CA2508559C - Wellhead shelter - Google Patents
Wellhead shelter Download PDFInfo
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- CA2508559C CA2508559C CA 2508559 CA2508559A CA2508559C CA 2508559 C CA2508559 C CA 2508559C CA 2508559 CA2508559 CA 2508559 CA 2508559 A CA2508559 A CA 2508559A CA 2508559 C CA2508559 C CA 2508559C
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Abstract
A wellhead shelter includes a catch pan including at least two sections defining therebetween an opening, the opening being positionable about the wellhead when the pan sections are secured together; and an upwardly extending cover including at least two members each being connectable adjacent their lower ends to the pan and connectable together for covering at least a part of the wellhead.
Description
WELLHEAD SHELTER
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spill containment device for wellheads.
Background of the Invention Although care is taken at wellhead sites to minimize spills onto the surrounding soil, spills or leaks of well fluids may sometimes occur. Due to the high cost of site decontamination, it is desirable to provide a catch pan for collecting spills.
While some previous pans have been proposed, they often have limitations that restrict their acceptance by the industry.
Summary of the Invention A wellhead shelter has been invented that may be used to contain various kinds of wellhead spills and leaks and may be formed with consideration as to the structure of, and the space limitations about, wellhead structures.
In accordance with one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wellhead shelter comprising: a catch pan including at least two sections defining therebetween an opening, the opening being positionable about the wellhead when the at least two pan sections are secured together; and an upwardly extending cover including at least two members each being connectable adjacent their lower ends to the pan and connectable together for covering at least a part of the wellhead.
DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic end elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of a containment pan for a wellhead shelter.
Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 5 is a schematic vertical section through a wellhead shelter.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another wellhead shelter in a closed configuration.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the wellhead shelter of Figure 6 in a opened configuration.
Figure 8 is an exploded view of the wellhead shelter of Figure 6.
DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 2 Detailed Description The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, various embodiments of a wellhead shelter 10 are shown. A
wellhead shelter may be useful for mounting about a wellhead structure 12 for containing spilled or leaked liquids from the wellhead to thereby prevent or minimize environmental contamination.
Shelter 10 includes a containment pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16 that may each be sized and configured to fit around at least a portion of a wellhead.
Pan 14 may include at least two sections 14a, 14b defining therebetween an opening 18, which opening is capable of being disposed about the wellhead when the pan sections are secured together so that the pan can be set about the base of the wellhead with the wellhead structure extending upwardly therethrough. Sections 14a, 14b can be secured at their interface as by use of bonding, such as with welding, durable adhesives, etc. or fasteners such as bolts, clamps, etc. For example, the pan sections can each include an indentation 14c in their side wall intended for interfacing with the other pan section which, when the sections are brought together, form an opening at the interface. In the illustrated embodiment, the indentations are semi-circular and together form a circular opening at the interface. However, other configurations may be useful, for example, as later described.
Each of the sections of the pan includes liquid tight sidewalls and a liquid tight floor therebetween. Grating 15 can be supported in the pan at a position spaced from the floor.
DMSLega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 3 The pan sections can be double walled at least over a portion of the sidewalls and floor to provide for secondary containment.
Upwardly extending cover 16 includes at least two members that are connectable at their lower ends 20 to pan 14 and may be brought together and connected in various ways for covering, at least partially, the wellhead. Cover 16 may be connectable in various ways to pan 14. For example, cover 16 may be detachable or permanently attached to pan as by use of joints, hinges, pivots, fasteners, interlock, clamps, etc. In one embodiment, the members of cover 16 may each be attached by hinged connections 22 or other pivotal connections to the pan such that the members may be pivoted into and out of position about the wellhead. In this illustrated embodiment, hinged connections are positioned inside the cover 16 to protect them from tampering (i.e. to gain unauthorized access to the wellhead). Of course, the hinges, if used, can be positioned in other configurations, as desired.
Wellhead structures may vary significantly depending on many factors. Some common variations occur in the outer diameter (OD) of the wellhead at its base, which may usually be the outer wall of the surface casing. Another common variation is in the structures of the wellhead including for each the differing drive, piping and control systems for pump jack driven oil wells, rotary driven oil wells, water injection wells, water source wells, deep gas wells, shallow gas wells, etc. It is desirable that at least some of these variations be addressed in the present wellhead shelter to facilitate a good fit about the wellhead.
