Key information

Title
AUXILIARY RIG AND METHOD OF REMOVING A WELL TUBING FROM A PETROLEUM WELL
Application number
20240642
Case type
PCT-based
Status
26.01.2026 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
17.06.2024
Priority
17.12.2021 NO 20211540
International application date
19.12.2022
International application number
PCT/NO2022/050316
Effective date
19.12.2022
Publicly available
17.06.2024
Next annual fee due
31.12.2026
Applicant
Archer Oiltools AS (NO)
Owner
Archer Oiltools AS (NO)
Inventor
Trond Skjeie (NO)
Agent
BRYN AARFLOT AS (NO)
Granted
26.01.2026
Patent number
349461
Expiry date
19.12.2042

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
The invention is method of removing a well tubing (1) from a well (10), comprising: - arrange an auxiliary rig (20) over a wellhead (12), said auxiliary rig (20) having a base frame (22)and a pivotable arm (21) with a tubing collar elevator (32) with a first tubing gripper (33) arrangedfor travelling at least in the vertical direction,b) - lower said first tubing gripper (33) at a protruding tubing collar (2) of said well tubing (1)extending out above said wellhead (12) and into a lower part of said auxiliary rig (20); c) -engage said first tubing gripper (33) with said protruding tubing collar (2);d) - pull said gripper (33) to travel upwardly with said upper tubing collar (2), thus also said welltubing (1), until a subsequent tubing collar (2) protrudes in the lower part of said auxiliary rig (20); f) - engage a second tubing gripper (24) with said well tubing (1) below said subsequent tubingcollar (2); g) - cut off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1) at or above said subsequent tubing collar (2);h) - lay down said pivotable arm (21) with said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation,i) - release said first tubing gripper (33) and remove said cut-off tubing length (L) from said verticalarm (21); ji) - raise said pivotable arm (21) back to the vertical orientation. Repeat in order to pull up and cut the entire tubing into cut-off sections, dump all to basket and transport away.

Publications

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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 29.01.2026 12-01 Saksbehandling 20240642(349461) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240642)
05.11.2025 11-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 UT Intention to grant BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-08 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-Response NIPO-03Nov2025 BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-07 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-figures-amended-eng BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-06 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-description-amended-marked-eng BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-05 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-description-amended-eng BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-04 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-claims-amended-no BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-03 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-claims-amended-marked-eng BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-02 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-claims-amended-eng BRYN AARFLOT AS
 03.11.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.05.2025 07-02 Saksbehandling 20240642 UT PT report 03:36:20
01.05.2025 07-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 UT Substantive Examination BRYN AARFLOT AS
 19.03.2025 09-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 05.02.2025 08-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 04.11.2024 06-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20240642) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 02.10.2024 05-02 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN 145378PCNO-claims-no BRYN AARFLOT AS
 02.10.2024 05-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 02.09.2024 04-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 20.08.2024 03-02 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN GPOA signed Archer NO BRYN AARFLOT AS
 20.08.2024 03-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 18.07.2024 02-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 UT Formal Examination 1 BRYN AARFLOT AS
 18.07.2024 02-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Initial Publication with ISR (A1 09/2017)
17.06.2024 01-04 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Publication with ISR BRYN AARFLOT AS
 17.06.2024 01-03 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN IPRP BRYN AARFLOT AS
