Rigless well intervention apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a rigless well intervention apparatus and method for well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention. Specifically, the present invention relates to a rigless well intervention apparatus and method for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques whether designed to be run through, or conducted within, the production tubing of an oil or gas well, or not, ranging from the ability to operate within a restricted diameter tubular with live-well intervention when the tubing is in place to the ability to drill the well.

1 . A method for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore comprising a pipe string, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) maintaining a structure in association with the wellbore such that the structure has a maximum string pulling capacity,   (b) measuring the weight of the pipe string in the wellbore,   (c) determining whether the weight of the pipe string in the wellbore exceeds the maximum string pulling capacity of the structure,   (d) if the weight of the pipe string in the wellbore exceeds the maximum string pulling capacity of the structure then, terminating the pull of the pipe string in the wellbore, and   (e) if the weight of the pipe string in the wellbore does not exceed the maximum string pulling capacity of the structure then, commencing the pull of the pipe string in the wellbore.   
   
   
       2 . A method for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore and a component associated with the well, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) maintaining a structure in association with the wellbore such that the structure has a maximum lifting capacity,   (b) measuring the weight of the component associated with the well,   (c) determining whether the weight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of the structure,   (d) if the weight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then, terminating the lift of the component associated with the well, and   (e) if the weight of the component associated with the well does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then, commencing the lift of the component associated with the well.   
   
   
       3 . A method for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore and a component associated with the well, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) maintaining a structure in association with the wellbore such that the structure has a maximum lifting capacity,   (b) measuring the weight of the component associated with the well,   (c) determining whether the weight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of the structure,   (d) if the weight of the component associated with the well exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then, terminating the lift of the component associated with the well,   (e) if the weight of the component associated with the well does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structure then, commencing the lift of the component associated with the well,   (f) monitoring the weight of the component during the lift,   (g) if the weight of the component exceeds the maximum lifting capacity of the structure during the lifting process then, terminating the lift of the component and secure the component, and   (g) if the weight of the component does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of the structure during the lifting process then, continuing the lift of the component to completion.   
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore and a component associated with the well, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a structure having a plurality of levels such that the structure has a maximum lifting capacity, the levels adapted to lift the component associated with the well, and   (b) at least one strain gauge associated with the plurality of levels of the structure for monitoring the weight associated with the process of lifting the component such that the maximum lifting capacity of the structure will not be exceeded, and further, the monitoring of the weight associated with the process of lifting the component provides for changing the rate of movement of the process of lifting the component for increasing the rate of movement of the process when the monitored weight is appropriate for an increase and decreasing the rate of movement of the process when the monitored weight is appropriate for a decrease such that the maximum lifting capacity of the structure will not be exceeded and the maximum rate of the process is achieved.   
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for performing various well completion, recompletion, servicing, workover and intervention operations that pertains to a range of products, services and techniques applied to a well having a wellbore comprising a pipe string, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a structure having a plurality of levels such that the structure has a maximum lifting capacity, the levels adapted to accomplish the process of at least one of pulling the pipe string and running a pipe string, and   (b) at least one strain gauge associated with the plurality of levels of the structure for monitoring the weight associated with the process of at least one of pulling the pipe string and running the pipe string such that the maximum lifting capacity of the structure will not be exceeded, and further, the monitoring of the weight associated with the process of at least one of pulling the pipe string and running the pipe string provides for adapting the rate of movement of the process for increasing the rate of movement of the process when the monitored weight is appropriate for an increase and decreasing the rate of movement of the process when the monitored weight is appropriated for a decrease such that the maximum lifting capacity of the structure will not be exceeded and the maximum rate of the process is achieved.