WO2016024859A1

WO2016024859A1 - Offshore pipe handling system

Info

Publication number: WO2016024859A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050569
Authority: WO
Inventors: David AMACHREE
Original assignee: Ihc Holland Ie B.V.
Priority date: 2014-08-12
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2016-02-18
Also published as: NL2013319B1

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention, an offshore well system comprises a main frame supported by a floating body; a setback area supported by the main frame for storing pipes in a substantially vertical position; and a pipe handling system. The pipe handling system comprises a support frame which extends in a vertical direction from the main frame along the setback area; a first pipe handling device supported by the support frame and moveable with respect to the support frame; and a second pipe handling device supported by the support frame and moveable with respect to the support frame. The first pipe handling device and the second pipe handling device are moveable along a longitudinal axis of the support frame and are independently moveable with respect to the support frame.

Description

OFFSHORE PIPE HANDLING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

Pipe handling machines or devices, particularly for use in the oil and gas industry, typically work to move a pipe from a horizontal position to a vertical position for connecting to other pipes and lowering into a well. These can include a winch system, in which an operator controls the winch and a travelling block to move a drill pipe from a horizontal storage position into a vertical position to couple with a drill string. The coupling is usually done manually with a number of operators to couple or uncouple the drill pipe once in position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,614 discloses an example apparatus used to transport a pipe from a horizontal storage position to a pipe string extending over a well. The apparatus includes an embodiment where a shuttle with a pair of arms with grips connect around a pipe joint after a pipe has been lifted from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The shuttle is then able to move the pipe by rotating the arms around the rail and raising the shuttle.

A number of other patents also disclose movement systems for pipes. WO2006/068497 discloses such a system directed toward storing pipes in a submerged position and retrieving them for use. In one embodiment disclosed, the retrieving apparatus includes a vertical column with two arms that are coupled to a column and capable of vertical movement along the column. The apparatus is located at the center of a semicircular submerged storage area, and arms are able to move vertically and extend or retract for moving pipes from that storage to another position. Grippers at the outer ends of the arms are able to grip a pipe at an upper and a lower position. The arms move together, and are only able to grip at certain areas of the pipe. Because the column is connected with a particular semi-circular storage area and is not moveable, the system is only able to lift pipe from one storage area and only when it is in vertical storage position. Similarly, WO90/13730 discloses a system that uses a tower and two arms for handling and moving pipe. It is also limited to use with a circular or semi- circular vertical pipe storage area from which it can grip pipes and move them.

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009/0136326 discloses a system that uses cables and a gondola to transport pipe. To grip the pipe, the cables are slackened to allow the gondola with grippers to a position to grip a horizontal pipe. The cables are then tensioned, and movement of the gondola along the cable is facilitated by a hoist winch and a hoist cable. The cables extend up to the mast around a sheave, and the cable can be slackened again when the gondola reaches this point to facilitate vertical arrangement of the pipe. The grippers are capable of limited movements to adjust their positions for gripping the pipe and aligning it with the drillstring, but stay on a particular side of the cable due to the gondola system. Because it uses a cable and slackening and tensioning for main movements of pipes, such a system would not be suitable for offshore operations subject to movement, waves and other extreme conditions.

SUMMARY

Such an offshore well system enable easy and efficient movement of pipes around an offshore well system. This can save valuable space by reducing the number of devices needed for pipe transfer, and can result in a safer work environment. By having the first pipe handling device and the second pipe handling device independently moveable, the system is able to be very versatile in moving pipe, stand building, picking up pipe from different positions (vertical or horizontal) or storage arrangements, etc. It also allows for use of only one gripper when desired, for example one of the grippers could be retracted and/or rotated away during certain operations.

According to an embodiment, the first pipe handling device and/or the second pipe handling device are rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the support frame. According to an embodiment, the first pipe handling device and/or the second pipe handling device are moveable in a radial direction with respect to the support frame.

According to an embodiment, the first pipe handling device comprises a pipe gripper for gripping a pipe.

According to an embodiment, the first pipe handling device comprises a retractable arm connecting to the support frame.

According to an embodiment, the second pipe handling device comprises a pipe gripper for gripping a pipe.

According to an embodiment, the second pipe handling device comprises a retractable arm connecting to the support frame.

According to an embodiment, the offshore well system further comprises one or more elevators for moving at least one of the first pipe handling device and the second pipe handling device along the support frame.

