US20140174718A1 - Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor - Google Patents
Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140174718A1 US20140174718A1 US14/138,115 US201314138115A US2014174718A1 US 20140174718 A1 US20140174718 A1 US 20140174718A1 US 201314138115 A US201314138115 A US 201314138115A US 2014174718 A1 US2014174718 A1 US 2014174718A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubular components
- wellhead
- rig
- support structure
- support plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/08—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
- E21B19/086—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods with a fluid-actuated cylinder
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/08—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
Definitions
- the invention relates to rigs above a wellhead, such as snubbing units and push/pull units, for manipulating tubing in and out of a well.
- snubbing units are known in the oil and gas industry for facilitating access to a well which is under pressure including, for example, well operations such as well completions.
- a snubbing unit includes structure and equipment above a wellhead for manipulating tubular components such as pipe, tubing, and bottom hole assemblies (BHA) in and out of a well while controlling the well under pressure.
- BHA bottom hole assemblies
- a snubbing unit employs stationary (lower) and traveling (upper) slip assemblies, opposingly oriented, to releasably and controllably shift tubular components into and out of the well through a wellhead despite the possibility of either heavy tubular loads, which urge the tubular components to fall into the well, or the pressure-generated forces on the tubular components, which urge the tubular components out of the well.
- the snubbing unit is installed above an existing wellhead seal, such as that created by a blow-out preventer (BOP), and incorporates its own seals to seal the tubular components as they are introduced or removed from the wellhead, such as through the use of a stripping head.
- BOP blow-out preventer
- Rig-assisted snubbing units are typically snubbing units that are pivotally mounted to a truck and require assistance by an onsite service rig so as to winch them upright, pivoting from the truck, to a snubbing position over the wellhead.
- Self-contained units are typically transported to site on a truck and lifted into position, over the wellhead, by a separate crane unit. During operations, self-contained snubbing units do not require the assistance from an on-site rig.
- a compact, rig-assisted snubbing unit When snubbing in low-pressure well environments, such as wells with surface pressures under 12,000 kPa, a compact, rig-assisted snubbing unit is often the ideal choice.
- a compact snubbing unit can be easily transported to the well site, such as in a 1 ton pickup truck, and is practical and cost effective for single wells and underbalanced drilling. Additionally, a compact snubbing unit reduces or eliminates viewing obstructions often experienced by service rig operators when utilizing traditional (larger) sized snubbing units.
- One example of a compact snubbing unit is the one marketed under the trade-mark MINI BRUTUS by Team Snubbing Services Inc. of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.
- a compact snubbing unit such as the MINI BRUTUSTM
- BOP blow-out preventer
- Push/pull systems or push/pull units are also known in the art and are used to manipulate tubular components in and out of a well. Push/pull units provide alternatives to, and/or improvements over, conventional snubbing systems.
- Such push/pull systems are generally mounted at the rig floor (e.g. on the rotary table) and, therefore, allow live well operations to be conducted at the rig floor rather than in the greatly elevated work baskets as is generally the case with conventional snubbing units.
- a push/pull system is that manufactured by Tesco Corporation of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount.
- the support structure preferably further comprises a plurality of ram passages coaxially aligned with the plurality of ram recesses, each ram passage being of sufficient diameter to allow a jacking ram to pass therethrough.
- the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit.
- the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. More preferably, the support structure further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor.
- a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, said unit having a plurality of jacking rams, comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure within said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members, at least one tensile member mount and a plurality of ram passages in the support plate adapted to securably mount the plurality jacking rams.
- This embodiment of the support structure may further comprising a plurality of ram retainers to maintain secure placement of the plurality of jacking rams on the support plate.
- said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a stationary plate and a stationary slip assembly
- the support plate is preferably mounted between the stationary plate and the stationary slip assembly.
- Various push/pull system embodiments for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, are also taught. These system embodiments preferably comprise a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, one of the various embodiments of the support structure taught and at least one tensile member connected between the support structure and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.
- FIGS. 1-12 are various perspective views of one embodiment of the invention or of components thereof;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 14-18 are various perspective views of yet another embodiment of the invention, shown positioned on a rig floor of a rig and having a platform to support a worker.
- FIGS. 1-12 illustrate the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention 10 .
