Jumper Tube Connector/Connection Apparatus and Method

A shunt tube jumper system, comprising:

• two shunt tubes;
• a jumper tube;
• two jumper connectors;
• and
• a plurality of fasteners;
• wherein:
• a first shunt tube is affixed, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of a first pipe section that is adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• a second shunt tube is affixed to the exterior of a second pipe section that is adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• said first pipe section is axially aligned with and fluidly connected to said second pipe section;
• a first fastener, proximate a first end thereof, is affixed to an exterior surface of said jumper tube proximate a first end of said jumper tube;
• a portion of said first fastener, proximate a second end thereof, is biased toward said exterior surface of said jumper tube;
• a second fastener, proximate a first end thereof, is affixed to an exterior surface of said jumper tube proximate a second end of said jumper tube;
• a portion of said second fastener, proximate a second end thereof, is biased toward said exterior surface of said jumper tube;
• a first end of said first jumper connector is circumferentially sealingly engaged around at least a portion of said first end of said jumper tube,
• a second end of said first jumper connector is circumferentially sealingly engaged around at least a portion of a proximate end of said first shunt tube;
• a first end of said second jumper connector is circumferentially sealingly engaged around at least a portion of said second end of said jumper tube,
• a second end of said second jumper connector is circumferentially sealingly engaged around at least a portion of a proximate end of said second shunt tube;
• said first fastener is positioned such that said second end of said first fastener prevents longitudinal movement of said first jumper connector along said jumper tube in a direction toward said second end of said jumper tube;
• and
• said second fastener is positioned such that said second end of said first fastener prevents longitudinal movement of said second jumper connector along said jumper tube in a direction toward said first end of said jumper tube

A jumper tube connection assembly for shunt tube connection, comprising:

• one or more retention clips affixed, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of a shunt tube;
• wherein:
• said shunt tube is affixed to the exterior of a pipe section;
• and
• a first said retention clip:
• is so affixed proximate a first end thereof;
• extends longitudinally substantially parallel to said shunt tube;
• and
• comprises a locking surface proximate a second end thereof;
• and
• wherein:
• said locking surface is adapted and configured to restrict longitudinal movement, of a jumper connector having a first end slidingly circumferentially engaged around an end of said shunt tube, in a direction toward said second end of said retention clip end when said locking surface is disposed intermediate said retention clip end and a second end of said jumper connector.

A jumper tube connection assembly for shunt tube connection, comprising:

• one or more pin-locking retention clips affixed, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of a shunt tube;
• wherein:
• said shunt tube is affixed to the exterior of a pipe section that is adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• and
• at least one of said pin-locking retention clip extends axially substantially parallel to said shunt tube and comprises a pin adapted and configured to engage an orifice in a jumper connector;
• wherein:
• said jumper connector comprises a first end slidingly circumferentially engaged around at least a portion of said shunt tube;
• and
• said jumper connector comprises a second end slidingly circumferentially engaged around at least a portion of a jumper tube;
• whereby, engagement of said pin with said orifice restricts axial movement of said jumper connector.

A method for connecting shunt tubes, comprising:

• providing a jumper tube connector assembly longitudinally intermediate two said shunt tubes to be connected, wherein said jumper tube connector assembly comprises:
• a jumper tube;
• two jumper tube connectors;
• and
• at least one fastener;
• wherein:
• a first fastener is fixedly attached to the exterior of said jumper tube proximate a first end of said jumper tube, and a portion of said first fastener is biased toward said exterior of said jumper tube;
• a first end of a first said jumper tube connector is slidingly positioned circumferentially around said first end of said jumper tube, wherein at least a portion of said first said jumper tube connector is disposed intermediate said exterior of said jumper tube and a portion of said first fastener;
• a first end of a second said jumper tube connector is slidingly positioned circumferentially around a second end of said jumper tube;
• and
• said first fastener restrains longitudinal movement of said first said jumper tube connector along said jumper tube by biasing a portion of said first fastener against an exterior surface of said first said jumper tube connector;
• and
• installing said jumper tube connector assembly by slidingly circumferentially engaging a second end of said first said jumper connector around at least a portion of an end of a first said shunt tube, such that:
• said first fastener ceases to be biased against said first said jumper connector, and
• said first jumper connector is prevented by said first fastener from moving longitudinally along said jumper tube in the direction of said second said jumper tube connector.

