GB2294448A

GB2294448A - Pipe Handling System

Info

Publication number: GB2294448A
Application number: GB9421817A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter George Innes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-29
Filing date: 1994-10-29
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-29
Also published as: GB2294448B; GB9421817D0

Abstract

A pipe handling system 10 comprising a plurality of U-frames 14, 15 for receiving profiled spacers (26, Fig. 2) to locate pipes 12 within the frames 14, each frame 14 having at least one demountable side member (20, 21). The side members (20, 21) may be pivotably or demountably mounted relative to the base member 18 such that the frame 14 may be easily moved between the loading and unloading configurations and may further comprise lifting eyes 16 for engaging a lifting arrangement. The pipe handling system 10 can be adapted to enable stacking of the system both horizontally and vertically e.g. by top and bottom profiles. Preferably a top member (32) is connected by a swing bolt and not to the U-frame. <IMAGE>

Description

PIPE HANDLING SYSTEM FIELD OF ThE INVENTION This invention relates to a pipe handling system, and to elements of such a system. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a system for use in handling pipes and tubulars as utilised in the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In oil and gas exploration and extraction most downhole operations require the provision of strings formed of conjoined pipe or tubulars. As a string may be several thousand metres long, a large numbers of pipes are utilised and must be transported to and from drilling sites. In offshore applications the pipes are generally brought by land, from pipe yards or steel mills, to be loaded onto supply vessels, and are then transferred from the supply vessels to the offshore platforms. For convenience the pipes are generally handled in bundles, and when the pipes are to be handled offshore they are also held within lifting frames. One existing system comprises U-frames which accommodate profiled spacers, the base member also carrying an appropriate profile.The pipes are positioned in horizontal rows in, for example, four spaced U-frames, the uppermost spacer being fixed to each frame to hold the pipes in place. The middle two U-frames are provided with lifting eyes such that a package of pipes may be lifted by crane for transfer, for example, from a supply vessel to a platform.

Such a package is created by first positioning four Uframes spaced apart on a level surface. The pipes are then lifted individually, typically by forklift, into the frames. During the location of the initial pipes the frames are easily toppled such that great care must be exercised in positioning the pipes in the frames. Once the first row of pipes is in place, a profiled spacer is located in each frame, ready to receive the next row of pipes.

This operation is clearly time consuming and thus such systems are generally only utilised when required by appropriate local safety regulations. In practice, this requires the packages to be formed on the dockside, prior to pipes being loaded onto a supply vessel.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved pipe handling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a pipe handling system comprising a plurality of U-frames for receiving profiled spacers to locate pipes within the frames, each frame having at least one demountable side member.

The provision of a demountable side member facilitates loading and unloading of pipes into and from the U-f rames, as it is not necessary that the pipes are lifted over the upper end of an upright side member. Also, demounting a side member lowers the centre of gravity of a frame, such that an empty frame is more stable and less likely to topple during the initial stages of forming a pipe package.

Preferably, selected side members are provided with means for engaging a lifting arrangement, for example a typical pipe package comprises four U-frames, and the two centrally located frames may be provided with lifting eyes.

Preferably also, both side members of each frame are demountable.

The side members may be removable from the frame; a disassembled frame may be stored and transported more easily. Also, the individual side and base members may be easily handled by one person, in contrast to existing onepiece frames.

Preferably also, the side members are pivotable relative to the base member, such that the frame may be easily moved between the loading and unloading configurations. Conveniently, a pivot pin connects each side member and the base member, which pin may be removed to permit separation of the members.

Preferably also, each U-frame includes a top member for extending between the upper ends of the side members and for securing the pipes within the frame. Most preferably, retaining means is provided between each end of the top member and the upper end of the respective side member. Conveniently, the retaining means is in the form of a swing bolt mounted on the side member and a swivel nut on the top member. This avoids problems experienced with existing frames, where retaining nuts and bolts are lost, and may then be placed with incorrectly sized or threaded pieces which are not secure and can also damage the corresponding engaging part.

Preferably also, the base member carries a profiled member defining a series of recesses to locate a plurality of pipes, to form the lower row of the pipe package. In addition, profiled pipe spacers are provided for location between adjacent rows of pipes, with the ends of the spacers engaging the side members. A further profiled member is provided on the top member to engage and locate the upper row of pipes. Most preferably, the profiled members on the base and top members are replaceable with profiles adapted to locate pipes of different diameters, and the frame is adapted to receive pipe spacers for locating pipes of different diameters.Thus, a single frame may be readily adapted to accommodate pipes of different diameters, in contrast to existing frames in which the profiles are integral with the base and top members, such that a frame may only safely accommodate a single pipe size.