According to an embodiment, the first pipe handling device comprises an elevator for connecting to a pipe and elevating the pipe.

According to an embodiment, the offshore well system further comprises a derrick in vertical alignment with a well bore hole, wherein the support frame of the pipe handling system extends vertically along the derrick and is spaced apart from the derrick.

According to an embodiment, the derrick extends from a rig floor which is located vertically above the main frame.

According to an embodiment, the pipe handling system support frame is at least partially supported by the derrick.

According to an embodiment, the support frame is movably supported with respect to the main frame such that the pipe handling system is able to move horizontally.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of moving pipes within an offshore well system using a pipe handling system comprises gripping a pipe in a substantially vertical position at an end of a first pipe handling device; and moving the first pipe handling device up or down with respect to the support frame, radially with respect to the support frame and/or rotationally around the support frame. According to an embodiment, the method further comprises gripping the pipe with a second pipe handling device; and moving the second pipe handling device up or down with respect to the support frame, radially with respect to the support frame and/or rotationally around the support frame.

According to an embodiment, the movement of the first and second pipe handling devices are simultaneous.

According to an embodiment, the step of gripping a pipe in a substantially vertical position at an end of the first pipe handling device is done with a pipe elevator in the first pipe handling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. la is a schematic illustration of an offshore well system with a pipe handling system.

Figs, lb-lc show a schematic view of the offshore well system of Fig. la, with pipe handling system moving a pipe from a rig floor to a setback position.

Fig. Id is a schematic view of the pipe handling system of Fig. la, moving a pipe from a setback to a well-centre position.

Fig. le is a top view of the offshore well system of Fig. la. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. la is a schematic illustration of an offshore well system 12 for well 13 with pipe handling system 10, which is shown moving a pipe 22b for stand building. Fig. lb shows a schematic view of pipe handling system 10 moving a pipe 22 from rig floor 18 to a setback position 21, and Fig. lc shows pipe handling system 10 placing the pipe in the setback position. Fig. Id shows pipe handling system 10 moving a pipe from setback position 21 to well 13. Fig. le shows a top view of the offshore well system 12.

Offshore well system 12 includes main frame 14, derrick 16, rig floor 18, pipe deck 20 with pipe setback areas 21 and pipes 22, catwalk machine 23, iron-roughneck 24, mousehole 26, bushing 28 and rotary slips 29. Pipe handling system 10 includes support frame 30; upper pipe handling device 32 with pipe gripper 33a, extendable arm 34 and pipe elevator 35; lower pipe handling device 36 with pipe gripper 33b and extendable arm 38; and lateral movement track 40. Main frame 14 is supported by a floating body (not shown), and holds pipe-deck 20 with pipe setback areas 21 for storing pipes 22 in a vertical or at least semi-vertical position. In this embodiment of offshore well system 12, pipe setback areas 21 are designed to support two pipes 22 connected together in a vertical fashion, with an upper portion of each pipe 22 extending above the rig floor 18.

In this embodiments, rig floor 18 is positioned above pipe deck 20 and is supported by main frame 14. Derrick 16 extends above rig floor 18 aligned with well 13, though in some well systems derrick 16 could extend from main frame 14 or another area. Also located at rig floor 18 is iron-roughneck 24 for connecting pipes; bushings 28 and rotary slips 29 for aligning pipes 22 in well 13. Mousehole 26 extends down from rig floor 18. Catwalk machine 23 with tail-in arm 25 sits on rig floor 18, and can be used for transferring pipes 22 from a horizontal position into derrick 16 and for aligning of pipes with mousehole 26. Pipe deck 20 is usually (in past systems) a laydown area for pipes, and in other embodiments, can be on the same level as rig floor 18 or main deck or between the level of main deck and rig floor 18.

Support frame 30 of pipe handling system 10 is an elongated structure which extends from pipe deck 20 to the top or near the top of derrick 16. Support frame 30 can be cylindrical in shape, spaced apart from derrick 16, and/or connected to derrick 16 for support and/or stability. In other embodiments, support frame 30 can be hung from a support, such as a ceiling, and/or can be a different shape.

Extendable arm 34 of upper pipe handling device 32 and extendable arm 38 of lower pipe handling device 36 connect to support frame 30, and can extend or retract in a radial direction with respect to support frame 30, and can move vertically up and down support frame 30, through the use of elevators within handling devices 32, 36 or other means. Pipe handling devices 32, 36 can also move rotationally all the way around support frame 30. Pipe handling system 10 can have mechanical, electrical and/or hydraulic devices to effect the required movements of system 10 and handling devices 32, 36.

