AU2010203128A1 - A foldable skid mounted control unit for gas wells - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable and/or stackable control means for gas wells. In one embodiment the invention relates to first and second control units include a skid frame and respective fold down enclosures, wherein the first and 5 second control units can be stacked in order to reduce transportation costs to the gas well. In one form the units have a small footprint and can be easily delivered onsite via a standard car trailer, lowering the installation cost. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of stacking the first and second control units wherein the second control unit includes a removable support that can be attached to 10 the first control unit. wo 10a ; 50 56 16 - - -\- 70 Figure 5a 10a 52b 2 52a 56 70 Figure 5b

Description

Our Ref: 5028 P/00/009 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION ENTITLED Invention title: A foldable skid mounted control means for gas wells. Name of Applicant: CS Gas Pty Ltd Address for Service A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 222 Mitcham, S.A. 5062 The invention is described in the following statement 2 A foldable skid mounted control means for gas wells FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a foldable control means for gas wells and in one aspect relates to skid frame mounted control units having upright user interface 5 enclosures that can be pivoted down onto the skid frame such that at least two control units can be positioned in a stacked configuration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coal bed methane or coal seam gas is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds that has become an important source of energy. Methane gas is found 10 within the coal beds, lining the inside of pores within the coal matrix, and contained within open fractures called cleats. The methane gas is trapped within the coal seams by the pressure of the surrounding water that is contained within the coal body. A portion of the surrounding water must first be removed so the gas can be extracted. 15 To extract the gas, a hole is drilled into the coal seam and encased with steel lining to ensure there is no mixing of groundwater with gas and water being extracted. Water is then removed from the coal seam in a process referred to as "dewatering", which reduces the water pressure and encourages gas to flow. The process can take between three months and two years, depending on the volume of 20 water present. The methane gas and water are separated with the gas being sent to a compressor station for introduction into natural gas pipelines. The water, containing dissolved solids such as sodium bicarbonate and chloride, is reinjected into isolated formations, released into streams, used for irrigation, or sent to evaporation ponds. 25 Numerous wells may be sunk into a particular coal seam over a large geographical area. Each of these wells must be monitor throughout the dewatering process and the life span of the gas well. In the event that the production of the well drops below a particular level or the steel lining ruptures the well hole will be abandoned and filled with concrete.

3 Accordingly, infrastructure such as monitoring and communications systems, as well as gas and water process pipe work must be disassembled and removed from the site. There are systems currently available that comprise a skid frame mounted 5 well control, monitoring and communications unit. Gas and water process pipe work is mounted on one end of the skid frame and a user interface is contained within an upright enclosure that is mounted at an opposing end of the skid frame. The skid frame is generally elongate such that the process pipe work is positioned at a distance from the user interface. The separation of the pipe work from the interface 10 is to provide protection for the user and interface in the event of a gas leak or ruptured pipeline. The user interface is contained within a lockable and sealed enclose to prevent unauthorised access, and the ingress of moisture and dust when the system is located in the field. The enclosure is mounted on a stand such that the user interface is 15 accessible to a user without the user having to bend down. Typically the controls are positioned around the average chest height of a person to conform to occupational, health and safety requirements. The enclosure is typically supported on four legs that extend downwardly from corners of the enclosure. Accordingly the skid frame mounted units are awkward to transport because the enclosure is significantly higher 20 than the opposing end to which the process pipework is attached. Although the invention is discussed with particular reference to coal seam gas wells it should be appreciated that the assembly could also be used in relation to other types of gas wells, such as, but not limited to, landfill gas wells. It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the 25 specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 In accordance with an aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, there is proposed a control unit for a gas well including an elongate 4 base having at one end process pipe work and at an opposing end a generally upright enclosure containing a user interface, said enclosure being supported on two rear legs and at least one front leg, the rear legs being pivotably attached to the elongate frame wherein said enclosure being reclinable to thereby reduce the height 5 of said control unit. In one form the enclosure being pivotably mounted adjacent said opposing end of the base and movable between a generally upright position and a reclined position, wherein, in said reclined position the enclosure being located adjacent a mid part of the base. 10 The control unit may include a locking means for retaining the enclosure in the lowered position. In this way the enclosure will be secured to the base during transportation. The pivotable mounting of the enclosure means that, when in the upright position the user interface is easily accessible by a user and when in a lowered 15 position the overall height of the control unit is minimised to assist in transportation. In one form the base is a skid frame having a plurality of rails and crossbeams and preferably including respective curved endplates. In another aspect the invention may be generally understood to comprise a first foldable or collapsible control unit for a gas well that is configured to support a 20 second control unit thereupon in a stacked arrangement. In accordance with the immediately preceding aspect there is proposed a stackable gas well control assembly, including, a first control unit having an enclosure, containing a user interface, being pivotably mounted adjacent a first end of a skid frame, said enclosure pivotable between a generally upright position and a 25 lowered position, and at least one support member extending upwardly from said skid frame to support a second control unit thereupon in a stacked configuration. The user interface contained within the enclosure may be connected to process pipe work mounted adjacent a second end of said skid frame. The enclosure is preferably configured to fold down onto the skid frame between said first 30 end of the skid frame and the process pipework located at said second end.