The base member may carry a further profiled member on a lower portion thereof, for engaging the upper surface of an upper row of pipes in a package, when pipe packages are to be stacked one on top of another.

The profiles and spacers preferably include pipe contacting surfaces formed of material having a high coefficient of friction, to minimise the possibility of pipes moving in the frames. In addition, it is preferred that the material is tough and resilient, and will not become fragile in the low temperatures that may be experienced during use.

The spacers preferably comprise a structural member and a pair of appropriate profiles fixed thereto. The profiles may be detachable, to allow fitting of different profiles.

Where the system is to be used in conjunction with large diameter or heavy pipes, only a relatively small number of pipes may form each pipe package and this may result in the frames being only part-filled; to maintain the rigidity and stability of each frame it is desirable that there is relatively little open space in the frame.

Accordingly, dummy pipe profiles may be provided for location in the frames. Conveniently, a dummy profile is adapted to be mounted on the base member and defines an upper surface corresponding to the upper profile of a row of pipes, and thus may provide a mounting for an appropriate spacer.

When pipe packages are stored in stacks on-shore, it may not be necessary to provide the side members. However, to provide stability adjacent stacks may be connected by bridging members. Conveniently, the bridging members are adapted to extend between the ends of pipe spacers of adjacent stacks, and the ends of the members and spacers include appropriate coupling means, such as a socket and dowel arrangement. The bridging members may include legs for engaging a vertically adjacent bridging member, and thus provide additional stability and alignment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF mE DRAWINGS This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe handling system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, being utilised in the transfer of a package of sixteen pipes; Figures 2 and 3 are views of U-frames of the system of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are front and end views of a base member of the frame of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a side view of a side member of the frame of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 7 - 7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front view of the side member of Figure 6; Figures 9 and 10 are front and plan views of a spacer member of the frame of Figure 2; Figure 11 is a front view of a top member of the frame of Figure 2;; Figure 12 shows a number of frame arrangements for handling pipes of different diameters; Figures 13 and 14 are front and end views of a dummy profile, such as would be used with the arrangement L of Figure 12; Figure 15 is a view of a pipe stacking arrangement utilising elements of the pipe handling system of Figure 1; Figures 16 and 17 are part-sectional front and plan views of a bridging member of the stacking arrangement of Figure 15; and Figures 18 and 19 are front and cross-sectional views of a foot for the bridge member of Figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings, which illustrates a pipe handling system 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, being utilised to lift a package of sixteen pipes 12. The system 10 comprises four frames 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b which are spaced apart along the lengths of the pipes 12. The two centrally located frames 14a, 14b are provided with pad eyes 16 such that crane slings and the like may be attached to the frames.

The frames 14, 15 are shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the frames being substantially similar other than the provision of the pad eyes 16 on the centrally located frames 14. Accordingly, a central frame 14 will be described in some detail, as exemplary of both.

With reference to Figure 2, the frame 14 is U-shaped and comprises a base member in the form of a base beam 18, and side members in the form of frame arms 20, 21. The base beam 18 carries an upper profile 22 defining four part-circular recesses 24 which correspond in diameter to the pipes 12 to be held in the frame 14. The profile 22 thus locates the first row of pipes 12. The beam 18 also carries a lower profile 23, for use in stacking packages, as will be described. Resting on the upper surface of the first row of pipes 12 is a spacer member in the form of a spacer beam 26 which includes a central structural member 28 and carries a lower and upper profiles 30,31.The profiles 30, 31 are generally similar to the profile 22 on the base beam 18 such that the lower profile 30 sits upon and assists in locating a first row of pipes, while the upper profile 31 serves to locate the second row of pipes.

A further two similar spacer beams are provided such that the frame 14 may accommodate four rows of pipes 12. The upper row of pipes 12 is held in place by a top member in the form of a tie down beam 32 which is secured to the upper ends of the frame arms 20. The tie down beam also includes a profile 34 for engaging the upper surfaces of the upper row of pipes 12.

The individual elements of the frame 14 will now be described in more detail, with reference first being made to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings which illustrate the base beam 18. The beam is formed of a steel I-section, the upper and lower faces carrying the profiles 23, 22 which are sleaved and bolted to the beam. The ends of the beam 18 include various fittings for engaging with other elements of the frame 14: a pair of endplates 36, 37 are provided at each end of the beam 18 and each include two vertically spaced holes 38, 39 to receive pins 40, 41 (see Figure 3) to engage with the frame arms 20, 21. A cross piece 42 above the endplates 36, 37 also include two holes 43, 44, for use in the stacking arrangement, as will be described.Spaced inwardly from the holes 38, 39 are a further two holes 46, 47 to receive the profile retaining bolts and which are also utilised in certain situations when large diameter pipes are to be carried, as will be described.