- a compact snubbing unit 12 (or most of the components thereof) is shown being supported on a load bearing apparatus or support structure 20 having a central passage 20 c of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough, preferably having at least one tensile member mount 21 to facilitate the connection of one or more tensile members 40 between the support structure 20 and a mounting point on a rig or rig floor RF and having a support member or support plate 22 .
- the support plate 22 is adapted to be secured to, or within, the compact snubbing unit 12 .
- the components of the invention be made of steel or other suitable high-strength materials capable of taking stresses and strains during its intended use during well operations.
- compact snubbing unit 12 comprises stationary (lower) and traveling (upper) slip assemblies 14 s, 14 t, traveling plate 15 t (to support the travelling slip assembly 14 t and having a central passage 15 tc of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough), bottom or stationary plate 15 s (to facilitate mounting of the compact snubbing unit 12 to the support structure 20 and having a central passage 15 sc of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough) and a pair of jacking rams 16 a, 16 b securely mounted to the stationary plate 15 s and actuatable in a conventional manner to releasably and controllably shift tubular components T into and out of the well through a wellhead.
- jacking rams 16 a, 16 b are hydraulic rams.
- compact snubbing unit 12 does not comprise a seal to seal the tubular components (such as an RS-100 stripping head as would typically be provided with such compact snubbing unit).
- a suitable compact snubbing unit 12 is the MINI BRUTUSTM manufactured by Team Snubbing Services Inc. of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, but without the RS-100 stripping unit or with such a stripping unit having been subsequently removed (see FIGS. 11-12 ).
- a compact snubbing unit 12 with a stripping unit is provided, but such a stripping unit would be mostly redundant and unnecessary in typical push/pull applications, and would therefore be unnecessarily adding to the cost and/or complexity of the invention 10 .
- jacking rams 16 a, 16 b are securely mounted to the compact snubbing unit 12 in the conventional manner, such as is done in the MINI BRUTUSTM compact snubbing unit.
- the stationary plate 15 s comprises paired ram cut-outs or recesses 15 a, 15 b, said ram recesses 15 a, 15 b being substantially positioned at 180° across from each other around central passage 15 sc and at the periphery of the stationary plate 15 s (see FIG. 12 ).
- the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b each comprise an annular groove 16 ag, 16 bg of such diameter and dimensions to allow secure placement of the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b within the ram recesses 15 a, 15 b (see FIG. 7 ) and the compact snubbing unit 12 further comprises ram keepers or ram retainers 17 a, 17 b.
- jacking rams 16 a, 16 b are securely mounted to the compact snubbing unit 12 in the conventional manner, such as is done in the MINI BRUTUSTM compact snubbing unit, by placing the annular grooves 16 ag, 16 bg of jacking rams 16 a, 16 b within the respective ram recesses 15 a, 15 b and then bolting or otherwise fasten the ram retainers 17 a, 17 b so as to maintain secure placement of the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b on the stationary plate 15 s (see FIGS. 6-8 , 10 and 11 ).
- the support structure 20 further comprises ram openings or ram passages 22 a, 22 b, in the support plate 22 , each ram passage 22 a, 22 b being coaxially aligned with ram recesses 15 a, 15 b of the stationary plate 15 s and each ram passage 22 a, 22 b being of sufficient diameter to allow passage of the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b therethrough (see FIGS. 1 , 5 - 6 , 9 and 10 ).
- ram passages 22 a, 22 b while allowing of passage of the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b therethrough, are positioned and are of such dimensions so as to have the support structure 20 still provide some contact surface area SA or support for the ram retainers 17 a, 17 b and are not so large so as to also allow passage of said ram retainers 17 a, 17 b therethrough when the compact snubbing unit 12 is mounted to the support structure 20 and the invention is subject to pushing or pulling forces from the tubular components T.
- the support structure 20 comprises plurality of rig engaging members or legs 24 distributed around and connected to the support plate 22 .
- support plate 22 is secured to the compact snubbing unit 12 by bolting or fastening to the stationary plate 15 s in a conventional manner.