 17.06.2024 01-02 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Amended description BRYN AARFLOT AS
 17.06.2024 01-01 Saksbehandling 20240642 INN Søknadsskjema Patent BRYN AARFLOT AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3494611AUXILIARY RIG AND METHOD OF REMOVING A WELL TUBING FROM APETROLEUM WELLIntroduction5 The present invention is an auxiliary rig and a method of removing a well tubing from a petroleum well. More specifically, the auxiliary rig is arranged for a continuous sequence of using an elevator mechanism for pulling up a long tubing from a well one length at a time until a desired length extends above the deck, holding the tubing using slips at the deck level, cutting off the length of tubing 10 extending above the deck, removing the cut-off tubing from the auxiliary rig, taking a new grip on the tubing and proceeding pulling the a subsequent length of tubing extends above the deck level, and so on, until the entire free tubing is pulled out of the well and the cut off lengths moved away. The auxiliary rig thus comprises a tubing collar elevator with a tubing collar grip, it utilizes slips in the deck, it15 comprises a tubing cutter tool, and it comprises a tubing remover for removing the cut-off lengths away from the auxiliary rig.Problem to be solvedA drilling rig is used for heavy well intervention operations such as drilling using a 20 top drive drilling motor driven drill string, casing insertion, mud pumps for drilling mud circulation, cementing pumps for circulation in cement. The drilling rig is a heavy structure which usually is jacked horizontally from one well slot to another. The drilling rig takes much space, is expensive to operate, and slow to move. Tubing such as well tubing or casing is removed section by section from a well by 25 hoisting out and unscrewing the tubing section by section (or stand by stand) and using a manipulator arm to lay down the disconnected tubing section and transporting it out of the V-door to storage in the pipe rack. The process is slow and inefficient thus costly, and the removed tubing is usually to be considered as scrap metal and not for re-use. While removing a long length of tubing from the 30 well much of the drilling rig remains unused, and could have been used for constructive purposes such as lining, drilling, intervention, sidetracking or plugging operations which require the full capacity of the drilling rig, and the tubing pulling could advantageously be left to a lighter, cheaper rig to build, move, and operate. 3494612From prior art one should refer to WO 2017/091142 A1, which discloses an apparatus for recovering and/or installing conductor casing which comprises a base and a mast having a bottom end pivotally mounted to the base and hydraulically actuable to move between a vertical position and a horizontal5 position, the mast having a clamp and a tension table for releasably securing a conductor casing segment in tension.Relating prior art includes:EP3411559B1, WO2011135541A2, US2016076314A1 and US10982493.10EP3411559B1 discloses a rig for removal of tubing from a well, e.g. a hydrocarbon well, the rig having a working floor, a tower structure provided with a tripping operation elevator, a slip device, and a tubulars connection makeup and breaking device, e.g. an iron roughneck machine or mechanized tong device, and/or a 15 tubing cutting device. The rig further comprises a cable removal device, adapted to remove cables and/or control lines from the outside of the tubing, to provide a cleared external support zone fit for engagement by the slip device, preferably while said tubing is supported by an elevator of a tower structure of the rig, the support zone preferably also comprising a connector part of a tubular of the tubing, 20 to allow for the elevator to engage the tubing at, more in particular just below, the connector.Brief summary of the inventionThe present invention solves the above problems and is defined in the attached 25 claims.The invention provides a method of removing a well tubing from a well,said well tubing being made up of tubing sections joined by tubing collars, said well tubing extending into said well,30 wherein the method comprises:a) - arrange an auxiliary rig over a wellhead, said auxiliary rig having a base frame and a pivotable arm with a tubing collar elevator with a first tubing gripper arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction,b) - hold said pivotable arm in a vertical orientation and lower said first tubing 3494613gripper at a protruding tubing collar of said well tubing extending out above said wellhead and into a lower part of said auxiliary rig;c) - engage said first tubing gripper with said protruding tubing collar;d) - use said tubing collar