With respect to the varying OD of the wellhead, the sections 14a, 14b, for example at their indentations 14c, can be formed to follow or conform to any particular OD.
However, to facilitate manufacture and installation at least one sizing ring 23 may be provided to assure that the cylindrical opening and wellhead mate in a leak resistant or leak proof fashion, as for example by filling any gap therebetween. As such, the pan sections could be more readily produced to form a cylindrical opening with a diameter that is large enough to fit about any well head OD, with the actual sizing being accomplished by use of sizing ring 23. Sizing ring 23 can be formed in sections or can be DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 4 flexible to facilitate positioning around the wellhead. The sizing ring may include a sealing material 24, such as an elastomer that creates a seal against the surfaces of the pan sections and/or the well head so that a liquid resistant or liquid tight seal is provided between the parts.
The wellhead in its simplest form is a pipe sticking up from the ground.
However, a wellhead may often include a main vertical structure 28, a flow tee or line 30 extending away from the main vertical structure and an upper connection 32 to an external system such as a drive or control system. Shelter 10 may cover at least a part of the wellhead and may allow for extension of wellhead lines or connections beyond the confines of the shelter. For example, in some wellhead configurations, it may be necessary that parts of the wellhead extend out from the shelter including, for example, drive units or pump jacks extending out above the shelter or flow lines passing through the sides of the covering. These openings can include seals between the shelter material and the wellhead part. In one embodiment, openings 34 may be provided through the pan or the upwardly extending cover to permit extension of parts such as flow tee or line extending away from the main vertical structure and upper connection 32 to an external system. In such an embodiment, openings 34 may include seals 36 thereabout to seal against fluid passage into or out of the shelter. Such seals can be for example compressible, elastomeric materials. In one embodiment, openings 34 are conveniently formed at the interface between the members of the cover. For example, notches can be formed on the edges of the members and hinged connections 22 can be positioned so that when the members fold up toward each other, the notches align to form an opening. The hinges and the notches can be positioned to form the opening around a member extending from the wellhead.
The components on a wellhead site are often positioned in a known way. The shelter can therefore, be constructed to fit about a wellhead. In one embodiment, for example, the shelter is sized to fit about a wellhead between the adjacent components, to cover but permit extension therefrom of flow lines, etc. and to permit access by a vehicle to the DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 5 wellhead. For example, the pan may be sized to fit between the well site components such as pump jacks, drives, etc. The plan dimensions can be selected to allow positioning about the components, while the pan depth can be selected to ensure adequate catch volume in the pan. In one embodiment, for example, for a wellhead with a pump jack, the pan may be about 50 inches wide being narrower (about 15 inches) on the pump jack side PJS. The length can be varied to extend out below the wellhead components. For example in one embodiment, the pan may extend out about 30 inches on the pressure gauge side PGS. In one embodiment for a shallow gas well, the flow line side FLS may extend out 30 inches. In another embodiment for an oil well, flow line side FLS may be about 72 inches. Of course, these sizes are only provided as examples of possible shelters and should not be considered limiting.
A further embodiment of a shelter is shown in Figure 5. The shelter 10 includes a pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16.
Pan 14 includes a plurality of sections that can be brought together to encircle a wellhead.
The sections each include an outer shell 40 and an inner liner 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner liner is separable from the outer shell, but inner liner 42 could be permanently attached to the shell, as by application such as dipping, spraying, painting.
Pan 14 may be sized to contain leaked fluids. It may be useful to form the pan to contain a significant leak, such as at least 1/2, 1 or more barrels of liquid. There may be a liquid level detector 43 mounted in the pan to monitor liquid levels. The liquid level detector could be connected into a controller for the well, such that the well is shut down should the detector sense a high liquid level. Alternately, the liquid level detector may be connected to an alarm system that alerts an operator of a problematic liquid level in the pan. The liquid level detector 43 may be spaced down from the top edge/maximum fill capacity of the pan to provide room for continued leakage containment after alarm or shut down.
