US2174366A - High pressure tubing oil saver - Google Patents

Description

p 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON, 30.. El AL 2,174,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed Oct. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VENTORS ATTORNEY.

l 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON. 30.. ET AL 2,174,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed Oct. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

p 26, 1939- s. A. GUIBERSON, 30.. ET AL 2, ,366

HIGH PRESSURE TUBING OIL SAVER Filed 001;. 31, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Sammy/4 'azbersomfl A1062! Prmyez;

WAZ/VMQ/L/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 26, 1939 HIGH PRES SURE TUBING OIL SAVER Samuel Allen Guiberson, III and Albert Pranger, Dallas, Tex.

Application October 31, 1936, Serial No. 108,528

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in high pressure oil savers. It is attached to the well casing and is designed to allow the safe introduction and withdrawal of drill pipe and tools, the saving of oil stripped from the drill pipe, and to control excessive pressures.

This device is adaptable to be used in the drilling of oil and gas wells in which oil and gas may be found under very high pressures. Its use obviates the pumping of heavy weighted mud through the drill pipe to control excessive gas and oil pressure, and readily allows the more desirable practice of circulating oil into the hole beingdrilled, as a medium for controlling pressures, thus to avoid the mudding up of such low pressure oil and gas strata as may be encountered.

This invention may be used in connection with an ordinary type blow-out preventer installed therebelow. When the usual blow-out preventer is installed it may be used to control and prevent the blowing out of the well from excessive pressures, but, because such tool is ordinarily made with rigid metal faces on the rams which engage the drill pipe, it will not at the same time control the pressure and allow the safe withdrawal of the drill pipe and the saving of oil, the presence of which is incident to such withdrawal.

One object of this invention is to more easily save such oil and allow the same to be by-passed to a tank. This is accomplished by the use of flexible faces on the rams which engage the face of the drill pipe and strip the oil therefrom as the drill pipe is being removed, at the same time allowing easy passage of drill pipe collars and protuberances, as when bits are to be changed 'or drill pipe withdrawn for any purpose.

A primary object of this invention is to allow the rams, on which the flexible faces are mounted, to themselves act as pistons to be operated by fluid pressure, thus effecting the engagement and disengagement of said flexible faces with the drill pipe without the use of the conventional type piston in addition.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a spring return mechanism to immediately effect the disengagement of the flexible faces from the drill pipe without the application of either pressure or manual means to efiect this disengagement. This spring release is of great importance, as it is automatic and instantaneous in action; and it eliminates the need for and cost of manual or fluid pressure mechanism to effect the release.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination of opposed rams capable of being operated by other than fluid pressure means, such as manually or with a combination of manual and spring means.

A still further object of this invention is to 5 provide a sealing lip on the flexible faces of the rams, the better-to engage the drill pipe.

Another important object of this invention is to provide means whereby these rams may be manually withdrawn from engagement and locked in open position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a seal whereby to prevent the escape of pressure around the periphery of the combination ram-piston.

And another object of this invention is to provide a guide which will always keep the substantially circular aperture between the faces of the rams in approximately vertical position.

Other and further objects of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the improvements herein set out relate, especially when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which drawings- Figure l is an elevation, sectionalized in part, showing the relation of the usual rotary table whereunder is mounted this invention below which appears a cross flow pipe under which is disclosed the usual ram type blow-out preventer.

Figure 2 is a partly sectionalized view of this invention with the rams in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the rams in open position.

Figure 4 is a view taken along line 44 of Figure 3, disclosing a cross section of rod, spring,

ram and housing.

the rubber.

Figure 6 is a plan-like view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2, showing position of the rubber faces when in complete engagement with one another and with the drill pipe.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a rubber covered ram looked at from above.

Figure 8 shows an extension bar and universal joint for manually operating the device from outside the derrick floor.

In the drawings the numeral I represents a cylindrical housing, having a vertical and circular opening 9 therethrough. The opposite ends of this housing are closed by covers 2.

A liquid tight connection is provided between the housing and the drill pipe 32 by a pair of semicircular packing rubbers 3. These rubbers are molded to cages 4, and these cages are firmly attached to circular spiders 5. The rubbers, cages and spiders are firmly aflixed together and operate slidably within the cylindrical housing to form a movable piston-like ram 23 therein, operating in close relation with the inside wall 8 of said housing. The back ends of said rubbers are provided with flexible lips I to seal against the inside wall 6 of said housing. For the purpose of effecting a further and more complete seal there are provided suitable packing rings 8 between the spiders 5 and the inside wall 6.

The combined assemblies of rubber and cage and spider constitute rams 23 which slide freely, in piston-like movement in the housing I, and when fluid pressure is applied through openings or ports 36 into said cylindrical housing and back of said rams they will move inwardly until the rubbers 3 become closely compressed around the. tubing or drill pipe 32 for the purpose of, first: stripping oil oil of the drill pipe when it is being removed from the hole and, second: holding the drill pipe in immobile position against excessive well pressures and, third: closing rubbers against drill pipe while operating so as to prevent leakage due to well pressure while the drill pipe is being introduced or withdrawn from the well. When this fluid pressure is released the compression springs 23 will move the rams 29 away from the drill pipe, forcing the fluid from the housing and allowing the introduction through opening 3 of tools of substantially greater diameter than the drill pipe.

