Method and apparatus for removing tubing string bands
AssigneeBand Shark Co. Ltd.
InventorsClayton Allan Jahn, Martin Harvey David Schmidt, Christopher Shaun Mcclelland, Stephen Joseph Hurst
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oilfield band cutter is useful for removing a band from a tubing string structure as the tubing string structure is being pulled up from the well. The oilfield band cutter includes a base frame with a central hole, an axis extending vertically and centrally through the frame coaxial with the central hole. A tubing follower member is coupled to the base frame and is positioned against an outer surface of the tubing string structure. A cutter is coupled to the tubing follower member, the cutter including an underside having a cutting edge. The cutting edge is positioned to engage against and cut bands on the tubing string structure.
Claims21
An oilfield band cutter comprising:
- a tubing follower member maintained over an elongate work area through which a tubing string can pass along an axis, the tubing follower member having a face with an elongate groove;
- a cutter coupled for movement with the tubing follower member, the cutter protruding in the elongate work area and including an underside on which a cutting edge is positioned;
- and a frame including an at least partially ring-shaped base with a center point alignable with the axis, the at least partially ring-shaped base being rotatable about the axis and the tubing follower member being coupled to the at least partially ring-shaped base.
A method for removing a band from a tubing string structure as the tubing string structure is being moved up from the well, the method comprising:
- sliding a frame for the tubing follower member sideways around the tubing string structure;
- after sliding, positioning a tubing follower member against a side of the tubing string structure as the tubing string structure is moved up from the well past the tubing follower member, the tubing follower member carrying a cutter with a cutting edge protruding close to the tubing string structure outer surface;
- catching the cutting edge on the band when the band approaches the cutting edge;
- cutting the band with the cutting edge as the band passes the cutting edge;
- and wherein positioning includes installing an at least partially ring-shaped base on the frame to encircle the tubing string structure, the ring-shaped base having the tubing follower member coupled thereto and rotating the at least partially ring-shaped base to align the cutter with an exposed taut portion of the band extending between a cable connected by the band to a tubing string in the tubing string structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.