DMS1ega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 6 The upwardly extending covering includes two clam shell type members 19, each member being hingedly connected at it lower end to the pan and formed to be foldable up towards each other to fully or partially cover the wellhead. The lower ends of the walls are formed with U-shaped channels 44 such that they nest down over the upper wall edges 45 of the pan to shield the gap between the pan and the upper covering such that liquids (rain from outside, spraying liquids from inside, etc.) will run down and drip off the walls without passing through the interface. The nesting action of channels 44 on upper edges 45 acts to secure the members 19 over the pan through an elongate interlocking joint and to permit pivotally and/or detachably removing the members from over the pan. Latches and/or locks may be provided to further secure the members to the pan, if desired. The interfacing edges 48 of the clamshell members can also be formed to overlap, or nest together in a U-shaped member, to seal against passage of liquids therethrough.
A releasable lock 50 may be provided to fix members 19 in the upwardly covering position.
Insulative material 52 can be applied to members 19 of the covering to assist with the retention of heat within the enclosure. The insulative material may be coated to protect it against abrasion and chemical degradation. If desired, a solar powered, explosion proof heater 54 can be provided on the shelter to heat the interior.
A further embodiment of a shelter is shown in Figures 6 to 8. This particularly illustrated shelter is formed to accommodate a wellhead on a shallow gas well. The shelter includes a pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16.
Pan 14 includes a plurality of sections 14a, 14b including interfacing indentions 14c that can be brought together to encircle wellhead vertical members. Flanges 56 extend at the interfacing sides to accept fasteners 58 for connecting the pan sections together.
Channels 60 can be positioned over the interfacing sides after connecting them to shield the interface against contact with and passage therethrough of liquids. The indentations DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 7 14c are enlarged and positioned to fit about many possible configurations of main vertical wellhead components associated with a shallow gas well. Two-part sizing rings 23 are installable to seal between the actual wellhead component and indentations 14c, A
variety of sizing rings may be available to accommodate various wellhead component ODs. Sizing rings 23 are formed with flanges for accepting fasteners to secure the two parts of the ring together. Sizing rings 23 can include downwardly extending walls 62 that extend over the indentation's upper edges to urge any liquids that drop on sizing rings to run off into the pan. Seals (not shown) may be provided between the sizing rings and the parts against which they abut. Grating 15 may be supported in the pan by ledges 15a.
If desired, the shelter may be used to protect other wellsite components. In this illustrated embodiment for example, pan 14 supports a methanol sphere stand 63.
Cover 16 in this embodiment, although having a clam-shell-type operation, resembles a typical shed. Cover 16 includes a pair of members 64 each attached to pan 14 by hinges 22. Hinges 22 include a removable hinge pin 66 to facilitate assembly. Hinges 22, as formed, permit the members 64 to be laid down on either side of the pan for full access to the wellhead within the shelter, without removing or disassembling the pan, which may contain liquids.
Members 64 includes an inner wall surfaces 68 and an outer wall surfaces 70 with insulation (cannot be seen) disposed therebetween. Wall surfaces 68, 70 are connected and supported on frame members 72. The wall surfaces and frame members form extensions as at 74, 76, 78 to provide overlaps at the interfacing edges between the members 64 and between members 64 and pan 14 to shield against the passage of liquids into and/or out of the shelter, The members of the cover can also, or alternately, overhang the pan to cause liquids that land on the cover's outer surface (i.e.
precipitation) from running into the pan.
Latches 50a are mounted on members 64 to accept a padlock or other locking mechanism.
WSLegal\056405\00002\7528129v1 8 An inspection door 80 and opening (behind the door) may be provided to permit observation of the wellhead without opening members 64. Door 80 may include a latch 82 to accept a lock, if desired.
A wellhead shelter according to one of the various embodiments may be installed on new or existing wellheads. To install the shelter, the pan sections can be placed on ground surface or dug into the ground. The sections are brought in around the wellhead and secured together, as by bolting, such that the pan surrounds the wellhead.
Rings/seals are used to seal the pan about the wellhead.
The covering members and pan may then be connected, for example, by inserting hinge pins into hinge journals or nesting the covering members over the pan edges.
The covering members may then be folded up over the wellhead and releasably locked together.