5 In one form the enclosure may include two depending legs attached to the rear of said enclosure and having at lower ends respective hinges for mounting to the skid frame, or mounts extending upwardly therefrom. The two legs are preferably spaced apart and attached to opposing side rails of the skid frame. The enclosure 5 can be pivoted rearwardly about said hinges to lower said enclosure onto the skid frame. An upper end of said legs may include locating means for abutment with the skid frame when said enclosure is in the lowered position. The locating means may include apertures for engagement with a projection extending upwardly from said skid frame. 10 In said generally upright position an underside portion of said enclosure may be supported on a first support member. In one form the first support member is an inverted generally U-shaped support that is attached to the skid frame and extends upwardly therefrom. The lower ends of the inverted U-shaped support include mounting plates that may be connected to the skid frame by way of respective nut 15 and bolt arrangements or clamps. The upwardly facing mid portion of the U-shaped support is generally flat and configured to abut an underside of said enclosure adjacent a front thereof. In one form a second support member is provided between said enclosure and the second end of the skid frame whereby the second control unit is supported 20 on said first and second support members. The second control unit may include a respective enclosure, containing a user interface, being pivotably mounted adjacent a first end of a respective skid frame, said enclosure being also pivotable between a generally upright position and a lowered position, and process pipe work mounted adjacent a second end of the skid 25 frame. Alternatively the second control unit may include an enclosure being fixed in a generally upright position. The second control unit may include a removable support member that, in a first instance, can be used to support the respective enclosure and in a second instance can be removed and attached to the first control unit between the enclosure 30 and the second end of the skid frame to thereby form said second support member for supporting the skid frame of said second control unit thereupon.

