Abstract:
A method for using a power swivel with tilt capable of being tilted to any angle up to an adjustable maximum tilt angle. The method allows adjusting the tilting power swivel&#39;s angle of tilt to line up with pipe staged at various angles as required by different rigs. The method allows for adjusting the maximum extension of the tilt cylinder, and further allows the power swivel to be repeatedly positioned at a desired angle for the duration of a job. The method requires the addition of only one hydraulic fluid supply hose, thereby allowing a simple live hose reel with four hoses. The method for using a power swivel with tilt promotes safety, efficiency, and saves time by eliminating the need for a stabbing man hanging in the derrick.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present embodiments generally relate to method for drilling using a power swivel that rotates a pipe string suspended from the traveling block of a drilling rig. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present embodiments relate to methods for drilling new wells and servicing old wells beneath the earth&#39;s surface. 
     A need exists for methods useful on a drilling rig that allows drilling that can be accomplished quickly, efficiently, and economically. 
     A further need exists for a method for drilling using a power swivel assembly suspended from a lifting means, such as a traveling block, forming a remote control tiltable power swivel assembly that allows remote control tilting to align the power swivel axis with pipe located in the opening in a derrick for passage of equipment, also referred to as a V-door. 
     The present embodiments meet these needs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts the remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly usable with the method. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a side view of the power swivel with a tilt plate. 
         FIG. 1C  depicts a detail view of the tilt plate. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the power swivel tilted away from a substantially vertical position. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the tilt cylinder assembly. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a power swivel installed on a drilling rig. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a detail of an embodiment of an axle of the hydraulic hose reel assembly. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict a hydraulic hose reel assembly. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the steps of the method for using a power swivel with tilt. 
     
    
    
     The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the present method in detail, it is to be understood that the method is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis of the claims and as a representative basis for teaching persons having ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Power swivel is an industry term known to persons having ordinary skill in the art to describe a drilling machine used with tubulars or drill pipes in oil well operations. A typical power swivel performs at least the following basic functions: providing torque for pipe rotation, supporting the weight of a rotating pipe, housing a sealing arrangement to allow for the pumping of high pressure drilling fluids. 
     The present invention provides a method of using a power swivel assembly accommodating the needs listed above for use with a drilling rig mast or derrick. The present invention allows for a method of utilizing a tilt function of the power swivel allowing greater safety, as well as cost and time savings in the manipulation of tubulars or drill pipes. 
     A benefit of various embodiments is that the invention provides a method for accommodating drill pipe at an angle, by tilting a power swivel attached to a lifting means, such as a traveling block, through mechanical actuation with a hydraulic cylinder, and can be remotely operable. 
     The invention relates to a method for drilling using a remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly attached to a lifting means of a drilling rig for rotating tubulars to drill into a wellbore. 
     In embodiments, the remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly usable to employ the method can have a tilt cylinder assembly attached between a power swivel housing and a connecting means for engaging a lifting means of the drilling rig. 
     The power swivel assembly incorporates a power swivel and a tilt cylinder assembly. 
     In embodiments of the method, the tilt cylinder assembly is powered in part by hydraulic fluid from the power swivel, and powered in part from a separate hydraulic fluid line connected to the tilt cylinder assembly. This novel arrangement allows for the operation of the tilt function with the addition of only one hydraulic hose to existing equipment, resulting in cost savings and allowing all required hoses to be rolled up on a single hose reel. 
     As used herein, the term “hose” can refer to any fluid conduit used for supplying hydraulic fluids or other fluids. 
     In embodiments of the method, a separate hydraulic fluid line can pass through a hydraulic hose reel assembly. A commonly used hydraulic hose reel assembly for a power swivel has three hoses including two hydraulic supply hoses and a drain hose. 
     The present invention is a method of use for using the added tilt function of the power swivel with the addition of a fourth hose, which can be accomplished with minimal modification to the hydraulic hose reel assembly and the power swivel. 
     In embodiments of the method, the separate hydraulic fluid line can be controlled by a tilt valve connected to a hydraulic pump, or any commonly used means of supplying or flowing hydraulic fluid. 
     In embodiments of the method, the tilt valve is fluidly controlled by a hydraulic remote control that can be operated to “tilt” or “retract” the power swivel as the power swivel is connected to the connecting means engaging the lifting means of the drilling rig. 
     As used herein, the term “tilt” refers to angling or orientation of the power swivel away from a substantially vertical position and “retract” refers to angling or orientation of the power swivel toward a substantially vertical position. The “substantially vertical position” refers to when the power swivel is positioned directly above the wellbore. 