elevator to pull said gripper to travel upwardly with said 5 upper tubing collar, thus also said well tubing, at least until a subsequent tubing collar protrudes in the lower part of said auxiliary rig;f) - engage a second tubing gripper with said well tubing below said subsequent tubing collar;g) - use a tubing cutter tool of said auxiliary rig to cut off a tubing length (L) of said 10 tubing at or above said subsequent tubing collar;h) while holding said cut-off tubing length (L) in said first tubing gripper of said pivotable arm of said auxiliary rig, lay down said pivotable arm with said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation,i) - release said first tubing gripper and remove said cut-off tubing length (L) from 15 said vertical arm;j) - raise said pivotable arm back to the vertical orientation.The method may further comprise repeating the following steps (b) to (j) until the entire tubing is removed from the well. The second tubing gripper may further use 20 slips in the deck opening above said wellhead. The method may initially, before step (a), extend a spear into the top of said well tubing in the well, use said tubing collar elevator with said tubing gripper to pull said spear with said tubing up until a first, upper casing collar extends out above said wellhead and into the lower part of said auxiliary rig.25The invention is a petroleum platform auxiliary rig (20) comprising a base frame (22), a pivotable arm (21) and a tubing cutter tool (42), wherein- the pivotable arm (21) comprises a tubing collar elevator (32) having a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction, wherein30 - said arm (21) is arranged for being pivotable between a vertical orientation over a wellhead (12) of a well (10), and a horizontal orientation;- said tubing collar gripper (33) is arranged for releasably engaging a tubing collar (2) of a tubing (1) protruding out above said wellhead (12) into said auxiliary rig 3494614- a second gripper (24) is arranged in a deck slot below said pivotable arm (21) and above said wellhead (12); said second gripper (24) is arranged for holding said tubing (1) and preventing said tubing (1) from dropping back into said well (10), and for releasably allowing upward travel of said tubing (1);5 - the tubing cutter tool (42) is arranged near a lower end of said auxiliary rig, arranged for cutting off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1), when pulled up of said well (10);- said pivotable arm (21) comprising a pivot actuator (56) and a pivot actuator link (210) arranged to lay down said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation, 10 - a control system (60) with a control line (330') to elevator actuator (330), a control line (42') to tubing cutter tool (42), a control line (56') to pivot actuator (56), a control line (33') to first tubing gripper (33), and a control line (24) to second tubing gripper (24).15 The second tubing gripper may further comprise slips in the deck opening above said wellhead. Said tubing cutter tool may be arranged near a lower portion of said auxiliary rig frame. Said pivoting arm may have a pivot point in level with said tubing cutter tool.20 AdvantagesAdvantages of the present auxiliary rig and the method are:- The auxiliary rig needs no drilling motor. There is no need to rotate the tubing sections to mutually unscrew them at the tubing collars, the desired lengths of tubing to be cut off are simply cut by a tubing cutter independent of the collar 25 joints.- The auxiliary rig needs no main hook, it uses a simple tubing collar grip arranged on the tubing collar elevator to pull the tubing up length by length from the well. - The auxiliary rig needs no mud circulation system, it may utilize existing pumps to circulate in sea water in the tubing and tubing annulus before the tubing is 30 pulled.- The auxiliary rig needs no drill pipe string stands handling system, in an embodiment a vertical component of the auxiliary rig constitutes its own vertical to horizontal (VTH) arm, as the embodiment is pivoting in the level of the tubing cutter tool and may lay the vertical arm of the auxiliary rig down to the horizontal 3494615so as for the cut-off tubing length to be removed away from the auxiliary rig, and the auxiliary rig's arm to be re-erected.- The absence in the present auxiliary rig of a drilling motor, a main hook, a mud circulation system, a tubing manipulator arm, a stands handling system, as 5 otherwise compared to a drilling rig, saves much weight and cost.Brief figure captionsFig. 