Graphical evaluator for tubular makeup

Abstract

A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes: engaging threads of the tubulars; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring torque applied to the connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; and detecting a shoulder position. The method further includes: displaying the measured torque and turns; overlaying a reference curve onto the display; evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured torque and turns to the reference curve; and graphically displaying the evaluation.

1 . A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular, comprising:
 engaging threads of the tubulars;   rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection;   during makeup of the threaded connection:
 measuring torque applied to the connection; 
 measuring turns of the first tubular; and 
 detecting a shoulder position; 
   displaying the measured torque and turns;   overlaying a reference curve onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured torque and turns to the reference curve; and   graphically displaying the evaluation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reference curve is a maximum,   the method further comprises overlaying a minimum reference curve,   the threaded connection is evaluated by comparing the measured torque and turns to the maximum and minimum reference curves, and   the evaluation is graphically displayed by filling a region between the reference curves with a color.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 overlaying a maximum final torque and minimum final torque onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a measured final torque to the maximum and minimum final torques; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum final torques with a color.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 overlaying a maximum shoulder torque and minimum shoulder torque onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a measured shoulder torque to the maximum and minimum shoulder torques; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum shoulder torques with a color.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 overlaying a maximum delta turn and minimum delta turn onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a calculated delta turn to the maximum and minimum delta turns; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum delta turns with a color.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, during makeup of the threaded connection:
 calculating a torque gradient with respect to turns,   wherein the shoulder position is detected by comparing the calculated torque gradient to a shoulder threshold gradient.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 displaying the calculated torque gradient;   overlaying a maximum delta gradient and minimum delta gradient onto the displayed torque gradient;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a calculated delta gradient to the maximum and minimum delta gradients; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum delta gradients with a color.   
     
     
         8 . A tubular makeup system, comprising:
 a power drive operable rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular;   a torque cell;   a turns counter; and   a programmable logic controller (PLC) operably connected to the power drive and in communication with the torque cell and turns counter,   wherein the PLC is configured to control an operation, comprising:
 engaging threads of the tubulars; 
 rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection; 
 during makeup of the threaded connection:
 measuring torque applied to the connection; 
 measuring turns of the first tubular; and 
 detecting a shoulder position; 
 
 displaying the measured torque and turns; 
 overlaying a reference curve onto the display; 
 evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured torque and turns to the reference curve; and 
 graphically displaying the evaluation. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the reference curve is a maximum,   the operation further comprises overlaying a minimum reference curve,   the threaded connection is evaluated by comparing the measured torque and turns to the maximum and minimum reference curves, and   the evaluation is graphically displayed by filling a region between the reference curves with a color.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operation further comprises:
 overlaying a maximum final torque and minimum final torque onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a measured final torque to the maximum and minimum final torques; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum final torques with a color.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operation further comprises:
 overlaying a maximum shoulder torque and minimum shoulder torque onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a measured shoulder torque to the maximum and minimum shoulder torques; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum shoulder torques with a color.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operation further comprises:
 overlaying a maximum delta turn and minimum delta turn onto the display;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a calculated delta turn to the maximum and minimum delta turns; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum delta turns with a color.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operation further comprises, during makeup of the threaded connection:
 calculating a torque gradient with respect to turns,   wherein the shoulder position is detected by comparing the calculated torque gradient to a shoulder threshold gradient.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the operation further comprises:
 displaying the calculated torque gradient;   overlaying a maximum delta gradient and minimum delta gradient onto the displayed torque gradient;   evaluating the threaded connection by comparing a calculated delta gradient to the maximum and minimum delta gradients; and   graphically displaying the evaluation by filling a region between the maximum and minimum delta gradients with a color.