     The hydraulic remote control can cause the power swivel to rotate toward or away from a substantially vertical position, up to an orientation of 90 degrees in relation to the substantially vertical position. 
     The tiltable remote controlled power swivel enables picking up and inserting tubulars or drill pipes into the wellbore in a manner that is safer than non-tilting power swivels. For example, tubulars or drill pipes can be staged at an angle on a pipe rack and engaged by the power swivel when tilted. 
     The method enables this manipulation and engagement of a tubular that is not vertical, and further facilitates alignment and placement of the tubular with minimal involvement from the operators. This, in turn, allows for safer operation at a well site with less chance for operator injury, equipment damage, and other undesirable outcomes. 
     The method uses an inventive power swivel assembly which comprises a connecting means that attaches to a lifting means of a derrick for drilling oil or water wells, natural gas wells, and the like. 
     The method uses an inventive power swivel that can have a power swivel housing for containing the power swivel components. 
     The power swivel can include a rotating drive shaft also referred to as a stem, which is rotatable on an axis. 
     The power swivel can receive hydraulic fluid to operate. In embodiments, this hydraulic fluid is supplied by two main hoses from the hydraulic hose reel assembly. The rotating drive shaft can rotate at various rotational speeds as desired. 
     Within the field of drilling, in general, power swivels can simultaneously suspend the weight of a drill string and provide for the rotation of the drill string beneath it. A power swivel includes a stationary part that is coupled with a power source and, in embodiments, can be in communication with hydraulic motors and a rotating part that is coupled with a drill string. A power swivel can further provide a sealed pathway for high-volume flow of drilling mud or air from the stationary part to the rotating part. 
     For example, in oilfield applications, hydraulic motors can cause a drive shaft of the power swivel to rotate which can also be connected to a drill string. By rotating the drill string a drill bit rotates and cuts through the strata. 
     Typical size bore holes can range from about 1.25 inches in diameter to about 12.75 inches in diameter; although larger scale equipment can be used to produce larger holes. 
     The power swivel comprises all required working components, including, but not limited to a motor, a shaft, a brake assembly, a thrust bearing assembly and a connecting means for engaging a lifting means. 
     The method can make use of various embodiments of the power swivel. The power swivel described herein relates to fluid drilling. The present invention can utilize water or mud drilling techniques as well. Similarly, air drilling, mist drilling, foam drilling and other drilling techniques can be usable with the method. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1A  depicts a remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly usable with the method. 
     The remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly  2  can include a power swivel  10 . 
     The power swivel  10  can be attached to lifting means of a drilling rig. The power swivel can be a remote controlled tilting power swivel. 
     In an embodiment, the lifting means can be a lifting block, such as a traveling block connected to the hoist system of a derrick or tower, or another form of lifting device, such as a links connected to the hoist system of a derrick. 
     The remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly  2  can be attached to a connecting means  18 , which is depicted as an elevator bail. The connecting means can comprise a first side  19   a  extending over one side of a power swivel  10  and a second side  19   b  extending over an opposite side of the power swivel  10 . 
     In embodiments, the connecting means  18  can be secured to the power swivel with a means of connecting  24   a  and  24   b , such as a pair of bail pins that extend into a power swivel housing  11  of the power swivel  10 . 
     One of the bail pins  24   a  can secure the power swivel  10  to the first side  19   a  of the connecting means and through the power swivel housing  11 , and the other bail pin  24   b  can secure through the power swivel housing  11  attaching the power swivel  10  to the second side  19   b  of the connecting means. 
     A tilt plate  26  can be mounted to the power swivel housing  11  and around the bail pin  24   b.    
     A tilt valve  57  can be in fluid communication between a hydraulic remote control  55  and a tilt cylinder assembly  32 . The fluid in this embodiment is hydraulic fluid. While one embodiment of remote control is shown here, various arrangements of valves and types of control can be used. 
     The tilt valve  57  can provide fluid to an extend port  46 . In embodiments, a lever  56  on the hydraulic remote control  55  can actuate the tilt valve  57  to tilt the power swivel, allowing fluid to flow into the extend port  46 . 
     The hydraulic remote control  55  can retract the power swivel by causing hydraulic fluid to flow from the power swivel into a retract port  48  of the tilt cylinder assembly  32 . 
     In embodiments, the tilt valve causes hydraulic fluid to enter the extend port on the tilt cylinder assembly  32 , extending the cylinder, thus tilting the power swivel at an angle away from a substantially vertical position until rotation of the power swivel is stopped. 
     A means of retracting the power swivel can be housed within the valve manifold block  304  on the cylinder. 