- the stationary slip assembly 14 s is unfastened from the stationary plate 15 s, stationary plate 15 s and ram retainers 17 a, 17 b are fastened directly underneath the support plate 22 and stationary slip assembly 14 s is placed and fastened directly above the support plate 22 thereby sandwiching the support plate 22 between the stationary slip assembly 14 and the stationary plate 15 s (see FIGS. 6 and 10 ).
- support structure 20 is mounted within the compact snubbing unit 12 and allows one to easily retrofit such a compact snubbing unit 12 to become a push/pull unit.
- the invention 10 can more easily accommodate significant upward forces, such as those which might be created when well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components T urges the tubular components T out of the well. More advantageously, the invention 10 can be utilized to reduce or eliminate the chance of a well blowout, such as that which might occur during under balanced drilling operations, ejecting the tubular components T out of the well.
- the stationary plate 15 s is fastened directly on top of and against the top surface of the support plate 22 and then the invention 10 can more easily accommodate significant downward forces, such as those which might be created when heavy tubular loads urge the tubular components T to fall into the well.
- the support structure 20 is positioned on a rig floor RF above a wellhead (not shown) extending from the ground and including standard wellhead components and wellhead seals. Loads and downward forces from the compact snubbing unit 12 and/or tubular components T are generally distributed into the rig floor RF through the support structure 20 and legs 24 . Where upward forces (e.g. where the well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components T urge the tubular components T out of the well) are expected to be incurred, one or more tensile members 40 can be utilized to further secure the support structure 20 to the rig or rig floor RF via the tensile member mounts 21 . Preferably, tensile members 40 are chains and fasten the support structure 20 to the rig floor RF in a conventional manner.
- FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention 10 , which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12 , but wherein the compact snubbing unit 12 does not comprise a stationary plate, wherein the ram passages 22 a, 22 b are adapted to act as, and have similar dimension to, the ram recesses 15 a, 15 b of the embodiment in FIGS. 1-12 , and wherein the jacking rams 16 a, 16 b are securably mounted directly to the support plate 22 of the support structure 20 (in a similar or identical manner as they are mounted to the stationary plate 15 s of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12 ) through use of ram retainers 17 a, 17 b.
- This embodiment would operate in a similar manner as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12 .
- FIGS. 14-18 illustrate the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention 10 which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12 , but which further comprising a worker platform 50 to support a worker W.
- the worker platform 50 places a worker W in a safe and efficient position to conduct well operations and to handle the tubular components T. More advantageously, the worker W is only placed a few feet above the rig floor RF and can simply step onto the worker platform 50 without need of ladders or other means to climb up to a greatly elevated position as is the case with conventional snubbing units (see, for example, FIG. 15 where worker W is shown on the worker platform 50 only about 2 to 3 feet above the rig floor RF).
- Advantages of the invention 10 include:
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
Abstract
In one embodiment, a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount. The unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit. The support structure may further comprise a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. Various push/pull system embodiments, for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, are also taught.
Description
- This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/464,034, which was filed on May 11, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- The invention relates to rigs above a wellhead, such as snubbing units and push/pull units, for manipulating tubing in and out of a well.
- It is well known to attach a variety of rigs such as hydraulically operated rigs above a wellhead. For example, snubbing units are known in the oil and gas industry for facilitating access to a well which is under pressure including, for example, well operations such as well completions. A snubbing unit includes structure and equipment above a wellhead for manipulating tubular components such as pipe, tubing, and bottom hole assemblies (BHA) in and out of a well while controlling the well under pressure.
- Generally, a snubbing unit employs stationary (lower) and traveling (upper) slip assemblies, opposingly oriented, to releasably and controllably shift tubular components into and out of the well through a wellhead despite the possibility of either heavy tubular loads, which urge the tubular components to fall into the well, or the pressure-generated forces on the tubular components, which urge the tubular components out of the well. The snubbing unit is installed above an existing wellhead seal, such as that created by a blow-out preventer (BOP), and incorporates its own seals to seal the tubular components as they are introduced or removed from the wellhead, such as through the use of a stripping head.
- Most conventional snubbing units fall into either rig-assisted or self-contained units. Rig-assisted snubbing units are typically snubbing units that are pivotally mounted to a truck and require assistance by an onsite service rig so as to winch them upright, pivoting from the truck, to a snubbing position over the wellhead. Self-contained units are typically transported to site on a truck and lifted into position, over the wellhead, by a separate crane unit. During operations, self-contained snubbing units do not require the assistance from an on-site rig.
