Coiled tubing deployment/retrieval apparatus employing multiple tubing guides and a method of use thereof

Abstract

Provided is a coiled tubing deployment/retrieval apparatus, a method for deploying/retrieving coiled tubing, and a well system. The coiled tubing deployment/retrieval apparatus, in one aspect, includes a frame, a lower tubing guide coupled to the frame, and an upper tubing guide coupled to the frame. In at least one aspect, the upper tubing guide is configured to move between a primary position and a secondary position relative to the lower tubing guide, the secondary position configured to allow a rigid connector of a coiled tubing string to at least partially bypass the upper tubing guide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coiled tubing alignment apparatus, comprising:
 a first alignment housing, the first alignment housing having a first angled portion and a first straight portion; and   a second alignment housing, the second alignment housing having a second angled portion and second straight portion, wherein the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing are configured to move between a first state having the first and second alignment housings separated from one another and a second state having the first and second alignment housings coupled to one another to form an alignment cone and an alignment cylinder.   
     
     
         2 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including a third alignment housing, the third alignment housing having a third angled portion and a third straight portion. 
     
     
         3 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the second state has the first, second and third alignment housings coupled to one another to form the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including a deployment mechanism for moving the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing between the first state and the second state. 
     
     
         5 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the deployment mechanism axially moves the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing between a radially outward state and a radially inward state. 
     
     
         6 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the deployment mechanism is a hydraulic deployment mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the deployment mechanism is an electric deployment mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the deployment mechanism is a mechanical deployment mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including a coiled tubing alignment guide, the coiled tubing alignment guide configured to attach to an end of coiled tubing to align the coiled tubing string within the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The coiled tubing alignment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including a bottom hole assembly alignment guide, the bottom hole assembly alignment guide configured to attach to an end of a bottom hole assembly to align the bottom hole assembly within the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . A method for deploying/retrieving coiled tubing, comprising:
 providing a coiled tubing alignment apparatus, the coiled tubing alignment apparatus including:
 a first alignment housing, the first alignment housing having a first angled portion and a first straight portion; and 
 a second alignment housing, the second alignment housing having a second angled portion and second straight portion, wherein the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing are configured to move between a first state having the first and second alignment housings separated from one another and a second state having the first and second alignment housings coupled to one another to form an alignment cone and an alignment cylinder; 
   feeding coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder of the coiled tubing alignment apparatus that is formed when the first and second alignment housings are positioned in the second state;   coupling the coiled tubing string with other tubing while the first and second alignment housings are positioned in the second state; and   moving the first and second alignment housings from the second state to the first state after coupling the coiled tubing string with the other tubing.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further including attaching a coiled tubing alignment guide to an end of the coiled tubing string while the first and second alignment housings are in the first state and prior to feeding the coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the other tubing is a bottom hole assembly, and further including attaching a bottom hole assembly alignment guide to an end of the bottom hole assembly while the first and second alignment housings are in the first state and prior to feeding the coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein feeding the coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder has the coiled tubing alignment guide first ride upon the alignment cone and then ride upon the alignment cylinder to align the coiled tubing string with the bottom hole assembly prior to coupling the coiled tubing string with the bottom hole assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the coupling is initially coupling and further including securing the coiled tubing string to the bottom hole assembly using a mechanical fastener after moving the first and second alignment housings from the second state to the first state. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the other tubing is a second coiled tubing string, and further including attaching a second coiled tubing alignment guide to an end of the second coiled tubing string while the first and second alignment housings are in the first state and prior to feeding the coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein feeding the coiled tubing string through the alignment cone and the alignment cylinder has the coiled tubing alignment guide first ride upon the alignment cone and then ride upon the alignment cylinder to align the coiled tubing string with the second coiled tubing string prior to coupling the coiled tubing string with the second coiled tubing string. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the coupling is initially coupling and further including securing the coiled tubing string to the second coiled tubing string using a mechanical fastener after moving the first and second alignment housings from the second state to the first state. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further including a deployment mechanism for moving the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing between the first state and the second state. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the deployment mechanism axially moves the first alignment housing and the second alignment housing between a radially outward state and a radially inward state.