Drilling platform for cellar-type well sites

A system and method for enabling drilling equipment to access and work with well heads located in a cellar type arrangement. Modules are combined together with wheel risers to form various shaped platforms for spanning across the roof of cellars for hydrocarbon extraction. The various shaped platforms provide support adjacent the well head for work over rigs and surface rigs to drive adjacent the well heads located in the cellar.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to platforms for oil wells, and more specifically to drilling well platforms for well-site having Cellar Tech containment cellars.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional well sites for hydrocarbon extraction from the ground are flush with or above ground. In order to prevent accidents, some drill sites locate the well head below grade to prevent accidents. Well heads below grade are grouped together in a rectangular cellar below the pad site. Conventional systems for interacting with well heads in a cellar are hampered by the limited access and the requirement to work adjacent an open pit or cellar. Cellar tech containment well cellars are typically open pits having inwardly facing lips. Thus, there exists significant room for improvement in the art for overcoming these and other shortcomings of conventional systems and methods for platforms over cellars for oil field operations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a surface rig platform according to the present application is illustrated. Surface rig platform system101is comprised of a central platform103, a pair of side platforms105, at least a pair of wheel risers107, and a box beam109. Furthermore, surface rig platform system101comprises a plurality of removable guardrails111. Surface rig platform system101spans across cellar113and in configured to support drilling vehicle, such as surface rigs, on an upper surface of the surface rig platform system101. Cellar113is preferably a Cellar Tech containment well cellar having an inwardly facing lip located near the opening of the cellar. Without the surface rig platform system101vehicles would be limited in proximity to a well head located in the cellar113depended upon the dimensions of the cellar. The surface rig platform system101allows a surface rig115or spud rig to back adjacent to the well head and be located over the well head. Preferably each open end of the surface rig platform system101utilizes the pair of wheel risers107to allow a vehicle to cross the cellar113from either end or cross the cellar. Side platforms105are rigidly coupled to the central platforms by their gusseted corners being bolted together through openings in each gusseted corner.

Referring now also toFIGS. 3A-3Cin the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a central platform according to the present application is illustrated. Central platform201is similar to central platform103. Central platform201is comprised of a frame203, an upper plate205, and a plurality of gussets207attached to the frame. Central platform201is preferably comprised of steel elements from the frame203, to the upper plate205, and the gussets207. Upper plate205is preferably perforated (see perforations213) across the entire plate to facility migration of fluid and gas from above and below the platform. Upper plate205utilizes a first opening209and a second opening211. First opening209is located typically in the center of the upper plate and has a diameter sufficient to allow the surface rig to access the well head located directly below the first opening and drill through the central platform. Second opening211is located between the first opening209and a longitudinal side of the central platform. Second opening is configured to allow a conduit from the well head in the cellar to pass through the central platform.

Referring now also toFIGS. 4A-4Cin the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a side platform according to the present application is illustrated. Side platform301is similar to side platform105. Side platform301is comprised of a frame303, an upper plate305, and a plurality of gussets307attached to the frame. Side platform301is preferably comprised of steel elements from the frame303, to the upper plate305, and the gussets307. Upper plate305is preferably perforated (see perforations309) across the entire plate to facilitate migration of fluid and gas from above and below the platform.

Referring now also toFIGS. 5A-5Cin the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a wheel riser according to the present application is illustrated. Wheel riser401is similar to wheel riser107. Wheel riser401is comprised of a frame403, an upper plate405, and a plurality of gussets407attached to the frame. Wheel riser401is preferably comprised of steel elements from the frame403, to the upper plate405, and the gussets407. Upper plate405is preferably ribbed or textured across the entire plate to facility trailers and vehicle driving up and over wheel riser. Wheel riser401is configured to allow a wheeled vehicle drive from the surface of the base of the surface rig platform to the top of the surface rig platform. Rod409passes through the plurality of gussets407on the wheel riser401and engages the gussets207on the end of the central platform103. Pin411secures rod409to wheel riser401. Frame403preferably utilizes notches413in frame403to facilitate moving the steel wheel riser around the well site with a forklift.

Referring now also toFIGS. 6 and 7in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a workover rig platform according to the present application is illustrated. Workover rig platform system501is comprised of a main platform503, and a pair of wheel risers505.FIG. 6illustrates a workover rig509located on the workover rig platform system501, whileFIG. 7illustrates the workover rig platform system501without a workover rig509. Workover rig platform501is configured to be moved in two pieces by moving the main platform503and the pair of wheel risers505. Furthermore, each element of the workover rig platform501is less than 52 feet in length to facilitate transportation from one well site to another.

Wheel risers505are configured to positively retain the workover rig by strapping the workover rig down by turnbuckles with adjustable gusseted receivers. Workover rig platform is designed to be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the cellar. By locating the workover rig platform access to all other well heads in the cellar is maintained.

Referring now also toFIGS. 8A-8Din the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a main platform according to the present application is illustrated. Main platform601is similar to main platform503. Main platform601is comprised of a first platform603, a second platform605, and a pair of joining platforms607. The first platform603, the second platform605, and the joining platforms607are preferably comprised of steel elements from the frame, to the upper plate, and the gussets connecting platforms to each other. Main platform utilizes an opening609located typically in the center of the main platform and has an opening sufficient to allow the workover rig to access the well head located directly below the first opening. Furthermore, main platform601features a plurality of lifting points611to allow a crane to lift and move the main platform relative to the cellar.

Referring now also toFIGS. 9A-9Din the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a pair of wheel risers701according to the present application is illustrated. Wheel riser701is similar to wheel riser505. Wheel riser701is comprised of a first platform703, a second platform705, a ramp platform707, and a plurality of rig attachment points709. The first platform703, the second platform705, and the ramp platform707are preferably comprised of steel elements from the frame, to the upper plate, and the gussets connecting platforms to each other. Each of the wheel risers is coupled to the main platform to enable a workover rig to drive up the ramp platforms and across the first and second platforms and partially across the main platform. Wheel riser701is configured to have a length sufficient that the workover rig is supported on top of the main platform and the pair of wheel risers. Ramp platform707utilizes traction bars on the inclined surfaces.