- When snubbing in low-pressure well environments, such as wells with surface pressures under 12,000 kPa, a compact, rig-assisted snubbing unit is often the ideal choice. A compact snubbing unit can be easily transported to the well site, such as in a 1 ton pickup truck, and is practical and cost effective for single wells and underbalanced drilling. Additionally, a compact snubbing unit reduces or eliminates viewing obstructions often experienced by service rig operators when utilizing traditional (larger) sized snubbing units. One example of a compact snubbing unit is the one marketed under the trade-mark MINI BRUTUS by Team Snubbing Services Inc. of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.
- Despite the many advantages of a compact snubbing unit, the set-up of such a unit still requires the snubbing unit to be installed above an existing wellhead seal and to incorporates its own seals to seal the tubular components as they are introduced or removed from the wellhead. Typically a compact snubbing unit, such as the MINI BRUTUS™, is installed above a blow-out preventer (BOP) and incorporates an RS-100 stripping head as its seal to seal the tubular components.
- Push/pull systems or push/pull units are also known in the art and are used to manipulate tubular components in and out of a well. Push/pull units provide alternatives to, and/or improvements over, conventional snubbing systems.
- Such push/pull systems are generally mounted at the rig floor (e.g. on the rotary table) and, therefore, allow live well operations to be conducted at the rig floor rather than in the greatly elevated work baskets as is generally the case with conventional snubbing units. One example of a push/pull system is that manufactured by Tesco Corporation of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- However, the prior art push/pull systems manufactured by Tesco Corporation is cumbersome, large and heavy, does not have the compactness that has become associated with compact snubbing units such as the MINI BRUTUS™ and cannot be used to retrofit such compact snubbing units and/or convert such units into a push/pull system.
- In an embodiment of the invention, a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount.
- In an embodiment where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a plurality of ram recesses, each such ram recess suitable to receive a jacking ram, the support structure preferably further comprises a plurality of ram passages coaxially aligned with the plurality of ram recesses, each ram passage being of sufficient diameter to allow a jacking ram to pass therethrough.
- The unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit. Preferably, the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. More preferably, the support structure further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor.
- In another embodiment of the invention, a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, said unit having a plurality of jacking rams, comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure within said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members, at least one tensile member mount and a plurality of ram passages in the support plate adapted to securably mount the plurality jacking rams. This embodiment of the support structure may further comprising a plurality of ram retainers to maintain secure placement of the plurality of jacking rams on the support plate.
- In an embodiment wherein said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a stationary plate and a stationary slip assembly, the support plate is preferably mounted between the stationary plate and the stationary slip assembly.
- Various push/pull system embodiments, for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, are also taught. These system embodiments preferably comprise a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, one of the various embodiments of the support structure taught and at least one tensile member connected between the support structure and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIGS. 1-12 are various perspective views of one embodiment of the invention or of components thereof; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and -
FIGS. 14-18 are various perspective views of yet another embodiment of the invention, shown positioned on a rig floor of a rig and having a platform to support a worker. - The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect. Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features are shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
-
FIGS. 1-12 illustrate the configuration of one embodiment of thepresent invention 10. - A compact snubbing unit 12 (or most of the components thereof) is shown being supported on a load bearing apparatus or
support structure 20 having acentral passage 20 c of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough, preferably having at least onetensile member mount 21 to facilitate the connection of one ormore tensile members 40 between thesupport structure 20 and a mounting point on a rig or rig floor RF and having a support member orsupport plate 22. Thesupport plate 22 is adapted to be secured to, or within, thecompact snubbing unit 12. Unless otherwise specified, it is preferred that the components of the invention be made of steel or other suitable high-strength materials capable of taking stresses and strains during its intended use during well operations. - In this embodiment,
compact snubbing unit 12 comprises stationary (lower) and traveling (upper)slip assemblies traveling plate 15 t (to support thetravelling slip assembly 14 t and having a central passage 15 tc of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough), bottom orstationary plate 15 s (to facilitate mounting of thecompact snubbing unit 12 to thesupport structure 20 and having a central passage 15 sc of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tubular components T therethrough) and a pair ofjacking rams stationary plate 15 s and actuatable in a conventional manner to releasably and controllably shift tubular components T into and out of the well through a wellhead. Preferably, jackingrams - In this embodiment,
