Systems and methods for locking swivel joints when performing subterranean operations

Abstract

A system for performing subterranean operations is disclosed. The system includes a coiled tubing having a first segment and a second segment. The system further includes a swivel joint positioned at an interface of the first segment and the second segment and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to engage and disengage the swivel joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for performing subterranean operations comprising:
 a coiled tubing;
 wherein the coiled tubing comprises a first segment and a second segment; 
   a swivel joint;
 wherein the swivel joint is positioned at an interface of the first segment and the second segment; and 
   a locking mechanism;
 wherein the locking mechanism is operable to engage and disengage the swivel joint. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the swivel joint is engaged, the first segment is rotationally coupled to the second segment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel joint comprises a first portion and a sleeve portion. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion is positioned on the first segment and the sleeve portion is positioned on the second segment. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism engages the swivel joint by coupling the first portion and the sleeve portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the locking mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a mechanical system, an electrical system, and a magnetic system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion comprises a latch receptacle;
 wherein the sleeve portion comprises a latch; and wherein the latch locks into the latch receptacle when the swivel joint is engaged.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled tubing is directed downhole through an injector head; and wherein the locking mechanism engages the swivel joint when the first segment and the second segment pass through the injector head. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel joint is equipped with a cleaning device; wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of a high-power water flow, a high-power air flow, a wiper seal, a rotating brush; and
 a combination thereof.   
     
     
         10 . A method of performing subterranean operations comprising:
 providing a coiled tubing comprising a plurality of segments;
 wherein the plurality of segments are rotationally decoupled; 
   providing a swivel joint at an interface of at least one pair of the plurality of segments; and   engaging the swivel joint when the at least one pair of the plurality of segments is directed downhole;
 wherein engaging the swivel joint comprises rotationally coupling the at least one pair of the plurality of segments. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein engaging the swivel joint comprises:
 locking a first portion of the swivel joint on a first one of the at least one pair of the plurality of segments and a sleeve portion on a second one of the at least one pair of the plurality of segments.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein engaging the swivel joint comprises engaging the swivel joint using at least one of an electrical system, a mechanical system, and a magnetic system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising disengaging the swivel joint when the at least one pair of the plurality of segments is directed uphole;
 wherein disengaging the swivel joint comprises rotationally decoupling the at least one pair of the plurality of segments.   
     
     
         14 . A method of performing subterranean operations comprising:
 providing a segmented coiled tubing comprising a first portion located below a rotation device and a second portion located above the rotation device;   providing a swivel joint at an interface of a pair of segments of the segmented coiled tubing of the first portion;   engaging the swivel joint;
 wherein engaging the swivel joint rotationally couples the pair of segments of the segmented coiled tubing of the first portion; and 
   rotating the rotation device,
 wherein rotating the rotation device rotates the first portion of the segmented coiled tubing. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising rotationally coupling the segmented coiled tubing to a drill bit, wherein rotating the rotation device rotates the drill bit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing an injector head, wherein location of the rotation device is selected from the group consisting of in the injector head, on the injector head, and below the injector head. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein engaging the swivel joint comprises:
 locking a portion of the swivel joint on a first one of the pair of segments of the segmented coiled tubing of the first portion and a portion of the swivel joint on a second one of the pair of segments of the segmented coiled tubing of the first portion.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein engaging the swivel joint comprises engaging the swivel joint using at least one of an electrical system, a mechanical system, and a magnetic system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rotation device is selected from the group consisting of a rotary table and a high torque spinner. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rotation device is clamped around the segmented coiled tubing before rotating the rotation device.