Abstract:
A magnetic-latch stabbing guide apparatus is presented enabling a first drill pipe to connect with a second drill pipe. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily attached to the first drill pipe and facilitates connection between the first drill pipe and the second drill pipe. During the connection process, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide easily detaches from the two drill pipes without physical manipulation of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention comprises a stabbing guide apparatus that facilitates connection of a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe. Specifically, the apparatus provides an internal coupling region which enables the male and female ends of a drill pipe to form a connection without damaging the ends of the drill pipe. The apparatus easily attaches to the first drill pipe, guides a second drill pipe into a position for attachment to the first drill pipe and easily detaches from two drill pipes after the first and second drill pipes form a connection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Drill pipe extends down into oil and gas formation beneath an oil or gas drilling rig floor. Drill pipe provides a conduit for the flow of oil or gas from an oil or gas formation well below the rig floor to a collection device. To achieve sufficient depth of drill pipe into a formation, drill pipes are connected together as they are lowered into a formation. Effective and strong drill pipe connections allow oil and gas to flow safely for collection and delivery to market; therefore, drill pipe joints need to be connected without damage thereto. 
         [0003]    A variety of stabbing guides are currently used to manipulate and orient a second drill pipe into a position to connect to a first drill pipe, which extends into the oil or gas formation. Current stabbing guides comprise an outer surface and an inner surface, a front portion a back portion and two side portions. Stabbing guides are typically cylindrical and vertically divided into two segments. A hinge mechanism on the back portion is typically used for attaching the two segments of the stabbing guide together. The stabbing guide&#39;s outer front surface has a mechanical latching mechanism comprising a buckle or bolt, which is physically manipulated by a user to lock the two segments together for securing the two segments of the stabbing guide to the top of a first drill pipe disposed on the rig floor. The top portion of the stabbing guide is then used to direct the attachment of a second drill pipe to first drill pipe. 
         [0004]    Often the stabbing guide&#39;s hinges, located on the outer surface, become unusable due to the action of rust, ice or mud build up, and routine wear. Similarly, the latching mechanism, also located on the outer surface of the guide, becomes damaged through repetitive use, rust and ice and mud build-up. As a result, the stabbing guide must be repaired or replaced 
         [0005]    Current stabbing guides often require the latching system to be mechanically undone and unlatched as the second drill pipe inserts into and connects with the first drill pipe during the connection process. If the currently-used stabbing guides are not mechanically unlatched during the connection process, the stabbing guide can be torn apart and damaged, and will need to be replaced. Further, damaged stabbing guides can cause damage to the ends of drill pipe. Any damage to the ends of drill pipe and/or the threads located there mandates removal and replacement of the damaged drill pipe because of environmental or safety risks. Removal and replacement of drill pipe is costly in terms of time and money. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a long felt need for alternatives to conventional stabbing guides having outer hinges and conventional outer mechanical latching mechanisms. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an easily attachable and detachable magnetic-latch stabbing guide for connecting a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe. The invention disclosed herein facilitates connection between the first drill pipe passing through a rig floor and a second, maneuverable drill pipe by easily attaching to the top of the first drill pipe. The current invention guides the second drill pipe for an effective drill pipe connection and easily detached from the two joined drill pipes once union of the two drill pipes is made. There is no need to physically manipulate a mechanical latching mechanism. 
         [0008]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
         [0009]    To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a magnetic-latch stabbing guide to connect a first drill pipe to a second drill pipe, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a magnetic-latch stabbing guide for attaching a female end of a first drill pipe to a male end of a second drill pipe, the male end having a proximal portion having a circumference and attached to a tapered distal end having a small circumference, said stabbing guide comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion, and a back portion, the top portion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide further comprising a funnel-shaped portion opening to the outside of the top portion, a neck portion underneath the funnel-shaped portion, a shoulder portion underneath and in contact with the neck portion, and a female coupling opening to the outside of the bottom portion and in contact with the shoulder portion, the stabbing guide being vertically divided in the front portion and vertically divided in the back portion, thereby forming a first guide segment and a second guide segment, the front portion comprises a first magnet disposed in the first guide segment and a second magnet disposed in the second guide segment, the first magnet disposed and aligned to attract the second magnet, said back portion comprising a hinge in contact with said first segment and said second segment, said neck portion having a neck portion inner circumference greater than the small circumference of the tapered distal end and the neck portion inner circumference smaller than the circumference of the proximal potion of the second drill pipe. 