     Embodiments of the power swivel can include a stem  300  for connecting to a tubular  301  extending from the power swivel housing  11  for pushing into the wellbore. 
     The power swivel can include a brake  302  swivel and a valve manifold block  304  adjacent the brake. 
     A first power swivel port  306  and a second power swivel port  308 , in embodiments, can allow for the flowing of hydraulic fluid into the power swivel  10 . A thrust bearing  314  can be in the power swivel housing and connect to the stem. A hydraulic motor  316  can rotate the stem supported by the thrust bearing. 
     In embodiments, the means of retracting can include one or more check valves and a valve for reducing and relieving pressure. In embodiments, the means of retracting can be connected to a retract hose  61  for flowing hydraulic fluid to the retract cylinder. 
     In embodiments, the hydraulic fluid can be moved through the tilt valve  57  with a hydraulic pump  111 . 
     In embodiments, the remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly  2  can include a hydraulic hose reel assembly  60  fluidly connected between the tilt valve  57  and the extend port  46 . 
     A port  112  for flowing hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic source  49  is also shown. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a side view of the power swivel with a tilt plate.  FIG. 1C  depicts a detail view of the tilt plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the power swivel  10  can include a tilt plate  26 . The tilt plate  26 , in embodiments, can have a thru hole  30 , wherein a bail pin can penetrate through the tilt plate  26  into the power swivel housing. 
     One or more valves within the valve manifold block can flow hydraulic fluid into the retract port  48 , retracting the power swivel until limited by an adjustable stop. 
     The means of retracting can be used to move the power swivel from its tilted angle back toward a substantially vertical position. The exact orientation of the power swivel can be adjustable using the adjustable stop  27 . The adjustable stop is adjustable for different angles around a center point  31  of the thru hole  30 . 
     The adjustable stop  27  can be mounted to the tilt plate  26 . In embodiments, the adjustable stop can engage a tilt plate clevis  50  which can be connected to the cylinder of the tilt cylinder assembly. 
     In embodiments, the adjustable stop  27  can be fixed in position using a lock nut  18 . The adjustable stop  27  can limit the rotation of the power swivel at a substantially vertical position. 
     The stem of the power swivel can be rotatable on an axis  93 . 
     The connecting means  18  with the second side  19   b  and the extend port  46  are also shown. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the power swivel tilted away from a substantially vertical position. 
     When the tilt cylinder assembly  32  extends the cylinder  40 , the power swivel  10  can tilt away from a substantially vertical position and can be tilted up to a full extension of the cylinder. When the cylinder retracts, the power swivel can be rotated in an opposite direction to be repositioned at a desired angle within the range of rotation. The tilt cylinder assembly  32  can control tilting of the power swivel  10  about the center point  31  to a tilt angle  91 . The full extension of the cylinder can be adjusted to control the tilt angle  91 . The tilt angle can be a preset tilt angle. 
     In embodiments, the plate  26  can comprise a tilt plate clevis  50 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the tilt cylinder assembly. 
     In this embodiment, one manner in which the full extension of the cylinder can be adjusted is shown. The present detail is shown in an extended orientation, when the power swivel has been angled with respect to the wellbore. 
     The tilt cylinder assembly  32  can have a cylinder  40  which can be hydraulic. Inserted into the cylinder  40  on one end can be a hollow piston rod  43 . 
     In embodiments, the extension of the tilt cylinder assembly can be adjusted by using a threaded rod  42  which can be threaded inside of the hollow piston rod  43  which can be extended and retracted by the cylinder  40 . The full rotational range can be adjusted by manipulating the extended length of the threaded rod  42 . 
     In embodiments, the threaded rod can adjustably extend from the cylinder, in that the threaded rod can be threaded into or out of the cylinder, and so long as the threads engage the hollow piston rod, the tilt cylinder assembly can operate to tilt the power swivel. 
     In embodiments, the tilt cylinder assembly  32  can engage the connecting means on a side opposite the tilt plate. 
     The threaded rod can adjust from 0.5 inches to 15 inches in embodiments into and away from the hollow piston rod. 
     In embodiments, a piston  45  in the cylinder  40  can be connected to the hollow piston rod  43 . The piston can be used to extend or retract the hollow piston rod. 
     In embodiments, a cylinder attachment  44 , such as a bail attachment clevis, can connect the cylinder  40  to the connecting means. 
     In embodiments, the cylinder can have an extend port  46  for receiving hydraulic fluid into the body of the cylinder, allowing the hydraulic fluid to extend the hollow piston rod  43 . 
     The cylinder can also have a retract port  48  for receiving hydraulic fluid into the body of the cylinder, allowing the hydraulic fluid to push on the piston and the hollow piston rod and retract into the body of the cylinder, in part. 
