Method of installing coiled tubing with a plurality of integrated large diameter external assemblies

Abstract

A method of installing a coiled tubing string having a plurality of external assemblies includes injecting the coiled tubing string into a well with a coiled tubing injector, when a first external assembly on the coiled tubing string reaches the coiled tubing injector, transferring support of the coiled tubing from the coiled tubing injector to a coiled tubing snubber located below the coiled tubing injector, opening the coiled tubing injector to an extent sufficient to allow passage of the first external assembly thereby, and actuating the coiled tubing snubber to move the first external assembly past the coiled tubing injector. The first external assembly has an outside diameter that is larger than an outside diameter of the coiled tubing string.

1 . A method of installing a coiled tubing string having a plurality of external assemblies, comprising the steps of:
 injecting a coiled tubing string into a well with a coiled tubing injector;   when a first external assembly on the coiled tubing string reaches the coiled tubing injector, transferring support of the coiled tubing from the coiled tubing injector to a coiled tubing snubber located below the coiled tubing injector;   opening the coiled tubing injector to an extent sufficient to allow passage of the first external assembly thereby; and   actuating the coiled tubing snubber to move the first external assembly past the coiled tubing injector;   wherein the first external assembly has an outside diameter that is larger than an outside diameter of the coiled tubing string.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 prior to injecting the coiled tubing string using the coiled tubing injector, closing an upper annular blow out preventer located above the coiled tubing snubber and a lower annular blow out preventer located below the coiled tubing snubber.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 supplying a lubricant to the upper and lower annular blow out preventers so that the upper and lower annular blow out preventers do not become damaged as the coiled tubing string passes through the upper and lower annular blow out preventers.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
 when the first external assembly reaches the coiled tubing injector, and prior to transferring support of the coiled tubing string from the coiled tubing injector to the coiled tubing snubber, closing a pipe/slip ram blow out preventer located below the lower annular blow out preventer and moving the coiled tubing snubber to an uppermost position.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising the step of:
 after transferring support of the coiled tubing string from the coiled tubing injector to the coiled tubing snubber, opening the upper annular blow out preventer to an extent sufficient to allow passage of the first external assembly thereby.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of:
 after transferring support of the coiled tubing string from the coiled tubing injector to the coiled tubing snubber, opening the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the step of actuating the coiled tubing snubber includes moving the first external assembly past the upper annular blow out preventer and into a housing of the coiled tubing snubber.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 when the first external assembly is contained within the housing of the coiled tubing snubber, closing the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 when the first external assembly is contained within the housing of the coiled tubing snubber:   transferring support of the coiled tubing from the coiled tubing snubber to the coiled tubing injector; and   closing the upper and lower annular blow out preventers.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 transferring support of the coiled tubing from the coiled tubing snubber to the coiled tubing injector includes closing the coiled tubing injector on the coiled tubing string and opening the coiled tubing snubber.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 opening the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer; and   opening the lower annular blow out preventer.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 after opening the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer and the lower annular blow out preventer, lowering the coiled tubing string through the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer and the lower annular blow out preventer using the coiled tubing injector.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 when the first external assembly is past the pipe/slip ram blow out preventer and the lower annular blow out preventer, closing the lower annular blow out preventer, and lowering the coiled tubing string into the well using the coiled tubing injector until a second external assembly reaches the coiled tubing injector.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 after closing the lower annular blow out preventer, and prior to lowering the coiled tubing string, supplying a lubricant to the upper and lower annular blow out preventers.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the well has a positive wellhead pressure.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing snubber is a second coiled tubing injector.   
     
     
         17 . A system for installing a coiled tubing string having a plurality of external assemblies into a well having a positive wellhead pressure, comprising:
 a coiled tubing injector configured to lower a coiled tubing string into a well;   an upper annular blow out preventer located below the coiled tubing injector and receiving the coiled tubing string therefrom; and   a coiled tubing snubber located below the upper annular blow out preventer and configured to support the weight of the coiled tubing string when the coil tubing string is not supported by the coiled tubing injector, and to move a first external assembly of the plurality of external assemblies of the coiled tubing string past the coiled tubing injector and the upper annular blow out preventer;   wherein the first external assembly has an outside diameter that is larger than an outside diameter of the coiled tubing string.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a lower annular blow out preventer located below the coiled tubing snubber; and   a pipe/slip ram blow out preventer located below the lower annular blow out preventer.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing injector, upper annular blow out preventer, lower annular blow out preventer and pipe/slip ram blow out preventer are configured to open to an extent sufficient to allow passage of the first external assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing snubber includes a first traveling block and slip assembly configured to engage a section of the coiled tubing string and forcefully move the tubing string in an upward and downward direction using hydraulic rams, and a second stationary block and slip assembly configured to engage and support the coiled tubing string while the first travelling block and slip assembly returns to either an upper most position or a lower most position.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing snubber has an inner bore large enough to accommodate the first external assembly therein.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing snubber includes an exterior housing having a window that can be opened to expose the coiled tubing and the first external assembly to allow for the manipulation or addition of components or removal of components to the coiled tubing and the first external assembly.   
     
     
         23 . An assembly for installing a coiled tubing string having a plurality of external assemblies into a well having a positive wellhead pressure, comprising:
 a coiled tubing injector configured to lower a coiled tubing string into a well;   an upper annular blow out preventer located below the coiled tubing injector and receiving the coiled tubing string therefrom; and   a coiled tubing snubber located below the upper annular blow out preventer and configured to support the weight of the coiled tubing string when the coil tubing string is not supported by the coiled tubing injector, and to move a first external assembly of the plurality of external assemblies of the coiled tubing string past the coiled tubing injector and the upper annular blow out preventer;   a lower annular blow out preventer located below the coiled tubing snubber; and   a pipe/slip ram blow out preventer located below the lower annular blow out preventer;   wherein the first external assembly has an outside diameter that is larger than an outside diameter of the coiled tubing string.   
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the coiled tubing snubber is a second coiled tubing injector.