Abstract:
A rod reel includes a reel body having a central axis, a first rod receiving channel and a second rod receiving channel. The first and second rod receiving channels are centered about the central axis. The second rod receiving channel is adjacent to the first rod receiving channel. The rod reel may be used to repair a rod string by loading a supplemental rod string in one of the pockets, loading the rod string into another of the pockets, cutting the rod string, and attaching a desired length of the supplemental rod string to the cut in the rod string.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This relates to a rod reel, and a method of using the rod reel to repair a rod string. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,905 (Palynchuk) entitled “Method and apparatus for running and pulling a continuous metal member into and out of a well” describes equipment used to transport, inject and remove a rod string. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to an aspect, there is provided a rod reel, comprising a reel body comprising a central axis, a first rod receiving channel and a second rod receiving channel each centered about the central axis, the second rod receiving channel being adjacent to the first rod receiving channel. 
         [0004]    According to other aspects, the first and second rod receiving channels may be angled toward the central axis. The second rod receiving channel may be spaced inward on the reel body relative to the first rod receiving channel. A third rod receiving channel may be adjacent to the second rod receiving channel. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect, there is provided a method of repairing a rod string deployable in a well. The method comprises providing a rod reel as described above. A supplemental rod string is loaded in one of the pockets. The rod string is loaded into another of the pockets. The rod string is cut, and a desired length of the supplemental rod string is attached to the cut in the rod string. 
         [0006]    According to other aspects, cutting the rod string may comprise removing a damaged section of the rod string. The desired length of the supplemental rod string may be substantially the same length as the damaged section of the rod string. The damaged section of the rod string may be one of a top section of the rod string, a bottom section of the rod string, or an intermediate section of the rod string. The method may further comprise the step of removing an additional damaged section of the rod string and attaching an additional desired length to the cut in the rod string. The method may further comprise the step of loading the damaged section of the rod string into one of the pockets for removal from a well site. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view in section of the rod reel. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of an alternative rod reel with stored endless rod. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a rod reel. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rod reel. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the rod reel with a pinch roller. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a field service reel with stored endless rod. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    A rod reel generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 through 5 . A method of servicing a rod string deployed in a well will then be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , rod reel  10  is a multi-pocket transfer reel, and has a reel body  12  comprising a central axis  14 , a first rod receiving channel  16  and a second rod receiving channel  18 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , first and second rod receiving channels  16  and  18  are substantially ring shaped and centered on central axis  14 . Second rod receiving channel  18  is adjacent to first rod receiving channel  16 . When mounted on a truck or trailer, axis  14  sits on a spindle  28  that allows rod reel  10  to turn. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may rest on the ground. Referring to  FIG. 4 , when mounted on a rod transfer truck or trailer, it may be raised or lowered to a desired angle using known lifting mechanisms. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there may be a third channel  30  adjacent to first and second channels  18  as well. More than three channels may also be present. This may be desired if multiple sizes of rod string are to be transferred. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , channels  16  and  18  have been designed with safety and convenience in mind, such as being angled toward central axis  14 , in order to prevent the loaded rod  24  and  26  from coming out during or after loading. 
         [0018]    In the examples discussed below, first channel  16  is used for used rod  26 , while replacement, or new rod  24 , is loaded into second channel  18 . This arrangement has been found to be more convenient in some circumstances, although it will be understood that either channel may store either type of rod. 
         [0019]    There will now be discussed a method of employing rod reel  10  to repair a rod string that is used in a wellbore. Referring to  FIG. 4 , rod reel  10  is preferably loaded onto a rod transfer truck or trailer, as shown. A service reel  22  shown in  FIG. 6  is also used to handle the rod  26 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , rod reel  10  is shown as holding new rod  24  and used rod  26 . While not shown, a picker or rod guide, a rod shear, and a winch are also commonly used when handling rod strings. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a pinch roller  32  is carried along with rod reel  10 . The rod reel may be used to carry a replacement section of rod that is inserted into the existing rod string, or it may be used to carry an entire replacement rod string. 
         [0020]    Rod reel  10  can be employed to repair rod at the bottom of the rod string, in the middle of the rod string, or at the top of the rod string. A general method will be discussed below, but variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Certain differences will become apparent from the discussion of each below. 
