System and method for spooling coiled tubing

Abstract

A system and method for spooling coiled tubing is provided, the system including a second levelwind mechanism. The second levelwind is positioned adjacent ground level, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to work at heights associated with traditional spooling of coiled tubing from one reel to another. Coiled tubing is transferred from one reel to another reel on the low side of the spool so that personnel may work at ground level.

1 . A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising:
 a first tubing reel adapted to spool coiled tubing;   a first levelwind adjacent to a high side of the first tubing reel; and   a second levelwind adjacent to a bottom side of the first tubing reel.   
   
   
       2 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second levelwind is inverted relative to the first levelwind. 
   
   
       3 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , the system further comprising:
 a pivoting arm connected to an axis of the first tubing reel; and   an elevating apparatus connected to the pivoting arm, whereby the elevating apparatus can be moved relative to the axis of the first tubing reel.   
   
   
       4 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , the system further comprising a second tubing reel having a first levelwind adjacent a high side of the second tubing reel and a second levelwind adjacent to a bottom side of the second tubing reel, whereby the second levelwind of the second tubing reel is adapted to receive the tubing reel from the second levelwind of the first tubing reel. 
   
   
       5 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second levelwind is positioned at a height ranging up to 3 feet above ground level. 
   
   
       6 . A system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the pivoting arm comprises a telescoping hydraulic cylinder used to move the elevating apparatus relative to the axis of the first tubing reel. 
   
   
       7 . A system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the first levelwind is inverted such that a distal end of a telescoping pole attached to the first levelwind extends in an upward direction. 
   
   
       8 . A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising:
 a supply reel adapted to spool coiled tubing; and   a levelwind adjacent the supply reel, the levelwind being adapted to rotate about an axis of the supply reel.   
   
   
       9 . A system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the levelwind is allowed to rotate at least 180 degrees around the axis of the supply reel. 
   
   
       10 . A system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the levelwind is connected to the supply reel via a pivoting arm, the system further comprising a telescoping hydraulic cylinder having a first and second end, the first end being connected to the pivoting arm and the second end being connected to a base used to support the supply reel, wherein the levelwind is rotated about the axis of the supply reel via the pivoting arm. 
   
   
       11 . A system as defined in  claim 8 , the system further comprising an elevating apparatus adapted to rotate around the axis of the supply reel. 
   
   
       12 . A system as defined in  claim 8 , the system further comprising a service reel having a levelwind adjacent a bottom side of the service reel, the levelwind of the service wheel being adapted to receive the coiled tubing from the levelwind of the supply reel. 
   
   
       13 . A method for spooling coiled tubing, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the coiled tubing to a first levelwind of a supply reel, the first levelwind being adjacent a top side of the supply reel; and   (b) providing the coiled tubing to a second levelwind of the supply reel, the second levelwind being adjacent a bottom side of the supply reel.   
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising the step of spooling the coiled tubing from the second levelwind of the supply reel to a service reel. 
   
   
       15 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the step of spooling the coiled tubing to the service reel further comprises the steps of:
 spooling the coiled tubing from the second level wind of the supply reel to a second levelwind of the service reel, the second levelwind of the service reel being adjacent a bottom side of the service reel; and   providing the coiled tubing to a first levelwind of the service reel, the first levelwind being adjacent a top side of the service reel.   
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising the step of rotating an elevating apparatus about an axis of the supply reel, the elevating apparatus adapted to allow an operator access to the first levelwind of the supply reel. 
   
   
       17 . A method for spooling tubing about a tubing reel, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the tubing to a levelwind of the tubing reel located adjacent a top side of the tubing reel;   (b) spooling the tubing about the tubing reel; and   (c) rotating the levelwind about an axis of the tubing reel to a location adjacent a bottom side of the tubing reel.   
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , wherein step (c) further comprises the step of severing the tubing before rotating the levelwind about the axis of the tubing reel. 
   
   
       19 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , the method further comprising the step of spooling the tubing to a separate tubing reel. 
   
   
       20 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , the method further comprising the step of retracting the levelwind from the bottom side location back to the top side location. 
   
   
       21 . A method as defined in  claim 17 , the method further comprising the step of rotating an elevating apparatus about an axis of the tubing reel, the elevating apparatus adapted to allow an operator access to the levelwind of the tubing reel. 
   
   
       22 . A system for spooling coiled tubing, the system comprising:
 a tubing reel adapted to spool coiled tubing;   a levelwind adjacent to a high side of the first tubing reel; and   an elevating apparatus connected to the tubing reel, whereby the elevating apparatus can be rotated relative to the axis of the tubing reel.   
   
   
       23 . A system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the elevating apparatus is connected to the tubing reel via a pivoting arm, the pivoting arm comprising a telescoping hydraulic cylinder used to move the elevating apparatus relative to the axis of the tubing reel.