Patent Description:
The present invention particularly relates to a stabbing guide device for mounting a male threaded portion of a second tube into a female threaded portion of a first tube.

The present invention also relates to a metal tube equipped with such a stabbing guide device.

A tubular hydrocarbon column or working string generally consists of a plurality of tubes attached together. More specifically, a tubular hydrocarbon column for hydrocarbon wells or similar wells generally comprises a tubing string and several casing strings. The tubing strings consists of a plurality of completion tubes accommodated inside the casing string. The casing string consists of a plurality of casing tubes arranged inside a drilling hole of the well. The casing tubes have a larger diameter cross-section than the diameter cross-section of the completion tubes and surround said completion tubes. In the lower part of the casing string, the casing tubes are also called liner tubes.

The casing strings are needed to maintain borehole stability, prevent contamination of water sands, and control well pressures during drilling, production, and/or workover operations.

The casing tubes and the completion tubes are made of steel and may be made, without limitation, according to API standards Specification 5CT or 5CRA for standard Casing and Tubing. For example, the steel is one of grade L80, P110 or Q125 standards.

Two tubes of a string may be attached by a threaded joint or connection. Typical threaded joint for connecting a first tube to a second tube may include a male threaded portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first tube, also called as a pin end, and a female threaded portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second tube, also called as a box end. The threaded portions cooperated so as to attach the first tube to the second tube, thus forming a threaded joint.

Another known type of threaded joint may include a coupling box for attaching a first tube and a second tube. Each first and second tube includes a pipe having, at both ends thereof, a male threaded portion formed on the outer peripheral surface, also called pin end. The first tube includes a coupling box having an inner hole provided with a female threaded portion formed on the inner periphery of the hole. The coupling box is generally previously connected to one end of the steel pipe by means of the male threaded portion of said end and the female threaded portion of the coupling box. By way of this arrangement, the first tube has a male threaded portion, also called a pin end, and a coupling box portion with a female threaded portion. The second tube may be attached to the first tube by means of the male threaded portion of said second tube and the female threaded portion of the coupling box.

Such threaded tubular connections are subjected to a variety of combination of stresses that may vary in intensity or change in direction, such as, for example, axial tension, axial compression, inner pressure bending force, torsional force, etc.. Threaded tubular connections are thus generally designed to support those stresses, withstand rupture and provide tight sealing.

The solidity of a string of tubes thus generally relies on the absence of wear on the parts or portions forming the threaded connection or joint. It has therefore been proposed devices for protecting the threaded portions of tubes having a male threaded portion and a female threaded portion.

For operations on site, it is necessary to remove the protecting device prior to installing the tube in a well. It is preferable to remove the protecting device at the latest stages prior to installing the tube in the well. The protecting device then has to be unscrewed from the tube. These operations are particularly time consuming and demand a particular attention from operators who also have to manage tubes. The installation process of a column is thus rendered more complicated by the use of known protecting devices and weak points of a tube are not protected during installation of the column.

Furthermore, when mounting the male threaded portion of the second tube into the female threaded portion of the first tube, a stabbing guide is generally used. Such stabbing guide is positioned by an operator before inserting the male threaded end of the second tube into the female threaded end of the first tube and then removed before screwing the second tube in the first tube. Such operation also increases the operation time of installation of the column.

Additionally, known stabbing guides are installed on the female threaded end of a pipe on the drill floor, after said pipe has been lifted and put in position on the drill floor. The installation of such stabbing guides increases the exposure of operators on the drill floor which is a particularly dangerous area.

There is thus a need to reduce the installation time of a column, also called the "critical path activity", as well as the exposure of operators on the drill floor.

Indeed, said critical path activity is today around <NUM> seconds per tube, which leads to expensive installation operations, considering the high cost for a day rental of a rig.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Relevant prior art includes <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and considered the closest prior art, <CIT>.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a stabbing guide for allowing alignment of ends of tubes easier and quicker, while addressing a safety issue aimed at reducing the steps on the drilling site, notably on the drill floor.

Thus, the stabbing guide according to the invention is intended to be pre-installed on an area, called a "vee door", located outside the drill floor, before the tube is lifted in the air and being brought on the drill floor, called a "rotation table" for rotating the tubes in order to screw them together.