Should it be necessary to gain access to the wellhead, the lock can be released and the covering members folded down to rest on the ground surface or adjacent lease components. If an inspection opening is provided, it may be desirable first to open the inspection door prior to removing the covering members. Use of the inspection door may be beneficial to briefly inspect the wellhead without removing the entire covering or where a hazardous gas may have built up within the shelter, which may be quite harmful if released freely by opening the covering.
The shelter can be formed of various materials. Materials may be selected for durability, construction, resistance to petroleum well fluids, handling etc. Containment may be facilitated by materials that resist deterioration due to contact with wellbore fluids and can withstand continued and long-term exposure outside. In one embodiment, the main shelter parts may, for example, be formed of steel, coated steel, fiberglass, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof.
DMSLega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 9 The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are know or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.
WSLegal\056405\00002\7528129x1 10
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spill containment device for wellheads.
Background of the Invention Although care is taken at wellhead sites to minimize spills onto the surrounding soil, spills or leaks of well fluids may sometimes occur. Due to the high cost of site decontamination, it is desirable to provide a catch pan for collecting spills.
While some previous pans have been proposed, they often have limitations that restrict their acceptance by the industry.
Summary of the Invention A wellhead shelter has been invented that may be used to contain various kinds of wellhead spills and leaks and may be formed with consideration as to the structure of, and the space limitations about, wellhead structures.
In accordance with one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wellhead shelter comprising: a catch pan including at least two sections defining therebetween an opening, the opening being positionable about the wellhead when the at least two pan sections are secured together; and an upwardly extending cover including at least two members each being connectable adjacent their lower ends to the pan and connectable together for covering at least a part of the wellhead.
DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic end elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of a containment pan for a wellhead shelter.
Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a wellhead shelter.
Figure 5 is a schematic vertical section through a wellhead shelter.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another wellhead shelter in a closed configuration.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the wellhead shelter of Figure 6 in a opened configuration.
Figure 8 is an exploded view of the wellhead shelter of Figure 6.
DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 2 Detailed Description The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, various embodiments of a wellhead shelter 10 are shown. A
wellhead shelter may be useful for mounting about a wellhead structure 12 for containing spilled or leaked liquids from the wellhead to thereby prevent or minimize environmental contamination.
Shelter 10 includes a containment pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16 that may each be sized and configured to fit around at least a portion of a wellhead.
Pan 14 may include at least two sections 14a, 14b defining therebetween an opening 18, which opening is capable of being disposed about the wellhead when the pan sections are secured together so that the pan can be set about the base of the wellhead with the wellhead structure extending upwardly therethrough. Sections 14a, 14b can be secured at their interface as by use of bonding, such as with welding, durable adhesives, etc. or fasteners such as bolts, clamps, etc. For example, the pan sections can each include an indentation 14c in their side wall intended for interfacing with the other pan section which, when the sections are brought together, form an opening at the interface. In the illustrated embodiment, the indentations are semi-circular and together form a circular opening at the interface. However, other configurations may be useful, for example, as later described.
Each of the sections of the pan includes liquid tight sidewalls and a liquid tight floor therebetween. Grating 15 can be supported in the pan at a position spaced from the floor.
DMSLega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 3 The pan sections can be double walled at least over a portion of the sidewalls and floor to provide for secondary containment.
Upwardly extending cover 16 includes at least two members that are connectable at their lower ends 20 to pan 14 and may be brought together and connected in various ways for covering, at least partially, the wellhead. Cover 16 may be connectable in various ways to pan 14. For example, cover 16 may be detachable or permanently attached to pan as by use of joints, hinges, pivots, fasteners, interlock, clamps, etc. In one embodiment, the members of cover 16 may each be attached by hinged connections 22 or other pivotal connections to the pan such that the members may be pivoted into and out of position about the wellhead. In this illustrated embodiment, hinged connections are positioned inside the cover 16 to protect them from tampering (i.e. to gain unauthorized access to the wellhead). Of course, the hinges, if used, can be positioned in other configurations, as desired.
Wellhead structures may vary significantly depending on many factors. Some common variations occur in the outer diameter (OD) of the wellhead at its base, which may usually be the outer wall of the surface casing. Another common variation is in the structures of the wellhead including for each the differing drive, piping and control systems for pump jack driven oil wells, rotary driven oil wells, water injection wells, water source wells, deep gas wells, shallow gas wells, etc. It is desirable that at least some of these variations be addressed in the present wellhead shelter to facilitate a good fit about the wellhead.
