Well tubing drain tool adapted for use with power tongs and method of using same

Abstract

A well tool adapted to be connected with and disconnected from a well tubing using a power tong device having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the pair of tongs, and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing through the tongs. The well tool includes a tubular mandrel. The tubular mandrel has a maximum mandrel diameter which is no greater than the maximum clearance diameter. The tubular mandrel includes a first mandrel connector which is adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel with a first well tubing in order to provide a first connection. The tubular mandrel is configured so that when the power tong device grips a tong gripping surface on the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing in order to connect the tubular mandrel and the first well tubing, the first connection is located within the gripping span.

1 . A well tubing drain adapted to be connected with and disconnected from well tubing using a power tong device of the type having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the pair of tongs, and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing vertically through the tongs, the well tubing drain comprising:
 a tubular mandrel having a first connector end, a second connector end, an external mandrel surface between said first and second connector ends, a maximum mandrel diameter less than said maximum clearance diameter, and defining a mandrel bore, each of the connector ends being adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel with said well tubing, the external mandrel surface including a drain portion having at least one drain opening and at least one actuable drain closing device having a closed position and an open position, said external mandrel surface further including a gripping surface positioned clear of any interference with said drain closing device and said drain opening when said drain closing device is in either an open or a closed position and wherein said tubular mandrel has a length to permit the gripping surface to be gripped by either of said pair of tongs, with one of said first connector end and said second connector end located within the gripping span of said power tong device.   
     
     
         2 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the drain closing device is actuatable to open the drain by providing an actuating pressure in the mandrel bore. 
     
     
         3 . The well tubing drain of  claim 2  wherein the drain closing device is comprised of a burst plug and wherein the burst plug ruptures to open the drain opening when the actuating pressure is provided in the mandrel bore. 
     
     
         4 . The well tubing drain of  claim 2  wherein the drain closing device is comprised of a slidable sleeve, wherein the slidable sleeve surrounds the tubular mandrel, wherein the slidable sleeve covers the drain opening to close the drain, and wherein the slidable sleeve slides relative to the tubular mandrel to uncover the drain opening when the actuating pressure is provided in the mandrel bore. 
     
     
         5 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4  wherein said external mandrel surface includes an external mandrel shoulder, and the diameter of the slidable sleeve is no greater than the external diameter of the mandrel shoulder. 
     
     
         6 . The well tubing drain of  claim 5  wherein said external mandrel shoulder is sized and shaped to limit movement of said slidable sleeve towards said gripping surface. 
     
     
         7 . The well tubing drain of  claim 6  wherein said external mandrel shoulder stops said slidable sleeve from overlapping said gripping surface. 
     
     
         8 . The well tubing drain of  claim 7  wherein said slidable sleeve slides away from said mandrel shoulder when opening. 
     
     
         9 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4  wherein said slidable sleeve moves to an open position spaced relative to said gripping surface to permit said tongs to grip said gripping surface without gripping said sleeve when said sleeve is in said open position. 
     
     
         10 . The well tubing drain of  claim 7  wherein said external mandrel shoulder extends generally circumferentially and is located between said gripping surface and said at least one drain opening. 
     
     
         11 . The well tubing drain of  claim 5  wherein said external mandrel shoulder is sized, shaped and positioned to provide some protection to said slidable sleeve from said power tongs. 
     
     
         12 . The well tubing drain of  claim 5  wherein said external mandrel shoulder is adjacent to said gripping surface and to where said tongs grip said gripping surface. 
     
     
         13 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4  further including at least one shear pin located between said outer sleeve and said mandrel for retaining said slidable sleeve in a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The well tubing drain of  claim 10  wherein said external mandrel surface includes at least one recess for housing at least a portion of said at least one shear pin. 
     
     
         15 . The well tubing drain of  claim 12  wherein said slidable sleeve has an internal surface, and said internal surface is in pressure communication with an inside of said well tubing through said at least one drain opening. 
     
     
         16 . The well tubing drain of  claim 13  wherein said internal surface of said slidable sleeve is configured to create an axial force, wherein upon sufficient pressure being attained within said tubing drain said axial force overcomes said shear pins to uncover said drain opening. 
     
     
         17 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein said first connector end, when said well tubing drain is in use, is below said second connector end and said at least one drain opening is located between the gripping portion and the first connector end. 
     
     
         18 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4  wherein said at least one drain opening is sized, shaped and positioned to be covered by said actuable drain closing device when said drain closing device is in a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  further including four drain openings spaced about said external mandrel surface. 
     
     
         20 . The well tubing drain of  claim 18  wherein said external mandrel surface further includes at least one sealing ring groove for housing a circumferential seal, said at least one sealing ring groove being adjacent to said at least one drain opening and being sized to be covered by said actuable drain closing device when said drain closing device is in the drain closing position. 
     
     
         21 . The well tubing drain of  claim 18  further comprising two sealing ring grooves formed in said external mandrel surface wherein one of said sealing ring grooves is located between said at least one drain opening and said first connector end and the other of said sealing grooves is located between said at least one drain opening and said second connector end. 
     