compact snubbing unit 12 does not comprise a seal to seal the tubular components (such as an RS-100 stripping head as would typically be provided with such compact snubbing unit). One example of a suitablecompact snubbing unit 12 is the MINI BRUTUS™ manufactured by Team Snubbing Services Inc. of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, but without the RS-100 stripping unit or with such a stripping unit having been subsequently removed (seeFIGS. 11-12 ). - In an alternate embodiment (not shown), a
compact snubbing unit 12 with a stripping unit is provided, but such a stripping unit would be mostly redundant and unnecessary in typical push/pull applications, and would therefore be unnecessarily adding to the cost and/or complexity of theinvention 10. - Preferably, jacking
rams compact snubbing unit 12 in the conventional manner, such as is done in the MINI BRUTUS™ compact snubbing unit. In this embodiment, thestationary plate 15 s comprises paired ram cut-outs orrecesses ram recesses stationary plate 15 s (seeFIG. 12 ). Further in this embodiment, thejacking rams jacking rams ram recesses FIG. 7 ) and thecompact snubbing unit 12 further comprises ram keepers orram retainers rams compact snubbing unit 12 in the conventional manner, such as is done in the MINI BRUTUS™ compact snubbing unit, by placing the annular grooves 16 ag, 16 bg ofjacking rams respective ram recesses ram retainers jacking rams stationary plate 15 s (seeFIGS. 6-8 , 10 and 11). - In this embodiment, the
support structure 20 further comprises ram openings orram passages support plate 22, eachram passage ram recesses stationary plate 15 s and eachram passage jacking rams FIGS. 1 , 5-6, 9 and 10). Preferably, rampassages rams support structure 20 still provide some contact surface area SA or support for theram retainers ram retainers compact snubbing unit 12 is mounted to thesupport structure 20 and the invention is subject to pushing or pulling forces from the tubular components T. Preferably, and as more clearly shown inFIGS. 1-6 , thesupport structure 20 comprises plurality of rig engaging members orlegs 24 distributed around and connected to thesupport plate 22. - In the preferred embodiment,
support plate 22 is secured to thecompact snubbing unit 12 by bolting or fastening to thestationary plate 15 s in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment, thestationary slip assembly 14 s is unfastened from thestationary plate 15 s,stationary plate 15 s and ramretainers support plate 22 andstationary slip assembly 14 s is placed and fastened directly above thesupport plate 22 thereby sandwiching thesupport plate 22 between the stationary slip assembly 14 and thestationary plate 15 s (seeFIGS. 6 and 10 ). As such,support structure 20 is mounted within thecompact snubbing unit 12 and allows one to easily retrofit such acompact snubbing unit 12 to become a push/pull unit. - Advantageously, by mounting the
stationary plate 15 s and ramretainers support plate 22, and/or by provide some contact surface area SA or support for theram retainers invention 10 can more easily accommodate significant upward forces, such as those which might be created when well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components T urges the tubular components T out of the well. More advantageously, theinvention 10 can be utilized to reduce or eliminate the chance of a well blowout, such as that which might occur during under balanced drilling operations, ejecting the tubular components T out of the well. - In another embodiment (not shown), the
stationary plate 15 s is fastened directly on top of and against the top surface of thesupport plate 22 and then theinvention 10 can more easily accommodate significant downward forces, such as those which might be created when heavy tubular loads urge the tubular components T to fall into the well. - During operations, the
support structure 20 is positioned on a rig floor RF above a wellhead (not shown) extending from the ground and including standard wellhead components and wellhead seals. Loads and downward forces from thecompact snubbing unit 12 and/or tubular components T are generally distributed into the rig floor RF through thesupport structure 20 andlegs 24. Where upward forces (e.g. where the well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components T urge the tubular components T out of the well) are expected to be incurred, one or moretensile members 40 can be utilized to further secure thesupport structure 20 to the rig or rig floor RF via the tensile member mounts 21. Preferably,tensile members 40 are chains and fasten thesupport structure 20 to the rig floor RF in a conventional manner. -
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of theinvention 10, which is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-12 , but wherein thecompact snubbing unit 12 does not comprise a stationary plate, wherein theram passages FIGS. 1-12 , and wherein the jackingrams support plate 22 of the support structure 20 (in a similar or identical manner as they are mounted to thestationary plate 15 s of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-12 ) through use ofram retainers FIGS. 1-12 . -
FIGS. 14-18 illustrate the configuration of another embodiment of thepresent invention 10 which is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-12 , but which further comprising aworker platform 50 to support a worker W. Advantageously, theworker platform 50 places a worker W in a safe and efficient position to conduct well operations and to handle the tubular components T. More advantageously, the worker W is only placed a few feet above the rig floor RF and can simply step onto theworker platform 50 without need of ladders or other means to climb up to a greatly elevated position as is the case with conventional snubbing units (see, for example,FIG. 15 where worker W is shown on theworker platform 50 only about 2 to 3 feet above the rig floor RF). - Advantages:
- Advantages of the
invention 10, of the prior art snubbing units and/or push/pull units, include: -
- It is of simple design.
