Patent Publication Number: US-9850739-B2

Title: Cement head stabber and method for lifting for installation

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to cementing operations in subterranean drilling. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for installing a cement head on borehole casing. 
     In oil and gas drilling, a casing is placed inside the open borehole to maintain borehole stability and to control formation pressures. In many of these boreholes, an intermediate casing is installed and cemented into place. After the intermediate casing is installed, drilling can be continued through this casing to a deeper depth. Formations outside the intermediate casing are thus isolated, which helps to eliminate borehole cave-in and helps to contain formation pressures and fluids. 
     To cement the casing into a drilled borehole, a cement head is installed on the casing. The cement head contains hoses and piping to transfer cement and water from pumps to the inside of the casing. The cement head also contains valves to launch a rubber wiper plug down inside the casing. Once the cement head is installed on the casing, a pre-calculated volume of cement is pumped into the cement head, down the inside of the casing, and up the outside of the casing to the surface. Once the cement is pumped inside the casing, the rubber wiper plug is installed inside the casing on top of the cement slurry. Water is then pumped inside the casing to push the wiper plug downwards and thereby displace the cement slurry from the inside of the casing to the outside of the casing. Once adequate time has expired for cement curing, the plug can be drilled out and drilling to deeper depths can continue. 
     In many cases, cement heads must be positioned high above the rig floor during cementing operations. Installing a cement head on the case in such instances generally requires a crane or winch to raise the cement head to the case. Frequently, personnel must be hoisted off the rig floor using a makeshift seat or harness attached to a winch or other lifting device in order to reach the cement head and case to connect the cement head to the case. In addition to connecting the cement head to the case, the personnel attach pipes and pipe fittings to the cement head to connect the cement head to pumps located on the ground. Such personnel are at risk of falling. Moreover, such personnel are frequently required to carry heavy bars, wrenches and other tools used to manipulate both the cement head and the pipes and fittings that they attach to the cement head. These bars, wrenches and other heavy tools are at risk of being accidentally dropped onto the rig floor below. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, an assembly includes a stabber. The stabber includes a support beam comprising a first end opposite a second end. A first connection flange is disposed at the first end of the support beam and a second connection flange is disposed at the second end of the support beam. A weight is mounted to the support beam intermediate the second end of the support beam and a midpoint of the support beam. The assembly also includes a cement head connected to the first connection flange of the support beam. The cement head comprises a cement inlet. The assembly also includes a cement line comprising a first end connected to the cement inlet of the cement head and a second end configured for connection to a cement pump. The cement line is connected to the second connection flange of the support beam between the first end of the cement line and the second end of the cement line. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a stabber for assisting in the lifting and installation of a cement head assembly onto a bore hole casing includes a support member comprising a first end opposite a second end. A first connection element is disposed proximate the first end of the support member and a second connection element is disposed proximate the second end of the support member. A first weight is mounted to the support member in closer proximity to the second end of the support member than to the first end of the support member. A second weight is connected to the support member between the first and second ends of the support member. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for lifting a cement head for installation onto a borehole casing includes connecting a first end of a cement line to a cement inlet of the cement head. The method also includes connecting a first end of a support beam to the cement head. A second end of the support beam is connected to the cement line between the first end of the cement line and a second end of the cement line. The first end and the second end of the support beam are connected to a crane and the support beam is pulled upward by the crane such that the support beam simultaneously pulls the cement head and the cement line upward. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are possible in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of a stabber for lifting a cement head. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the stabber of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stabber of  FIG. 1A  connected to a crane, a cement head, and a cement line. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a drilling rig and a borehole, and a cement head being installed on a well casing of the borehole with the assistance of a crane and the stabber of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified drawing figures set forth one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale, and applications and embodiments of the present invention may include features and components not specifically shown in the drawings. Like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a stabber for lifting a cement head and a cement line simultaneously by a single lift point. The stabber balances the cement head and the cement line while both the cement head and the cement line are raised to a borehole casing. Because the stabber lifts both the cement head and the cement line, the cement line can be assembled on the ground, thereby reducing both the risk of workers or tools falling and the time needed to assemble the cement line to the cement head. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  will be discussed concurrently.  FIG. 1A  is a side view of stabber  10 , and  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of stabber  10  of  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , stabber  10  includes support member  12 . Support member  12  includes first end  14 , second end  16 , midpoint  18 , top side  20 , and bottom side  22 . Stabber  10  can also include first connection element  24 , second connection element  26 , third connection element  28 , fourth connection element  30 , first weight  32 , base beam  34 , second weight  36 , actuator  38 , locking rail  40  with holes  42 , locking flange  44  with pinhole  46 , pin  48 , and fifth connection element  50  with holes  56 . First weight  32  can include top plates  58 , bottom plate  60 , and connecting rods  62 . Base beam  34  can include first end  64  and second end  66 . Second weight  36  can include block  68  and box  70 . Block  68  can be a concrete block and box  70  can be a metal box. Actuator  38  can be a worm drive that includes rack  72 , worm  74 , and turn wheel  75 . 
