Control line running system
A control line running system includes a control line storage unit and a guiding system having a guiding device and a guide rail for guiding a control line from the control line storage unit toward a well center. The system may also include a control line manipulator assembly for moving the control line toward a tubular and a control line clamp for attaching the control line to the tubular.
1. A method of securing a control line to a tubular, comprising:
providing a gripping device;
providing a clamp having a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion;
gripping the clamp using the gripping device, then opening the clamp by moving the first clamp portion away from the second clamp portion;
moving the gripping device and the clamp toward the tubular; and
closing the first and second clamp portions around the control line and the tubular.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein gripping the clamp comprising pressing the gripping device against the clamp.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a clamp magazine for storing the clamp for retrieval by the gripping device.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the gripping device to a clamp manipulator for moving the gripping device between the clamp and the tubular.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the control line adjacent the tubular to be secured by the clamp.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising fastening the first and second clamp portions around the tubular and the control line using a powered tool on the gripping device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising fastening the first and second clamp portions using a powered tool on the gripping device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is automated.
9. An apparatus for installing a clamp on a tubular, the clamp having a first portion engageable with a second portion, comprising:
an arm support;
a first arm coupled to the arm support;
a second arm coupled to the arm support;
a first gripping element attached to the first arm and configured to retain the first portion of the clamp; and
a second gripping element attached to the second arm and configured to retain the second portion of the clamp,
wherein the first arm is movable away from the second arm to separate the first portion from the second portion and
wherein the first arm is movable toward the second arm to engage the first portion to the second portion, thereby installing the clamp around the tubular.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second gripping elements includes expandable fingers for gripping the clamp.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second gripping elements includes upper expandable fingers and lower expandable fingers for gripping the clamp.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the upper expandable fingers and lower expandable fingers are axially movable relative to each other to grip the clamp.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a tool coupled to the first gripping element for fastening the clamp to the tubular.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the tool is motor driven.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the gripping element grips the clamp using mechanism selected from the group consisting of vacuum, magnetic, mechanical forces, and combinations thereof.
16. An assembly for securing a control line to a tubular, comprising:
a clamp having a first clamp portion engageable with a second clamp portion configured to secure the control line to the tubular; and
a gripping device configured to position the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion around the tubular and fasten the first clamp portion to the second clamp portion, the gripping device having:
a first arm and a second arm coupled to an arm support;
a first gripping element coupled to the first arm and configured to retain the first clamp portion; and
a second gripping element coupled to the second arm configured to retain the second clamp portion,
wherein the first arm is movable away from the second arm to separate the first clamp portion from the second clamp portion and
wherein the first arm is movable toward the second arm to engage the first clamp portion to the second clamp portion, thereby installing the clamp around the tubular.
17. The assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a magazine for storing a plurality of clamps for retrieval by the gripping device.
18. The assembly of claim 16 , further comprising an boom member coupled to the gripping device for maneuvering the gripping device.
19. The assembly of claim 18 , wherein the boom member is rotatable and the gripping device is rotatably coupled to a distal end of the boom member.
20. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second gripping elements includes expandable fingers for gripping the clamp.
21. The assembly of claim 20 , wherein the expandable fingers are expanded by pressing against the clamp.
22. The assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a tool coupled to the first gripping element for fastening the clamp to the tubular.
23. The assembly of claim 22 , wherein the tool is motor driven.