- It accepts existing compact snubbing units and is able to retrofit such existing units to convert them into a push/pull system.
- It provides a safer working environment for a rig worker, especially the embodiment having a worker platform.
- It is cost efficient in that existing compact snubbing units can be used for both snubbing and push/pull applications.
- Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications to the invention as described herein will be possible without falling outside the scope of the invention.
Claims (25)
1. A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead, comprising:
a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead and adapted to distribute downward forces to the rig floor;
a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;
a plurality of rig engaging members; and
at least one tensile member mount to facilitate the connection of one or more tensile members between the support structure and the rig floor while tubular components are manipulated co-axially in and out through the passage.
2. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a plurality of ram recesses, each suitable to receive a jacking ram, the support structure further comprising:
a plurality of ram passages in the support plate coaxially aligned with the plurality of ram recesses, each ram passage being of sufficient diameter to allow a jacking ram to pass therethrough.
3. The support structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor.
4. The support structure of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor.
5. The support structure of claim 1 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit.
6. The support structure of claim 1 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit.
7. The support structure of claim 1 , further comprising a worker platform adjacent the support plate to support a worker above the rig floor.
8. A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, said unit having a plurality of jacking rams, the support structure comprising:
a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure within said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead and further adapted to distribute downward forces to the rig floor;
a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;
a plurality of rig engaging members connected to the support plate;
a plurality of tensile member mounts to facilitate the connection of one or more tensile members between the support structure and the rig floor while tubular components are manipulated co-axially in and out through the passage; and
a plurality of ram passages in the support plate adapted to securably mount the plurality jacking rams;
wherein, during operations, any downward forces are generally distributed into the rig floor through the support structure and the plurality of rig engaging members.
9. The support structure of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of ram retainers to maintain secure placement of the plurality of jacking rams on the support plate.
10. The support structure of claim 8 , wherein said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a stationary plate and a stationary slip assembly, and
wherein the stationary plate is mounted directly underneath the support plate and the stationary slip assembly is mounted directly above the support plate.
11. The support structure of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor.
12. The support structure of claim 8 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit.
13. The support structure of claim 8 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit.
14. The support structure of claim 8 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor.
15. A push/pull system for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead, the system comprising:
a unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead;
the support structure of claim 1 to support said unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead at a position above the rig's floor; and
at least one tensile member connected between the support structure's said at least one tensile member mount and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, during manipulation of tubular components co-axially in and out through the wellhead, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor.
17. The system of claim 15 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit.
18. The system of claim 15 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit.
19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor.
20. A push/pull system for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, the system comprising:
a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead;
the support structure of claim 8 to support said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead at a position above the rig's floor; and
at least one tensile member connected between the support structure's said at least one tensile member mount and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, during manipulation of tubular components co-axially in and out through the wellhead, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor.