It is also an object of the invention to improve the protection of the coupling box portion of a tube intended to form a threaded joint during the installation process of the tube.

The invention provides a stabbing guide device for a steel tube designed to be secured on a portion of said tube used in a tubular column for oil and gas, energy, or storage applications, said device being defined in claim <NUM>.

The locking door is thus movable relative to the body along two successive movements, a first translation movement of the locking door to slide said locking door along the rotational axis from the locked position to an intermediate position and a second rotational movement of the locking door to rotate said locking door away from the body from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

The body and the locking door are configured to move one relatively to the other while being not separatable. The body and the locking door thus form one single piece design.

The stabbing guide device may be pre-installed on an area, called a "vee door", located outside the drill floor, before the tube is lifted in the air and being brought on the drill floor, called a "rotation table" for rotating the tubes in order to screw them together, thereby reducing the steps on the drilling site.

Advantageously, each of the body and the locking door comprises a shoulder configured to bear axially on an end, i.e., the upper end of the portion of the first tube when secured to said tube.

The stabbing guide device is thus prevented from falling when secured on the first tube.

Furthermore, since the rotation of the locking door may occur only after said door has been slid downwardly towards the lower end of the body, when the stabbing guide device is mounted on the first tube, the rotation of the locking door is thus prevented thanks to the door self-blocked by the shoulder bearing on the upper end of the first tube.

In an embodiment, the locking door comprises an elongated body forming an angular segment fitted in the circumferential gap in the locked position and circumferentially delimited by two free ends or sides.

According to the invention, one of the body or the locking door comprises a hinge cooperating with at least one longitudinal shaft connected to the other of the locking door or the body.

The hinge allows one of the body or the locking door to move, slide, or be lifted, toward the other of the locking door or the body. In closed position the hinge is locked, in open position the hinge is unlocked.

In an embodiment, the locking door comprises said at least one longitudinal shaft.

In another embodiment, the cylindrical body comprises said at least one longitudinal shaft.

Advantageously, a first longitudinal groove is provided on the other of the cylindrical body or the locking door, said longitudinal shaft being slidably mounted in said first longitudinal groove and connected to the other of the locking door or the body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially towards the one of the body or the locking door.

For example, the at least one longitudinal shaft is slidably mounted in a first longitudinal groove provided on one of the free ends of the body and connected to one of the sides of the elongated body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially away from said side towards one of the free ends of the body. Said first groove is provided with a hinge for securing the shaft to the body.

For example, the longitudinal shaft is connected to the elongated body by two connecting pads.

In another embodiment, one of the free ends of the cylindrical body comprises at least one longitudinal shaft slidably mounted in a first longitudinal groove provided on one of the tangential sides of the body of the locking door and connected to one of the free ends of the body by at least one circumferential connecting pad extending circumferentially away from said free end towards one of the tangential sides of the body of the locking door, said first groove being provided with a hinge for securing the shaft to the body.

In other words, one of the locking door or the cylindrical body may comprises the longitudinal shaft and the first groove may be provided on the other of the cylindrical body or the locking door.

Advantageously, the length of the first longitudinal groove is greater than the length of the shaft so that said shaft may slide in said groove from the locked position to the intermediate position.

Advantageously, one of the locking door or the cylindrical body further comprises at least one securing pad connected to one of the tangential sides of the elongated body or the free ends of the circumferential body and extending circumferentially away from said one of said tangential side or said free ends towards the other of the free end of the body or the tangential side of the elongated body of the locking door.

For example, said securing pad is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove provided on one of the free ends of the body or the other of the tangential side of the elongated body of the locking door. Said second longitudinal groove is provided with at least one notch opening onto one of the free end of the body or the other of the tangential side of the elongated body of the locking door, and having a length greater than the length of the securing pad, so that said securing pad is configured to slide in said second groove from the locked position to the intermediate position and when the securing pad faces the notch, in the intermediate position, the locking door is configured to be rotated away from the body from the intermediate to the unlocked position.

In an embodiment, the locking door comprises said at least one securing pad connected to the other of the tangential sides of the elongated body and extending circumferentially away from said tangential side towards the other free end of the body.

For example, in an embodiment, said securing pad is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove provided on the other free end of the body and said second longitudinal groove is provided with at least one notch opening onto the other free end and having a length greater than the length of the securing pad, so that when the securing pad faces the notch, in the intermediate position, the locking door may be rotated away from the body from the intermediate to the unlocked position.