1 illustrates an auxiliary rig of the invention arranged over a slot with a wellhead, and with an upper end of a well tubing protruding above the wellhead 10 and into the lower part of the auxiliary rig. The auxiliary rig has a pivotable arm which is erect here.Fig. 2 illustrates the tubing elevator having gripped the tubing collar and pulled it up a desired length, preferably at least one tubing section length.15 Fig. 3 illustrates the elevated gripper holding the tubing collar and the deck slips hold the tubing at deck level while the tubing cutter tool cuts the tubing near the lower end of the vertical arm of the auxiliary rig.Fig. 4 illustrates the auxiliary rig's pivotable arm with its gripper holding the 20 severed-off tubing length being laid down. Releasing the now horizontal severed off tubing section (or stand) and transporting it away from the auxiliary rig to a basket for scrap tubing is a simple task.Fig. 5 illustrates the auxiliary rig's main components including a control system for 25 actuators.Embodiments of the inventionThe invention provides a method of removing a well tubing using an auxiliary rig, and the auxiliary rig itself.30The invention provides a method of removing a well tubing (1) from a well (10), said well tubing (1) being made up of tubing sections (3) joined by tubing collars (2), said well tubing (1) extending into said well (10). The well tubing is free or a long length of it is cut free and extends out of the well, ready for being pulled. The 3494616length of the well tubing (1) may be considerable, such as 500 metres or more. Tubing may comprise well tubing, well casing, well liner, or similar.The method comprises the following steps:5 a) - arrange an auxiliary rig (20) over a wellhead (12), wherein said auxiliary rig (20) has a base frame (22) and a pivotable arm (21) with a tubing collar elevator (32) with a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction.b) - the pivotable arm (21) comprises a pivot actuator (56) and a pivot actuator link 10 (210) arranged to lay down said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation or raise it to the vertical direction. Use the control system (60) to command the pivot actuator (56) to hold said pivotable arm (21) in a vertical orientation use said control system to command to lower said first tubing gripper (33) at a protruding tubing collar (2) of said well tubing (1) extending out above said wellhead (12) and 15 into a lower part of said auxiliary rig (20). Please see Fig.1.c) - use said control system (60) to command said first tubing gripper (33) to engage with said protruding tubing collar (2).d) - use said control system (60) to command said tubing collar elevator (32) to pull said gripper (33) to travel upwardly with said upper tubing collar (2), thus also 20 said well tubing (1), at least until a subsequent tubing collar (2) protrudes in the lower part of said auxiliary rig (20). This is shown in Fig.2. use said control system (60) to command said elevator actuator (333) to pull up one, two or more tubing sections at a time, depending on the allowable stroke length of the tubing collar elevator. Here is shown only one tubing length is illustrated.25 f) - use said control system (60) to command a second tubing gripper (24) such as slips near the deck slot, to engage with said well tubing (1) below said subsequent tubing collar (2). This is to secure that the remaining long tubing shall not fall back into the well.g) - use said control system (60) to command a tubing cutter tool (42) of said 30 auxiliary rig (20) to cut off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1) at or above said subsequent tubing collar (2). The design of the tubing cutter tool may in an embodiment resemble a cutting gate valve of a BOP.h) while holding said cut-off tubing length (L) in said first tubing gripper (33), preferrably in an upper part, of said pivotable arm (21) of said auxiliary rig (20), 3494617use said control system (60) to command said pivot actuator (56) to lay down said pivotable arm (21) with said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation. The cut-off length may be of approximately the same length as a tubing length, but the cut off tubing length may in principle be cut to other lengths than that and cut 5 independent of the position of the tubing collars.i) - said control system (60) to command release said first tubing gripper (33) and remove said cut-off tubing length (L) from said pivotable arm (21);j) - said control system (60) commands raise said pivotable arm (21) back to the vertical orientation. For conducting the entire operation, the control system (60) is 10 arranged to go to step (b) and repeat the sequence to (j) until the entire tubing has been hoisted stepwise to the surface and cut into cut sections and transported away.