         [0021]    Bottom of the Rod String 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , at the rod yard, a new pin end may be welded on and the ordered amount of new endless rod  24  is loaded into, for example, the outside pocket  16  of transfer reel  12 . The pin end may also be welded on location. Using a winch the tail end of the new endless rod  24  is brought into the pocket where it is secured. Rod reel  10  is then taken to the location for rod repair. The rod transfer truck or trailer is backed to the service reel  22 , shown in  FIG. 6 , and the used endless rod  26  is threaded through the picker/rod guide, then through the pinch roller  32 . Using the pinch roller  32  the rod end is pushed into and secured inside the rod reel  10  inside pocket  18 . Using pinch roller  32 , the worn endless rod  26  is measured and spooled on to rod reel  10 . Using a rod shear, the used endless rod  26  is then cut. Using the winch the rod tail end is brought inside the pocket and secured in place. Again using the winch the tail end of the new endless rod  24  is removed from outside pocket  16  of rod reel  10 . The new endless rod  24  is then strung through the pinch roller  32  and the picker/rod guide. Using pinch roller  32  the new endless rod  24  is fed to the welder. The welder can then weld the new endless rod  24  to the used endless rod that is on the service reel  22 , shown in  FIG. 6 . After welding is completed the rod transfer truck or trailer is backed to the service reel  22 . Using pinch roller  32 , the new endless rod  24  is spooled onto the service reel  22 . 
         [0023]    Middle of the Rod String Repair 
         [0024]    At the rod yard, the ordered amount of new endless rod  24  is loaded into the rod reel  10  inside pocket  18 . Using a winch the tail end of the new endless rod  24  is brought into the pocket and secured. The rod reel  10  is then taken to the location for rod repair. The rod transfer truck or trailer is backed to the service reel  22  shown in  FIG. 6 , the used endless rod  26  is threaded through picker/rod guide and then through the pinch roller  32 . Using the pinch roller  32 , the rod end is pushed into and secured inside the transfer reel  12  outside pocket  16 . Using pinch roller  32 , the used endless rod  26  is spooled until the worn rod is found. Using a rod shear, the worn endless rod is measured and cut out. Using the winch, the rod tail end is brought inside the pocket and secured. Again using the winch, the tail end of the new endless rod  24  is removed from inside pocket  18  of rod reel  10 . The new endless rod  24  is strung through the pinch roller  32  and the picker/rod guide. The pinch roller  32  is then used to feed the new endless rod  24  to the welder. The welder can then weld the new endless rod  24  to the used endless rod that is on the service reel  22 , shown in  FIG. 6 . After welding is completed, the new endless rod  24  is spooled onto service reel  22 . Using the winch, the tail end of the used rod  26  is removed from out of outside pocket  16  of rod reel  10 . The used endless rod  26  is then strung through the pinch roller  32  and the picker/rod guide. Using pinch roller  32  the used endless rod  26  is fed to the welder. The welder can then weld the used endless rod  26  to the new endless rod that is on the service reel  22 . After welding is completed the used endless rod  26  is spooled onto service reel  22  using pinch roller  32 . 
         [0025]    Top of the Rod String Repair 
         [0026]    At the rod yard, the ordered amount of new endless rod  24  is loaded into inside pocket  18  of rod reel  10  with a welded pin on the end. The pin may also be welded on location. Using a winch, the pin end of the new endless rod  24  is brought into the pocket and secured. The rod reel  10  is then taken to the location for rod repair. The rod transfer truck or trailer is backed to the service reel  22  shown in  FIG. 6  and the used endless rod  26  is threaded through a picker/rod guide, then through the pinch roller  32 . Using the pinch roller  32 , the rod end is pushed into and secured inside outside pocket  16  of rod reel  10 . Using pinch roller  32 , the used endless rod  26  is spooled on until the worn rod is found. Using a rod shear, the worn endless rod is measured and cut out. Using the winch, the rod tail end is brought inside the pocket and secured. Again using the, winch, the pin end of the new endless rod  24  is removed from inside pocket  18  of rod reel  10 . The new endless rod  24  is strung through the pinch roller  32  and the picker/rod guide. Pinch roller  32  is then used to spool off the new endless rod  24  onto the service reel  22 , shown in  FIG. 6 . Using the winch, the rod tail end is brought out from the outside pocket  16  then feed the used endless rod  26 , through the pinch roller  32  and the picker/rod guide, and then to the welder. The welder can then weld the used endless rod  26  to the new endless rod  24  that is on the service reel  22 . After welding is completed, the used endless rod  26  is spooled onto service reel  22  using pinch roller  32 . 
         [0027]    In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
         [0028]    The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope of the claims. The illustrated embodiments have been set forth only as examples and should not be taken as limiting the invention. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically illustrated and described.