For example, the elongated body is provided with two securing pads each facing a notch of the second groove in the intermediate position.

In another embodiment, the cylindrical body comprises said at least one securing pad connected to the other of the free ends of the circumferential body and extending circumferentially away from said free end towards the other tangential side of the elongated body of the locking door.

For example, in said another embodiment, said securing pad being slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove provided on the other tangential side of the elongated body of the locking door and said second longitudinal groove being provided with at least one notch opening onto said other tangential side and having a length greater than the length of the securing pad, so that when the securing pad faces the notch, in the intermediate position, the locking door may be rotated away from the body from the intermediate to the unlocked position.

The function of the securing pads is to prevent and lock the rotation of the locking door.

The elongated body of the locking door may be radially inwardly delimited by an inner cylindrical surface is provided with the shoulder and is further radially outwardly delimited by an outer cylindrical surface and circumferentially delimited by the two tangential sides.

For example, the elongated body of the locking door is further axially delimited by a lower end and an upper end, said upper end being connected to the shoulder by an inner tapered surface. The body is, for example, axially delimited by a lower end and an upper end, the upper end being connected to the shoulder by an inner tapered surface.

Said tapered surface has, for example, the same angle as the angle of the tapered surface of the elongated body of the locking door.

Said inner tapered surfaces act as a stabbing guide for the second completion tube. For example, each inner tapered surface forms an angle within a range <NUM>° to <NUM>°, for example <NUM>°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer circumferential surface of the body.

In an embodiment, the body and the elongated body of the locking door are each radially inwardly delimited by an inner cylindrical surface having the same diameter.

For example, the stabbing guide device may comprise a temporary protective closure covering the inner tapered surface of the body. Said protective closure aims at protecting the thread of the tubes during transport.

In an embodiment, said stabbing guide device may be made in plastic material using additive manufacturing with one step process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Alternatively, said stabbing guide device may be made in any other material.

According to another aspect, the invention concerns a steel tube intended for use in a tubular hydrocarbon column, preferably as a completion tube, said tube including a pin portion and a box portion configured to receive a pin portion of another second steel tube, and a device as described above secured to said first steel tube.

According to another aspect, the invention concerns a tubular hydrocarbon column comprising a first tube including a first pin portion and a first box portion, a second tube including a second pin portion configured to be screwed into the first box portion and a second box portion, and at least one stabbing guide device as described above mounted so as to be secured on the first box potion of the first tube.

For example, the stabbing guide device has a length smaller than the coupling length of the first tube with the second tube, but greater than the half of said coupling length. Such length of the stabbing guide device allows the device to be maintained in position even when vibrations occur.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings on which:.

In the following description, the terms "longitudinal, "transversal", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to a usual orthogonal benchmark as shown on the drawings, which includes:.

Moreover, in the description and claims, the terms "outside" and "inside" and the orientations "axial" and "radial" shall be used to designate, according to the definitions given in the description, elements of the stabbing guide device or the tube. The vertical axis Z determines the "axial" orientation". The "radial" orientation is directed orthogonally to the vertical axis Z. the "circumferential" orientation is directed orthogonally to the axis Z of rotation and orthogonally to the radial direction, i.e., orthoradially. The terms "outside" and "inside" are used to define the orientation or the relative position of one component with respect to another, with reference to the axis of rotation Z. A component close or facing said axis Z is referred to as inside or inner as opposed to an outside or outer component located radially away from the vertical axis Z.

<FIG> shows the general structure of a part of a tubular hydrocarbon column <NUM> having first tube <NUM>, a second tube <NUM> mounted on said first tube <NUM> and a stabbing guide device <NUM> secured to the first tube <NUM>.

The first tube <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and comprises a first lower end (not shown), also called a pin portion, having male threads (not shown) provided on the outer circumferential surface of said first lower end. The first tube <NUM> further comprises a second upper end <NUM>, opposite to the first lower end, also called a box portion, having female threads 12a provided on the inner circumferential surface of said box portion.

