Abstract:
A fluids management apparatus is disclosed herein that enables management of multiple volumes of different fluids when drilling and/or producing oil and/or gas with an oil and gas well drilling platform. The apparatus includes a structural, transportable frame that has upper and lower reservoir sections, each with a plurality of tanks for holding fluid. The upper reservoir section is easily lifted and transported, such as by crane. A docking station on the lower reservoir section is receptive of the upper reservoir section. A piping system enables a selected fluid volume contained in a tank of the upper reservoir section to be selectively transmitted to a selected tank of the lower reservoir section. The lower reservoir section has its own piping system that enables a user to withdraw fluid from any selected one of its tanks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,706, filed on Jan. 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the handling of oil and gas well drilling fluids, especially in an offshore or marine environment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved oil and gas well fluids transfer apparatus that features a first module carrying multiple supply reservoirs for holding different drilling or production fluids and a second, typically smaller supply module for holding one or more resupply modules and wherein a docking station interfaces the two modules, and fluid transfer being effected with specially configured piping so that any one reservoir can be filled with a selected resupply reservoir that is docked on the docking station. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   In the drilling of oil and gas wells, a large number of different fluids are typically employed. These fluids can include various chemical formula that assist the driller. These fluids can include, for example, drilling mud, surfactance, brine solutions, thickening solutions, other oil well drilling or completions fluids and the like. 
   In costal, or other offshore marine environment, the drilling of oil and gas wells employs a platform that can be floating, semi-submersible, fixed, tension leg, spar or the like. Such coastal, offshore or marine oil platforms are well known in the art. 
   An offshore marine platform typically suffers from lack of space. These special constraints are due to the enormous expense of constructing offshore drilling platforms. A huge array of equipment is needed for the drilling and operation of oil and gas wells. Constant supply and resupply that is an ongoing procedure. Huge work boats carry drill pipe, equipment, personnel, food, drilling fluids, completion fluids, and other material to the offshore platform. Unloading and placement of these supplies is an enormous problem. 
   In the handling of fluids, huge volumes can be required, and after they are expended, the tank or other vessel that carried the fluid must quickly be moved from the rig floor to make room for the others. 
   Over the years, 55 gallon drums and other like disposable containers have been used to transfer drilling and other fluids to and from an oil and gas well drilling rig. These drums and like containers create a huge storage problem for the rig operators. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an improved fluids transfer system that enables a rig operator to efficiently and quickly transfer fluids during normal course of operation of the offshore platform. 
   The present invention provides an efficient and novel system, including a method and apparatus for transferring drilling fluids to an offshore oil and gas well drilling platform and for fluid transfer once on the platform. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is another elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the piping system; 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of the lower module of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along lines  9 — 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating one of the resupply tanks; 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary elevation view of resupply tank of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is partial plan view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along lines  16 — 16  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along lines  17 — 17  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along lines  18 — 18  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken along lines  19 — 19  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken along lines  21 — 21  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken along lines  22 — 22  of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a partial, cutaway view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-4  show generally the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1-4 . Fluids management apparatus  10  includes a lower module or storage reservoir  11  and an upper module or resupply reservoir  12 . 
   The lower module or storage reservoir  11  has a platform deck  13  that carries docking station  14 . The docking station  14  can be centrally located upon platform  13  to provide a deck or walkway  15  that extends along one or more sides of the docking station  14 . Walkway  15  can be provided with suitable railing  16  for protecting workers that ascend stairway  17  to gain access to platform deck  13  and walkway  15 . 
   The upper module or resupply reservoir  12  can be a liftable structure that can be lifted using a crane or other lifting device so that it can be removed from or placed upon docking station  14 . This upper module or resupply reservoir  12  is provided with one or more resupply tanks  18 . Each tank  18  (see  FIGS. 12-13 ) is a fluid containing vessel that has a lower end portion with flow outlet  19 . A piping spool piece  20  is connected to flow outlet  19  (for example, welded thereto) and can include valve  21  for controlling fluid flow from tank  18  during use. In addition to valve  21 , spool piece  20  can be provided with hose coupling fitting  22  or other suitable outlet fitting so that the combination of valve  21  and hose coupling (or other fitting)  22  enables fluid to be discharged from tank  18  as needed. Tank  18  can be provided with a plurality of feet  23  that space the fluid containing portion of tank  18  above an underlying support surface to provide clearance for the attachment of spool piece  20 , valve  21  and hose coupling fitting  22  to flow outlet  19 . 
   Tank  18  can be of welded steel construction such as stainless steel, for example. Tank  18  can be of any suitable fluid containing material that is compatible with the various oil and gas well drilling fluids that will be transported to the lower module or resupply reservoir  12 . Spool piece  20 , valve  21  and hose coupling fitting  22  are commercially available pipe, valve, and fitting items. 
   In  FIGS. 1-4  resupply reservoir  12  has a reservoir frame  24  that is configured to hold one or more resupply tanks  18 , a pair of tanks  18  being shown contained within reservoir frame  24  in  FIGS. 1-4 . In an alternate embodiment (FIGS.  13 - 23 ), four resupply tanks are provided. The particular construction of reservoir frame  24  can be seen in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,706, filed on Jan. 31, 2003 and incorporate herein by reference. 
   A piping system  25  (see  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 ) is provided for transferring fluids from a selected tank  18  of resupply reservoir  12  to a selected storage tank  34 - 39  that is a part of storage reservoir  11 . The piping system  25  thus provides piping and hoses that are connectable to a selected tank  18  of resupply reservoir  12  and enable a transfer of fluid to a selected one of the tanks  34 - 39 . 