With respect to the varying OD of the wellhead, the sections 14a, 14b, for example at their indentations 14c, can be formed to follow or conform to any particular OD.
However, to facilitate manufacture and installation at least one sizing ring 23 may be provided to assure that the cylindrical opening and wellhead mate in a leak resistant or leak proof fashion, as for example by filling any gap therebetween. As such, the pan sections could be more readily produced to form a cylindrical opening with a diameter that is large enough to fit about any well head OD, with the actual sizing being accomplished by use of sizing ring 23. Sizing ring 23 can be formed in sections or can be DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 4 flexible to facilitate positioning around the wellhead. The sizing ring may include a sealing material 24, such as an elastomer that creates a seal against the surfaces of the pan sections and/or the well head so that a liquid resistant or liquid tight seal is provided between the parts.
The wellhead in its simplest form is a pipe sticking up from the ground.
However, a wellhead may often include a main vertical structure 28, a flow tee or line 30 extending away from the main vertical structure and an upper connection 32 to an external system such as a drive or control system. Shelter 10 may cover at least a part of the wellhead and may allow for extension of wellhead lines or connections beyond the confines of the shelter. For example, in some wellhead configurations, it may be necessary that parts of the wellhead extend out from the shelter including, for example, drive units or pump jacks extending out above the shelter or flow lines passing through the sides of the covering. These openings can include seals between the shelter material and the wellhead part. In one embodiment, openings 34 may be provided through the pan or the upwardly extending cover to permit extension of parts such as flow tee or line extending away from the main vertical structure and upper connection 32 to an external system. In such an embodiment, openings 34 may include seals 36 thereabout to seal against fluid passage into or out of the shelter. Such seals can be for example compressible, elastomeric materials. In one embodiment, openings 34 are conveniently formed at the interface between the members of the cover. For example, notches can be formed on the edges of the members and hinged connections 22 can be positioned so that when the members fold up toward each other, the notches align to form an opening. The hinges and the notches can be positioned to form the opening around a member extending from the wellhead.
The components on a wellhead site are often positioned in a known way. The shelter can therefore, be constructed to fit about a wellhead. In one embodiment, for example, the shelter is sized to fit about a wellhead between the adjacent components, to cover but permit extension therefrom of flow lines, etc. and to permit access by a vehicle to the DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 5 wellhead. For example, the pan may be sized to fit between the well site components such as pump jacks, drives, etc. The plan dimensions can be selected to allow positioning about the components, while the pan depth can be selected to ensure adequate catch volume in the pan. In one embodiment, for example, for a wellhead with a pump jack, the pan may be about 50 inches wide being narrower (about 15 inches) on the pump jack side PJS. The length can be varied to extend out below the wellhead components. For example in one embodiment, the pan may extend out about 30 inches on the pressure gauge side PGS. In one embodiment for a shallow gas well, the flow line side FLS may extend out 30 inches. In another embodiment for an oil well, flow line side FLS may be about 72 inches. Of course, these sizes are only provided as examples of possible shelters and should not be considered limiting.
A further embodiment of a shelter is shown in Figure 5. The shelter 10 includes a pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16.
Pan 14 includes a plurality of sections that can be brought together to encircle a wellhead.
The sections each include an outer shell 40 and an inner liner 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner liner is separable from the outer shell, but inner liner 42 could be permanently attached to the shell, as by application such as dipping, spraying, painting.
Pan 14 may be sized to contain leaked fluids. It may be useful to form the pan to contain a significant leak, such as at least 1/2, 1 or more barrels of liquid. There may be a liquid level detector 43 mounted in the pan to monitor liquid levels. The liquid level detector could be connected into a controller for the well, such that the well is shut down should the detector sense a high liquid level. Alternately, the liquid level detector may be connected to an alarm system that alerts an operator of a problematic liquid level in the pan. The liquid level detector 43 may be spaced down from the top edge/maximum fill capacity of the pan to provide room for continued leakage containment after alarm or shut down.