22. The system of claim 20 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit.
23. The system of claim 20 where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit.
24. The system of claim 20 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor.
25. A push/pull unit for use on a rig floor and for manipulating tubular components through a wellhead, said push/pull unit comprising:
a support plate;
a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;
a plurality of rig engaging members projecting from the support plate;
at least one tensile member mount;
a traveling slip assembly;
a stationary slip assembly mounted to the support plate;
at least one jacking ram securably mounted between the support plate and the traveling slip assembly;
wherein said traveling slip assembly, said stationary slip assembly and said at least one jacking ram are actuatable to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/138,115 US20140174718A1 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2013-12-22 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2652068A CA2652068C (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-01-30 | Push / pull unit and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor |
CA2652068 | 2009-01-30 | ||
US12/464,034 US8640767B2 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-05-11 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit on a rig floor |
US14/138,115 US20140174718A1 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2013-12-22 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/464,034 Continuation US8640767B2 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-05-11 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit on a rig floor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140174718A1 true US20140174718A1 (en) | 2014-06-26 |
Family
ID=42371429
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/464,034 Expired - Fee Related US8640767B2 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-05-11 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit on a rig floor |
US14/138,115 Abandoned US20140174718A1 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2013-12-22 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/464,034 Expired - Fee Related US8640767B2 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-05-11 | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit on a rig floor |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8640767B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2652068C (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019143317A1 (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2019-07-25 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Modular boost system for a jack |
CN110107228A (en) * | 2018-11-28 | 2019-08-09 | 四川电力送变电建设有限公司 | Hole digging machine depth feed arrangement |
CN110173219A (en) * | 2019-05-27 | 2019-08-27 | 四川电力送变电建设有限公司 | Mountainous region rotary drilling device fixed frame |
WO2024058657A1 (en) * | 2022-09-12 | 2024-03-21 | Callidus Capital B.V. | Support structure for a well cellar |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110278515A1 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2011-11-17 | Express Energy Services Operating Lp | Pushing or Pulling Device |
US8286943B2 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2012-10-16 | Express Energy Services Operating Lp | Pushing or pulling device |
CA2739280A1 (en) * | 2011-05-05 | 2012-11-05 | Snubco Manufacturing Inc. | System and method for monitoring and controlling snubbing slips |
US9109432B2 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2015-08-18 | Concentric Pipe And Tool Rentals, L.L.C. | Hydraulic screen table apparatus |
WO2015017911A1 (en) * | 2013-08-04 | 2015-02-12 | Team Snubbing Services Inc. | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor |
CN103498639B (en) * | 2013-09-27 | 2015-09-02 | 中国石油天然气集团公司 | A kind of Portable well head device and using method |
NO340895B1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-07-10 | Quality Technical Group As | Apparatus and method for assembling and breaking drill string elements |
NL2014867B1 (en) * | 2015-05-27 | 2017-01-31 | Well Gear Group B V | Workover unit, mobile workover unit provided therewith, and method for providing a workover unit. |
US10428605B2 (en) * | 2015-12-21 | 2019-10-01 | Integral Oilfield Solutions, Llc | Universal injection head system and method |
PL415762A1 (en) * | 2016-01-11 | 2017-07-17 | General Electric Company | Method and a tool for removal of a fixing element |
US20190112880A1 (en) * | 2016-04-26 | 2019-04-18 | Snubbertech Ltd. | Guided Telescoping System For A Snubbing or Drilling Assembly |
CN108788502A (en) * | 2018-07-24 | 2018-11-13 | 中山市德马汽车零部件有限公司 | A kind of threshold lamp transport pressing device |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2090854A (en) * | 1935-03-22 | 1937-08-24 | Nat Supply Co | Hydraulic snubbing jack |
US6386284B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2002-05-14 | David A. Buck | Snubbing unit drilling system |