6 Respective first and second control units may further include a locking means for retaining the enclosures in a lowered position. The process pipe work of the first and second control units may comprise gas and water pipe work having pumping systems, gas and water lines with pressure 5 transmitter/flow meter and accompanying in-line components such as valves, gauges and couplings. The process pipework being connected to the user interface by way of cables, or other transmission means such as telemetry. The user interface is configured to monitor and control the process pipe work. The respective enclosures may include well control and monitoring apparatus 10 for process measurement of gas, water flow, temperature and pressure. The enclosure may further include a variable speed drive (VSD), programmable logic controller (PLC) and communication equipment. The communication equipment may be an automatic communication back to base system. The communication between the respective control unit and base can 15 be via cable, fibre optics, or wireless networks such as the 3G-telecommunication network, radio, satellite networks. The user interface may include connection means including network, Ethernet and fibre Optic ports and may also include USB and FireWire connection means for onsite uploading or downloading of information or instructions. 20 The user interface or human-machine interface includes a display screen for providing operators in the field with real time data and system control. The assembly is supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) compliant and may interface with a user's existing monitoring software/systems or with specialised hardware and software. 25 The invention also generally be understood to comprise a control unit for a gas well including an elongate base having at one end process pipe work and at an opposing end a generally upright enclosure containing a user interface, wherein said enclosure being movable downwardly toward said base to thereby reduce the height of said control unit. 30 In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of stacking at least first and second gas well units, including the steps of: 7 lowering a user interface enclosure attached to a skid frame of said first control unit whereby said enclosure is positioned generally adjacent a mid part of the skid frame; positioning said second control unit generally above the first control unit, wherein the second control unit is fixed relative to the first control unit. 5 The skid frame of the first gas well unit may include a first support member extending upwardly from a first end of said skid frame and a second support member extending upwardly from the skid frame between said lowered enclosure and a second end of said skid frame, whereby the second control unit is supported on and attached to the first and second support members. 10 Alternatively the second control unit is support on a framework attached to a vehicle trailer. In one form respective mounting brackets are attached to an upper part of the first and second support members. The mounting brackets are preferably bolted to the first and second support members and extending upwardly therefrom to engage 15 with the skid frame of said second control unit. The second control unit may be bolted or clamped to the brackets to inhibit disengagement during transport. In another form the second control unit may include a respective user interface enclosure pivotably mounted adjacent a first end of a skid frame and a removable support member extending upwardly from said skid frame adjacent said 20 first end. In the immediately proceeding form the method may further include the intermediate steps of: pivoting the user interface enclosure attached to said second control unit into a lowered position; 25 detaching said removable support member from said second control unit; attaching the support member, removed from said second control unit, onto the skid frame of said first control unit at a position between the respective lowered enclosure and a second end of said skid frame to thereby provide said second support member for supporting the skid frame of said second control unit thereupon. 30 In this way the inverted U-shaped support of said second control unit is detached, once the respective user interface enclosure has been lowered, and the 8 removable support is then attached to the skid frame of the first control unit between the second end of the skid frame and the user interface enclosure to support the skid frame of the second control unit thereupon. The respective second ends of the first and second control units may include 5 process pipe work comprising pumping systems, gas and water lines with pressure transmitter/flow meter and accompanying in-line components including valves, gauges and couplings. The first and second control units include a skid frame for efficient transportation and field commissioning. The skid frame may include a plurality of 10 rails and crossbeams and preferably includes curved endplate to inhibit the ensnaring of the skid frame during loading and unloading. In one form the skid frame is dimensioned to fit within a standard vehicle trailer to facilitate transport of the assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate implementations of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of foldable skid mounted control unit of the 20 present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the control unit of figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the control unit of figure 1 illustrating the enclosure in broken lines; Figure 4 is an end view of the control unit of figure 1 illustrating the front of the 25 user interface enclosure; Figure 5a is a side view of a first control unit illustrating the enclosure in a partially lowered position; 9 Figure 5b is a side view of the first control unit of figure 5a illustrating the enclosure in a horizontal position; Figure 5c is a side view of a secondary control unit supported on first and second support members attached to the first control unit; 5 Figure 5d is an exploded end view of the stacked first and second control units of figure 5c illustrating the mounting bracket that is attached to the first and second support members; Figure 6 is a top view of a first embodiment of the mounting bracket; Figure 7 is a side view of the mounting bracket of figure 6 illustrating upwardly 10 open rail supports; Figure 8 is an end view of the mounting bracket of figure 6; Figure 9 is a top view of a second embodiment of the mounting bracket; Figure 10 is a side view of the mounting bracket of figure 9; and Figure 11 is an end view of the mounting bracket of figure 9 illustrating an 15 upwardly open crossbeam support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS There are numerous specific details set forth in the following description. However, from the disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that 20 modifications and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In some circumstance specific details may have been omitted or enlarged so as not to obscure the invention. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Turning to figures for a detailed explanation of the invention, there is 25 illustrated a foldable and stackable control unit 10 demonstrating by way of examples arrangements in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. The foldable control unit 10 includes an enclosure 12, containing a user interface 14, being pivotably mounted 16 on a base 18 adjacent a first end 20, and process pipe 10 work 22 mounted adjacent a second end 24. The enclosure 12 is pivotable about mount 16 between a generally upright position 26, as illustrated in figure 1, and a lowered position 28, as illustrated in figure 5b. In the lowered position 28, the enclosure 12 is positioned adjacent a mid part 30 of the base 18. 5 It is envisaged that the base 18 will be a skid frame having a plurality of rails 32, crossbeams 34 and curved endplates 36. The following description will therefore refer to the base as a skid frame, however it should be appreciated by the reader that other configurations could be used, including a forklift tine engagable frame or pallet. The enclosure 12 is attached to two depending legs 38, 40 having at lower 10 ends respective hinge members 16 for connection with the skid frame 18. The two legs 38, 40 are spaced apart and attached to opposing side rails 32 of the skid frame 18. The enclosure 12 can be pivoted rearwardly about the hinge members 16 to lower the enclosure 12 onto the skid frame 18. An upper end 42 of the legs 38, 40 include locating means 44 for abutment with the skid frame 18. The locating means 15 44 include apertures 46 for engagement with a projection 48 extending upwardly from respective rails 32. In the upright position 26, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, an underside portion 50 of the enclosure 12 is supported on a support member 52. The support member 52 is an inverted generally U-shaped support that is attached to the skid 20 frame 18 and extends upwardly therefrom. The lower ends 54, 56 of the inverted U shaped support 52 include mounting plates 58 that may be connected to the skid frame 18 by way of respective nut and bolt arrangements. The upwardly facing mid portion 60 of the U-shaped support 52 is generally flat and configured to abut the underside 50 of the enclosure 12. 25 The enclosure 12 includes lockable doors 62, 64 for securing the user interface 14. The user interface 14 is connected to the process pipe work 22 by way of cables 66 that are accommodated within longitudinal cover 68. As further illustrated in figure 1 the process pipe work 22 is mounted on framework 70. Although not discussed in detail the reader will appreciate that the process 30 pipe work 22 may comprise gas and water pipe work having pumping systems, gas and water lines with pressure transmitter/flow meter and accompanying in-line 11 components such as valves, gauges and couplings. It is envisaged that the water and gas pipes will be welded in accordance with AS 4041-2006 and ASME B31.3 2008. All fabricated pipe spools will be tested and conform to AS 4037 pressure equipment examination and testing and ANSI B31.3 processing piping as a 5 minimum, wiring will be in accordance with AS/NZS 3000, and Hazardous Area Explosive gas atmospheres, will be in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.10.1. It is envisaged that the user interface 14 will comprise well control and monitoring apparatus for process measurement of gas, water flow, temperature and pressure. As illustrated in figure 4 the user interface 14 may include a display screen 10 72, keyboard 74, selection keys 76, monitoring readouts and connection means 78. The connection means 78 may include network, Ethernet and fibre Optic ports, and USB and FireWire connection means for onsite uploading or downloading of information or instructions. Although not illustrated the user interface may including a variable speed drive (VSD), programmable logic controller (PLC) and communication 15 equipment, including, but not limited to automatic communication back to base systems, cable, fibre optics, or wireless networks such as the 3G-telecommunication network, radio or satellite networks. It should be appreciated by the reader that the illustrated layout and configuration of the user interface is for purely discussion purposes and other types of layouts may be practiced. 20 In one embodiment, as illustrated in figures 5a to 5d, there is provided a stackable gas well control assembly, including, a first control unit 1Oa and a second control unit 10b that can be stacked thereupon. The first and second control units 1Oa and 1Ob, include respective enclosures 12, user interfaces 14, skid frames 18 and process pipe work 22. 25 As illustrated in figure 5a the enclosure 12 of the first control unit 10a is pivoted rearwardly in the direction of arrow 80, such that apertures 46 in locating means 44 engage with projections 48. As illustrated in figure 5b the enclosure rest upon the skid frame 18 and is positioned adjacent a mid portion 30 of the frame. In the present embodiment two support members 52a and 52b are used to 30 support the second control unit 10b thereupon. It should however be appreciated that a single support member of multiple support members could be used to support the second control unit in a stacked configuration.