DMS1ega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 6 The upwardly extending covering includes two clam shell type members 19, each member being hingedly connected at it lower end to the pan and formed to be foldable up towards each other to fully or partially cover the wellhead. The lower ends of the walls are formed with U-shaped channels 44 such that they nest down over the upper wall edges 45 of the pan to shield the gap between the pan and the upper covering such that liquids (rain from outside, spraying liquids from inside, etc.) will run down and drip off the walls without passing through the interface. The nesting action of channels 44 on upper edges 45 acts to secure the members 19 over the pan through an elongate interlocking joint and to permit pivotally and/or detachably removing the members from over the pan. Latches and/or locks may be provided to further secure the members to the pan, if desired. The interfacing edges 48 of the clamshell members can also be formed to overlap, or nest together in a U-shaped member, to seal against passage of liquids therethrough.
A releasable lock 50 may be provided to fix members 19 in the upwardly covering position.
Insulative material 52 can be applied to members 19 of the covering to assist with the retention of heat within the enclosure. The insulative material may be coated to protect it against abrasion and chemical degradation. If desired, a solar powered, explosion proof heater 54 can be provided on the shelter to heat the interior.
A further embodiment of a shelter is shown in Figures 6 to 8. This particularly illustrated shelter is formed to accommodate a wellhead on a shallow gas well. The shelter includes a pan 14 and an upwardly extending cover 16.
Pan 14 includes a plurality of sections 14a, 14b including interfacing indentions 14c that can be brought together to encircle wellhead vertical members. Flanges 56 extend at the interfacing sides to accept fasteners 58 for connecting the pan sections together.
Channels 60 can be positioned over the interfacing sides after connecting them to shield the interface against contact with and passage therethrough of liquids. The indentations DMSLegal\053313\00002\1796749v2 7 14c are enlarged and positioned to fit about many possible configurations of main vertical wellhead components associated with a shallow gas well. Two-part sizing rings 23 are installable to seal between the actual wellhead component and indentations 14c, A
variety of sizing rings may be available to accommodate various wellhead component ODs. Sizing rings 23 are formed with flanges for accepting fasteners to secure the two parts of the ring together. Sizing rings 23 can include downwardly extending walls 62 that extend over the indentation's upper edges to urge any liquids that drop on sizing rings to run off into the pan. Seals (not shown) may be provided between the sizing rings and the parts against which they abut. Grating 15 may be supported in the pan by ledges 15a.
If desired, the shelter may be used to protect other wellsite components. In this illustrated embodiment for example, pan 14 supports a methanol sphere stand 63.
Cover 16 in this embodiment, although having a clam-shell-type operation, resembles a typical shed. Cover 16 includes a pair of members 64 each attached to pan 14 by hinges 22. Hinges 22 include a removable hinge pin 66 to facilitate assembly. Hinges 22, as formed, permit the members 64 to be laid down on either side of the pan for full access to the wellhead within the shelter, without removing or disassembling the pan, which may contain liquids.
Members 64 includes an inner wall surfaces 68 and an outer wall surfaces 70 with insulation (cannot be seen) disposed therebetween. Wall surfaces 68, 70 are connected and supported on frame members 72. The wall surfaces and frame members form extensions as at 74, 76, 78 to provide overlaps at the interfacing edges between the members 64 and between members 64 and pan 14 to shield against the passage of liquids into and/or out of the shelter, The members of the cover can also, or alternately, overhang the pan to cause liquids that land on the cover's outer surface (i.e.
precipitation) from running into the pan.
Latches 50a are mounted on members 64 to accept a padlock or other locking mechanism.
WSLegal\056405\00002\7528129v1 8 An inspection door 80 and opening (behind the door) may be provided to permit observation of the wellhead without opening members 64. Door 80 may include a latch 82 to accept a lock, if desired.
A wellhead shelter according to one of the various embodiments may be installed on new or existing wellheads. To install the shelter, the pan sections can be placed on ground surface or dug into the ground. The sections are brought in around the wellhead and secured together, as by bolting, such that the pan surrounds the wellhead.
Rings/seals are used to seal the pan about the wellhead.
The covering members and pan may then be connected, for example, by inserting hinge pins into hinge journals or nesting the covering members over the pan edges.
The covering members may then be folded up over the wellhead and releasably locked together.