- a control system (60) with a control line (330') to elevator actuator (330), a control line (42') to tubing cutter tool (42), a control line (56') to pivot actuator (56), a 15 control line (33') to first tubing gripper (33), and a control line (24) to second tubing gripper (24).In an embodiment of the invention the tubing is fished up to having its upper end protruding into the lower part of the auxiliary rig by means of a spear tool. In an 20 embodiment of the invention the spear tool is non-rotating for setting and release, and arranged for engaging and setting in the tubing by pull up, and for releasing by push down.The auxiliary rig (20) comprises an auxiliary rig frame (21) arranged for being 25 pivotable from a vertical to a horizontal position about a pivot axle (54) near the base of said auxiliary rig (20)'s horizontal base (22), and in level with said first tubing cutter tool (42);In an embodiment of the invention, initially, before step (a), in order to bring the top 30 of the tubing into position for being engaged by the vertical elevator's clamp,- extend a spear into the top of said well tubing (1) in the well,- use said tubing collar elevator (32) with said tubing gripper (33) to pull said spear with said tubing (1) up until a first, upper casing collar (2) extends out above said wellhead (12) and into the lower part of said auxiliary rig. 3494618The invention is also a device, a petroleum platform auxiliary rig (20) comprising a base frame (22) and a pivotable arm (21) with a tubing collar elevator (32) having a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction, 5 wherein- said arm (21) is arranged for being pivotable between a vertical orientation over a wellhead (12) of a well (10), and a horizontal orientation;- said tubing collar gripper (33) is arranged for releasably engaging a tubing collar (2) of a tubing (1) protruding out above said wellhead (12) into said auxiliary rig 10 (20);- a second gripper (24) such as deck slips is arranged in a deck slot below said pivotable arm (21) and above said wellhead (12); said second gripper (24) is arranged for holding said tubing (1) and preventing said tubing (1) from dropping back into said well (10), and for releasably allowing upward travel of said tubing 15 (1);- a tubing cutter tool (42) is arranged near a lower end of said auxiliary rig, arranged for cutting off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1), when pulled up of said well (10);- said pivotable arm (21) is arranged to lay down said cut-off tubing length (L) to a 20 horizontal orientation.In an embodiment the tubing cutter tool (42) arranged near a lower portion of said auxiliary rig frame (21).25 In an embodiment the pivoting arm (21), the "vertical to horizontal arm" has a pivot point in level with said tubing cutter tool (42).The cut-off tubing may be sent to a basket for horizontal storage and transport away from the rig.30Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the auxiliary rig's (20) pivoting arm (21)'s elevator actuator (33) comprises an elevator cylinder (331) with an elevator piston (332) carrying a elevator sheave (333) for an elevator cable (334) which is attached in its first end to a yoke for lifting rods holding the first 3494619tubing gripper (33), and the other end in a base near the top of the pivoting arm (21). When stroked out the elevator piston (332) will raise the sheave (333) one piston stroke length but the tubing gripper will move almost the double stroke length of the piston. Thus the auxiliary rig may be made rather compact5 considering its lifting length capacity. A pivot actuator (24) is arranged for laying down and erecting the pivoting arm (21). It may be hydraulically actuated, wherein the hydraulics is not illustrated here.Fig. 5 further illustrates a pivot actuator (56) for pivot actuator link (210). The pivot 10 actuator (56) is hydraulic or electric. The pivot actuator link (210) is a pivot actuator link between the pivotable arm and the base frame (22).Fig. 5 further illustrates the petroleum platform auxiliary rig (20) comprising a base frame (22), a pivotable arm (21) and a tubing cutter tool (42),said auxiliary rig (20) comprising15 - the pivotable arm (21) comprises a tubing collar elevator (32) having a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction, wherein- said arm (21) is arranged for being pivotable between a vertical orientation over a wellhead (12) of a well (10), and a horizontal orientation;- said tubing collar gripper (33) is arranged for releasably engaging a tubing collar 20 (2) of a tubing (1) protruding out above said wellhead (12) into said auxiliary rig (20);- a second gripper (24) is arranged in a deck slot below said pivotable arm (21) and above said wellhead (12); said second gripper (24) is arranged for holding said tubing (1) and preventing said