     The tilt cylinder assembly  32  can include a tilt plate clevis  50  secured to the threaded rod  42 , opposite the cylinder. The tilt plate clevis  50  can secure the tilt cylinder assembly  32  to the tilt plate. 
     A pin  51   a  can secure a tilt plate clevis  50  moveably to the tilt plate. 
     In embodiments, the hydraulic remote control can contain other meters and gauges for operating the power swivel on the rig. However, the hydraulic remote control controls power swivel tilting while keeping the operator a safe distance from the power swivel&#39;s moving components. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a power swivel  10  installed on a drilling rig  14  over a wellbore  8 . Also shown is the lifting means  158  of the derrick. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a detail of an embodiment of an axle of the hydraulic hose reel assembly. 
     While embodiments with a fixed axle are easily implemented,  FIG. 5  depicts a rotating axle for use with a hydraulic hose reel assembly. 
     Swivel joint assemblies  134   a  and  134   b  can be disposed proximate each end of the axle  116 . The fluid pathway to ports  120  and  128  can be maintained even while the axle is rotating. 
     Embodiments of the axle of a hydraulic hose reel assembly can have a plurality of ports  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  and  132  for flowing hydraulic fluid. In embodiments, the ports can function as inlet ports, outlet ports, or combinations thereof. Ports  120  and  128  can function as an axle tilt port and an axle drain port. The hydraulic fluid can flow bidirectionally through any of the plurality of ports as needed. 
     Ports  122  and  132  can be disposed on either end of a fluid conduit through the axle. Similarly, ports  126  and  130 , ports  124  and  128 , and ports  118  and  120  can all define separate fluid conduits. 
     The ports and the associated fluid conduits can be in communication with a rotational mechanism of the power swivel, a tilt mechanism of the power swivel, or for draining fluid from the power swivel. Various hoses can be attached to accomplish this purpose. 
     In embodiments, the hydraulic hose reel can flow hydraulic fluid to power the rotational mechanism of the power swivel, conduct drain fluid, or power the tilt mechanism. Various hoses can be attached to accomplish this purpose. 
     For example, an embodiment can use two hoses with the hydraulic hose reel in fluid communication with ports  130  and  132  and the power swivel to supply hydraulic fluid to power the rotational mechanism of the power swivel. A third hose can be in fluid communication with port  120  and to a drain of the power swivel, and a fourth hose can be in fluid communication with port  128  and the tilt cylinder assembly. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict a hydraulic hose reel assembly. 
     In embodiments, the hydraulic hose reel assembly  60  can have a first wheel  102 , a second wheel  104 , a drum  106  mounted between the wheels, a ring gear  108  secured to the drum  106 , a pinion gear  109  connected to the ring gear, and a drive motor  110  connected to the pinion gear. Ports  112 ,  114  and  128  for flowing hydraulic fluid are shown. 
     In embodiments, a drive motor  110  can connect to a pinion gear rotating the pinion engaging with the ring gear thereby rotating the wheels and drum. 
     In embodiments, the hydraulic hose reel assembly can have four separate fluid flow pathways. 
     The hydraulic hose reel assembly  60  can have a plurality of hoses for hydraulic fluid. The first hose  160  and second hose  162  can be in fluid communication with a rotational mechanism of the power swivel. The third hose  164  can be in fluid communication with a drain of the rotational mechanism of the power swivel. The fourth hose  166  can be in fluid communication with the power swivel, for supplying the hydraulic fluid to tilt the power swivel. 
       FIG. 7  depicts the steps of the method for using a power swivel with tilt. 
     The method can include connecting a remote controlled tilting power swivel assembly to a lifting means, as shown in step  702 . The lifting means can be connected to a drilling rig for drilling a wellbore. 
     The method can include setting a desired substantially vertical position by manipulating the adjustable stop, as shown in step  704 . 
     The method can include setting a maximum tilt angle of the power swivel by manipulating the adjustable extension, as shown in step  706 . In embodiments, setting the maximum tilt angle can comprise rotating the threaded rod clockwise or counter-clockwise to modify the full extension of the cylinder. 
     The method can include rotating the power swivel, as shown in step  708 . The power swivel can be rotated by either causing hydraulic fluid to flow into the extend port to tilt the power swivel to a desired orientation up to the maximum tilt angle, or causing hydraulic fluid to flow into the retract port to retract the power swivel. 
     In embodiments, the method can also include connecting a hydraulic hose reel assembly fluidly connected between the tilt valve and the extend port, as shown in step  710 . 
     While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.