         [0011]    Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a magnetic-latch stabbing guide apparatus, which guides drill pipes together for connection in a safe, quick and effective manner. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide is easy to use and can function in a variety of terrain, and accommodate a wide variety weather conditions and oil field wear and tear. The magnetic latch provides for quick, easy, safe and non-destructive detachment of the stabbing guide from the joined drill pipes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide in closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide in open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the magnetic-latch stabbing guide is between a first drill pipe&#39;s female end and a second drill pipe&#39;s male end and ready for attaching the two drill pipes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention showing the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  in closed position. In one embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  comprises a cylindrical apparatus having a top portion  2  and bottom portion  3 . At the guide top portion  2 , a funnel-shaped portion  6  is shown. The funnel-shaped portion has a large opening  12  disposed at the very top of the funnel-shaped portion  6 . The funnel-shaped portion inner surface  14  connects the large funnel-shaped portion opening  12  to a smaller funnel-shaped portion opening  13 . The magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  further comprises a funnel-shaped portion outer surface  15  on the outside of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1 . 
         [0018]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the funnel-shaped portion  6  has a smaller funnel-shaped portion opening  13  in contact with the neck portion  7 , specifically at the neck portion top section  18 . The neck portion  7  has a neck portion inner surface  16  and neck portion outer surface  17 . The neck portion inner surface  16  has a neck portion inner circumference  19 , which is concentric with the large funnel-shaped portion opening  12 . The neck portion bottom section  20  is in contact with and perpendicular to the shoulder portion  8 . The shoulder portion inner surface  21  connects the neck portion bottom section  20  to the female coupling inner surface  23  of the female coupling  9 . The female coupling  9  has a female coupling inner circumference  24 , which accommodates a first drill pipe by completely enclosing the top female portion of the drill pipe, not depicted in  FIG. 1 . The female coupling inner surface  24  is aligned concentric with the neck portion inner surface  19  and perpendicular to the shoulder portion inner surface  21 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  further depicts the female coupling outer surface  22  located at the guide bottom portion  3  in contact with the neck portion outer surface  17 , which is in contact with the funnel-shaped portion outer surface  15  at the guide top portion  2 . Thus, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  is horizontally layered from guide top portion  2  to guide bottom portion  3 , with the funnel-shaped portion  6  at the top followed by the neck portion  7 , which is followed by the shoulder portion  8  then female coupling  9 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the stabbing guide  1  in a closed position. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  is vertically divided at the guide front portion  4  and the guide back portion  5 . The vertical division is depicted with solid lines  36  on the visible surfaces of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  and dashed lines  37  on non-visible surfaces from this perspective. The vertical division of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  separates the stabbing guide into a first guide segment  10  and a second guide segment  11 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  further depicts a hinge  29  in contact with the first guide segment  10  and second guide segment  11 . An attached embedded hinge provides that that the two guide segments remain in proximity to and aligned with each other when the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  is open. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the invention, the hinge  29  comprises a nylon encapsulated hinge. A nylon encapsulated hinge has significant advantages over metallic and mechanical hinges in the field because of its ease of use, it accumulates less ice and mud, and it does not rust. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinge  29  is at least partially embedded in both the first guide segment  10  and the second guide segment  11 . The hinge may be embedded between the outer surface  15  and inner funnel-shaped portion surface  14 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the hinge  29  may be embedded between the outer neck portion surface  17  and the inner neck portion surface  16 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention the hinge  29  may be embedded between the female coupling inner surface  23  and the female coupling outer surface  22 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts the first guide segment  10  in proximity to the second guide segment  11 . The first guide segment  10  comprises a first magnet  27  at least partially embedded in the first guide segment  10 . A second magnet  28  is at least partially embedded in the second guide segment  11 . Both magnets are embedded in the front portion  4  of their perspective segments and serve to magnetically close and latch the two segments together. First magnet  27  is embedded, disposed and orientated within the first guide segment  10  to attract magnetically the second magnet  28 , which is disposed and embedded in second guide segment  11 . 
