housed within the sleeves in the saddle for permitting axial movement of the injector therein relative to the saddle.    
   
   
       32 . The injector arrangement of  claim 31  wherein the means for adjusting the injector within the saddle comprises one or more hydraulic actuators connected between the injector frame and the saddle for permitting the injector frame to be moved axially within the saddle sleeves.  
   
   
       33 . The injector arrangement of  claim 30 , wherein the derrick comprises two spaced apart masts, further comprising: 
 carriage brackets located on opposing sides of the injector and the saddle and connected to the derrick, each connected to one of the two spaced apart masts by a C-shaped channel member slideably engaging each mast;    upper and lower transverse members extending between the carriage brackets; and    a transverse sleeve formed on the saddle for pivotally housing the upper transverse members therein for permitting pivoting of the saddle and injector relative to the carriage.    
   
   
       34 . The injector arrangement of  claim 31  wherein the means for pivoting the saddle and injector is one or more hydraulic actuators connected between the injector frame and the lower transverse member, the one or more hydraulic actuators being pivotally connected to the lower transverse member.  
   
   
       35 . The injector arrangement of  claim 31  further comprising: 
 a subframe for supporting the injector on the injector frame.    
   
   
       36 . A coil tubing rig adapted for injecting coil tubing in a slant wellbore comprising: 
 a mobile carrier;    a derrick pivotally mounted to the mobile carrier;    a carriage mounted the injector in the derrick, the carriage being moveable along the derrick;    a saddle pivotally connected to the carriage and being moveable relative thereto;    a coil tubing injector adjustably supported in the saddle;    means for pivoting the saddle and injector supported therein for tilting the saddle and injector relative to the carriage for alignment of the injector along a path with a wellhead connected to the slant wellbore; and    means for axially adjusting the injector within the saddle adapted for permitting fine adjustment of the injector with the wellhead.    
   
   
       37 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 36  further comprising: 
 a support apparatus for a lubricator, having one or more tubular lubricator sections, connecting between the coil tubing injector and the wellhead, the support apparatus comprising:    one or more support members adapted to extend substantially parallel to the lubricator and at least one of which is spaced above or below the lubricator for substantially linearly supporting the lubricator thereon, the support member being supported at a first end at the injector; and    one or more connecting members adapted to be connected between at least a portion of the one or more support members and at least a portion of the lubricator for reducing deflection along the lubricator.    
   
   
       38 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 37  comprising one support member.  
   
   
       39 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 37  wherein one of the one or more support members is spaced substantially vertically above the lubricator and is connected at a first end to the coil tubing injector.  
   
   
       40 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 37  wherein the one or more connecting members further comprise: 
 one or more truss members adapted to extend transversely between the one or more support members and the lubricator; and    one or more angled truss members adapted to extend between the support members and the lubricator.    
   
   
       41 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 37  wherein the one or more support members each further comprise a plurality of support segments and each lubricator section is supported by one of the plurality of support segments and first and second transverse truss members and first and second angled truss members, wherein 
 the first and second transverse truss members are adapted for connection to first and second ends of the lubricator section; and    the first and second angled truss members are adapted to extend from the first and second ends of the lubricator section to substantially a centre of one of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       42 . The coil tubing rig of  claim 41  wherein the plurality of support segments further comprise: 
 a cooperating socket formed in a first end of each of the plurality of support segments; and    a pin extending from a second end of each of the plurality of support segments, wherein the plurality of support segments are fastened by mating the pin at the first end of each of the plurality of support segments into a cooperating socket at the second end of a subsequent of the plurality of support segments.    
   
   
       43 . A method of operating a mobile service rig according to  claim 36  for servicing a slant wellbore comprising: 
 positioning the mobile service rig adjacent a slant wellbore;    connecting a first supported lubricator section to the injector;    connecting one or more additional supported lubricator sections to the first supported lubricator section for forming a substantially linearly extending supported lubricator supported from deflection resulting from manipulation of the injector;    raising the carriage in the derrick for raising the saddle and injector to an operational height;    actuating the means for pivoting the saddle and injector supported therein for tilting the saddle and injector relative to the carriage for aligning of the injector with a wellhead connected to the slant wellbore; and    actuating the means for axially adjusting the injector within the saddle adapted for permitting fine adjustment of the injector with the wellhead for connection of the supported lubricator thereto;    actuating the injector for injecting coil tubing through the lubricator to the wellhead and into the wellbore; and    performing a service operation through the coil tubing.