tubing (1) from dropping back into said well 25 (10), and for releasably allowing upward travel of said tubing (1);- the tubing cutter tool (42) is arranged near a lower end of said auxiliary rig, arranged for cutting off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1), when pulled up of said well (10);- said pivotable arm (21) comprising a pivot actuator (56) and a pivot actuator link 30 (210) arranged to lay down said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation, - a control system (60) with a control line (330') to elevator actuator (330), a control line (42') to tubing cutter tool (42), a control line (56') to pivot actuator (56), a control line (33') to first tubing gripper (33), and a control line (24) to second tubing gripper (24). 34946110Simplifed version:In the above we have described the invention wherein the gripper (33) grips the tubing collars (2). In an embodiment of the invention the gripper (33) is arranged 5 for clamping anywhere on the tubing (1) irrespective of the position of the collars (2). Then the method is simplified to:a) - arrange an auxiliary rig (20) over a wellhead (12), wherein said auxiliary rig (20) has a base frame (22) and a pivotable arm (21) with a tubing collar elevator (32) with a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical 10 direction.b) - hold said pivotable arm (21) in a vertical orientation and lower said first tubing gripper (33) at a protruding end of said well tubing (1) extending out above said wellhead (12) and into a lower part of said auxiliary rig (20). Please see Fig.1. c) - engage said first tubing gripper (33) near said protruding tubing (1) end.15 d) - use said tubing collar elevator (32) to pull said gripper (33) to travel upwardly with said upper tubing (1) end, thus also said well tubing (1), at least until a desired length (L) of tubing has been pulled up, this is shown in Fig.2. One may pull up one, two or more tubing sections at a time, depending on the allowable stroke length of the tubing collar elevator. Here is shown only one tubing length is 20 illustrated.f) - engage a second tubing gripper (24) such as slips near the deck slot, with said well tubing (1) to secure that the remaining long tubing shall not fall back into the well.g) - use a tubing cutter tool (42) of said auxiliary rig (20) to cut off a tubing length 25 (L) of said tubing (1) above said second tubing gripper (24). The design of the tubing cutter tool may in an embodiment resemble a cutting gate valve of a BOP. h) while holding said cut-off tubing length (L) in said first tubing gripper (33) in an upper part of said pivotable arm (21) of said auxiliary rig (20), lay down said pivotable arm (21) with said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation. The 30 cut-off length may be of approximately the same length as a tubing length, but the cut off tubing length may in principle be cut to other lengths than that and cut independent of the position of the tubing collars.h) - release said first tubing gripper (33) and remove said cut-off tubing length (L) from said vertical arm (21); 34946111i) - raise said pivotable arm (21) back to the vertical orientation.Now the tubing gripper (33) is ready to repeat the process from item (a).5 34946112Reference numbers01 first casing enveloping tubing 11 tubing (or casing) being pulled02 second casing2 tubing collar3 tubing sections4 Petroleum well (general)5 Work platform deck with well slot6 Cut made deep down in tubing (1) e.g. at 500 m or more10 well12 wellhead16 Severed tubing sections which may be flattened20 auxiliary rig21 pivotable arm/auxiliary rig frame210 pivot actuator link to pivotable arm22 (horizontal) base frame24 second tubing gripper/ spider/ slips32 tubing collar elevator with first tubing gripper (33)33 first tubing gripper (clamp)330 elevator actuator331 elevator cylinder332 elevator piston333 elevator sheave334 elevator cable42 (first) tubing cutter tool44 basket or container for storing severed tubing sections, alternatively flattened tubing sections.54 Pivot axle56 Pivot actuator for pivot actuator link, hydraulic or electricL Tubing length60 control system for pivot actuator (56),control lines with primed numerals 56', ... etc. to the actuators.
Claims