Should it be necessary to gain access to the wellhead, the lock can be released and the covering members folded down to rest on the ground surface or adjacent lease components. If an inspection opening is provided, it may be desirable first to open the inspection door prior to removing the covering members. Use of the inspection door may be beneficial to briefly inspect the wellhead without removing the entire covering or where a hazardous gas may have built up within the shelter, which may be quite harmful if released freely by opening the covering.
The shelter can be formed of various materials. Materials may be selected for durability, construction, resistance to petroleum well fluids, handling etc. Containment may be facilitated by materials that resist deterioration due to contact with wellbore fluids and can withstand continued and long-term exposure outside. In one embodiment, the main shelter parts may, for example, be formed of steel, coated steel, fiberglass, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof.
DMSLega1\053313\00002\1796749v2 9 The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are know or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.
WSLegal\056405\00002\7528129x1 10
Claims (18)
1. A wellhead shelter comprising: a catch pan including at least two sections defining therebetween an opening, the opening being positionable about the wellhead when the at least two pan sections are secured together; and an upwardly extending cover including at least two members each being connectable adjacent their lower ends to the pan and connectable together for covering at least a part of the wellhead.
2. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two members is pivotally connected to the pan to permit pivotal movement of the at least one member between a position laid adjacent the pan to a position upwardly extending from the pan.
3. The wellhead shelter of claim 2 wherein the at least one of the at least two members is pivotally connected via a hinged connected positioned within the shelter.
4. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the at least two members are pivotally connected to the pan to operate in an upwardly opening clam-shell-type configuration.
5. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 further comprising interfacing surfaces between the at least two members, which come together when the at least two members are connected together for covering at least a part of the wellhead.
6. The wellhead shelter of claim 5 further comprising an extension member on at least one of the at least two members to overlap the interfacing surfaces.
7. The wellhead shelter of claim 5 further comprising alignable notches on the interfacing surfaces to accommodate wellhead extensions therein.
8. The wellhead shelter of claim 7 further comprising a sealing material lining the notches.
9. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the pan includes an upper edge and at least one of the at least two members includes a lower edge and the lower edge of the at least one member includes a flange to extend down and overlap the pan upper edge.
10. The wellhead shelter of claim 9 wherein the flange is part of a U-shaped channel formed along the lower edge of the at least one member.
11. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the at least two members include a layer of insulation.
12. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 further comprising an inspection door and opening through at least one of the at least two members.
13. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the catch pan sections include a double layer construction.
14. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the catch pan sections each include side walls and a floor, at least one of the side walls forming an interfacing wall to be secured together with the other catch pan sections to assemble the catch pan and an indentation formed in the interfacing wall to align with the indentations of other catch pan sections to form the opening.
15. The wellhead shelter of claim 14 further comprising a C-channel mounted over upper edges of the interfacing sides.
16. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the catch pan includes a pump jack side and an opposite side and the distance from the opening to the opposite side is greater than the distance from the opening to the pump jack side.
17. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 wherein the catch pan includes a first end positionable under the pressure gauge side of the wellhead and an opposite end positionable under the flow line side of the wellhead and the distance from the opening to the opposite end is greater than the distance from the opening to the first end.
18. The wellhead shelter of claim 1 further comprising a sizing ring to seal any gap between the opening and the wellhead.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US52158304P | 2004-05-27 | 2004-05-27 | |
| US60/521,583 | 2004-05-27 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2508559A1 CA2508559A1 (en) | 2005-11-27 |
| CA2508559C true CA2508559C (en) | 2012-08-07 |
Family
ID=35452346
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2508559 Expired - Fee Related CA2508559C (en) | 2004-05-27 | 2005-05-27 | Wellhead shelter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2508559C (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO330817B1 (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2011-07-25 | Compocean As | Protective structure for protection of undersea equipment |
| NO333136B1 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2013-03-11 | Aker Subsea As | Subsea well frame with manifold reception room |
| NO335432B1 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2014-12-15 | Aker Subsea As | Subsea well frame with side protection panel |
| CN111287685B (en) * | 2020-05-13 | 2020-10-09 | 胜利油田新大管业科技发展有限责任公司 | Wellhead operation protection device and protection method |
-
2005
- 2005-05-27 CA CA 2508559 patent/CA2508559C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2508559A1 (en) | 2005-11-27 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20170529 |