     
         22 . A well tubing drain of  claim 21  wherein said sealing ring grooves include lips which project radially beyond said external mandrel surface in which said at least one drain opening is formed. 
     
     
         23 . The well tubing of  claim 22  in which said sealing ring grooves include lips which do not project radially beyond said external mandrel shoulder. 
     
     
         24 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4 , further comprising a sleeve seal device for providing a seal between the external mandrel surface and the slidable sleeve. 
     
     
         25 . The well tubing drain of  claim 4  wherein the drain is comprised of a plurality of drain ports circumferentially spaced around the tubular mandrel. 
     
     
         26 . The well tubing drain of  claim 25  wherein the well tool has a longitudinal axis which extends between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, wherein each of the plurality of drain ports has a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the major dimension is larger than the minor dimension, and wherein the plurality of drain ports is arranged so that the minor dimension extends in a direction which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the well tool. 
     
     
         27 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the first connector end is comprised of a threaded connector. 
     
     
         28 . The well tubing drain of  claim 27  wherein the second connector end is comprised of a threaded connector. 
     
     
         29 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the first connector end is comprised of an EUE pin connector. 
     
     
         30 . The well tubing drain of  claim 29  wherein the second connector end is comprised of an EUE pin connector. 
     
     
         31 . The well tubing drain of  claim 11  wherein each of the tongs in the pair of tongs has a tong length, wherein the gripping surface has a gripping surface length, and wherein the gripping surface length is greater than the tong length. 
     
     
         32 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the maximum clearance distance is 6 inches and the maximum mandrel diameter is no greater than 6 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the maximum clearance distance is 5 inches and the maximum mandrel diameter is no greater than 5 inches. 
     
     
         34 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the gripping span is about 11 inches. 
     
     
         35 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the first gripping surface end is between the first connection end and the second gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a first span length between the first gripping surface end and the first connection end, and wherein the first span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         36 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the second gripping surface end is between the second connection end and the first gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a second span length between the second gripping surface end and the second connection end, and wherein the second span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         37 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein each of the tongs in the pair of tongs has a tong length, wherein the gripping surface has a gripping surface length, and wherein the gripping surface length is greater than the tong length. 
     
     
         38 . The well tubing drain of  claim 1  wherein said gripping surface has an external diameter equal to an external diameter of said well tubing. 
     
     
         39 . The well tubing drain of  claim 37  wherein said gripping surface is tubular to facilitate being gripped by said gripping tongs. 
     
     
         40 . A well tubing drain adapted to be connected with and disconnected from well tubing using a power tong device of the type having a pair of tongs, each of said tongs having a tong length, a gripping span between the tongs and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing vertically through the tongs, the well tubing drain comprising:
 a tubular mandrel having a first connector end, a second connector end, an external mandrel surface between said first and second connector ends, a maximum mandrel diameter less than said maximum clearance diameter and defining a mandrel bore, each of the first and second connector ends being adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel to said well tubing;   the external mandrel surface including a drain portion having at least one drain opening and a slidable sealing sleeve to seal and unseal said at least one drain opening, said external mandrel surface further including a gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs, said gripping surface having a gripping surface length longer than said tong length; and   wherein said slidable sealing sleeve is sized and shaped relative to said gripping surface to slide to a position where the at least one drain opening is unsealed and the sleeve is positioned to permit at least a portion of said gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs without gripping said slidable sleeve or said at least one drain opening.   
     
     
         41 . The well tubing drain of  claim 40  wherein said slidable sleeve slides away from said gripping surface when opening. 
     
     
         42 . The well tubing drain of  claim 40  wherein including an external mandrel shoulder which is sized, shaped and positioned to provide some protection to said slidable sleeve from said power tongs. 
     
     
         43 . The well tubing drain of  claim 40  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the first gripping surface end is between the first connection end and the second gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a first span length between the first gripping surface end and the first connection end, and wherein the first span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         44 . The well tubing drain of  claim 40  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the second gripping surface end is between the second connection end and the first gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a second span length between the second gripping surface end and the second connection end, and wherein the second span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         45 . A well tubing drain adapted to be connected with and disconnected from well tubing using a power tong device of the type having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the tongs and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing vertically through the tongs, the well tubing drain comprising:
 a tubular mandrel having a first connector end, a second connector end, an external mandrel surface between said first and second connector ends, a maximum mandrel diameter less than said maximum clearance diameter and defining a mandrel bore, each of the first and second connector ends being adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel to said well tubing;   the external mandrel surface including a drain portion having at least one drain opening and an actuable drain closing device having an open and a closed position, said external mandrel surface further including a gripping surface between said drain opening and one of said connector ends, said drain closing device and said drain opening being clear of any interference with said gripping surface; and   wherein said gripping surface includes at least a portion which extends towards the other of said connector ends across a midpoint between said connector ends.   
     
