Abstract:
A method and apparatus for handling fluids on an oil and gas well drilling platform utilizes detachable peripheral frames to reduce the per square foot load transferred to the platform when reservoirs on the apparatus are filled to (or near) capacity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/033,926, filed Mar. 5, 2008, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     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, 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; and wherein a detachable perimeter frame or frames enables load to be transferred to a larger area when all reservoirs are filled or to be filled. 
     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 coastal, 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 (with huge weight) 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. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,815 issued Jul. 12, 2005 to Ness for a fluids management system, that patent being hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     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 oil well drilling or production 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 SEVERAL VIEWS 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; 
         FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view taken along lines  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view taken along lines  27 - 27  of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 29  is a partial perspective view of the preferred 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 - 93  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 . 
       FIGS. 25-29  illustrate a specially configured base upon which reservoir  11  can be rested for load transfer between the liquids contained in reservoir  11  (and any docked supply reservoir) and a platform or rig. 
     Base  126  employs base extensions  127 ,  128  that are removably connectable to base  126  prior to use. The extensions  127 ,  128  can be removed to facilitate transport to or from a well drilling site, platform, rig or the like. Once added to base  126 , extensions  127 ,  128  form with base  126  a structural under support that helps reduce load bearing per unit area (e.g. square foot) by forming a new base periphery  149  that is larger than the reservoir periphery  130 . 
     Arrow  129  in  FIG. 28  illustrates the addition of a base extension  127  to base  126 . Bolted connections  148  can be used to secure each extension  127 ,  128  to base  126 . 
     Each extension  127 ,  128  comprises at least one elongated longitudinal beam  131  and multiple transverse beams  132 ,  133 ,  134 . Each transverse beam is fitted with a plate having plate openings  150  that are receptive of bolted connections  148 . End beam  132  has plate  135 . End beam  133  has plate  136 . Beams  134  each have a plate  137 . 
     Base  126  includes multiple longitudinal beams  138 ,  139 ,  140  that are connected together with transverse beams  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144  to provide therewith a generally rectangular, welded beam network. Base  126  can have a periphery that is equal to or larger than the periphery  130  of reservoir  11 . 
     Arrow  145  illustrates the placement of reservoir  11  on base  126 . Base extensions  127 ,  128  can then be bolted to base  126  using bolted connections  148 . Each end beam  141 ,  142  has a plate that has plate openings  150 . End beam  141  has a plate  146  at each of its ends. Likewise, beam  142  has plates  147  at each of its ends. Each short beam  151  has a plate  152 . Upon assembly of an extension  127  or  128  to base  126 , plates  135  and  146  are placed together face to face wherein the openings  150  of the plates  135 ,  146  align so that they can be bolted together using bolted connections  148 . In like fashion, plates  137  and  152  are aligned face to face to be bolted together as shown. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part 
                   
               
               
                 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 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 108 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 109 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 110 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 111 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 112 
                 lower level flow line 
               
               
                 113 
                 flexible hose 
               
               
                 114 
                 hose coupling fitting 
               
               
                 115  
                 lifting eye 
               
               
                 116 
                 lifting eye 
               
               
                 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 
               
               
                 126 
                 base 
               
               
                 127 
                 base extension 
               
               
                 128 
                 base extension 
               
               
                 129 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 130  
                 reservoir periphery 
               
               
                 131 
                 elongated longitudinal beam 
               
               
                 132  
                 transverse end beam 
               
               
                 133  
                 transverse end beam 
               
               
                 134  
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 135 
                 plate 
               
               
                 136 
                 plate 
               
               
                 137  
                 plate 
               
               
                 138 
                 longitudinal beam 
               
               
                 139 
                 longitudinal beam 
               
               
                 140 
                 longitudinal beam 
               
               
                 141 
                 transverse end beam 
               
               
                 142 
                 transverse end beam 
               
               
                 143 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 144 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 145 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 146 
                 plate 
               
               
                 147 
                 plate 
               
               
                 148 
                 bolted connection 
               
               
                 149 
                 base periphery 
               
               
                 150 
                 plate opening 
               
               
                 151 
                 short beam 
               
               
                 152 
                 plate 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     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.