Apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention relates to tubing handling apparatus for injecting tubing into and recovering the tubing from a wellbore. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a storage reel of coiled tubing, a first injector head and a second injector head for injecting the tubing from the reel into the wellbore. The second injector head may be located between the storage reel and the wellbore, and the first injector head may be disposed between the storage reel and the second injector head. The first and second injector heads can control bending of a length of the coiled tubing from the reel which is passed between the first and second injector heads.

1 . Tubing handling apparatus for injecting tubing into a wellbore, and recovering the tubing therefrom, the apparatus comprising
 (a) a storage reel of tubing;   (b) a first injector head;   (c) a second injector head for injecting the tubing from the reel into the wellbore,   (d) the second injector head being located between the storage reel and the wellbore,   (e) the first injector head being disposed between the storage reel and the second injector head, and   (f) the first and second injector heads being together operable to control bending of a length of tubing passed between the first and second injector heads.   
   
   
       2 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubing is coiled tubing. 
   
   
       3 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said length of tubing passed between the first and second injector heads forms a lazy loop of tubing therebetween. 
   
   
       4 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said length of tubing passed between the first and second heads is held within elastic bend radius limits of the tubing. 
   
   
       5 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second injector head is provided with a gooseneck device for facilitating introduction of the tubing into the second injector head. 
   
   
       6 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the gooseneck device is configured to control bending of said length of tubing passed between the first and second injector heads. 
   
   
       7 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the gooseneck device has a first portion and a second portion having different radii of curvature. 
   
   
       8 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the gooseneck device provides a track bed having a first portion and a second portion for receiving tubing thereon for guiding the tubing into an injection point of the second injector head, wherein the first portion of the track bed is positioned closer to the injection point and has a smaller radius of curvature than the second portion of the track bed. 
   
   
       9 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the track bed curvature is selected so that when tubing is being guided by the second portion of the track bed, the tubing is kept within the elastic bend radius limits of the tubing. 
   
   
       10 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the track bed is configured to provide contact with the length of tubing passed over the track bed along its length so as to support the tubing and control its bend radius into an injection point of the first injector head. 
   
   
       11 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the gooseneck is provided with clamps to hold the tubing in contact with the track bed. 
   
   
       12 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the track bed is configured to hold the tubing in contact with the track bed and guide curvature in a plastic deformation zone. 
   
   
       13 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the track bed is configured to allow separation of the tubing from a set minimum radius of curvature of the track bed, the set radius of curvature of the track bed limiting the bend radius of the tubing to keep the tubing within its elastic bend radius limits. 
   
   
       14 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a synchronising device whereby the tubing is moved through the first and second injector heads at substantially the same rate. 
   
   
       15 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second injector heads are configured to control the length of tubing passed therebetween. 
   
   
       16 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second injector head has a motion compensator system. 
   
   
       17 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the storage reel has a spooling device for spooling the tubing on and off the reel, and wherein the first injector head is provided on the spooling device. 
   
   
       18 . Tubing handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubing between the reel and the first injector device is held in tension. 
   
   
       19 . A method of handling reeled tubing, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) passing the tubing from the reel through a first injector head;   b) passing the tubing from the first injector head through a second injector head to form a length of tubing passed between the first and second injector heads;   c) passing the tubing from the second injector head into the wellbore; and   d) controlling bending of said length of tubing passed between the two injector heads.   
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the method includes the step of moving the tubing through the injector heads at substantially the same rate. 
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the method includes synchronising operation of the injector heads so that said length of tubing passed between the two injector heads remains substantially constant. 
   
   
       22 . A method of configuring a tubing handling system, comprising the steps of:
 a) installing a tubing reel on a platform;   b) installing a first injector head for paying out tubing from the reel;   c) installing a second injector head for injecting tubing into a well;   d) paying out a section of tubing to pass through the first and second injector heads; and   e) engaging the first and second injector heads to control the bend of the section of tubing passed out between the injector heads.   
   
   
       23 . A gooseneck device for a tubing injector head, the gooseneck device comprising: a guide member configured to receive thereon a section of tubing, and to present the tubing for insertion through an injector head, wherein the guide member has a first guide portion and a second guide portion, and the first and second guide portions have different radii of curvature. 
   
   
       24 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first guide portion is adapted to be attached to an injector head. 
   
   
       25 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first guide portion is aligned with a central aperture of the injector head. 
   
   
       26 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the guide is configured to support a section of tubing along its length. 
   
   
       27 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the guide member is curved to control the bend radius of the tubing configured to lie against the guide member. 
   
   
       28 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the guide member defines a minimum radius of curvature for the tubing. 
   
   
       29 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first guide portion has a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the second guide portion. 
   
   
       30 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the radius of curvature of the second guide portion is within elastic bend radius limits of the tubing. 
   
   
       31 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the radius of curvature of the second guide portion is in the range of approximately 25 to 40 ft (approximately 7.6 to 12.2 m). 
   
   
       32 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the radius of curvature of the first guide portion is in the range of approximately 90 to 120 inches (approximately 229 to 305 cm). 
   
   
       33 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the guide member is configured to pivot into different rotational positions. 
   
   
       34 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the guide member is formed in two sections, and incorporates a hydraulic actuator to move the first section relative to the second section between an operational position and a stowed position. 
   
   
       35 . A gooseneck device as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the hydraulic actuator is arranged to provide a cushioning support for the second guide portion, in the operational position.