     
         46 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein the drain closing device is comprised of a slidable sleeve, wherein the slidable sleeve surrounds the tubular mandrel, wherein the slidable sleeve covers the drain opening to close the drain, and wherein the slidable sleeve slides relative to the tubular mandrel to uncover the drain opening when an actuating pressure is provided in the mandrel bore. 
     
     
         47 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein said slidable sleeve slides away from said gripping surface when opening. 
     
     
         48 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein said slidable sleeve moves to an open position spaced relative to said gripping surface to permit said tongs to grip said gripping surface without gripping said sleeve when said sleeve is in said open position. 
     
     
         49 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein including an external mandrel shoulder which is sized, shaped and positioned to provide some protection to said slidable sleeve from said power tongs. 
     
     
         50 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the first gripping surface end is between the first connection end and the second gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a first span length between the first gripping surface end and the first connection end, and wherein the first span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         51 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end, wherein the second gripping surface end is between the second connection end and the first gripping surface end, wherein the tubular mandrel has a second span length between the second gripping surface end and the second connection end, and wherein the second span length is no greater than 8 inches. 
     
     
         52 . A method of connecting and disconnecting a well tubing drain to well tubing using a power tong device of the type having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the upper and lower tongs and a maximum clearance distance for an object passing vertically through the tongs, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tubing drain having a tubular mandrel with a first connection end, a second connection end, a mandrel bore and an external mandrel surface, the external mandrel surface defining a drain portion and a gripping surface located between said first and second connector ends, said drain portion including an actuable drain cover to open and close a drain, said gripping surface being positioned to be clear of any interference with said actuable drain cover when said cover is in either of said open and closed positions;
 providing well tubing adjacent to said tubing drain; 
   gripping said tubing drain on said gripping surface with one of said tongs while gripping said well tubing with the other of tongs whereby either of said first or second connector ends is located with said gripping span; and   actuating said tongs to rotate said tubing drain and said well tubing relative to one another to connect or disconnect said tubing drain and said well tubing.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  further including a preliminary step of actuating said drain cover to open said drain and said step of gripping said tubing drain on said gripping surface includes positioning said tongs on said gripping surface clear of said opened actuable drain cover. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  further including the step of gripping a box connector with the other of said pair of tongs. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52  further including the step of positioning one of said tongs on said gripping surface clear of any threaded portion of said connector ends. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  further including the step of providing an external mandrel shoulder located between said gripping surface and said actuable drain cover, and positioning said tongs on said gripping surface adjacent to said external mandrel shoulder. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said step of providing said external mandrel shoulder includes extending said shoulder circumferentially sufficiently to protect said actuable drain cover from said tongs. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end further including the step of gripping said gripping surface at said first gripping surface end with said first connection end located in said gripping span. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the gripping surface has a first gripping surface end and a second gripping surface end further including the step of gripping said gripping surface at said second gripping surface and with said second connection located within said gripping span. 
     
     
         60 . The well tubing drain of  claim 45  wherein at least a section of the gripping surface is clear of any interference with said drain closing device and said drain opening when said drain closing device is in an open position to permit said section of the gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs without gripping said drain closing device or said drain opening. 
     
     
         61 . The well tubing drain of  claim 60  wherein each of said tongs has a tong length and wherein the section of the gripping surface has a length greater than the tong length. 
     
     
         62 . The well tubing drain of  claim 61  wherein the length of the section of the gripping surface is greater than 4 about inches. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 52  wherein at least a section of the gripping surface is positioned clear of any interference with said actuable drain cover and said drain when said actuable drain cover is in an open position to permit said section of the gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs without gripping said actuable drain cover or said drain. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein each of said tongs has a tong length and wherein the section of the gripping surface has a length greater than the tong length. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the length of the section of the gripping surface is greater than 4 about inches. 
     
     
         66 . A well tubing drain adapted to be connected with and disconnected from well tubing using a power tong device of the type having a pair of tongs, a gripping span between the tongs and a maximum clearance diameter for an object passing vertically through the tongs, the well tubing drain comprising:
 a tubular mandrel having a first connector end, a second connector end, an external mandrel surface between said first and second connector ends, a maximum mandrel diameter less than said maximum clearance diameter and defining a mandrel bore, each of the first and second connector ends being adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel to said well tubing;   the external mandrel surface including a drain portion having at least one drain opening and a slidable sealing sleeve to seal and unseal said at least one drain opening, said external mandrel surface further including a gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs; and   wherein said slidable sealing sleeve is sized and shaped relative to said gripping surface to slide to a position where the at least one drain opening is unsealed and in the unsealed position the sleeve is clear of any interference with at least a section of the gripping surface having a length sufficient to permit said section of the gripping surface to be gripped by one of said pair of tongs without gripping said slidable sleeve or said at least one drain opening.   
     
     
         67 . The well tubing drain of  claim 66  wherein each of said tongs having a tong length, and wherein the length of the section of the gripping surface is greater than the tong length. 
     
     
         68 . The well tubing drain of  claim 67  wherein the tong length is about 4 inches and the length of the section of the gripping surface is greater than about 4 inches.