US7117938B2 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2006-10-10 | Gray Eot, Inc. | Drill pipe connecting and disconnecting apparatus |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3722607A (en) * | 1971-04-08 | 1973-03-27 | Tenneco Oil Co | Method for drilling a well |
US3722603A (en) * | 1971-09-16 | 1973-03-27 | Brown Oil Tools | Well drilling apparatus |
US3888318A (en) * | 1971-09-16 | 1975-06-10 | Cicero C Brown | Well drilling apparatus |
US4119297A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1978-10-10 | Gunther Albert W | Snubbing apparatus |
US4595062A (en) * | 1980-07-17 | 1986-06-17 | Varco International, Inc. | Well casing jack mechanism |
US4479547A (en) * | 1981-06-01 | 1984-10-30 | Varco International, Inc. | Well pipe jack |
EP1090206B1 (en) * | 1998-06-22 | 2005-11-30 | Henry A. Bernat | Tubular injector with snubbing jack and oscillator |
US6688393B2 (en) * | 2002-02-25 | 2004-02-10 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Dual jacking system and method |
US6681894B1 (en) * | 2002-10-26 | 2004-01-27 | Robert P. Fanguy | Portable well head work platform |
US6793021B1 (en) * | 2003-02-03 | 2004-09-21 | Robert P. Fanguy | Screen table tong assembly and method |
US20060118294A1 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2006-06-08 | Gerald Haakenson | Frameless snubbing unit |
US20070289738A1 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2007-12-20 | Kampman Rolf N | Rigless well intervention apparatus and method |
CA2553460C (en) * | 2006-07-19 | 2014-12-09 | 1128971 Alberta Ltd. | Method and apparatus for restraining tubular members during well servicing |
-
2009
- 2009-01-30 CA CA2652068A patent/CA2652068C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-05-11 US US12/464,034 patent/US8640767B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
- 2013-12-22 US US14/138,115 patent/US20140174718A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2090854A (en) * | 1935-03-22 | 1937-08-24 | Nat Supply Co | Hydraulic snubbing jack |
US6386284B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2002-05-14 | David A. Buck | Snubbing unit drilling system |
US7117938B2 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2006-10-10 | Gray Eot, Inc. | Drill pipe connecting and disconnecting apparatus |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019143317A1 (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2019-07-25 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Modular boost system for a jack |
GB2583214A (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2020-10-21 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc | Modular boost system for a jack |
GB2583214B (en) * | 2018-01-16 | 2022-06-22 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc | Modular boost system for a jack |
US11536099B2 (en) | 2018-01-16 | 2022-12-27 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Modular boost system for a jack |
CN110107228A (en) * | 2018-11-28 | 2019-08-09 | 四川电力送变电建设有限公司 | Hole digging machine depth feed arrangement |
CN110173219A (en) * | 2019-05-27 | 2019-08-27 | 四川电力送变电建设有限公司 | Mountainous region rotary drilling device fixed frame |
WO2024058657A1 (en) * | 2022-09-12 | 2024-03-21 | Callidus Capital B.V. | Support structure for a well cellar |
NL2033008B1 (en) * | 2022-09-12 | 2024-03-22 | Callidus Capital B V | Support structure for a well cellar |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2652068A1 (en) | 2010-07-30 |
US8640767B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 |
US20100193179A1 (en) | 2010-08-05 |
CA2652068C (en) | 2011-07-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8640767B2 (en) | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit on a rig floor | |
US9752396B2 (en) | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor | |
US7600585B2 (en) | Coiled tubing drilling rig | |
US9133643B2 (en) | Drilling rig assembly method and apparatus | |
US7337849B2 (en) | Co-linear tensioner and methods of installing and removing same | |
US6955223B2 (en) | Blow out preventer handling system | |
US6494268B1 (en) | Transport and support frame for a bop assembly | |
US7484558B2 (en) | Load bearing support structure for rigs above a wellhead | |
US20070011984A1 (en) | Structural connector for a drilling rig substructure | |
US6053255A (en) | Blowout preventer lift apparatus and method | |
US9512676B2 (en) | Mast leg pulley | |
US10273708B2 (en) | Mast transport skid | |
US20160076310A1 (en) | Telescopic mini-rig | |
CA2899223C (en) | Horseshoe jack for drilling, work-overs and completions | |
US20170211340A1 (en) | Telescoping Snubbing Unit Frame | |
US10563467B2 (en) | Apparatus for handling a blowout preventer stack | |
US11867000B1 (en) | Swivel stand apparatus and associated equipment | |
US6840326B2 (en) | Lifting apparatus and method for oil field related services | |
CA2823031A1 (en) | Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor | |
CA3065725A1 (en) | Mobile well servicing system and method of using the same | |
US9810043B1 (en) | Self-setting casing protector | |
Pollock et al. | First Subrigfloor HWO Intervention System for a Floating Vessel | |
Thomson | Recent Developments to Coiled Tubing Equipment Design Improves Efficiency and Safety |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |