Abstract:
This application relates to a pipe storage and handling system having a stationary frame, a tilting frame moveably coupled to the stationary frame, a pipe rack moveably coupled to the tilting frame and an arm. The pipe rack includes a storage end configured to support a plurality of pipes. The tilting frame includes a loading end and is moveable between a loading position where the loading end is positioned at a higher elevation than the storage end and an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end. The system includes an arm to engage a single pipe and move the single pipe onto or off of the tilting frame. The pipe rack may move the pipes vertically relative to the tilting frame. The pipe rack may support a cartridge for retaining the pipes. The system may include a pipe erector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/862,812, filed Oct. 25, 2006, entitled Horizontal Pipe Handling and Storage System. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for drilling wells. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems for drilling wells utilizing single joints of pipe. 
         [0003]    Many smaller drilling rigs store tubular members, such as drill pipe, drill collars, and casing, in horizontal storage areas outside of the rig. As the different tubular members are needed, they are brought to the drill floor one at a time and added to the string. Handling these tubular members has historically been a highly manual job using winches or other lifting appliances within the rig. Automated systems for use in these “single joint” rigs must be able to safely handle a variety of tubular members while not slowing down drilling or tripping processes. 
         [0004]    One important step in the pipe handling process is manipulating pipe and other tubular members in the horizontal storage areas before they are moved to the drilling rig. In many operations, horizontal pipes are manipulated using forklifts or other manually-operated lifting devices. These manual systems limit the efficiency of the overall system and also often place workers in areas where heavy loads are being moved, thus creating safety concerns. Thus, there remains a need to develop methods and apparatus for pipe handling and drilling systems, which overcome some of the foregoing difficulties while providing more advantageous overall results. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a pipe storage and handling system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 1  shown in a first pipe-unloading configuration; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 1  shown in a second pipe-unloading configuration; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 1  shown in a third pipe-unloading configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 1  shown in a first pipe-loading configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 1  shown in a second pipe-loading configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a pipe storage and handling system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is the pipe storage and handling system of  FIG. 7  in a transportation configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  illustrates the storage of pipe cartridges in stacks; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates the transportation of pipe cartridges on trailers; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a pipe storage and handling system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention include a pipe storage and handling system comprising a stationary frame, a tilting frame moveably coupled to the stationary frame and having a loading end, a pipe rack moveably coupled to the tilting frame and configured to support a plurality of pipes at a storage end, wherein the tilting frame is moveable between a loading position where the loading end is positioned at a higher elevation than the storage end and an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end, and an arm disposed at the loading end of the tilting frame, wherein the arm is configured to engage a single pipe and move the single pipe onto or off of the tilting frame. 
         [0018]    Other embodiments of the present invention include a pipe storage and handling system comprising a pipe erector, a stationary frame disposed adjacent to the pipe erector, a tilting frame moveably coupled to the stationary frame and having a loading end, a pipe rack moveably coupled to the tilting frame and configured to support a plurality of pipes at a storage end, wherein the tilting frame and the pipe rack are moveable to transfer the pipes between the storage end and the loading end, and an arm disposed at the loading end of the tilting frame, wherein the arm is configured to engage a single pipe and move the single pipe onto or off of the pipe erector. 
         [0019]    Further embodiments of the present invention include a method for handling pipes comprising storing a plurality of pipes between a storage end of a pipe rack and a loading end of a tilting frame that is moveably coupled to a stationary frame, moving the tilting frame and the pipe rack that is moveably coupled to the tilting frame to an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end, and rotating an arm disposed at the loading end of the tilting frame so that the arm engages a single pipe and moves the single pipe off of the tilting frame. 
         [0020]    Thus, the embodiments of present invention comprise a combination of features and advantages that enable substantial enhancement of moving pipe and other tubular members to and from a drilling rig. These and various other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present invention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results. Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms “connect”, “engage”, “couple”, “attach”, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. As used herein, pipe may generally refer to various oilfield tubulars, including drill pipe, drill collars, casing, and tubing. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , pipe storage and handling system  100  comprises moveable storage rack  102 , stationary frame  104 , tilting frame  106 , elevated stop  108 , and pipe unloading assembly  110 . Pipe unloading assembly  110  comprises lifting arm or block  114  and rotating arm  116 . Tilting frame  106  is pivotally coupled to stationary frame  104  at pivot  118 . Rack  102  is moveably coupled to tilting frame  106  via elevation mechanism  134  so that the rack is vertically moveable relative to frames  104  and  106 . Pipe cartridge  120  is disposed on rack  102  and supports a plurality of pipes  122 , or other tubular members. Pipe cartridge  120  comprises an L-shaped frame  124  and one or more moveable retainers  126 . Pipe handling system  100  is shown in a loading position, wherein pipes are generally at a storage end in cartridge  120  below a loading end generally at stop  108  or arm  116 . 