A method for connecting shunt tubes, comprising:

• providing a jumper tube connector assembly intermediate two said shunt tubes to be connected, wherein:
• affixed, directly or indirectly, to a first said shunt tube is one or more first shunt tube retention clips, wherein a first said first shunt tube retention clip comprises a locking surface proximate an end thereof;
• and
• said jumper tube connector assembly comprises:
• a jumper tube;
• and
• two jumper connectors;
• wherein:
• a first end of a first jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engaged around a first end of said jumper tube;
• a first end of a second jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engaged around a second end of said jumper tube;
• and
• installing said jumper tube connector assembly by slidingly circumferentially engaging a second end of said first jumper connector around an end of said first shunt tube:
• whereby:
• said first shunt tube retention clip locking surface is disposed intermediate said first end of said first jumper connector and said first shunt tube retention clip end, whereby longitudinal movement of said first jumper connector along said jumper tube in the direction of said second jumper connector is prevented by said first shunt tube retention clip locking surface.

A method for connecting shunt tubes, comprising:

• providing a jumper tube connector assembly intermediate two said shunt tubes to be connected, wherein:
• affixed, directly or indirectly, to a first said shunt tube is one or more first shunt tube pin-locking retention clips, wherein a first said first shunt tube pin-locking retention clip comprises a pin;
• and
• said jumper tube connector assembly comprises:
• a jumper tube;
• and
• two jumper connectors, wherein a first said jumper connector comprises an orifice in the external surface thereof,
• wherein:
• a first end of said first jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engaged around a first end of said jumper tube;
• a first end of a second jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engaged around a second end of said jumper tube;
• and
• installing said jumper tube connector assembly by slidingly circumferentially engaging said first said jumper connector with a first said shunt tube, whereby said first shunt tube pin-locking retention clip pin at least partially engages said first jumper connector orifice, and whereby said first shunt tube pin-locking retention clip pin prevents longitudinal movement of said first said jumper connector along said jumper tube in the direction of said second said jumper connector.

A leak-off tube retention system, comprising:

• a leak-off tube comprising:
• one or more spring-loaded buttons;
• and
• a plurality of apertures disposed in the exterior of said leak-off tube;
• a first fitting:
• connected to a first pipe section that is adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• and
• adapted to releasably retain said leak-off tube in a retracted first position, wherein said first fitting comprises one or more orifices, each adapted to engage one of said one or more spring-loaded buttons;
• and
• a second fitting:
• connected to a second pipe section that is:
• adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• and
• axially connected to said first pipe section;
• and
• adapted to releasably retain said leak-off tube in an extended second position, wherein said second fitting comprises one or more orifices, each adapted to engage one of said one or more spring-loaded buttons.

A method for deploying a leak-off tube, comprising:

• providing:
• a leak-off tube comprising:
• one or more spring-loaded buttons;
• and
• a plurality of apertures disposed in the exterior of said leak-off tube;
• and
• a first fitting:
• connected to a first pipe section that is adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• and
• adapted to releasably retain said leak-off tube in a retracted first position;
• wherein said first fitting comprises one or more orifices, and wherein at least one said spring-loaded button is engaged with one of said one or more orifices;
• biasing each spring-loaded button engaged with one said orifice, such that said leak-off tube is disengaged from said first fitting;
• slidingly moving said leak-off tube toward a second fitting, wherein said second fitting:
• is connected to a second pipe section that is:
• adapted and configured to be deployed downhole;
• and
• axially connected to said first pipe section;
• and
• adapted to releasably retain said leak-off tube in an extended second position, wherein said second fitting comprises one or more orifices, each adapted to engage one of said one or more spring-loaded buttons;
• and
• biasing said spring-loaded buttons while providing said leak-off tube proximate said second fitting, such that at least one of said spring-loaded buttons, upon release of bias thereto, is disposed at least partially through one said orifice of said second fitting, thereby engaging said leak-off tube with said second fitting.