Each of upper pipe handling device 32 and lower pipe handling device 36 include a pipe gripper 33a, 33b at the end of their respective extendable arms 34, 38; and can include a retaining lock for securing a pipe within the gripper 33a, 33b. Upper pipe handing device 32 and lower pipe handling device 36 can move independently of each other. Upper pipe handing device 32 has an elevator 35 for moving pipes up and down in relation to support frame 30. Elevator 35 can be used to position pipe 22b in the mousehole (Fig. la), and tail-in arm 25 of catwalk machine 23 can assist with this movement. The integration of a gripper 33a and one or more elevators 35 on upper pipe handling device 32 renders it able to both lift a pipe 22 to a vertical position and grip that pipe 22 at any position on the pipe.

In operation, pipe handling system 10 can operate to move pipes 22 in offshore well system 12. For example, as shown in Figs, la and lb, pipe handling system 10 can be used for stand building. Catwalk machine 23 can transport a single pipe 22a from a horizontal position into derrick 16. Upper pipe handling device 32 can then grip pipe 22a with elevator 35 and place vertically into mousehole 26. Catwalk machine 23 can then deliver a second single pipe 22b, which upper pipe handling device 32 can grip and align vertically over first single pipe 22a. The tail-in arm 25 of catwalk machine 23 can be used to guide tail ends of single pipes 22a, 22b into alignment with mousehole 26 and/or another pipe and to prevent any swinging motions. In this operation, pipe gripper 33a and lower pipe handling device 36 can be in a retracted and/or rotated away position so as to not interfere with the operation. Pipe 22b can be lowered into a powered mousehole, and mousehole slips can be activated to grip around pipe 22b. Upper pipe handling device 32 can release elevator 35. Pipes 22a, 22b can then be connected using iron-roughneck 24, which will couple the pipes together while in mousehole 26.

Figs, lb and lc show pipe handling system 10 operating to move pipe 22 (formed of single pipes 22a, 22b) from rig floor 18 (Fig. lb) to a setback area 21 (Fig. lc). After stand building in mousehole 26, upper pipe handling device 32 can use gripper 33a to move pipe 22 in an vertical direction along support frame 30 to elevate pipe 22 out of mousehole 26. Lower pipe handling device 36 can connect gripper 33b around a lower part of pipe string to support and steady at that point. Arms 34, 38 can then retract to move pipe string 22 outside of derrick 16. Both upper and lower pipe handling devices 32, 36 can move downward along support frame 30 and rotate to move pipe string 22 to pipe setback area 21. Support frame 30 can also move along track 40 horizontally to bring pipe 22 into a desired position for storing in setback area 21. The movements of upper pipe handing device 32 and lower pipe handing device 36 can be simultaneous, though independent. Pipes 22 are stored in a vertical position in pipe setback area 21. The top of pipes 22 are supported by rig floor 18 so that pipes remain substantially vertical. The spacing of decks on offshore well system 12 supports pipe strings 22 which are made from two individual pipes connected together (as shown in Fig. la). Other systems may be designed to hold different pipe configurations, for example, pipe strings formed of more than two pipes, single pipes and/or pipes of different lengths or sizes.

Fig. Id shows movement of a pipe 22 to well 13 by pipe handling system 10. Pipe 22 can be retrieved from pipe setback area 21 in the same manner as it was placed there, as shown by Fig. lc. Upper pipe handling device 32 and lower pipe handing device 36 can then move along support frame 30 and rotate to bring pipe 22 to the appropriate height for connecting to a drill string, suspended by a rotary slips 29, in well 13. Arms 34, 38 can then extend to place pipe 22 over well 13. A top drive (not shown) can then descend to latch onto pipe string, allowing pipe handling system 10 to release grippers 33a, 33b and retract arms 34, 38. Iron-roughneck 24 can move into position to connect pipe 22 to drill string already in well 13. Once fully connected, iron-roughneck 24 can retract, and top drive can lower the drill string for another round of connection. Pipe handling system 10 can return to pipe setback area 21 to retrieve another pipe 22 and bring it up for connection with the drill string in the same manner.

