DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING PIPE ELEMENTS

Abstract: Device and method for taking pipe elements from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, especially in connection with a derrick, preferably on a floating drilling platform. In order to dispense with existing vertical pipe storages and associated pipe handling equipment, and at the same time aiming for providing a simpler derrick structure and a platform having a point of gravity at a lower level, there is according to the invention provided a handling device comprising an elongated unit (51) which at its first end (52) is rotatably attached to the hoisting device (53) of the derrick, and which at its second end (56) is arranged for displacement along the working deck (58) of the drilling platform, the unit (51) comprising clamping means (59, 64) for holding pipe lengths (60, 60n) which preferably are constituted by pre-assembled pipe elements (60a, 60b, 60c). Since the pipe handling device follows the movement of the hoisting device there will be a smaller risk for loosing pipes in the drilling hole, and there is also achieved a total time saving and a more continuous drilling.

Description: Device and method for handling pipe elements The present invention relates to a device for taking pipe elements from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, especially in connection with a derrick, preferably on a floating drilling platform. The invention also relates to a method for handling pipe elements . In connection with the transport of pipe elements which on a drilling platform are to be assembled to drilling pipes and/ or drilling strings, there is to-day used a manual system which picks up the individual pipe elements from a horizon¬ tal supine position, whereafter each individual pipe is lifted and has its end portion pushed through an opening which is refer to as V-door. From this position the individ¬ ual pipe elements are then lifted into position by means of hoisting equipment (wire system), in "the derrick itself, and the screwing together of the individual pipe elements is accomplished in an upright position thereof. When the drilling pipe or the drilling string is to be removed from the drilling hole, the pipe or the string is disassembled in lengths comprising three pipe elements, so- called "set-backs", which by means of a special pipe hand¬ ling equipment is stord vertically, for example in so-called "finger stores" provided in the vicinity of the derrick itself. These known pipe handling systems suffer from several dis¬ advantages. In the first instance the time consumption is large because a series of operations are involved in order to pass a pipe from a horizontal storage to the drilling centre, there being used partly manual working power. In the second instance the known systems do not allow pipe lengths comprising three pipe elements to be transported to or from a horizontal storage, which necessitates a vertical pipe storage, for example a finger storage, and an associated pipe handling system. From US Patent specification 3.404.741 there is known a system for handling pipe elements one by one, there being used a first hoisting step bringing horizontally arranged pipe elements one by one to a higher level on a platform, and a second hoisting step bringing the horizontal pipe element to a vertical position in the central area of the derrick. Thereafter, the vertically arranged pipe element is lowered to catch up with the drilling string which by means of a third hoisting machinery is evenly sed downwards during the drilling operation. Eventually, the individual pipe elements are connected to the drilling string by means of a turning operation. The system according to this US Patent specification is very unfavourable, especially for floating platforms, since the intermediate storage of pipe elements takes place at a high level and accordingly contributes to a higher point of gravi-ty and a more hazardous site. Besides, the known system requires three different hoisting arrangement, a first hoisting arrangement for bringing the pipe elements from a basic level to a higher level, a second hoisting arrangement for bringing pipe elements from a hori¬ zontal to a vertical position, and a third hoisting arrange¬ ment for supporting the drilling string. Further, the system according to US Patent specification 3.404.741 will only be able to handle pipe elements one by one, e.i. said elements not being screwed together. The system could not be used for the putting together of pipe lengths since the step bringing the pipe elements from horizontal to vertical position does not include any support of the pipe elements, said support preventing bulging and thereby excessive stress and damage of the pipe joints. The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages involved in previously known pipe handling systems. This object is achieved by a device of the type as stated in the preamble, which according to the invention is character¬ ized in that it comprises an elongated unit which at its first end is rotatably attached to the hoisting arrangement of the derrick, and which at the second end is arranged displaceably along the working deck of the drilling plat¬ form, the unit comprising gripping means for holding pipe lengths which preferably are constituted by pre-assembled pipe elements. Such a device entails a series of advantages compared to previously known pipe handling systems. Firstly, assembled pipe lengths might be brought direct to and from the drilling centre. When being connected to the drilling string the pipe lengths are brought direct from a horizontal storage to a vertical position for being connec¬ ted to the drilling string, the elongated unit comprising gripping means and possibly a turning device for connecting pipe lengths to the drilling string. The gripping means pro¬ vided on the elongated unit, as well as the turning device also serve for disconnecting pipe lengths, which are com¬ prising up to for example three pipe elements, from the drilling string and the transport of the disconnected pipe lengths to the horizontal storage. By means of the device according to the invention existing vertical pipe storages and associated pipe handling gears can thus be eliminated. The device according to the invention will also entail a time saving, since the handling operation itself follows the