34946113CLAIMS1. A method of removing a well tubing (1) from a well (10),said well tubing (1) being made up of tubing sections (3) joined by tubing collars5 (2), said well tubing (1) extending into said well (10),wherein the method comprises:a) - arrange an auxiliary rig (20) over a wellhead (12), said auxiliary rig (20) having a base frame (22) and a pivotable arm (21) with a tubing collar elevator (32) with a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction,10 b) - hold said pivotable arm (21) in a vertical orientation and lower said first tubing gripper (33) at a protruding tubing collar (2) of said well tubing (1) extending out above said wellhead (12) and into a lower part of said auxiliary rig (20);c) - engage said first tubing gripper (33) with said protruding tubing collar (2); d) - use said tubing collar elevator (32) to pull said gripper (33) to travel upwardly15 with said upper tubing collar (2), thus also said well tubing (1), at least until a subsequent tubing collar (2) protrudes in the lower part of said auxiliary rig (20); f) - engage a second tubing gripper (24) with said well tubing (1) below said subsequent tubing collar (2);g) - use a tubing cutter tool (42) of said auxiliary rig (20) to cut off a tubing length20 (L) of said tubing (1) at or above said subsequent tubing collar (2);h) while holding said cut-off tubing length (L) in said first tubing gripper (33) of said pivotable arm (21) of said auxiliary rig (20), lay down said pivotable arm (21) with said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation,i) - release said first tubing gripper (33) and remove said cut-off tubing length (L)25 from said vertical arm (21);j) - raise said pivotable arm (21) back to the vertical orientation.2. The method of claim 1, comprising repeating the following steps (b) to (j) until the entire tubing is removed from the well.303. The method of claim 1, wherein the second tubing gripper (24) further uses slips (241) in the deck opening above said wellhead (12).4. The method of claim 1, wherein initially, before step (a),34946114- extend a spear into the top of said well tubing (1) in the well,- use said tubing collar elevator (32) with said tubing gripper (33) to pull said spear with said tubing (1) up until a first, upper casing collar (2) extends out above said wellhead (12) and into the lower part of said auxiliary rig.55. A petroleum platform auxiliary rig (20) comprising a base frame (22), a pivotable arm (21) and a tubing cutter tool (42),- the pivotable arm (21) comprises a tubing collar elevator (32) having a first tubing gripper (33) arranged for travelling at least in the vertical direction, wherein10 - said arm (21) is arranged for being pivotable between a vertical orientation over a wellhead (12) of a well (10), and a horizontal orientation;- said tubing collar gripper (33) is arranged for releasably engaging a tubing collar (2) of a tubing (1) protruding out above said wellhead (12) into said auxiliary rig (20);15 - a second gripper (24) is arranged in a deck slot below said pivotable arm (21) and above said wellhead (12); said second gripper (24) is arranged for holding said tubing (1) and preventing said tubing (1) from dropping back into said well (10), and for releasably allowing upward travel of said tubing (1);- the tubing cutter tool (42) is arranged near a lower end of said auxiliary rig,20 arranged for cutting off a tubing length (L) of said tubing (1), when pulled up of said well (10);- said pivotable arm (21) comprising a pivot actuator (56) and a pivot actuator link (210) arranged to lay down said cut-off tubing length (L) to a horizontal orientation, - a control system (60) with a control line (330') to elevator actuator (330), a control25 line (42') to tubing cutter tool (42), a control line (56') to pivot actuator (56), a control line (33') to first tubing gripper (33), and a control line (24) to second tubing gripper (24).6. The auxiliary rig (20) of claim 5, wherein the second tubing gripper (24) further30 comprises slips (241) in the deck opening above said wellhead (12).7. The auxiliary rig (20) of claim 5,- said tubing cutter tool (42) arranged near a lower portion of said auxiliary rig frame (21).349461158. The auxiliary rig (20) of claim 5 or 7,- said pivoting arm (52) has a pivot point in level with said tubing cutter tool (42).34946116PATENTKRAV1. En fremgangsmåte for å fjerne en brønnrørledning (1) fra en brønn (10),idet brønnrørledningen (1) er laget av rørledningsseksjoner (3) som er sammenføyd ved 5 hjelp av rørledningskrager (2), idet nevnte brønnrørledning (1) strekker seg inn i nevnte brønn (10),hvor fremgangsmåten omfatter:a) å anordne en hjelperigg (20) over et brønnhode (12), idet nevnte hjelperigg (20) har en grunnramme (22) og en dreibar arm (21) med en rørledningskrageheis (32) med 10 en første rørledningsgriper (33) som er anordnet for å vandre i det minste i den vertikale retningen,b) å holde den dreibare armen (21) i en vertikal orientering, og å senke den første rørledningsgriperen (33) ved en utstikkende rørledningskrage (2) på nevnte brønnrørledning (1) som strekker seg ut over nevnte brønnhode (12) og inn i en nedre del av 15 nevnte hjelperigg (20);c) å forbinde den første