Opposing thread screw safety joint
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsMichael Joseph Gratzinger, Brian John Bethscheider
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments may generally take the form of a safety joint and methods related thereto. One embodiment may take the form of a safety joint deployable in a well. The safety joint includes a first sub and a second sub coupled to the first sub. The coupling of the two subs may include a first set of threads having a first orientation and a second set of threads having a second orientation different from the first set of threads. The first sub is decoupleable from the second sub upon disengagement of the first set of threads by rotation in a first direction followed by disengagement of the second set of threads by rotation in a direction opposite from the first direction.
Claims15
A safety joint deployable in a well, the safety joint comprising:
- a first sub;
- and
- a second sub coupled to the first sub, wherein the coupling comprises:
- a first set of threads having a first orientation;
- and
- a second set of threads having a second orientation different from the first set of threads, wherein the first sub is decoupleable from the second sub upon disengagement of the first set of threads by rotation in a first direction followed by disengagement of the second set of threads by rotation in a direction opposite from the first direction;
- a fully coupled state wherein the first set of threads are coupled together and a torque ring is coupled between the first and second sub;
- and
- a transition state wherein the first set of threads are uncoupled, one of the first sub and the second sub remains at least partially within the other, and the second set of threads are not in contact with each other;
- and
- a semi-coupled state wherein the second set of threads are engaged.
A safety joint deployable in a well, the safety joint comprising:
- a first sub;
- and
- a second sub coupled to the first sub, wherein the coupling comprises:
- a first set of threads having a first orientation;
- and
- a second set of threads having a second orientation different from the first set of threads, wherein the first sub is decoupleable from the second sub upon disengagement of the first set of threads by rotation in a first direction followed by disengagement of the second set of threads by rotation in a direction opposite from the first direction;
- and
- a torque ring coupled between the first and second sub.
A safety joint deployable in a well, the safety joint comprising:
- a first sub;
- and
- a second sub coupled to the first sub, wherein the coupling comprises:
- a first set of threads having a first orientation;
- a second set of threads having a second orientation different from the first set of threads, wherein the first sub is decoupleable from the second sub upon disengagement of the first set of threads by rotation in a first direction followed by disengagement of the second set of threads by rotation in a direction opposite from the first direction;
- and
- at least one sealing member coupled between the first and second subs.
A safety joint deployable in a well, the safety joint comprising:
- a first sub;
- and
- a second sub coupled to the first sub, wherein the coupling comprises:
- a first set of threads having a first orientation;
- a second set of threads having a second orientation different from the first set of threads, wherein the first sub is decoupleable from the second sub upon disengagement of the first set of threads by rotation in a first direction followed by disengagement of the second set of threads by rotation in a direction opposite from the first direction;
- and
- a centralizing feature.
A method of uncoupling a safety joint comprising:
- rotating a first sub of the safety joint in a first direction to detach a first set of threads;
- displacing the first sub relative to a second sub of the safety joint engaging a second set of threads;
- rotating the first sub in a second direction opposite of the first direction to detach the second set of threads;
- and
- bringing a string in which the safety joint is coupled to a neutral point where there is little tension in the string.
A method of uncoupling a safety joint comprising:
- rotating a first sub of the safety joint in a first direction to detach a first set of threads;
- displacing the first sub relative to a second sub of the safety joint engaging a second set of threads;
- rotating the first sub in a second direction opposite of the first direction to detach the second set of threads;
- and
- further comprising determining the first set of threads is detached.
A method comprising:
- installing a safety joint into a tool string;
- running the tool string in-hole;
- separating the tool string at the safety joint, wherein separating comprises:
- disengaging a first set of threads by rotating an upper portion of the string in a first direction;
- displacing the upper portion of the string a determined distance longitudinally from a lower portion of the string;
- and
- disengaging a second set of threads by rotating an upper portion of the string in a second direction opposite thereto of the first direction;
- retrieving the upper portion of the string with a portion of the safety joint;
- fishing the lower portion of the string, wherein fishing comprises:
- running a fishing tool in hole;
- engaging threads of a remaining portion of safety joint with threads of the fishing tool;
- and
- pulling out the lower portion of the string with the remaining portion of the safety joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.