The male threaded portion of the first lower end of the first tube <NUM> is designed to cooperate with a female threaded portion of a lower tube (not shown) and the female threaded portion <NUM> of said first tube <NUM> is designed to cooperate with male threads 22a of a male threaded portion <NUM> of an upper tube <NUM>, i.e., the second tube.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> is mounted around the second upper end <NUM> of the first tube <NUM>. As an alternative, the first tube may be a coupling box forming a sleeve having a substantially cylindrical shape and having inner female threads provided on its inner circumferential surface designed to cooperate with male threads of a lower tube (not shown) and with male threads of an upper following tube <NUM>.

The first tube <NUM>, the second tube <NUM> and the stabbing guide device <NUM> are coaxial along the rotational axis A1 when mounted.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> is shown in details on the <FIG>. Said stabbing guide device <NUM> extends along a rotational axis A1 parallel to the vertical axis Z as previously defined. The stabbing guide device <NUM> is thus designed to be mounted on the first tube <NUM>, such as a completion tube, before operations on rigs and to guide the insertion of a second following tube <NUM> into the first tube <NUM>.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> comprises a substantially cylindrical body <NUM> extending along the rotational axis A1 designed to surround the portion <NUM> of the first steel tube <NUM>.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> further comprises a locking door <NUM> secured in a non-detachable way to the body <NUM> and movable compared to said body <NUM> between a locked position, shown on <FIG>, in which the locking door <NUM> rotates towards the body <NUM> and surrounds the first tube <NUM> and an unlocked position, shown on <FIG>, in which the door <NUM> is rotated away from the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> and the locking door <NUM> are configured to move one relatively to the other while being not separatable. The body <NUM> and the locking door <NUM> thus form one single piece design.

As will be described further, the locking door <NUM> is movable relative to the body <NUM> along two successive movements, a first translation movement of the locking door <NUM> to slide said locking door <NUM> along the rotational axis A1 from the locked position to an intermediate position, shown on <FIG>, and a second rotational movement of the locking door <NUM> to rotate said locking door away from the body <NUM> from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.

The body <NUM> is radially inwardly delimited by an inner cylindrical surface 32a having a first diameter ID1 substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first tube <NUM>. The inner cylindrical surface 32a is provided with a shoulder 32b having a second diameter ID2 smaller than the first diameter ID1. The shoulder 32b is designed to bear against the free upper end 12b of the female threaded portion <NUM> of the first tube <NUM> when mounted on said first tube <NUM>. The stabbing guide device <NUM> is thus prevented from falling when mounted on the first tube <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is further radially outwardly delimited by an outer cylindrical surface <NUM> and circumferentially delimited by two tangential free ends 33a, 33b.

As can be seen of <FIG>, the radial cross-section of the body <NUM> forms an arc of circle about an angle α1. The angle α1 is chosen in such a way that the tangential free ends 33a, 33b of the radial cross-section of the body <NUM> are circumferentially spaced by a circumferential gap J1. The angle α1 is more than <NUM>°, preferable more than <NUM>°, for example within a range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, for example within <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

In other words, said body <NUM> forms an open ring so that the circumferential gap J1 subsists between two free ends 33a, 33b of said body <NUM>.

The outer diameter OD of the cylindrical surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is relatively small so as not to interfere with existing handling and lifting equipments.

The body <NUM> is designed to surround the box portion <NUM> of the first tube <NUM>. However, the body <NUM> may be mounted on any portion of a tube.

The body <NUM> is further axially delimited by a lower end <NUM> and an upper end <NUM>. The upper end <NUM> is connected to the shoulder 32b by an inner tapered surface <NUM>. Said inner tapered surface <NUM> acts as a stabbing guide for the second completion tube <NUM>. For example, the inner tapered surface <NUM> forms an angle within a range <NUM>° to <NUM>°, for example <NUM>°, with respect to the longitudinal axis A1 of the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of said body <NUM>.

As an alternative, the device <NUM> comprises a temporary protective closure (not shown) covering the inner tapered surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Said protective closure aims at protecting the thread of the tubes during transport.

The body <NUM> has a length smaller than the coupling length of the first tube <NUM> with the second tube <NUM>, but greater than the half of said coupling length. Such length of the stabbing guide device <NUM> allows the device to be maintained in position even when vibrations occur.

As illustrated, the locking door <NUM> is secured to the body <NUM> at the vicinity of the circumferential gap J1.

