Circumferential Displacement Tool System

Abstract

Just above an oil wellbore, an example circumferential displacement tool grips a threaded coupling in performing a circumferential displacement method of properly tightening the coupling to an upper sucker rod and/or to a lower one. In some examples, upper and lower joints of the coupling are tightened sequentially and independently to ensure proper circumferential displacement at each joint. In some examples, during disassembly of a string of rods being withdrawn from the wellbore, the tool can unscrew the coupling selectively from either the upper rod or the lower one. In some examples, a controller monitors the tightening or unscrewing of a joint and derives a joint signature based on a series of torque and rotation readings sampled during the make or break operations. The controller, in some examples, identifies a defective joint by comparing the joint signature to a predetermined reference.

1 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending at least one of the first string member and the second string member down into the wellbore;   the holder supporting one of the first string member and the second string member at a point below the coupling;   while at least one of the first string member and the second string member is extending down into the wellbore, the middle jaw gripping the coupling;   while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling, the second jaw engaging the second string member; and   forcing relative rotation between the second jaw and the middle jaw, thereby forcing relative rotation between the second string member and the coupling.   
     
     
         2 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 1 , wherein forcing relative rotation between the second jaw and the middle jaw involves rotating the second jaw while the first string member is extending down into the wellbore with the second string member being above the first string member. 
     
     
         3 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 1 , wherein forcing relative rotation between the second jaw and the middle jaw involves rotating the middle jaw while the second string member is extending down into the wellbore with the first string member being above the second string member. 
     
     
         4 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending the first string member down into the wellbore while the second string member is above the wellbore;   the holder supporting the first string member at a point below the coupling;   while the first string member is extending down into the wellbore, the middle jaw gripping the coupling;   the first jaw engaging the first string member while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling;   the middle jaw tightening the first joint by rotating the coupling relative to the first string member;   the second jaw engaging the second string member while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling; and   the second jaw tightening the second joint by rotating the second string member relative to the coupling, wherein the middle jaw tightening the first joint and the second jaw tightening the second joint are performed sequentially while the first string member is extending down into the wellbore and the second string member is above the wellbore.   
     
     
         5 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a frame, a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 lowering the first string member down into the wellbore;   the coupling extending above the first string member;   the second string member extending above the coupling;   the first jaw selectively engaging and disengaging the first string member;   the second jaw selectively engaging and disengaging the second string member;   the middle jaw selectively gripping and releasing the coupling;   rotating the middle jaw relative to the frame, the first jaw, and the second jaw; and   rotating the second jaw relative to the frame, the middle jaw, and the first jaw.   
     
     
         6 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 5 , further comprising rotating the first jaw relative to the frame, the middle jaw, and the second jaw. 
     
     
         7 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 the second jaw rotating the second string member relative to the frame; and   the middle jaw holding the coupling at a substantially fixed rotational position relative to the frame while the second jaw rotates the second string member.   
     
     
         8 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 the middle jaw rotating the coupling relative to the frame; and   the first jaw holding the first string member at a substantially fixed rotational position relative to the frame while the middle jaw rotates the coupling.   
     
     
         9 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore; the circumferential displacement tool having selectively an upper break mode and a lower break mode; the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint; wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member; the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 the first jaw selectively engaging and disengaging the first string member;   the second jaw selectively engaging and disengaging the second string member;   the middle jaw selectively gripping and releasing the coupling;   in the lower break mode, the middle jaw unscrewing the coupling from the first string member at the first joint by rotating the coupling relative to the first string member; and   in the upper break mode, the second jaw unscrewing the second string member from the coupling at the second joint by rotating the second string member relative to the coupling.   
     
     
         10 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a frame, a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending the first string member down into the wellbore while the second string member is above the wellbore;   the holder supporting the first string member at a point below the coupling;   while the first string member is extending down into the wellbore, the middle jaw gripping the coupling;   the second jaw engaging the second string member while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling;   the second jaw tightening the second joint by rotating the second string member relative to the coupling;   the controller recording a plurality of torque-related values pertaining to the second jaw tightening the second joint;   the controller recording a plurality of rotation-related values pertaining to the second string member rotating relative to the coupling;   the controller associating the plurality of torque-related values with the plurality of rotation-related values to create a plurality of torque-rotation data points that provide an actual joint signature of the second joint being tightened;   the controller computing a comparison by comparing the actual joint signature to a reference; and   the controller providing an alert signal if the comparison is beyond a predetermined acceptable value.   
     