movements of the hoisting arrangement of the derrick, such that the device according to the invention will be ready for either giving away a pipe lengths if a drilling operation takes place, or be ready for receving a pipe lengths if the pipe string is to be demounted, whilst the hoisting and drilling device is in its top position. Correspondingly, the device according to the invention, when the hoisting and drilling devices are in their lower posi¬ tion, will assume a horizontal position in which it during a drilling operation is ready for gripping another pipe lengths, whereas during a demounting of the drilling string can give away a pipe lengths for the horizontal storage thereof. In the following the invention will be disclosed in more detal, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a derrick struc¬ ture including a known vertical pipe storage and associated pipe handling equipment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pipe element handling device according to the present invention, illustrated in vertical position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pipe element handling device of Fig. 2, illustrated in horizontal position beside a storage for horizontal accumulation of pipe elements. With referance to Fig. 1 which is a simplified perspective view of a derrick structure, a system for handling pipe elements as known per se will be described, as well as vertical storage of such pipe elements. In Fig. 1 the derrick itself is generally designated by 1, the derrick comprising to parallel derrick components 3 and 4 which at the top are connected by means of a traverse 2 which together with the derrick components 3 and 4 defined a space 5 for accomodating a hydraulic hoisting device 6, which by means of for example hydraulic motors, transmission gears and toothed wheels can move along vertical toothed bars 10 mounted along the derrick components 3 and 4. The hoisting device 6 is arranged so as to be adapted to drilling equipment 11, the hoisting device also allowing for an idle displacement along the drilling string 15 which in this instance at its upper end is connected direct to the drilling machine 11, and which at the lower end is passed throught the well centre 12 adjacent a mousehole 13. In Fig. 1 reference numeral 20 designates a usual pipe hand¬ ling apparatus for handling and storing pipe lengths 21, such pipe lengths 21, which are assembled from three pipe elements 21a, 22b and 22c, being stored vertically in a storage means 22a, a so-called finger storage located rela¬ tively high up on the derrick 1, which contributes to giving the overall structure a high level point of gravity. In its vertically stored position the pipe lengths 21, so- called "set-backs" are supported by special supports 23a and 23b. The pi * pe handling apparatus 20 is thus adapted only to cope with vertically arranged pipe lengths, the pipe handling apparatus 20 comprising a rail runriing trolley 24 displace- able along rails 25, as well as an upper handling means 25a which can rotate about a vertical axis, and which is provi¬ ded with upper clamping means 26 and lower combined clamping and rotating means 27. Upon displacement along the rails 25 and rotation of the handling means 25a to various positions, pipe lengths might be put into and removed from the area of the well centre 12, i.e. in the area of the drilling string 15, but this is valied for the manoeuvring of finished screwed together pipe lengths. These pipe lengths which have been screwed together, are however assembled by means of another system, usually a manual system in which the indi¬ vidual pipe lengths are brought up from a horizontal storage and are lifted into position by means of hoisting equipment in the derrick itself, the screwing together being accomplished in erected position. With referance to Fig. 2 and 3, which illustrate an embodi- ment of a pipe element handling device according to the present invention, there will in the following be given an explanation of how this handling means can substitute exist¬ ing vertical pipe storages and associated pipe handling equipment, for thereby achieving a simpler derrick struc- ture, a time saving as regards pipe handling, as well as a more stable platform if this constitutes a floating plat¬ form. In the illustrated embodiment the device according to the invention comprises an elongated unit which is generally disignated by 51, and which at its first end via a fork- shaped connection piece 52 is rotatably attached to the hoisting device 53 of the derrick, said hoisting arrangement possibly corresponding to the hoisting device 6 illustrated in connection with Fig. 1. At its second end the -elongated unit 51 is via connection areas 54 rotatably connected to a trolley 56 equipped with wheels 57 for displacement along rails 58 provided on the working deck of the derrick. Further, the elongated unit 51 comprises claw-like clamping means 59 for holding a pipe length 60 which preferably con¬ sists of pre-asse bled pipe elements, here designated by 60a, 60b and 60c. The elongated unit 51 is designed so as to be expanded or contracted as regards its extention, and comprises in this connection a hollow structural member 61, in which there is provided a second structural member 62 which by means of a hydraulic sylinder 63 can be displaced telescopically in relation to the hollow structural member 61. In the illustrated embodiment there are on the hollow struc¬ tural member 61 provided two clamping means 59, but it is to be understood that also on the moveable structural member 62 there might be provided further clamping means. On the second structural member 62 there is thus provided a combined clamping and rotating device 64 which in a first instance might serve for the screwing together of the indi¬ vidual pipe elements 60a, 60b and 60c to longer composed pipe lengths 60, or it might serve for the disconnection of the lower part of a drilling string when this is in the area of the well centre 65. Since the clamping means can be provided at various mutual distances, the elongated unit 51 might be adapted to various lengths of the composed pipe length, and the supporting point of the composed pipe length might be adapted optimally as regards avoiding bulging of pipe lengths during handling, and thereby unnecessary stresses on the pipe joints. As appearing from Fig. 2 the connection piece 52 might at