Reference is now made to Figure 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings which illustrate views of a frame arm 20, the other frame 21 being a mirror image. The frame arm 20 is formed of a steel C-section. The lower end of the arm 20 defines two vertically spaced holes 48, 49 for receiving the pins 40, 41, and similarly apertured reinforcing bosses 50, 51 are provided inside the arm. A reinforcing cross piece 52 extends across the frame arm above the bosses, and provides a quick location stop for positioning the arm on the base beam.

Towards the upper end of the frame arm 20 is a bracket 54 which provides mounting for a swing bolt 56. As will be described, the bolt 56 is adapted to engage a corresponding nut provided on the respective end of the tie down beam 32.

As the arm 20 forms part of one of the central frames 14, a plate 58 defining a pad eye 16 is welded to the outer upper end of the arm 20.

Reference is now made to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, which illustrate a spacer beam 26. As mentioned above, the beam 26 includes a structural member 28, in the form of steel rolled hollow section (RHS) with profiles 30, 31 being heat bonded to the upper and lower faces of the member 28. The profiles 30, 31 are formed of a tough, resilient material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber\plastic composite and are sized to space the pipes apart sufficiently to accommodate the protective end caps which are fitted to the pipes. A plate 60, 61 is provided at each end of the structural member 28 and each defines two fingers 62, 63 which engage with the frame arms 20, 21. Each finger 62, 63 also includes a hole 64, 65 for use in the stacking arrangement, as will be described.

Reference is now made to Figure 11 of the drawings, which illustrates the tie down beam 32. The beam includes a central member 68 formed of a steel rolled hollow section, the profile 34 being removably secured to the member 68. A plate 70, 71 is welded to each end of the member 68 and each carries a swivel nut 72, for engaging the swing bolt 56 on the respective frame arm 20, 21.

In use, a pipe package, as illustrated in Figure 1, is created by positioning the frames 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b spaced apart on a level surface. To facilitate loading of pipes into the frames, the frame arms 20,21 are moved from the upright position to a position in which each arm extends outwardly and substantially horizontally from the respective base beam 18. This is achieved by removing the uppermost pin 40 from each frame arm and base beam, while leaving the lower pivot pin 41 in place. In addition to facilitating location of pipes on the profile 22, the lowering of the frame arms 20, 21 also lowers the centre of gravity of the frames, such that toppling of the frames is unlikely. Once the first four pipes 12 have been positioned in the frames a spacer beam 26 is located over the pipes in each frame.The loading operation then continues until the four rows of pipes 12 have been formed.

The frame arms 20, 21 are then swung upwardly and the pins 40 replaced, the frame arms 20, 21 engaging the ends of the spacer beams 26. The tie down beams 32 are then located on the uppermost row of pipes and the swivel nuts 72 tightened onto the respective swing bolts 56 using an appropriate wrench or socket.

The pipe package thus formed may be readily transferred, for example, from a truck or trailer to a supply vessel, and from the supply vessel to an offshore platform. Once loaded onto the platform, the tie down beam 32 and one or both frame arms 20, 21 may be removed and the pipes 12 lifted from the package as required. The individual elements of the frames may be handled manually by a single person and may be stored more easily than a one-piece U-frame, following removal of the pipes from the frames.

An important feature of the system is the ability of a frame to be adapted to accommodate pipes of different diameters. Figure 12 of the drawings shows fourteen different pipe arrangements. To adapt a frame to accommodate different pipe diameters, the profiles 22, 23, 34 on the base beams 18 and tie down beams 32 are removed and replaced with appropriately sized profiles, and spacer beams with appropriate profiles must be provided.

In certain cases, such as illustrated in arrangements K and L of Figure 12, the pipe package may not "fill" the frame, which filling is desirable to provide the frames with the maximum stability and rigidity. This difficulty may be overcome by providing dummy members 74, one of which is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings. The member 74 is carried by the base beam 18 and comprises a cross plate 76 onto which pipe sections 78 have been welded. Drilled endplates 80 extend downwardly from the ends of the plate 76 to allow the members 74 to be secured to the base beam 18, with retaining bolts being passed through the holes 81 in the plates and the holes 46, 47 formed in the endplates 36, 37 of the base beam 18. The upper surfaces of the pipe sections 78 thus provide mounting for a spacer beam 26 at an appropriate height.

When being stored in pipe yards or steel yards following manufacture, the pipes 12 may be stacked using the system 10, as illustrated in Figure 15 of the drawings.