12 As illustrated by broken lines in figure 5b, the second support member 52b is attached to the skid frame between the enclosure 18 and the process pipe work 22. The second support member 52b can be attached to the frame 18 using a nut and bolt arrangement, clamp or any other type of reversible fixing means. In an alternate 5 embodiment the second support member 52b may be permanently fixed to the first control unit 10a. As further illustrated by broken lines in figure 5b, mounting brackets 82 are attached to the upper part 60 of the first and second support members 52a, 52b. The mounting brackets are preferably bolted to the first and second support members and 10 extending upwardly therefrom to engage with the skid frame 18 of said second control unit 1Ob as illustrated in figure 5c. The second control unit 1Ob may be bolted on clamped to the mounting brackets 82 to inhibit disengagement during transport. The support member 52b may be removed from the second control unit 1 Ob. The original positioned of the support member 52b is indicated by broken lines in 15 figure 5c. In this way the support 52b can be used to support the respective enclosure 12 of the second control unit 10b and in a second instance can be removed and attached to the first control unit 1 Oa to thereby support the second control unit 10b thereupon. Figure 5d illustrates an exploded view of the stackable gas well control 20 assembly including the first and second control units 1Oa, 1Ob, and the intermediate mounting bracket 82. The mounting bracket 82 includes a lateral beam 84 including vertical 12 mm holes 86, 88 that are configured to cooperate with respective vertical 12 mm holes 90, 92 in the support members 52 to allow the passage of a bolt or pin therethrough to fix the bracket 82 in place. The mounting bracket 82 may be 25 approximately 112 cm long and the vertical holes 86, 88 may be spaced 74 cm apart. Although it should be appreciated that other dimensioned brackets or multiple brackets could be used. The outer ends of the lateral beam 84 include respective upwardly open rail supports 94, 96 for engagement with the rails 32 of the second control unit 10b. The rail supports 94, 96 include upstanding 5 mm thick side walls 30 98, 100 having a height of 14 cm. These walls inhibit the lateral movement of the second control unit 10b during transport.