The locking door <NUM> comprises an elongated body <NUM> forming an angular segment fitted in the circumferential gap J1 in the locked position.

As can be seen of <FIG>, the radial cross-section of the elongated body <NUM> of the locking door <NUM> forms an arc of circle about an angle α2. The angle α2 is chosen in such a way that, in the locked position, the radial cross-section of the device <NUM> is circular.

The elongated body <NUM> is radially inwardly delimited by an inner cylindrical surface 40a is provided with a shoulder 40b. The shoulder 40b is designed to bear against the free end, here the upper end, of the female threaded portion <NUM> of the first tube <NUM> when mounted on said first tube <NUM>. The locking door <NUM> is thus prevented from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when mounted on the first tube <NUM>.

The elongated body <NUM> is further radially outwardly delimited by an outer cylindrical surface <NUM> and circumferentially delimited by two tangential free ends or sides 41a, 41b.

The elongated body <NUM> is further axially delimited by a lower end <NUM> and an upper end <NUM>. The upper end <NUM> is connected to the shoulder 40b by an inner tapered surface <NUM>. Said inner tapered surface <NUM> acts as a stabbing guide for the second completion tube <NUM>. For example, the inner tapered surface <NUM> forms the same angle as the angle of the tapered surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The locking door <NUM> further comprises a longitudinal shaft <NUM> connected to one of the free ends 41a by to circumferential connecting pads <NUM>, <NUM> extending circumferentially away from said free end towards one of the free ends 33a of the body <NUM>. As an alternative, the longitudinal shaft <NUM> may connected to one of the tangential free ends 41a by a single circumferential connecting pad.

The longitudinal shaft <NUM> is slidably mounted in a firs longitudinal groove <NUM> provided on one of the free ends 33a of the body <NUM>.

The length of the longitudinal groove <NUM> is greater than the length of the shaft <NUM> so that said shaft may slide in said groove <NUM> from the locked position to the intermediate position and the groove <NUM> is provided with a hinge 38a for securing the shaft <NUM> to the body <NUM>.

The locking door <NUM> further comprises two securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> connected to the other of the free ends 41b and extending circumferentially away from said free end towards the other free end 33b of the body <NUM>. As an alternative, the locking door <NUM> may comprise single securing pad.

Each securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> is slidably mounted in a second longitudinal groove <NUM> provided on the other free end 33b of the body <NUM>.

The invention is not limited to such configuration and it is possible to provide the shaft <NUM> on the cylindrical body <NUM> and the first longitudinal groove <NUM> on the locking door <NUM>.

It is also possible to provide the securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> on the cylindrical body <NUM> and the second longitudinal groove <NUM> on one of the tangential free ends 41a, 41b of the locking door <NUM>.

The length of the second longitudinal groove <NUM> is greater than the length of the securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> so that said securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> may slide in said groove <NUM> from the locked position to the intermediate position.

The groove <NUM> is provided with two notches 39a, 39b opening onto the free end 33b and having a length greater than the length of the securing pads <NUM>, <NUM>, so that when the securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> are each facing one of the notches 39a, 39b, in the intermediate position, the locking door <NUM> may be rotated away from the body <NUM> from the intermediate to the unlocked position.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> thus comprises a locking door <NUM> mounted movable on the body <NUM> between a locked position, shown on <FIG> and <FIG>, in which the locking door <NUM> rotates towards the body <NUM> and surrounds the first tube <NUM>, an intermediate position, shown on <FIG>, in which the locking door <NUM> is slid downwardly to the lower end <NUM> of the body <NUM> so that the securing pads <NUM>, <NUM> of the door <NUM> faces the notches 39a, 39b of the body, and an unlocked position, shown on <FIG>, in which said locking door <NUM> is rotated radially away from the body <NUM>. The locking door <NUM> is configured to reduce the circumferential gap J1 of the body <NUM> in the locked position.

The rotation of the locking door <NUM> may occur only after said door has been slid downwardly towards the lower end <NUM> of the body <NUM>. When the stabbing guide device <NUM> is mounted on the first tube <NUM>, the rotation of the locking door <NUM> is thus prevented thanks to the door self-blocked by the shoulder 40b bearing on the upper end 12b of the first tube <NUM>. The gravity thus prevents the locking door <NUM> to be slid downwardly towards the lower end <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> may be made in plastic material using additive manufacturing with one step process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> may further include a radio frequency identification chip (RFID chip) (not shown), for example located in a groove on the outer surface of the body <NUM>. The chip may include data such as the dimensions of the tube and/or the threaded portions. By virtue of the chip, it is not necessary to remove the device from the tube in order to determine such data.