     
         11 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 10 , wherein the reference is a slope value based on a delta-torque divided by a delta-rotation, wherein the delta-torque is a change in two torque-related values of the plurality of torque-related values, and the delta-rotation is a change in two rotation-related values of the plurality of rotation-related values. 
     
     
         12 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the two torque-related values and at least one the two rotation-related values were recorded prior to completion of the second joint being tightened. 
     
     
         13 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 10 , wherein the reference is a pressure value. 
     
     
         14 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of torque-related values are a plurality of pressure readings sampled by the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 10 , wherein the reference is a predetermined change in rotation-related values for a predetermined change in pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 10 , wherein the actual joint signature is a graphical plot, and the controller computing the comparison involves comparing an area under the graphical plot to the reference. 
     
     
         17 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a frame, a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 lowering the first string member down into the wellbore;   the coupling extending above the first string member;   the second string member extending above the coupling; and   relative to the frame, the first jaw rotating about a substantially vertical axis selectively clockwise and counterclockwise to align itself to the first string member.   
     
     
         18 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 17 , wherein the first string includes a set of flats to which the first jaw aligns itself. 
     
     
         19 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a frame, a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending one of the first string member and the second string member down into the wellbore;   the circumferential displacement tool unscrewing the second joint;   while unscrewing the second joint, the controller recording a torque-related value pertaining to the unscrewing of the second joint;   the controller computing a comparison by comparing the torque-related value to a reference; and   the controller providing an alert signal if the comparison is beyond a predetermined acceptable value.   
     
     
         20 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a frame, a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending one of the first string member and the second string member down into the wellbore;   the circumferential displacement tool unscrewing the second joint;   while unscrewing the second joint, the controller recording a plurality of torque-related values pertaining to the unscrewing of the second joint;   while unscrewing the second joint, the controller recording a plurality of rotation-related values pertaining to the unscrewing of the second joint;   the controller associating the plurality of torque-related values with the plurality of rotation-related values to create a plurality of torque-rotation data points that provide an actual joint signature of the second joint being unscrewed;   the controller computing a comparison by comparing the actual joint signature to a reference; and   the controller providing an alert signal if the comparison is beyond a predetermined acceptable value.   
     
     
         21 . A circumferential displacement tool method using at least one of a circumferential displacement tool, a holder, and a controller at a wellbore, the circumferential displacement tool includes at least one of a first jaw, a middle jaw and a second jaw for tightening or loosening at least one of a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is between a first string member and a coupling, the second joint is between the coupling and a second string member, and the coupling couples the first string member to the second string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 extending the first string member down into the wellbore while the second string member is above the wellbore;   the holder supporting the first string member at a point below the coupling;   while the first string member is extending down into the wellbore, the middle jaw gripping the coupling;   the first jaw engaging the first string member while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling;   the middle jaw tightening the first joint by rotating the coupling relative to the first string member;   the second jaw engaging the second string member while the middle jaw is gripping the coupling;   the second jaw tightening the second joint by rotating the second string member relative to the coupling, wherein the middle jaw tightening the first joint and the second jaw tightening the second joint are performed concurrently;   the controller terminating the middle jaw tightening the first joint; and   the controller terminating the second jaw tightening the second joint, wherein terminating the tightening of the first joint and terminating the tightening of the second joint occur at different times.   
     
     
         22 . A circumferential displacement tool method using a circumferential displacement tool that includes a frame, an upper jaw, a middle jaw and a lower jaw for tightening or loosening an upper joint between an upper string member and a coupling and a lower joint between the coupling and a lower string member, the circumferential displacement tool method comprising:
 the lower jaw rotating to align itself to the lower string member;   the lower jaw engaging the lower string member;   the middle jaw gripping the coupling;   the middle jaw rotating the coupling, thereby tightening the lower joint;   after the middle jaw rotates the coupling and tightens lower joint to the first predetermined tightened state, the middle jaw holding the coupling substantially stationary relative to the frame;   while the middle jaw is holding the coupling substantially stationary relative to the frame, the upper jaw rotating to align itself to the upper string member;   the upper jaw engaging the upper string member; and   while the middle jaw is still holding the coupling substantially stationary relative to the frame, the upper jaw rotating the upper string member, thereby tightening the upper joint.   
     
     
         23 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 22 , wherein the lower string member is a sucker rod. 
     
     
         24 . The circumferential displacement tool method of  claim 22 , wherein the lower string member is a tube.