Pipe handling system 10 with support frame 30 extending along the setback area 21 and derrick 16 and with independently moveable pipe handing devices 32, 36, allows for quick and safe handling of pipes on offshore well system 12. In past systems, pipes were typically moved using multiple systems and/or devices to move from the setback area to the rig floor and/or the well. At least one machine was typically located on the rig floor. By having pipe handing devices 32, 36 which are extendable and can move vertically along frame 30, around frame 30 and can extend and retract radially with respect to frame 30, pipe handling system 10 can transport pipes for movement in offshore well system 12 without the need for additional devices taking up valuable space on rig floor 18. By making pipe handing devices 32, 36 independently moveable and having support frame 30 extend from main frame 14 to the top or near top of derrick 16, pipe handling system 10 is flexible and can easily perform different operations, including moving pipes 22 to and from setback areas 21, performing stand building operations, and moving pipes 22 to rig floor 18 for connection and deployment subsea. The use of at least two pipe handling devices 32, 36 to facilitate two points of contact with pipe 22 results in more stable and safe movement of pipes.

The use of a single system 10 with at least two pipe handling devices 32, 36 and multiple independent movement capabilities also makes for faster processes and can result in a safer work environment due to the fewer machines needed. Pipe handling system 10 can even allow for a reduced and/or optimized rig floor 18 and a decrease in rig power consumption. The potential for operational disruption due to equipment failure and/or interface problems between multiple devices is also reduced.

The ability for pipe handling system 10 to connect to and from vertically standing pipe also decreases the amount of space required for pipe storage in setback areas 21. This also allows for a vessel's vertical centre of gravity to be reduced in an offshore system as the pipes 22 can be stored at a lower deck, making for a more stable vessel.

While pipe handling system 10 is shown with upper pipe handling device 32 and lower pipe handling device 36, other systems could include additional pipe handling devices. Additionally, each of upper and lower pipe handling devices 32, 36 could include an elevator, or only one could include an elevator depending on system requirements.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

An offshore well system comprising:

a main frame supported by a floating body;

a setback area supported by the main frame for storing pipes in a substantially

vertical position; and

a pipe handling system comprising:

a support frame which extends in a vertical direction from the main frame along the setback area;

a first pipe handling device supported by the support frame and moveable with respect to the support frame; and

a second pipe handling device supported by the support frame and moveable with respect to the support frame, wherein the first pipe handling device and the second pipe handling device are moveable along a longitudinal axis of the support frame and are independently moveable with respect to the support frame.

The offshore well system of claim 1, wherein the first pipe handling device and/or the second pipe handling device are rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the support frame.

The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe handling device and/or the second pipe handling device are moveable in a radial direction with respect to the support frame.

The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe handling device comprises a pipe gripper for gripping a pipe.

The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe handling device comprises a retractable arm connecting to the support frame.

6. The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second pipe handling device comprises a pipe gripper for gripping a pipe.

7. The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second pipe handling device comprises a retractable arm connecting to the support frame.

8. The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising one or more elevators for moving at least one of the first pipe handling device and the second pipe handling device along the support frame.

9. The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe handling device comprises an elevator for connecting to a pipe and elevating the pipe.

10. The offshore well system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the offshore well system further comprises:

a derrick in vertical alignment with a well bore hole, wherein the support frame of the pipe handling system extends vertically along the derrick and spaced apart from the derrick.

11. The offshore well system of claim 10, wherein the derrick extends from a rig floor which is located vertically above the main frame.

12. The offshore well system of any of claims 10-11, wherein the pipe handling system support frame is at least partially supported by the derrick.

13. The pipe handling system of any of claims 10-12, wherein the support frame is movably supported with respect to the main frame such that the pipe handling system is able to move horizontally.

14. A method of moving pipes within an offshore well system using a pipe handling system comprising a support frame with first and second pipe handling devices that are independently moveable with respect to the support frame, the method comprising:

gripping a pipe in a substantially vertical position at an end of the first pipe

handling device; and moving the first pipe handling device up or down with respect to the support frame, radially with respect to the support frame and/or rotationally around the support frame.

15. The method of claim 14, and further comprising:

gripping the pipe with a second pipe handling device; and

moving the second pipe handling device up or down with respect to the support frame, radially with respect to the support frame and/or rotationally around the support frame.

16 The method of claim 15, wherein the movement of the first and second pipe

handling devices are simultaneous.

17 The method of any of claims 14-16, wherein the step of gripping a pipe in a

substantially vertical position at an end of the first pipe handling device is done with a pipe elevator in the first pipe handling device.