     Support member  12  can be a beam extending between first end  14  and second end  16  such that first end  14  is opposite second end  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , support member  12  can be formed from square steel tubing. In other embodiments, support member  12  can be formed from titanium, aluminum, or any other material with the tensile strength and stiffness suitable for forming support member  12 . First connection element  24  can be disposed proximate first end  14  of support member  12 . First connection element  24  can be a flange extending from bottom side  22  of support member  12  at first end  14  of support member  12 . First connection element  24  can include connection hardware  29  that can be used to connect first end  14  of support member  12  to a cement head (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Connection hardware  29  can comprise a D-ring, a U-bolt, a hook, a karabiner, a bolt, and/or combinations thereof. Second connection element  26  can be disposed proximate second end  16  of support member  12 . Second connection element  26  can be a flange extending from bottom side  22  of support member  12  at second end  16  of support member  12 . Second connection element  26  can include connection hardware  31  that can be used to connect second end  16  of support member  12  to a cement line (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Connection hardware  31  can comprise a D-ring, a U-bolt, a hook, a karabiner, a bolt, and/or combinations thereof. 
     Third connection element  28  can be disposed proximate first end  14  of support member  12 . Third connection element  28  can be a flange extending from top side  20  of support member  12  at first end  14  of support member  12 . Fourth connection element  30  can be disposed proximate second end  16  of support member  12 . Fourth connection element  30  can also be a flange extending from top side  20  of support member  12  at second end  16  of support member  12 . Both third connection element  28  and fourth connection element  30  can include connection hardware  27  that can be used to connect first end  14  and second end  16  of support member  12  to a crane or lift (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Connection hardware  27  can comprise a D-ring, a U-bolt, a hook, a karabiner, a bolt, and/or combinations thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , first connection element  24 , second connection element  26 , third connection element  28 , and fourth connection element  30  can be distinct elements from one another. In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, first connection element  24  and third connection element  28  can comprise a single connection element configured to connect first end  14  of support member  12  to both a cement head and a crane. Second connection element  26  and fourth connection element  40  can comprise a single connection element configured to connect second end  16  of support member  12  to both a cement line and a crane. 
     First weight  32  can be mounted to support member  12  intermediate second end  16  of support member  12  and midpoint  18  of support member  12  such that first weight  32  is in closer proximity to second end  16  of support member  12  than to first end  14  of support member  12 . Midpoint  18  can be defined as a point on support member  12  that is equidistant from first end  14  and second end  16  of support member  12 . Top plates  58  of first weight  32  can be a plurality of stacked metal plates disposed on top side  20  of support member  12 . Bottom plate  60  can be disposed on bottom side  22  of support member  12  opposite top plates  58 . Connecting rods  62  can extend from bottom plate  60  toward top plates  58  and can connect bottom plate  60  to top plates  58 . Top plates  58  and bottom plate  60  of first weight  32  can be configured to slide on support member  12  in the region between second end  16  of support member  12  and midpoint  18  of support member  12 . 