the first end of the elongated unit 51 be connected to the hoisting device 53 via splicing members 70a and 70b, said splicing members cotjiprising not illustrated means for adjusting the length of the splicing members 70a, 70b. The trolley 56 might apart from being equipped with wheels 57 for moving along the rails 58 from the position which is illustrated to the right of Fig. 3 and to a position to the left of Fig. 3 in which the trolly abut against a stopper 71, be provided with a second combined clamping and rotating device 72, said second clamping and rotating device 72 com¬ prising a claw means, the centre thereof registering with the well centre 65 when the elongated member 51 is in an erected or vertical position, as this appears from Fig. 2. Further, the trolly 56 might comprise a hydraulic system, here indicated by the reference numeral 73, which positions the elongated unit 51 when this is in its vertical position. Possibly, this hydraulic system 73 might be drive connected ' to the wheels 57 for bringing the trolley 56 to the end position to the left of Fig. 3, in which the clamping and rotating device 72 registers with the well centre 65, and for bringing the elongated unit 51 out from this position when the unit once again is to take its horizontal position. In Fig. 3 there is also illustrated a storage device 80 for horizontal storage of further pipe lengths 60n, the storage device being displaceably arranged towards and from the area of the rails 58 for the elongated unit 51, so as to facili¬ tates the bringing of the pipe length 60n to the position in which the clamping means 59 can be made to embrace a pipe length, or put away a pipe length. It is to be understood that in connection with the storage device 80 there might be provided a connecting system for the connection of individual pipe elements to the illustrated pipe length, a pipe length then preferably being composed of three pipe elements. The operation of the pipe element handling device according to the invention is carried out as follows. During a drilling operation a drilling string will by means of the hoisting device 53 be passed throught the well centre 65 and down into the ground, and during the lowering of the hoisting device 53 the elongated unit 51 will be passed from the vertical position illustrated in Fig. 2, to the horizon¬ tal position illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the hoisting device 53 will be in its lower position. In the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 3, the elongated unit 51 will by means of the clamping means 59, 64 bring with it a pipe length 60, whereafter the hoisting device 53 in Fig. 3 will start its hoisting movement towards the position illustrated in Fig. 2. During the hoisting movement of the hoisting de¬ vice 53 the elongated unit 1 will together with the clamped pipe length 60 be brought to a vertical position, as this is illustrated in Fig. 2, with the axis of the pipe length 60 registering with the axis of the well centre 65. In this vertical position of the pipe length 60, the latter is made to enter the remaining drilling string, since a part thereof will protrude from the well centre 65. In the vertical position of the pipe length 60 the upper portion thereof will be connected direct to a drilling machine which is arranged on the hoisting device 53, such that the drilling machine can aid in bringing the lower portion of the pipe length 60 in rotatably engagement with the drilling string stub protruding from the well centre 65. For the final connection of the pipe length 60 to the drill¬ ing string stub in the well centre 65 there might be used the clamping and rotating device 72 arranged on the trolley 56. For the connection of the pipe length 60 to the drilling pipe stub there might possibly be used the combined clamping and rotating device 64 which is mounted on the elongated unit 1. After having connected the pipe length 60 to the drilling string, the drilling might proceed by letting the drilling machine in the hoisting device 53 rotate the over¬ all drilling string at the same time as the hoisting device 53 is lowered in pace with the drilling operation. It is to be understood that the clamping devices 59 are then open for releasing the pipe length 60 from the elongated unit 51, such that the latter, after the trolley 56 has been passed from its end position ' at the well centre 56 and towards right on Fig. 3, can obtain a more and more inclined posi¬ tion until it has been returned to the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 3 for clamping another pipe length. When releasing a pipe length from a drilling string, the above discussed manner of operation will be executed in opposite direction, the elongated unit in its vertical posi¬ tion of Fig. 2 then picking up -a portion of the drilling string when the hoisting device 53 is in its upper position, and bringing the loosened drilling string to the horizontal position for storage in the storage device 80 shown in Fig. 3. It is to be understood that the elongated unit 51 can be designed in a plurality of various manners, compared to the one discussed above. Thus, it is to be understood that the telescopic effect of the various structural parts including in the unit 51 can be effected by means of one or more hydraulic systems, such as to achieve an as optimal support as possible of the pipe lengths 60 during the handling thereof. For example the hollow structural member 61 can be arranged displaceably in relation to the second structural member 62, for thereby achieving a necessary elongation or contraction of the elongated unit 51 depending on whether the latter is in the vertical position shown in Fig. 2, or in the horizontal position shown on Fig. 3. The present pipe element handling device implies the advan¬ tages that in connection with especially floating platforms the previously known pipe handling devices as well as finger storages for vertical mounting of pipe lengths might be di¬ spensed with, involving the achievement of a low level point of gravity and greater stability in connection with these type of platforms. Besides, there are achieved less handling times and less risk for loosing pipes in the drilling hole. There is also achieved more continuous drilling, at the same time as most of the working operations take place on the working deck, i.e. on a low level relative to the derrick.