13 As illustrated in figure 8 the sidewalls 98, 100 include coaxially aligned lateral 12 mm holes 102 that are configured to permit the passage of a pin or bolt therethrough. In use the rails 32 of the second control unit 10b are lowered into open rail supports 94, 96. A pin or bolt is then passed through lateral holes 102 to thereby 5 retain the rails 32 therewithin. In a second embodiment of the mounting bracket 82, as illustrated in figures 9 to 11, the lateral beam 84 may be attached to an upwardly open crossbeam support 104 for supporting a crossbeam 34 of the skid frame 18. The crossbeam support 104 includes a base 106 extending outwardly from the lateral beam 84 in the 10 horizontal plane to a distance of approximately 10 cm, and an upstanding 10 mm thick wall 108 extending upwardly from the outer end of the base 106. The wall 108 and edges of walls 98, 100 being configured to engage with the side of the crossbeam to inhibit longitudinal movement of the second control unit 10b during transport. 15 As the skilled addressee will now appreciate the illustrated invention provides a foldable control means that can be easily transported and in one embodiment can be stacked. The first and second control units include a skid frame that may be dimensioned to fit within a standard vehicle trailer to facilitate efficient transportation and field commissioning of the units. This is particularly useful for coal seam gas 20 wells that can be located across a wide geographical area. The units has been designed with a fold down enclosure to enable stacking a second control unit thereupon in order to reduce transportation costs to the gas well. In one form the units have a small footprint and can be easily delivered onsite via a standard car trailer, thereby lowering the cost of installation. 25 In one of the illustrated embodiments the support member of said second control unit is detached once the respective enclosure has been lowered. This support member is then attached to the skid frame of the first control unit between the second end of the skid frame and the user interface enclosure. This means that the support member is used in a first instance to support the enclosure of the second 30 control unit, and in a second instance is attached to the first control unit to support the skid frame of the second control unit that is stacked thereupon.

14 Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however, it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate and that the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly the invention can include various modifications, 5 which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be further understood that for the purpose of the specification the word "comprise" or "comprising" means "including but not limited to".

