Tubing connector

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a first and a second section of tubing is provided. It comprise a body having a bore therethrough, a first end, a stiff section, and an exterior surface adapted for connection to the first and second sections of tubing. A first tapered section may be provided on the first end of the body, and the first end of the body may be adapted to be disposed within the first section of coiled tubing. A second tapered section may be provided on the second end of the body, and the second end of the body may be adapted to be disposed within the second section of coiled tubing. The first and second tapered sections may be provided with outer and inner tapered surfaces. By connecting two coiled tubings using a connector as disclosed herein, the result is cost savings through an improved joint between two coiled tubings that will withstand bending forces applied proximate the joint in a manner believed to be superior to joints formed by previous coiled tubing connectors. Related methods are also provided.

1 . A method of connecting a first tubing and a second tubing comprising: 
 providing a tubing connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the tubing connector having a first end section and a stiff section, wherein the first end section has a tapered outer surface;    disposing the first end section of the connector within a first tubing; and    securing the stiff section of the connector to the first tubing and a second tubing within the inner diameter of the first and second tubings.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein further comprising an internal tapered surface on the bore.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector further comprises a second end section, the stiff section being disposed between the first and the second end sections, and further comprising: 
 disposing the second end section of the connector within a second tubing; and    securing the stiff section of the connector to the second tubing;    wherein the second end section has a tapered outer surface.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubing is coiled tubing.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and the second tubing is coiled tubing.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and the second coiled tubing is spooled on a reel.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the connector is provided as a repair between the first and second tubing.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for connecting a first and a second section of tubing comprising: 
 a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, a first end section, and a stiff section;    the first end section of the connector having a tapered outer surface; and    the exterior of the stiff section adapted to be connected to the inner diameter of a first and a second tubing.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the body further comprises a second end section, the second end section having a tapered outer surface and the stiff section being disposed between the first and the second end sections.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and the second end section further comprises a tapered internal surface.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising an annular lip disposed about the body and adapted to be disposed between ends of the first and second sections of tubing.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of indentations disposed in the exterior surface of the stiff section of the body adapted for engagement with at least one of the first and second tubings.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further wherein the indentations are varied.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a seal disposed between the body and at least one of the first section and the second section of tubing.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one barrier to prevent debris from entering between the end section of the body and the tubing.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a flow control device disposed therein.  
   
   
       17 . A method of deploying coiled tubing in a wellbore comprising: 
 providing a coiled tubing connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the body having a first and a second end sections, each end section having a tapered external surface, and a stiff section disposed between the first and the second end sections;    disposing the first end section within a first coiled tubing;    disposing the second end section within a second coiled tubing;    securing the stiff section to the inner diameter of each of a first and a second coiled tubings, thereby forming a connected tubing; and    lowering the connected tubing into a wellbore.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the connector further comprises an annular lip disposed about the body and adapted to be disposed between ends of the first and second sections of coiled tubing.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one barrier disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and the second end section, thereby preventing debris from entering between the end section and the coiled tubing.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and the second coiled tubing is disposed on a reel.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the connected coiled tubing is retrieved from the wellbore.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the connected coiled tubing is spooled onto a reel.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing at flow control device within at least one of the connector, the first coiled tubing, or the second coiled tubing.  
   
   
       24 . A method of deploying coiled tubing in a wellbore comprising: 
 providing a first tubing connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the first tubing connector having a first end section and a stiff section, wherein the first end section has a tapered outer surface;    disposing the first end section of the first tubing connector within a first coiled tubing;    securing the stiff section of the first tubing connector to the inner diameter of each the first coiled tubing;    providing a second tubing connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the second tubing connector having a first end section and a stiff section, wherein the first end section has a tapered outer surface;    disposing the first end section of the second tubing connector within a second coiled tubing;    securing the stiff section of the second tubing connector within the second coiled tubing;    disposing a tool string between the first tubing connector and the second tubing connector, thereby forming a connected tubing; and    lowering the connected tubing into a wellbore.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the first and the second coiled tubing is disposed on a reel.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing at flow control device within at least one of the connector, the first coiled tubing, or the second coiled tubing.