     Base beam  34  can be connected to bottom side  22  of support member  12  between first end  14  and second end  16  and can extend downward from support member  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , base beam  34  can be connected to support member  12  between midpoint  18  of support member  12  and first weight  32 . First end  64  of base beam  34  is connected to bottom side  22  of support member  12  and second end  66  of base beam  34  is disposed opposite first end  64  of base beam  34 . Similar to support member  12 , base beam can be formed from square tubing of the same material as support member  12 . Second weight  36  can be connected to second end  66  of base beam  34  such that base beam  34  connects second weight  36  to support member  12  between first and second ends  14 ,  16  of support member  12 . Second weight  36  can be formed from block  68  disposed within box  70 . Second weight  36  can be heavier than first weight  32  so that second weight  36  and base beam  34  can maintain support beam  12  substantially horizontal when second weight  36  is resting on the ground. 
     Actuator  38  can be connected to support member  12  and configured to translate and control the position of first weight  32  on support member  12  between second end  86  of support member  12  and midpoint  18  of support member  12 . Actuator  38  can be a worm drive that includes both rack  72  connected to second weight  36 , and worm  74  connected to support member  12  and meshed with rack  72 . Turn wheel  75  can be connected to worm  74  and used by an operator to turn worm  74  and adjust the position of first weight  32  on support member  12 . Locking rail  40  can extend relatively parallel to support member  12  from second end  16  of support member  12  to base beam  34 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , locking rail  40  is connected to the flange of fourth connection element  30  and base beam  34 . Locking rail  40  can include holes  42 , holes  42  being spaced across a length of locking rail  40 . Locking flange  44  can be connected to bottom plate  60  of first weight  32  and can extend toward locking rail  40  to engage locking rail  40 . Locking flange  44  can include pin hole  46 . As first weight  32  is positioned on support member  12  by actuator  38 , pin hole  46  of locking flange  44  can be aligned with one of holes  42  of locking rail  40  such that pin  48  can be inserted into pin hole  46  and one of holes  42  of locking rail  40  to lock the position of first weight  32  on support member  12  to prevent first weight  32  from shifting position during the use of stabber  10 . 
     Fifth connection element  50  can be a flange connected to bottom side  22  of support member  12  and extending from third connection element  28  toward base beam  34 . Fifth connection element  50  can include holes  56  spaced along a length of fifth connection element  50 . During the use of stabber  10 , holes  56  of fifth connection element can provide multiple redundant connection points between stabber  10  and a cement head. The use and operation of stabber  10  is discussed in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  will be discussed concurrently. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , components of like numbering with the components of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are assembled as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , stabber  10  can be connected to cement head  76  and cement line  78  to form assembly  80 . Cement head  76  can include inlet  82 . Cement line  78  can include first end  84 , second end  86 , fittings  88 , and pipes  90 . Crane  92  or lift  93  of drilling rig  94  can be used to raise assembly  80  to connect cement head  76  to borehole casing  96  disposed in borehole  98 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  also disclose cement pump  100  that is ultimately connected to cement line  78  to deliver cement and/or water to cement head  76 . 
     Before cement head  76  and cement line  78  are lifted via stabber  10  by crane  92  or lift  93 , fittings  88  and pipes  90  are assembled together to form cement line  78  and first end  84  of cement line  78  is connected to inlet  82  of cement head  76 . The assembly of cement line  78  and cement head  76  can be carried out on the ground or on a platform of drilling rig  94 . Before cement head  76  and cement line  78  are lifted via stabber  10  by crane  92  or lift  93 , cement head  76  is connected to third connection element  28  at first end  14  of support beam  12  and cement line  78  is connected to fourth connection element  30  at second end  16  of support member  12  between first end  84  of cement line  78  and second end  86  of cement line  78 . Cement head  76  and cement line  78  can also be connected to holes  56  of fifth connection element  50  by chain  101  to reduce the likelihood of cement head  76  and cement line  78  from falling from stabber  10  in the event third connection element  28  or fourth connection element  30  failed during use of assembly  80 . 