         [0025]    The magnetic-latch stabbing guide is comprised of any material chosen from any of polyurethane, rubber, latex, alloy, plastic, carbon, carbon fiber and polymeric materials. In at least one embodiment of the stabbing guide, any of the funnel-shaped portion, the neck portion, the shoulder portion and female coupling are integrally formed. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  further depicts the guide comprising a first handle  31  and a second handle  32 . The first handle  31  is attached to the first guide segment  10  and disposed between the guide front portion  4  and the guide back portion  5 . The second handle  32  is attached to the second guide segment  11  and disposed between the guide front portion  4  and the guide back portion  5 . As a means of attachment of the handles to the guide segments, the first guide handle  31  and the second guide handle  32  may be partially embedded or screwed into the first guide segment  10  and the second guide segment  11 , respectively. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  further depicts the funnel-shaped portion inner surface  14  disposed at the guide top portion  2 . In use, the second drill pipe first contacts the funnel-shaped portion inner surface  14  as it is lowered into position for attachment and union with the first drill pipe. The second drill pipe is further lowered and guided into the neck portion inner surface  16 . The neck portion inner surface  16  comprises a predetermined circumference  19  which accommodates insertion of the second drill pipe. 
         [0028]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  is depicted in an open position. The first magnet  27  is disposed in the first guide segment  10  between the female coupling inner surface  23  and the female coupling outer surface  22 . Similarly, the second magnet  28  is disposed in the second guide segment  11  between the female coupling inner surface  23  and the female coupling outer surface  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first magnet  27  and second magnet  28  are disposed such that when the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  is in a closed position, the magnets will be close together and in alignment such that the magnets can lock the stabbing guide segments together. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  depict the first magnet  27  and second magnet  28  embedded in the guide bottom portion. In another embodiment the magnets are embedded between the funnel-shaped portion inner surface  14  and funnel-shaped portion outer surface  15 . In yet another embodiment, the magnets are embedded between the neck portion inner surface  16  and the neck portion outer surface  17 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  also shows the hinge  29  disposed in the guide back portion  5  and partially encapsulated in both the first guide segment  10  and second guide segment  11 . In  FIG. 2 , the encapsulation of the hinge  29  is demonstrated by dotted lines. 
         [0031]    The shoulder portion  8  and its shoulder portion inner surface  21  are further depicted in  FIG. 2 . In use, the top portion of first drill pipe abuts against the shoulder portion inner surface  21 . The female coupling inner surface  23  contacts the top of the drill pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the contact between the outer surface of the rig or casing pipe and the female coupling inner surface  23  would secure the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  in a fixed position such that there was little or no motion of the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  when the second drill pipe contacts the inner funnel-shaped portion surface  14 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  depicts a rig floor  33  having a vertically extended first drill pipe  34  and a second drill pipe  40  above the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1 . In use, first drill pipe  34  is lowered into the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  for connection of the two drill pipes. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the female portion  41  of the first drill pipe  34  comprises a tapered and threaded inner portion  42  to accommodate attachment to the tapered and threaded male portion  43  of the second drill pipe  40  via the narrow distal end  44  and a proximal portion  45 . The narrow distal end  44  of the male portion  43  has a circumference which is smaller than the neck portion inner circumference  19 . The proximal portion  45  of the tapered male portion  43  of the second drill pipe  40  has a circumference which is greater than the circumference of the neck portion inner circumference  19 . As the proximal portion  45  is threaded into and enters the female portion  41  of the first drill pipe  34 , an internal force is exerted on the magnetic-latch stabbing guide causing the first magnet  27  to separate from second magnet  28 . Thus, the magnetic-latch stabbing guide  1  opens and detaches from the connected first and second drill pipes. 
         [0034]    The ability of the magnetic latch to open and separate the stabbing guide as the second drill pipe  40  is inserted into the first drill pipe  34  is a distinct advantage the present invention has over current stabbing guides. The magnetic-latch stabbing guide requires no physical manipulation of latching mechanisms. Thus, the opportunity for human error and injury and property damage is greatly diminished. 
         [0035]    It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.