Claims: P a t e n t c l a i m s 1. Device for taking pipe elements from a substantially" horizontal position to a substansually vertical position, especially in connection with a derrick, preferably on a floating platform, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the device comprises an elongated unit (51) which at its first end (52) is rotatably attached to the hoisting device (53) of the derrick, and which at its second end (53) is arranged displaceably along the working deck (58) of the drilling platform, the unit (51) comprising clamping means (59, 64) for holding pipe lengths (60) which preferably are constituted by pre-assembled pipe elements (60a, 60b, 60c). 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that the elongated unit (51) comprises means (63) for elongating or contracting of the extension of the unit. 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, 0 c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the elongated unit (51) comprises a first combined clamping and rotating device (64) serving for the screwing together of individual pipe elements (60a, 60b, 60c) to longer composed pipe lengths 5 (60), or for connection and disconnection of the lower part of a drilling string. 4. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the means for elon¬ 0 gating or contracting the length of the unit (51) comprise a hydraulic sylinder (63) which can displace members (61, 62) of the elongated unit, preferably telescopically. 5. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, c c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the clamping means (59) are provided displaceably along the elongated unit (51). 6. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the elongated unit (51) is connected to the hoisting device (53) of the derrick via splicing members (70a, 70b), which possibly comprise means for adjusting the length of the splicing members. 5 7. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the elongated unit (51) at the second end is supported by a trolley (56) which can roll along rails (58) on or in the working deck. 0 8. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the trolley (56) comprises a second combined clamping and rotating device (72) which serves for connecting or disconnecting a composed pipe length arranged in a vertical position, said second 5 combined clamping and rotating device (72) comprising a claw means, the centre of which being in line with the well centre (65) when the elongated unit (51) is in an erected vertical position. 0 9. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the trolley (56) comprises a hydraulic system (73) which positions the unit (51) when the latter is in its vertical position. 5 10. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the trolley (56) comprises powered wheels (57) bringing the trolley (56) and thus the lower part of the elongated unit (51) out of the 0 vertical position (Fig. 2). 11. Method for taking pipe elements from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, especially in connection with a derrick, preferably on a g floating platform, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the following steps: a) that two or more pipe elements (60a, 60b, 60c) are connected for forming composed pipe lengths (60, 60n) which are arranged substantially horizontally, b) that the composed pipe lengths (60) one by one are brought from its horizontal position (Fig. 3 ) to a vertical position (Fig. 2) by means of a handling device comprising an elongated unit (51) which at its first end (52) is rotatably attached to the hoisting device (53) of the derrick, and which at its second end (56) is arranged displacebly along the working deck (58) of the derrick, the unit (51) comprising clamping means (59) for holding pipe lengths (60) at points which support the pipe length (60) for preventing the bulging thereof, c) the elongated unit (51) by lowering the hoisting device (53) being brought to an approximately horizontal position (Fig. 3) in which the pipe length is brought in engagement with the clamping means (59) of the unit (51), d) and the elongated unit (51) together with the clamped pipe length (60) by rising the hoisting device (53) being brought to a vertical position (Fig. 2) with the axis of the pipe length in line with the axis of the well centre (65), e) and that the pipe length (60) in its vertical position is brought into engagement with the remaining drilling string,, f) whereafter the hoisting device is lowered, possibly in pace with the drilling operations, at the same time as the elongated unit (51) is released from the delivered pipe length (60) and is -returned from the vertical to the horizontal position for transporting another pipe length, etc. 12. Method as claimed in claim 11, espesially for the realease of pipe lengths from a drilling string, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the steps a)-f) are effected substantially in opposite sequence.

Inventors: EILERTSEN BJOERN, EILERTSEN, BJOERN
Applicants: TEMCO DRILLING PROD AS
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E21B19
IPC codes: E21B19