     Both first end  14  and second end  86  of support member  12  can be connected to crane  92 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first end  14  of support member  12  can be connected to crane  92  by cable  102  which can be connected to connection hardware  27  of third connection element  28  and connection point  104  of crane  92 . Second end  16  of support member  12  can be connected to crane  92  by cable  103  which can be connected to connection hardware  27  of fourth connection element  30  and connection point  104  of crane  92 . As crane  92  pulls connection point  104  upward, cable  102  and cable  103  simultaneously pull first end  14  and second end  16  of support member  12  upward. As crane  92  pulls support beam  12  upward, crane  92  and support beam  12  can simultaneously pull cement head  76  and cement line  78  upward. Before crane  92  pulls support beam  12 , cement head  76  and cement line  78  completely out of reach from personnel on the ground, an operator can adjust the position of first weight  32  on support beam  12  such that first weight  32  counterbalances cement head  76  so that support beam  12  extends substantially horizontal relative ground as support beam  12  is pulled upward by crane  92 . The operator can also remove turn wheel  75  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) from actuator  38  to prevent turn wheel  75  from hitting another object, such as the tower of drilling rig  94 , and inadvertently changing the position of first weight  32  on support member  12  as crane  92  raises assembly  80  toward borehole casing  96 . 
     As crane  92  raises assembly  80 , second weight  36  can assist first weight  32  in counterbalancing the weight of cement head  76 . Because second weight  36  is connected to second end  66  of base beam  34  and disposed support member  12  between cement head  76  and first weight  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , second weight  36  can assist in dampening stabber  10  against any swinging that might occur as assembly  80  is raised off the ground by crane  92 . Once crane  92  has raised assembly  80  off the ground, crane  92  can move assembly  80  toward borehole casing  96  so that cement head  76  can be connected to borehole casing  96 . Once cement head  76  has been connected to borehole casing  96 , personnel on the ground can connect second end  86  of cement line  78  to cement pump  100  so that cement pump  100  can proceed to pump cement and/or water across cement line  78 , into cement head  76 , and into borehole casing  96 . 
     In view of the foregoing description, it will be recognized that the present disclosure provides numerous advantages and benefits. For example, the present disclosure provides stabber  10  which is configured to assist crane  92 , or another lifting device, in simultaneously lifting cement head  76  and cement line  78 . Because stabber  10  assists crane  92  in lifting cement head  76  and cement line  78  simultaneously, cement line  78  can be assembled and connected to cement head  76  on the ground before cement head  76  is connected atop borehole casing  96  where it may be harder and more precarious to reach cement head  76 . Stabber  10  also includes first weight  32  and second weight  36  which assist in balancing stabber  10 , cement head  76 , and cement line  78 , thereby making it easier for an operator to control cement head  76  as it is lifted to borehole casing  96  and installed on borehole casing  96 . 
     Any relative terms or terms of degree used herein, such as “substantially”, “essentially”, “generally” and the like, should be interpreted in accordance with and subject to any applicable definitions or limits expressly stated herein. In all instances, any relative terms or terms of degree used herein should be interpreted to broadly encompass any relevant disclosed embodiments as well as such ranges or variations as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, such as to encompass ordinary manufacturing tolerance variations, incidental alignment variations, transitory vibrations and sway movements, temporary alignment or shape variations induced by operational conditions, and the like. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the specification describes first connection element  24 , second connection element  26 , third connection element  28 , and fourth connection element  30  as being flanges, these connection elements  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  can also be embodied as metal loops connected to support member  12 . Furthermore, while the specification describes first connection element  24 , second connection element  26 , third connection element  28 , and fourth connection element  30  as elements distinct from one another, first and third connection elements  24 ,  28  can be merged into a single connection element, and second and fourth elements  26 ,  30  can be merged into a single connection element. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.