Claims (20)

1. A control unit for a gas well including an elongate base having at one end process pipe work and at an opposing end a generally upright enclosure containing a user interface, said enclosure being supported on two rear legs 5 and at least one front leg, the rear legs being pivotably attached to the elongate frame wherein said enclosure being reclinable to thereby reduce the height of said control unit.

2. The control unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the enclosure being pivotably mounted adjacent said opposing end of the elongate base and 10 movable between a generally upright position and a reclined position, wherein, in said reclined position, the enclosure being located adjacent a mid part of the base.

3. The control unit in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate base is a skid frame having a plurality of rails and crossbeams, and respective curved 15 endplates.

4. A stackable gas well control assembly, including, a first control unit having an enclosure, containing a user interface, being pivotably mounted adjacent a first end of a skid frame, said enclosure pivotable between a generally upright position and a lowered position, and at least one support member extending 20 upwardly from said skid frame to support a second control unit thereupon in a stacked configuration.

5. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein the enclosure of said first control unit is configured to pivot down onto the skid frame between said first end of the skid frame and process pipe work located 25 at a second end of the skid frame.

6. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 4 or 5 wherein the enclosure of said first control unit includes two depending legs attached to the rear of said enclosure and having at lower ends respective hinges mounted to the skid frame. 16

7. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein an upper end of said legs include locating means for abutment with the skid frame when said enclosure is in said lowered position.

8. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with any one of claims 5 4 to 7 wherein a first support member being attached to the skid frame adjacent said first end and a second support member being attached between the enclosure and the process pipe work.

9. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein an upwardly facing mid portion of at least said first support member being 10 configured to abut an underside of said enclosure adjacent a front thereof.

10. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the second control unit includes a respective enclosure, containing a user interface, being pivotably mounted adjacent a first end of a respective skid frame, said enclosure being also pivotable between a 15 generally upright position and a lowered position, and process pipe work mounted adjacent a second end of said respective skid frame.

11. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein the second control unit may include a removable support member.

12. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with claim 11 wherein 20 the removable support member may be removed from said second control unit and attached to said first control unit between the enclosure and the second end of the skid frame, to thereby form said second support member for supporting said second control unit thereupon.

13. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with any one of claims 25 claim 4 to 12 wherein said first and second control units include a locking means for retaining the enclosure in a lowered position.

14. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with any one of claims claim 4 to 13 wherein the process pipe work may comprise gas and water pipe work having pumping systems, gas and water lines with pressure 30 transmitter/flow meter and accompanying in-line components including 17 valves, gauges and couplings, and be connected to the user interface by way of cables, or other data transmission means.

15. The stackable gas well control assembly in accordance with any one of claims claim 4 to 14 wherein the enclosure includes well control and monitoring 5 apparatus for process measurement of gas, water flow, temperature and pressure, a variable speed drive (VSD), programmable logic controller (PLC), communication equipment, connection means including wireless or cable connection means, and a display means.

16. A method of stacking at least first and second gas well control units, including 10 the steps of: lowering a user interface enclosure attached to a skid frame of said first control unit whereby said enclosure is positioned generally adjacent a mid part of the skid frame; positioning said second control unit generally above the first control unit, 15 wherein the second control unit is fixed relative to the first control unit.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the skid frame of the first gas well unit includes a first support member extending upwardly from a first end of said skid frame and a second support member extending upwardly from the skid frame between the lowered enclosure and a second end of said 20 skid frame, said second control unit being support on said first and second support members.

18. The method in accordance with claim 16 or 17 wherein respective mounting brackets are attached to an upper part of the first and second support members. 25

19. The method in accordance with any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the second control unit includes a removable support member, the method including the intermediate steps of: lowering a user interface enclosure attached to said second control unit; detaching said removable support member from said second control unit; 30 attaching the removable support member, removed from said second control unit, onto the skid frame of said first control unit at a position between a 18 corresponding lowered enclosure and a second end of said skid frame to thereby provide said second support member for supporting the skid frame of said second control unit thereupon.

20. A gas well control unit as herein before described with reference to any one of 5 the figures.