rørledningsgriperen (33) med den utstikkende rørledningskragen (2);d) å bruke nevnte rørledningskrageheis (32) til å trekke nevnte griper (33) for å vandre oppover med den øvre rørledningskragen (2), og dermed også nevnte brønnrør-20 ledning (1), i det minste inntil en påfølgende rørledningskrage (2) stikker ut inn i den nedre delen til nevnte hjelperigg (20);f) å forbinde en andre rørledningsgriper (24) med nevnte brønnrørledning (1) under den påfølgende rørledningskragen (2);g) å bruke et rørledningskutterverktøy (42) til nevnte hjelperigg (20) for å kutte av en 25 rørledningslengde (L) av nevnte rørledning (1) ved eller over den påfølgende rørledningskragen (2);h) mens den avkuttede rørledningslengden (L) er holdt i den første rørledningsgriperen (33) til den dreibare armen (21) til nevnte hjelperigg (20), å legge ned den dreibare armen (21) med den avkuttede rørledningslengden (L) til en horisontal orientering, 30 i) å frigjøre den første rørledningsgriperen (33), og å fjerne den avkuttede rørledningslengden (L) fra den vertikale armen (21);j) å heve den dreibare armen (21) tilbake til den vertikale orienteringen.349461172. Fremgangsmåten i henhold til krav 1, som omfatter det å gjenta trinnene (b) til (j) inntil hele rørledning er fjernet fra brønnen.3. Fremgangsmåten i henhold til krav 1, hvor den andre rørledningsgriperen (24) videre 5 bruker et slips (241) i åpningen til dekket over nevnte brønnhode.4. Fremgangsmåten i henhold til krav 1, hvor først, før trinn (a),- å utvide et spyd inn i toppen av nevnte rørledning (1) i brønnen,- å bruke nevnte rørledningskrageheis (32) med nevnte rørledningsgriper (33) til å trekke 10 nevnte spyd med nevnte rørledning (1) opp inntil en første øvre fôringsrørkrage (2) strekker seg ut over nevnte brønnhode (12) og inni den nedre delen av nevnte hjelperigg.5. En petroleumsplattformhjelperigg (20) som omfatter en grunnramme (22), en dreibar arm (21) og et rørledningskutteverktøy (42), idet15 - den dreibare armen (21) omfatter en rørledningskrageheis (32) som har en første rørledningsgriper (33) som er anordnet for å vandre i det minste i den vertikale retningen, hvor: - nevnte arm (21) er anordnet for å være dreibar mellom en vertikal orientering over et brønnhode (12) til en brønn (10) og en horisontal orientering;- nevnte rørledningskragegriper (33) er anordnet for løsbart å gripe inn i en rørlednings-20 krage (2) til en rørledning (1) som strekker seg ut av og over nevnte brønnhode (12) inn i nevnte hjelperigg (20);- en andre rørledningsgriper (24) er anordnet i en åpning til et dekk under den dreibare armen (21) og over nevnte brønnhode (12); idet den andre rørledningsgriperen (24) er anordnet for å holde nevnte rørledning (1) og for å forhindre at nevnte rørledning (1) faller 25 tilbake inn i nevnte brønn (10), og for løsbart å tillate at nevnte rørledning (1) vandrer oppover;- rørledningskutteverktøyet (42) er anordnet nær en nedre ende av nevnte hjelperigg og er anordnet for å kutte av en rørledningslengde (L) av nevnte rørledning (1) når det trekkes opp av nevnte brønn (10);- den dreibare armen (21) omfatter en dreieaktuator (56) og et dreieaktuatorledd (210) 30 som er anordnet for å legge ned den avkuttede rørledningslengden (L) til en horisontal orientering,- et kontrollsystem (60) med en kontroll-linje (330`) til heisaktuator (330), en kontroll-linje (42’) til rørledningskutterverktøy (42), en kontroll-linje (56’) til dreieaktuator (56), en kontroll-linje34946118(33’) til første rørledningsgriper (33) og en kontroll-linje (24’) til andre rørledningsgriper (24).6. Hjelperiggen (20) i henhold til krav 5, hvor den andre rørledningsgriperen (24) videre omfatter et slips i åpningen til dekket over nevnte brønnhode (12).57. Hjelperiggen (20) i henhold til krav 5, hvor:- nevnte rørledningskutteverktøy (42) er anordnet nær en nedre del av nevnte hjelperiggramme (21).10 8. Hjelperiggen (20) i henhold til krav 5 eller 7, hvor:- den dreibare armen (21) har et dreiepunkt på nivå med nevnte rørledningskutteverktøy (42).
Drawings

Priority

17.12.2021 NO 20211540

Patent classes

IPC classesE21B 15/00E21B 19/06E21B 19/15E21B 29/00CPC classesE21B 15/00E21B 19/06E21B 19/155E21B 29/00

Citations

EP 3411559 B1 (B1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
Archer Oiltools AS
Postboks 8037 4068 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 968145843Inventors
Trond Skjeie
Vestre Karmøyveg 456 4274 STOL NO (KARMØY Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

BRYN AARFLOT AS
BRYN AARFLOT AS

Org. number: 979993269

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Stortingsgata 8 0161 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 979993269
Reference: 145378PCNO

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