Rotating and reciprocating swivel apparatus and method
AssigneeMako Rentals, Inc.
InventorsKip M. Robichaux, Terry P. Robichaux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a rotating and reciprocating swivel of adjustable stroke length and shearable by ram blow out preventers can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the lower wellbore from the riser. In one embodiment the mandrel of the swivel extends through a sleeve/housing. The sleeve/housing has a wiping arrangement of improved configuration that wipes debris from the mandrel, preventing entry of the debris into the sleeve/housing. Ports enable discharge of the removed debris from the area of the sleeve/housing.
Claims18
A method of preparing a rotating and reciprocating swivel tool while located on a drilling rig or platform, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a swivel tool, the swivel tool comprising a mandrel and a sleeve having a generally cylindrical exterior sealing surface, along with a cavity and upper and lower end portions, an interior volume between the sleeve and mandrel, and upper and lower sealing units sealing the interior volume so that fluid above the swivel tool is separated from fluid below the swivel tool, the mandrel being rotatable and reciprocable relative to the sleeve, the mandrel extending into the cavity of the swivel tool and having a first stroke length relative to the sleeve, the exterior sealing surface being located outside of the cavity;
- (b) adding a mandrel joint to the top of the mandrel, such additional joint increasing the stroking length of the mandrel relative to the first stroking length;
- (c) lowering the swivel tool into a riser and towards a blowout preventer and wellbore, and supporting the swivel tool in an upright orientation;
- (d) repeating steps “b” and “c” until the final stroking length of the mandrel relative to the sleeve is at least 100 feet;
- and
- (e) at an end portion of the sleeve, wherein the seal of the blowout preventer can be selectively closed on the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve, and while the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve is detachably connected to the seal of the blowout preventer, the seal forms a seal against the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve separating upper and lower volumetric sections of fluid, the upper volumetric section being located in the riser above the blowout preventer and the lower volumetric section being located in the wellbore below the blowout preventer, wiping the mandrel with a wiper to prevent debris from coming into contact with at least one of the upper and lower sealing units.
A method of preparing a rotating and reciprocating swivel tool while located on a drilling rig or platform, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a swivel tool, the swivel tool comprising a mandrel and a sleeve surrounding the mandrel, the sleeve having a generally cylindrical exterior sealing surface, said sleeve having a cavity and upper and lower end portions, an interior volume between the mandrel and sleeve which is sealed by a pair of spaced apart sealing units, each end portion having a wiper cavity with a wiper, the mandrel being rotatable and reciprocable relative to the sleeve, the mandrel extending into the cavity and having a first stroke length relative to the sleeve;
- (b) lowering the swivel tool in a riser and towards a blowout preventer and wellbore, and supporting an upright orientation swivel tool;
- (c) repeating step “b” until the final stroking length of the mandrel relative to the sleeve is at least 150 feet;
- and
- (d) detachably connecting the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve to a seal of the blowout preventer, wherein the seal of the blowout preventer can be selectively closed on the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve, and while the seal is closed and forms a seal against the exterior sealing surface of the sleeve and separates upper and lower volumetric sections of fluid, the upper volumetric section being located in the riser above the blowout preventer and the lower volumetric section being located in the wellbore below the blowout preventer, wiping the mandrel with one or both of the wipers to prevent debris from damaging the upper and/or lower sealing units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.