IP Library Granted Patent US 7,578,039
Granted Patent B2
US 7,578,039 · App. 11/420,441 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Dope relief method for wedge thread connections

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,578,039
App. No.
11/420,441
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for making-up a wedge thread connection comprising a pin member and a box member includes applying a pipe dope to at least one of the pin member and the box member, wherein the pin member and the box member comprise corresponding wedge threads, reducing the viscosity of the pipe dope at least temporarily, and rotating the pin member relative to the box member to make-up the wedge thread connection, wherein the rotation occurs while the viscosity of the pipe dope is at least temporarily reduced. A collar to be used with a tong assembly in making-up a threaded connection between a pin member and a box member includes at least one power unit configured to temporarily reduce the viscosity of pipe dope applied to at least one of the pin member and the box member, and an inner surface having a selected diameter to correspond to an outer diameter of at least one of the pin member and the box member.

Claims (24)

1. A method to make-up a wedge thread connection, the method comprising:

applying a pipe dope to at least one of a pin member and a box member;

reducing the viscosity of the pipe dope at least temporarily;

rotating the pin member relative to the box member to make-up the wedge thread connection; and

wherein the rotation occurs while the viscosity of the pipe dope is at least temporarily reduced.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by heating the wedge thread connection to a selected temperature.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the selected temperature is at least a downhole service temperature for the wedge thread connection.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by heating the pipe dope to a selected temperature.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by vibrating the wedge thread connection.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching a make-up collar around at least one of the pin member and the box member, wherein the make-up collar comprises at least one of a heat source and a vibration source.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the make-up collar comprises a hinged portion.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the make-up collar comprises an inner surface having a selected diameter to correspond to an outer diameter of the box member.

9. A method to make-up a wedge thread connection comprising a pin member and a box member, the method comprising:

applying a pipe dope to at least one of the pin member and the box member, wherein the pin member and the box member comprise corresponding wedge threads;

temporarily reducing the viscosity of the pipe dope; and

making-up the wedge thread connection while the viscosity of the pipe dope is temporarily reduced.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by heating the wedge thread connection to a selected temperature.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the selected temperature is at least a downhole service temperature for the wedge thread connection.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by pre-heating the pipe dope to a selected temperature.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the selected temperature is at least a downhole service temperature for the wedge thread connection.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the temporarily reduced viscosity of the pipe dope is achieved by vibrating the wedge thread connection.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the making-up of the wedge thread connection comprises rotating the pin member relative to the box member.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the making-up of the wedge thread connection comprises rotating the box member relative to the pin member.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 7, 2011
From: HYDRIL LLC
To: HYDRIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025599/0988 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 18, 2009
From: HYDRIL COMPANY LP
To: HYDRIL GENERAL LLC
Reel/Frame 022847/0659 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 18, 2009
From: HYDRIL GENERAL LLC
To: HYDRIL LLC
Reel/Frame 022848/0101 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2006
From: SIVLEY, ROBERT S., IV; REYNOLDS, HARRIS A., JR.
To: HYDRIL COMPANY LP
Reel/Frame 018660/0770 →