The stabbing guide device <NUM> may also include sensors (not shown), such as pressure sensors, temperatures sensors in order to monitor the pressure exerted on the box portion <NUM> of the tube <NUM> and/or of the drilling fluid or cement, as well as the temperature of said box portion and/or of the drilling fluid or cement.

As shown on <FIG>, the completion tube <NUM> is equipped with the stabbing guide device <NUM>' immediately after its manufacture, before lifted for installation on a rig according to arrow F1 with a lifting device <NUM>.

After installation of the first completion tube <NUM> on the rig floor, a following completion tube <NUM> equipped with the device <NUM> is lifted, at step A.

The gravity prevents the locking door <NUM> to be slid downwardly towards the lower end <NUM> of the body <NUM> and thus to rotate to the unlocked position.

At step B, the following completion tube <NUM> is installed on the rig floor according to arrow F2, and its lower portion is guided by the device <NUM>, so that the male threaded portion <NUM> of said following completion tube <NUM> is inserted in the box portion <NUM> of the first tube <NUM>.

Once the following completion tube <NUM> is stabbed on the first tube <NUM>, the stabbing guide device <NUM>' may be removed by lifting upwardly, thereby allowing the locking door <NUM> to slide downwardly towards the lower end <NUM> of the body <NUM>, and thus allowing the rotating of said locking door <NUM> in the unlocked position. The stabbing guide device <NUM>' may thus be mounted on another following completion tube.

There may thus be one, two or more than two stabbing guides devices <NUM> used at the same time on the rig floor.

The stabbing guide device <NUM>, <NUM>' thus acts as a stabbing guide for a following completion tube, without the need of additional tools. The first and second tubes are metal tubes intended for use in a tubular hydrocarbon column.

The stabbing guide device <NUM>, <NUM>' may fully protect the box portion <NUM> of the tube <NUM> during transport and storage of said tube and may therefore be considered as a protective device.

The stabbing guide device is pre-installed on an area, called a "vee door", located outside the drill floor, before the tube is lifted in the air and being brought on the drill floor, called a "rotation table" for rotating the tubes in order to screw them together, thereby reducing the steps on the drilling site.

The device <NUM> according to the invention is a multi-purpose tool configured to protect the box portion of a tube and to guide the insertion of the male threaded portion of a second tube into the female threaded portion of a first tube. Said device has thus two functions.

Claim 1:
Stabbing guide device (<NUM>) for a steel tube (<NUM>) designed to be secured on a portion (<NUM>) of said tube (<NUM>) used in a tubular column for oil and gas, energy, or storage applications, said device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical body (<NUM>) extending along a rotational axis (A1) designed to surround the portion (<NUM>) of the first steel tube (<NUM>), said body (<NUM>) forming an open ring so that a circumferential gap (J1) subsists between two free ends (33a, 33b) of said body (<NUM>);
- a locking door (<NUM>) secured in a non-detachable way to the body (<NUM>) at one of the two free ends (33a, 33b) of said body (<NUM>), one of the body (<NUM>) or the locking door (<NUM>) comprising a hinge (38a) cooperating with at least one longitudinal shaft (<NUM>) connected to the other of the locking door (<NUM>) or the body (<NUM>), the locking door (<NUM>) being configured to move compared to said body (<NUM>) between:
• a locked position in which the locking door (<NUM>) surrounds the first tube (<NUM>) and is blocked in rotation around the longitudinal shaft (<NUM>), the locking door (<NUM>) being, in said locking position, able to slide along the rotational axis (A1) towards a lower end (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) into an intermediate position,
• the intermediate position in which the locking door (<NUM>) surrounds the first tube (<NUM>) and is able to rotate radially away from the body (<NUM>), and
• an unlocked position in which the locking door (<NUM>) is radially away from the body (<NUM>), the locking door (<NUM>) being configured to rotate along the longitudinal shaft (<NUM>) from the intermediate position to the unlocked position.