   In the drawings, the letters A, B, C, D, E, F are used to designate six different fluids that can be handled using the fluids management apparatus  10  and method of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , these different fluid designations A, B, C, D, E, F can be seen as labels  40 , placed upon the wall of storage reservoir  11  above respective storage reservoir outlets  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 . During use, these labels  40  could be numbers, letters, or the actual names of the chemicals to be transferred. 
   In the drawings, the letters A, B, C, D, E, F have been placed in the appropriate location on each of the figures to indicate the particular chemical contained within a particular storage tank  34 - 39 . These letters A, B, C, D, E, F have also been used to mark the different manifolds, pipes and hoses that transfer the selected chemical that is represented by the letter A, B, C, D, E, or F. Following are exemplary chemicals that could be handled using the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
   Each of the storage reservoir outlets  26 - 31  is provided with a discharge valve  32  and a discharge flow line  33  that can be of any selected length and that can be used to transmit the selected fluid A, B, C, D, E or F to any location on the platform during drilling operations. In  FIG. 7 , the storage reservoir or lower module  11  can be seen subdivided (as shown by dotted lines) into six different storage tanks  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 . The letters A, B, C, D, E, F in  FIG. 7  are placed upon a man-way for each storage tank. Such man-ways enable the tank interiors to be accessed for inspection, cleaning, maintenance and the like. The largest tank  34  has man-way  41  that bears the letter A for the chemical A that is contained within tank  34 . Likewise, the tank  35  has a man-way  42  that bears the letter B indicating that a chemical B is contained within tank  35 . 
   The additional tanks  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39  provide man-ways  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  respectively, each labeled with a letter representing the chemical that is contained within that particular storage tank  36 ,  37 ,  38 , or  39 . The piping system  25  includes flow lines for enabling a selected fluid to be transmitted from any one of the resupply tanks  18  to any one of the storage tanks  34 - 39 . For example, flow line  47  is a flow line that is provided on deck  13  for transmitting fluid from a selected tank  18  to the first storage tank  34 . Flow line  48  can be used to transmit fluids from a selected resupply tank  18  to tank  35 . Likewise, flow line  49  transfers fluid from a selected resupply tank  18  to tank  36 . Flow line  50  transfers fluid from a selected resupply tank  18  to tank  37 . Flow line  51  transfers fluid from a selected resupply tank  18  to tank  38 . Flow line  52  transfers fluid from a selected resupply tank  18  to tank  39 . 
     FIGS. 14-24  show a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  60 . Fluids management apparatus  60  provides an operations reservoir  61  and resupply reservoir  62 . Operations reservoir  61  has a platform deck  63  and provides a docking station  64  that is receptive of resupply reservoir  62  as shown, for example, in FIG.  16 . Walkway  65  is a part of platform deck  63  that surrounds docking station  64 . Railing  66  can be provided at the periphery of walkway  65  as shown in  FIG. 14. A  stairway  67  enables users to ascend to platform deck  63 . 
   Resupply reservoir  62  carries a plurality of preferably four resupply tanks  68 . Each resupply tank  68  has a pair of flow outlets  69 ,  70 , each provided with a spool piece that can include a valve. In  FIG. 20 , flow outlet  69  communicates with spool piece  71  that includes valve  73 . Spool piece  71  also provides a hose coupling fitting  75  for attaching a flow conveying hose to the spool piece  71  at hose coupling fitting  75 . Similarly, spool piece  72  provides valve  74  and hose coupling fitting  76 . The resupply tank  68  can have a plurality of feet  77 . The plurality of resupply tank  68  are contained within resupply reservoir frame  78 . 
   Piping system  79  ( FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  21 - 22 ) is used to transfer a selected fluid contained in a selected resupply tank  68  to any one of a plurality of selected storage tanks  88 ,  89 ,  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93  (see FIG.  23 ). Each storage tank  88  has a storage reservoir outlet. In the drawings, the tank  88  has reservoir outlet  80 . The storage tank  89  has reservoir outlet  81 . Similarly, storage tanks  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93  communicate respectively with storage reservoir outlets  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85 . Each of the storage reservoir outlets  80 - 85  can provide a valve  86  and an outlet fitting  87 . 
   Labels  94  can be placed above the outlets  80 - 85  or in a selected location next to the selected storage tank  88 - 93  to identify the contents of the storage tank  88 - 93 . Each storage tank  88 - 93  provides a man-way for enabling access to the storage tank interior. In  FIG. 14 , tank  88  has man-way  95 . Tank  89  has man-way  96 . Similarly, the tanks  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93  provide respective man-way openings  97 ,  98 ,  99 ,  100 . 
   The piping system  79  provides a plurality of upper level flow lines  101 - 106 . The piping system  79  also provides a plurality of lower level flow lines  107 - 112 . These flow lines  101 - 112  enable a selected fluid contained in any selected resupply tank  68  to be added to any selected storage tank  88 - 93 . By providing the two spool pieces  71 ,  72  and related fittings to each supply tank  68 , this fluid transfer can be effective notwithstanding the orientation of a storage tank  68  when it is placed in resupply reservoir frame  78 . A flexible hose  113  can be coupled to a selected spool piece  71  or  72  or a selected resupply tank  68 . That flexible hose  113  can also be connected to any one of the flow lines  101 - 112  depending upon the storage tank  88 - 93  that is to be re-supplied with fluid. Each flow line section  101 - 112  has preferably two (2) inlets  123  for receiving fluid via a hose  113  from a resupply tank  68 . Each flow line section  101 - 112  has at least one discharge  124  for discharging fluid to a selected one of the storage tanks  87 - 93 . 
   Resupply reservoir frame  78  can be lifted using a crane that is rigged using slings  125  for example to the plurality of lifting eyes  115  at the upper end portion of resupply reservoir frame  78 . Each resupply tank  68  has a plurality of lifting eyes  116  enabling each individual resupply tank  68  to be lifted using a crane or other lifting device that is rigged to the lifting eyes  116 . 
   A plurality of discharge flow lines  117 ,  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121 ,  122  are provided for discharging fluid from a selected respective storage tank  88 ,  89 ,  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93 . 
   PARTS LIST 
   The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Parts Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               10 
               fluids management apparatus 
             