The rubbers 3 are provided with a plurality of semi-circular ribs I0 having spacing grooves therebetween. The faces of the rubbers 3 are provided with tongues I2 which fit into recesses I 3, the better to form a more perfect seal between these rubbers. In order to form an additional seal around the drill pipe 32 the rubbers are provided with a flexible lip I4 and a groove I5 therebehind. The well pressure applied within this groove and on this lip will press the latter around the drill pipe, thus forming a pressure tight seal thereabout.

In order to exert additional pressure on the rubbers 3 around the drill pipe 32 and in order to lock the said rubbers around the said pipe, a long slidable rod I6 is provided to pass through the cover 2; and on the internal end of said rod is fixed a collar H. The external end of said rod is provided with a screw thread I8 which screws into the threaded part I9 of the housing covers 2. Suitable packing 20 is mounted in said cover 2 and around said slidable rod I6 to prevent leakage. The spider 5 is slidably mounted at its hub 2| on the blank unthreaded end of the rod I6; and the compression spring 23 is mounted around said rod I6 between collar I1 and hub 2| so as to make contact with both collar and hub.

when it is desired to lock the rubbers 3 around the drill pipe 32 the rod I6 is turned by a handle or hand wheel 24 until collar II presses firmly against surface 22 of the cage 4. By this operation the rubbers may not only be locked against the drill pipe, but an auxiliary pressure, in addition to fluid pressure, may be exerted to hold said rubbers firmly in place. After the rubbers are thus locked around the drill pipe fluid pressure behind the rams may be released and the rods will hold the rubbers firmly in place.

The rubbers 3 ma be withdrawn from contact with the drill pipe and locked immovably in back position, well within the housing I after being entirely withdrawn from opening 9 simply by the backward movement of rod I6, accomplished by reversing hand wheel 24.

If for any reason compression spring 23 fails to immediately effect the release of the rubbers 3 from around the drill pipe, whenever fluid pressure is released from back of the ram 23, the backward rotation of rod I6 through cover 2 will quickly effect the release of these rubbers When the ram 29 is operated by the introduction of fluid pressure therebehind, or when the rubbers 3 are released from the face of the drill pipe by the spring 23 after the fluid pressure is relieved, it is obvious that it is unnecessary for the rod I6 to have moved, as the rams are slidably mounted on the blank end of this rod. This prevents leakage and wear around the rod where it passes through cover 2. This construction simplifies the cost of manufacture and also the cost of maintenance. It allows the operation of the rams backward and forward without the use of an auxiliary piston and obviates the necessity of two in-take ports for fluid pressure, one before and one behind a conventional piston. Doing away with this piston itself eliminates a considerable item of cost and maintenance and saves the expense of additional pipe connections to effect the backward movement of the piston, such as would be required if fluid pressure were used for this purpose.

To facilitate the operation of the rams manually from outside the derrick floor from a position convenient to the operator, there is provided to connect with rod IS a long bar 26 having a universal joint 25 at its place of connection with rod I6. On the outer end of bar 26 may be mounted the hand wheel or handle 24, thus greatly adding to the convenience of manual operation.

To prevent the rams from rotating within the cylindrical housing I and to always assure the vertical positioning of rubbers 3 within the opening 9 a pin 21 is mounted in the spider part of the ram. This pin moves in a groove or slot 28 which is cast within the wall 5 of housing I. This construction allows the perfect alignment at all times of rubbers 3 so that they will present complementary faces to the exterior wall of the drill pipe.

In Figure 1 is shown the kelly 30 which may be rotated through the rotary table 3| to turn the drill pipe 32.

Below the rotary table is disposed the drilling head 33. Below the drilling head is mounted the oil saver which is the subject of this application. It is firmly attached directly to the well casing 34, or to a nipple-like extension thereof. Immediately below this oil saver there is mounted in the well casing a cross flow pipe 35 for flowing oil out of the hole to tanks for recovery and for collecting the oil stripped and saved by this invention when the drill pipe 32 is removed.

Suitably valved piping 31 is connected with ports 36 to allow the introduction and release of fluid pressure for operating the ram 29.

Below the cross flow pipe 35 there is mounted in the well casing, or a section thereof, a conventional blow-out preventer 38 to engage the drill pipe and prevent blow-outs, with which apparatus the present invention is not concerned.

From the foregoing description it becomes apparent that this invention presents definite advantages and savings over the ordinary equipment. It not only quickly but safely strips oil from drill pipe removed from the hole and allows this oil to be saved, but it does it in a very economical manner. The initial cost of manufacturing this structure is greatly lessened by the absence therein of the usual piston and the extra packing required around such piston and the absence of fittings necessary to introduce pressure both in front of and behind such piston. It speeds the operation of drilling in that it provides spring means for the immediate and automatic release of rubbers 3 whenever pressure is removed from ram 29. Less wear and friction and loss of power is the result of the' unique construction and operation of rod [6 which is not required to be moved except in the manual operation of the device, saving wear upon packing around this rod. Additional safety is provided when ram 29 is locked in back position by the withdrawal of rod I5, preventing accident to tools going in or out of the hole, and avoiding the defacing and unnecessary damage to rubbers 3.

