System and method for splicing a non-spoolable tool anywhere along a coiled tubing string
View Patent ↗A system and method for splicing a non-spoolable tool anywhere along a coiled tubing string. A removable tubing section may be connected along a coiled tubing string by two spoolable connectors. The coiled tubing string may be unspooled from a reel until the removable tubing section and connectors are positioned within a work window. The removable tubing section may be disconnected from the tubing string through the work window and a tool may be connected to the coiled tubing string via the two connectors. The tool may then be positioned within a wellbore by insertion of the coiled tubing string. The tool may aid in the insertion of the coiled tubing string into the wellbore. A portion of the wellhead may be disconnected and raised to expose the connectors to permit the removal of the removable tubing section and the connection of a non-spoolable tool.
1. A method for splicing a tool along a coiled tubing string, the method comprising:
connecting an upper connector to an upper coiled tubing string and an upper portion of a removable coiled tubing section;
connecting a lower connector to a lower coiled tubing string and a lower portion of the removable coiled tubing section to form a coiled tubing string comprising the upper coiled tubing string, removable coiled tubing section, and lower coiled tubing string;
passing the lower connector, removable coiled tubing section, and upper connector through a coiled tubing injector head;
disconnecting the coiled tubing injector head after passing the lower connector, removable coiled tubing section, and upper connector through the coiled tubing injector head;
raising the disconnected coiled tubing injector head to expose the upper and lower connectors;
disconnecting the removable coiled tubing section from the exposed upper connector and the exposed lower connector;
removing the disconnected removable coiled tubing section from the coiled tubing string; and
connecting a tool to the upper connector and the lower connector after removing the disconnected removable coiled tubing section from the coiled tubing string,
wherein connecting the upper and lower connectors to the removable coiled tubing section further comprises dimple connections, and disconnecting the removable coiled tubing section further comprises machining out the dimple connections.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
securing the position of the coiled tubing string within a blow out preventer (BOP); and
sealing against an exterior of the coiled tubing string within the BOP, wherein the securing and sealing are performed prior to disconnecting the removable coiled tubing section.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the tool to the upper connector and the lower connector further comprises connecting the tool with dimple connections.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a rotary tool or a water hammer pulse tool.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a circulating sub or a gas lift sub.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising passing the lower connector, removable coiled tubing section, and upper connector through a lubricator.