             
               11 
               storage reservoir 
             
             
               12 
               resupply reservoir 
             
             
               13 
               platform deck 
             
             
               14 
               docking station 
             
             
               15 
               walkway 
             
             
               16 
               railing 
             
             
               17 
               stairway 
             
             
               18 
               resupply tank 
             
             
               19 
               flow outlet 
             
             
               20 
               spool piece 
             
             
               21 
               valve 
             
             
               22 
               hose coupling fitting 
             
             
               23 
               foot 
             
             
               24 
               resupply reservoir frame 
             
             
               25 
               piping system 
             
             
               26 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               27 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               28 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               29 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               30 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               31 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               32 
               valve 
             
             
               33 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               34 
               storage tank 
             
             
               35 
               storage tank 
             
             
               36 
               storage tank 
             
             
               37 
               storage tank 
             
             
               38 
               storage tank 
             
             
               39 
               storage tank 
             
             
               40 
               label 
             
             
               41 
               man-way 
             
             
               42 
               man-way 
             
             
               43 
               man-way 
             
             
               44 
               man-way 
             
             
               45 
               man-way 
             
             
               46 
               man-way 
             
             
               47 
               flow line 
             
             
               48 
               flow line 
             
             
               49 
               flow line 
             
             
               50 
               flow line 
             
             
               51 
               flow line 
             
             
               52 
               flow line 
             
             
               60 
               fluids management apparatus 
             
             
               61 
               storage reservoir 
             
             
               62 
               resupply reservoir 
             
             
               63 
               platform deck 
             
             
               64 
               docking station 
             
             
               65 
               walkway 
             
             
               66 
               railing 
             
             
               67 
               stairway 
             
             
               68 
               resupply tank 
             
             
               69 
               flow outlet 
             
             
               70 
               flow outlet 
             
             
               71 
               spool piece 
             
             
               72 
               spool piece 
             
             
               73 
               valve 
             
             
               74 
               valve 
             
             
               75 
               hose coupling fitting 
             
             
               76 
               hose coupling fitting 
             
             
               77 
               foot 
             
             
               78 
               resupply reservoir frame 
             
             
               79 
               piping system 
             
             
               80 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               81 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               82 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               83 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               84 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               85 
               storage reservoir outlet 
             
             
               86 
               valve 
             
             
               87 
               outlet fitting 
             
             
               88 
               storage tank 
             
             
               89 
               storage tank 
             
             
               90 
               storage tank 
             
             
               91 
               storage tank 
             
             
               92 
               storage tank 
             
             
               93 
               storage tank 
             
             
               94 
               label 
             
             
               95 
               man-way 
             
             
               96 
               man-way 
             
             
               97 
               man-way 
             
             
               98 
               man-way 
             
             
               99 
               man-way 
             
             
               100 
               man-way 
             
             
               101 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               102 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               103 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               104 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               105 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               106 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               107 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               108 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               109 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               110 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               111 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               112 
               upper level flow line 
             
             
               113 
               flexible hose 
             
             
               114 
               hose coupling fitting 
             
             
               115 
               lifting eye 
             
             
               116 
               lifting line 
             
             
               117 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               118 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               119 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               120 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               121 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               122 
               discharge flow line 
             
             
               123 
               flow line section inlet 
             
             
               124 
               flow line section discharge 
             
             
               125 
               lifting sling 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.