The Figure shows three stacks of pipe, each three units high. Each unit comprises a base beam 18, and three spacer beams 26; the frame arms 20 and the tie down beam 32 are omitted. To ensure stacking stability and alignment, bridging members in the form of bridge rails 82 extend between the spacer beams of each stack, the bridge rails 82 themselves being linked by bridge feet 84.

Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings illustrate a bridge rail 82 in greater detail. The rail 82 is formed of a steel rolled hollow section 86 having an outer rubber coating 88 bonded thereto. A pair of dowels 90 extend downwardly from each end of the section 86 to engage the holes 43, 44 provided in the cross piece 42 of each base beam 18 or the holes 64, 65 in the fingers 62, 63 of the spacer beams 26. Also, two legs 92, 93, in the form of lengths of pipe, extend downwardly from the section 86 to receive the feet 84, as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings. Each foot 84 includes a length of pipe 96 which is received within the pipe 94, and a sole plate 98.

Where the foot 84 is an intermediate foot, as illustrated, and will be supported by a lower bridge rail 82 the sole 98 includes side plates 100, 101 to engage the bridge rail 82 directly below. The pipes 94, 96 include orthogonally spaced holes 95, 97 adapted to receive retaining pins, the smaller pipes 96 including a plurality of vertically spaced holes 97 to allow adjustment of effective foot length to accommodate stacking arrangements for different pipe diameters.

The lowermost base beam 18 of each stack is positioned over a stacking dummy 102, such that the resilient lower profile 23 is not in direct contact with the ground and ensures correct spacing and alignment. The dummy 102 is of relatively simple construction comprising a reinforced plate 104 having four pipe off-cuts 106 welded thereto.

When a pipe package is to be removed from a stack, the appropriate bridge rails 82 and feet 84 are lifted away and the frame arms 20, 21 and tie down beams 32 fixed in place.

The package may then be lifted from the stack, as illustrated in Figure 1.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the abovedescribed system 10 provides a safe and convenient means of transporting pipes, tubular and other elongate members. Further, the configuration of the U-frames 14, 15 is such that they may be configured to facilitate loading and unloading of pipe, and, with provision of appropriate profiles and spacer beams, may accommodate a wide range of pipe diameters.

It will also be clear to those of skill in the art that the abovedescribed embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of invention.

Claims

1. A pipe handling system comprising a plurality of U-frames for receiving profiled spacers to locate pipes within the frames, each frame having at least one demountable side member.

2. A pipe handling system according to claim 1 wherein selected side members are provided with means for engaging a lifting arrangement.

3. A pipe handling system according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the demountable side member or members are pivotal relative to the base member.

4. A pipe handling system according to any preceding claim wherein the demountable side member or members are removable from the frame.

5. A pipe handling system according to any preceding claim wherein each U-frame includes a top member for extending between the upper ends of the side members and for securing the pipes within the frame.

6. A pipe handling system according to claim 5 wherein a retaining means is provided between each end of the top member and the upper end of the respective side member.

7. A pipe handling system according to claim 6 wherein the retaining means is in the form of a swing bolt mounted on the side member and a swivel nut on the top member.

8. A pipe handling system according to any preceding claim wherein the base member carries a profiled member defining a series of recesses to locate a plurality of pipes, to form the lower row of the pipe package, and additional profiled pipe spacers are provided for location between adjacent rows of pipes, with the ends of the spacers engaging the side members.

9. A pipe handling system according to any of claims 5 to 8 wherein a further profiled member is provided on the top member to engage and locate on the upper row of pipes.

10. A pipe handling system according to claim 9 wherein the profiled members on the base and top members are replaceable with profiles adapted to locate pipes of different diameters, and the frame is adapted to receive pipe spacers for locating pipes of different diameters.

11. A pipe handling system according to any preceding claim wherein the base member further comprises a profiled member on a lower portion thereof, for engaging the upper surface of an upper row of pipes in a package, when pipe packages are to be stacked one on top of another.

12. A pipe handling system according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the profiles and spacers include pipe contacting surfaces formed of material having a high coefficient of friction, to minimise the possibility of pipes moving in the frame and wherein the material is tough and resilient, and will not become fragile in the low temperatures.

13. A pipe handling system according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the spacers comprise a structural member and a pair of appropriate profiles fixed thereto and wherein the profiles are detachable, to allow fitting of different profiles.

14. A pipe handling system according to any preceding claim wherein a dummy pipe profile is provided for location in the frames, the dummy profile being adapted to be mounted on the base member and defining an upper surface corresponding to the upper profile of a row of pipes, and thus may provide a mounting for an appropriate spacer.

15. A pipe handling system as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.