When it is desired to clamp and hold more firmly the drill pipe this structure allows the simultaneous application of pressure on the rams by screw means on rods l6 and fluid pressure means through ports 36. When this double pressure is exerted on the rams greater safety in controlling the well pressure obviously results.

After the rubber faces of the rams have been placed in most positive engagement with the drill pipe by the double pressure of fluid behind these rams and the application of the threaded rods screwed into place, then the fluid pressure may be safely removed and the rubber faces will remain in firm and constant engagement with the drill pipe.

Increased saving in the quantity of oil stripped and the more positive sealing of oil and gas pressure within the well results from the novel construction of flexible lip M on the rubbers 3 around the drill pipe 32.

It becomes obvious also that in the drilling of a well under high pressure. it will. not be at all necessary to apply any external pressure, such as steam or gas against any piston to cause the rams to move backward when pressure behind them is relieved, because the spring mechanism in this invention disengages the rubbers from the drill pipe and causes the rams to move backward and away from the drill pipe.

Great advantage will be found in this novel means of releasing the rubber faces from the drill pipe without the application of any external pressure, such as air, water or steam, and, especially without having to employ or depend upon gas or oil pressure within the well itself, such latter pressures being notably irregular and may not safely be depended on.

The spring mechanism which releases the rubber faces of the rams from around the drill pipe immediately when pressure (mechanical or fluid) behind the rams is removed, not only effects an instant and positive release but it does it without having to maintain auxiliary pressure such as may be supplied by air compressors, pumps or steam generators, and it obviates the use of mechanism and conductors for utilizing and applying such auxiliary pressures, thereby lessening cost of initial equipment and of operation. Having described our invention, what we claim 1. In an oil saver, a housing, an opening therethrough for the passage of a drill pipe, well moved into engagement with 'the drill pipe, and

spring means for moving said rams out of engagement with the drill pipe.

2. In an oil saver, a housing, an opening therethrough for the passage of a drill pipe, well casing attached to said housing below said opening, a cylindrical chamber within said housing, slidable rams mounted within said chamber, threaded rods passing t'rrough said housing and connected to said rams whereby the latter may be moved into engagement with the drill pipe, spring means for moving said rams out of engagement with the drill pipe, compressible rubber faces upon-said rams wherewith to engage the surface of the drill pipe and to close the casing against the flow of fluid therethrough, and means for introducing fluid pressure behind said rams.

3. In a device of the character described, a

plurality of opposed slidable rams within a common housing, compressible packing means upon the faces of said rams to engage the surface of a drill pipe, fluid pressure means behind said rams to move the same toward said drill pipe, spring means to move said rams in the opposite direction, and threaded rods manually operated through said housing so that said packing may be locked in constant engagement with the drill pipe or in disengaged position.

4. In a device of the character described, a plurality of opposed slidable rams within a common housing, compressible packing means upon the faces of said rams to engage the surface of a drill pipe, fluid pressure means behind said rams to. move the same toward said drill pipe, spring means to move said rams in the opposite direction, and threaded rods manually operated through said housing whereby said rams may be moved back and forth.

5. In an oil saver a packing rubber, a cage secured thereto and having a. contact surface, a-

spider secured to said cage, 2. rod having a collar, said rod being adapted to contact said contact surface of said cage, means whereby said rod may be actuated in one direction, and a spring interposed between said collar and spider tending to move saidspider, cage and rubber in the opposite direction.

6. In an oil saver, slidable rams, fluid pressure means whereby the rams may be caused to engage a drill pipe, spring means whereby said rams will be moved away from the drill pipe when the pressure of said fluid pressure means is relieved and means to adjust the tension of said spring means.

7. In an oil saver, slidable rams, fluid pressure means whereby the rams may be caused to engage a drill pipe, spring means whereby said rams will be moved away from the drill pipe when the pressure of said fluid pressure means is relieved and means to render said spring means effective or ineffective.

8. In an oil saver, a cage, a housing for the cage, a rubber packer secured to the cage and adapted to engage the drill pipe, a spider secured to said cage and provided with a spring seat, a shaft provided with a head, said shaft extending into said spider and the head being on the inner end of said shaft, a spring positioned between said head and spring seat, and means whereby said shaft may be shifted longitudinally so as to engage, or be disengaged from the cage.

9. In an oil saver, a cage, a housing for the cage, a rubber packer secured to the cage and adapted to engage a drill pipe, a. spider secured to said cage and provided with a spring seat, the inside of said cage and spider forming a chamber, a shaft projecting into said chamber and having a head on its inner end, a surface forming a 10 part of said cage, means whereby said shaft may be moved longitudinally so as to engage the head thereof against said seat or to remove said head from said seat, a spring positioned between said head and spring seat and tending to move said rubber away from said drill pipe and fluid pressure means to move said cage so as to cause said rubber to engage said drill pipe.

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