         [0023]    Pipe handling system  100  is disposed adjacent to an erector system  400  that moves pipes  122  between a horizontal position and an inclined or vertical position where the pipes are passed off to a drilling rig or other equipment. Embodiments of erector systems can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/458,520 (Single Joint Drilling System with Inclined Pipe Handling), 11/458,527 (Horizontal Pipe Handling System), and 11/458,534 (Single Joint Drilling System). In general, erector system  400  comprises rotating gripping arms  402  mounted to moveable arm  404  so as to secure a tubular member to the moveable arm during handling. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate the movement of pipes  122  from pipe cartridge  120  to erector system  400 . Referring now to  FIG. 2 , tilting frame  106  is rotated about pivot  118  by actuator  130  so that rack  102  and cartridge  120  elevate the top row of pipes  122  at the storage end above both the loading end of system  100  and erector system  400 . System  100  is generally in an unloading position. Once retainer  126  is moved to a retracted position, gravity will move pipes  122  from a storage end in cartridge  120  and along cartridge  120  toward tilting frame  16  until the pipes contact a loading end at elevated stop  108 . As a row of pipes  122  are moved, elevator  134  moves rack  102  upward so that the next row of pipes can move out of cartridge  120 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , to load a single joint of pipe  112  onto erector system  400 , lifting block  114  is raised by an actuator  136 , pushing a single joint of pipe  112  upward. The pipe  112  moves over and past elevated stop  108  toward the end of frame  106 . Lifting block  114  is then lowered so that the remainder of pipes  120  can move downward until contacting elevated stop  108 . 
         [0026]    At the end of frame  104 , pipe  112  is stopped by arm  116 , which is disposed in a raised position. Arm  116  is coupled to rotary motor  132  that rotates the arm until pipe  112  is lowered onto erector system  400  as is shown in  FIG. 4 . Arm  116  continues rotating downward so that is out of the way of erector system  400 . Erector system  400  can then lift pipe  112  upward and away from pipe handling system  100 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate pipe handling system  100  being used to move pipes back onto cartridge  120 . When moving pipes  112  from erector system  400 , rack  102  is lowered so that cartridge  120  is below the top of tilting frame  106 . Lifting block  114  and elevated stop  108  are retracted into tilting frame  106  so as to provide a smooth surface along which pipe  112  can roll, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Once pipe  112  is lowered and released by erector system  400 , arm  116  rotates upward so as to lift the pipe from the erector. Arm  116  continues to rotate until pipe  112  falls onto tilting frame  106  where it rolls onto cartridge  120 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As a row of pipes  112  are loaded onto cartridge  120 , rack  102  is lowered so that additional rows of pipes can be loaded. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a pipe handling system  200  comprising opposing racks  202  and tilting frames  206  coupled to a stationary frame  204 . Each tilting frame  206  supports a pipe unloading assembly  210  that comprises a lifting block  214  and a rotating arm  216 . Pipe erector  400  can be disposed in the middle of pipe handling system  200  so that pipe can be loaded from both sides of the erector system. Pipe handling system  200  allows two cartridges  120  to be loaded simultaneously, thus allowing for continuous loading/unloading operations as pipe can be loaded or unloaded from one cartridge while the other cartridge is being replaced. Each set of tilting frames  206 , racks  202  and pipe unloading assemblies  210  operate consistently with the disclosure herein. 
         [0029]    In order to transport pipe handling system  200 , racks  202  can be removed so that stationary frame  204  can be transported on a single trailer  500  along with tilting frames  206  and erector  400 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Once at a worksite, racks  202  are reattached and cartridges  120  can be loaded. 
         [0030]    Pipe cartridges  120  provide a modular system for storing, handling, and transporting pipe. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , pipe cartridges  120  are preferably sized so as to be easily transported by forklift  502 . Cartridges  120  can be stored in stacks  504  or loaded onto trailers  500  for transport. Because the individual pipes are only removed from and loaded onto cartridges  120  by a pipe handling system  100 ,  200 , the use of cartridges minimizes the need to handle individual pipes and therefore improves safety in the pipe handling process. 
         [0031]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate pipe handling system  300  that does not utilize a cartridge system. Pipe handling system  300  comprises one or more moveable racks  302 , stationary frame  304 , tilting frames  306 , elevated stops  308 , and pipe unloading assemblies  310 . Pipe unloading assemblies  310  comprise lifting blocks  114  and rotating arms  116 . Tilting frames  306  are pivotally coupled to stationary frame  304  at pivots  318 . Racks  302  are moveably coupled to tilting frames  306  via elevators  334  so that the racks are vertically moveable relative to the tilting frame. Racks  302  are substantially L-shaped so as to hold a plurality of pipes  122 . 
         [0032]    Pipe handling system  300  operates in the same manner described above in relation to systems  100  and  200  but does not utilize pipe cartridges  120 . Pipe handling system  300  is sized so as to hold a larger quantity of pipe so that a sufficient amount of pipe is stored within racks  302 . Pipe handling system  300  may be especially useful in operations where it is impractical or unnecessary to move smaller quantities of pipe to and from the system during operations. 
         [0033]    Horizontal pipe storage and handling systems can be used with a variety of pipe erectors and other pipe handling systems. For example, a horizontal pipe handling system may be utilized to move pipes onto and off of a pipe erector that moves the pipe from the horizontal storage position to a drill floor. Horizontal pipe handling systems can also be used with conventional pipe hoisting systems as well as other handling systems. Horizontal pipe handling systems may operate as separate components within a drilling system or be combined into an integrated system with a pipe erector or hoisting system. It is also understood that horizontal pipe handling systems can be used with a variety of oilfield tubulars, including drill pipe, drill collars, casing, and tubing. 
         [0034]    While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teaching of this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.