Deep-well, continuous-coiled-tubing apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A system for injecting or withdrawing a fluid into or from a well is provided. The system includes an injector vehicle having a longitudinal axis and operable to position tubing into the well. The system also includes a tubing supply vehicle operable to provide the tubing to the injector vehicle for positioning in the well. In one aspect of the invention, the tubing is mounted on at least one spool, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injector vehicle is transverse to an axis of rotation of the spool and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tubing supply vehicle. In a separate aspect of the invention, a spiral guide is used to transition tubing during spooling and unspooling between a plurality of empty and full spools. In yet a separate aspect of the invention, a spool is vertically adjustable to allow rotation of the spool during spooling and unspooling. A method of use is also provided.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A vehicle for supplying flexible coiled tubing, comprising: 
 a bed;    a spooling assembly located on the bed, wherein the spooling assembly comprises at least one spiral guide member having a spiral-shaped path for receiving the flexible coiled tubing, the at least one spiral guide member operable to transition spooling and unspooling of the flexible coiled tubing from a first spool to an adjacent second spool of the spooling assembly, the at least one spiral guide member being positioned between the first and second spools, wherein the spooling assembly includes a rotational axis, wherein the first spool, the second spool and the at least one spiral guide member are situated on a common axle aligned along said rotational axis, and wherein the axle, the first spool, the second spool and the at least one spiral guide member are rotated as one unit to either wind or unwind the flexible coiled tubing from the spooling assembly.    
   
   
       9 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , further comprising a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the rotational axis.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein said longitudinal axis of the vehicle is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of an adjacent injector vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the first spool and the second spool include flanges.  
   
   
       12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , further comprising roller bearings under said flanges.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the vehicle comprises a propulsion system.  
   
   
       15 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein each of said first spool and said second spool comprise a longitudinal length of between about 6 to 10 feet.  
   
   
       26 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one spiral guide comprises a longitudinal length of between about 0.5 to 2.0 feet.  
   
   
       27 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein said axle further comprises a roller bearing.  
   
   
       28 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein said spiral guide member transitions the flexible coiled tubing along the substantially spiral-shaped path from an inner-most layer of tubing on said first spool to an outer-most layer of tubing on said second spool.  
   
   
       29 . A vehicle for supplying a continuous length of flexible coiled tubing, comprising: 
 a bed having a longitudinal axis;    at least two spools having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of said bed; and    at least one spiral guide member operable to transition spooling and unspooling of the flexible coiled tubing along a spiral path from a first layer of tubing on a first spool of said two spools to a non-first layer of tubing on a second spool of said at least two spools.    
   
   
       30 . The vehicle of  claim 29 , further comprising an axle operatively associated with both said first and second spools, said axle substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of said bed.  
   
   
       31 . The vehicle of  claim 29 , wherein the flexible coiled tubing comprises steel, and wherein each of said first spool and said second spool comprise a longitudinal length of between about 6 to 10 feet.  
   
   
       32 . The vehicle of  claim 29 , wherein the flexible coiled tubing comprises steel, and wherein said at least one spiral guide comprises a longitudinal length of between about 0.5 to 2.0 feet.