Patent Publication Number: US-2023160268-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus for Handling Drill Tubes

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/761,849, filed May 6, 2020, which is a US national stage application of international application no. PCT/GB2018/053238, filed Nov. 8, 2018, which claims priority from UK application no. 1718482.1 filed on Nov. 8, 2017. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling drill tubes and is concerned in particular with a method and apparatus for handling drill pipes and drill collars on oil drilling rigs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The framework for supporting a drilling apparatus on an oil rig is known as a derrick or mast  800 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     Storing and retrieving drill tubes on an oil drilling rig is an extremely dangerous and hazardous task undertaken by a human operative known as a derrickman. The derrickman&#39;s operating position varies from one drilling rig to another, however, they often work on a platform  810  towards the top of the derrick or mast  800 . 
     When tripping out of a drill hole (removing) or tripping into a drill hole (installing) the drill tubes, one of the derrickman&#39;s tasks is to guide the top of each drill tube (not shown) from a rack  820  towards a lifting apparatus  830  suspended from above, within the derrick or mast  800 . This task is often undertaken by the derrickman as he stands towards the top of the derrick or mast  800  on a narrow, cantilevered board  810 . Working conditions can be hazardous not least because the board  810  can become slippery during adverse weather conditions. 
     The challenges associated with these tasks can often result in injury to, or even death of, the derrickman. The lifting apparatus  830  moves at high speeds, and when tripping in the drill tubes, it is the job of the derrickman to position the drill tubes such that they are caught by the lifting apparatus to be installed towards the top of the drill string (a series of drill tubes which extend into the drill hole). Similarly, when tripping out, the derrickman must manually manoeuvre the drill tube from the lifting apparatus  830  back to a storage position in the rack  820 . 
     The individual drill tubes are often large, typically above 20 metres in length, and weigh hundreds of kilograms. The manoeuvring of the drill tubes, especially when returning them to the rack  820 , means that it is not uncommon for derrickmen to trap body parts between drill tubes resulting in crush injuries. Additionally, in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain and strong winds, it is not uncommon for the derrickman to trip, fall or otherwise become displaced off the board  810 , resulting in catastrophic injury. 
     Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method for handling drill tubes in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are at least partly overcome. 
     STATEMENTS OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided pipe handling apparatus for a drilling rig. In one arrangement there is provided an upper guide apparatus for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform; the apparatus comprising a retention head mounted on an arm; wherein the arm is positionable so as to allow the retention head to engage a drill tube for placement in and removal from a rack. 
     The arm may comprise an upper arm. 
     Preferably, the arm comprises a plurality of sections. The sections may be connected together and arranged to extend and contract, preferably telescopically. 
     Optionally, the apparatus comprises a machine housing, and the arm is arranged to pivot/rotate about an axis extending through the machine housing. 
     The machine housing may be arranged to move along a track. The track may be arranged to extend transversely with respect to at least one rack. 
     The track may be positioned under a support platform of the drilling platform. This allows for easy access to the machine housing and track when performing maintenance, and to allow better visibility of the functioning of the apparatus. This position also enables the arm to be stored away from the other operating aspects of the drilling rig. 
     The retention head may comprise a capturing means for selecting and capturing a drill tube. 
     Preferably, the capturing means comprises a static portion and a movable portion. The movable portion may be arranged to rotate so as to grip a drill tube when in use. This allows the same retention head to be used for drill tubes of a number of diameters. 
     The movement of the arm and/or retention head may be by electrical motor, hydraulics and/or pneumatics. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower guide apparatus for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform; the apparatus comprising an arm mounted for pivotable movement, and a head portion for supporting a drill tube in use. 
     Preferably, the arm is mounted for pivotable movement about two axes. 
     The head portion may be moveable between two configurations, to present two different support tools to a drill tube. 
     The tools may include a guide head and/or a roller. Preferably, the guide head and roller are sized to accommodate a plurality of drill tube sizes. 
     The head portion may be locked in a chosen configuration with a locking mechanism when a tool has been chosen. 
     The arm may pivot about a vertical axis within a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may be +/−20 degrees from a mean position. 
     The movement of the arm may be effected by electrical motor, hydraulics and/or pneumatics. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the method comprising selecting a drill tube; and guiding an upper portion of the drill tube with an upper guide arm. 
     Preferably the method includes guiding a lower portion of the drill tube with a lower guide arm; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     Preferably, the upper guide arm and lower guide arm are automatically directed, more preferably in a coordinated manner, to a drill tube once selected. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may control the positioning of the upper guide arm and/or lower guide arm, optionally independently of one another. 
     The user may control the upper guide arm and/or the lower guide arm via an interface. 
     Optionally, the interface may include a joystick. 
     The method may include electronically monitoring the position of the upper guide arm and the lower guide. 
     The stowed position may comprise a position in a rack and the operative position may comprise a substantially central location with respect to the rig. 
     The lower guide arm may be arranged to guide the lower portion of the drill tube using a guide head, and/or a roller. 
     Preferably, the lower guide arm is arranged to rotate about a first pivot to guide the lower portion of the drill tube between positions. The lower guide arm may also rotate about a second pivot to guide the lower portion of the drill tube between positions. 
     Optionally, the upper guide arm comprises an extendable, preferably telescopic, arm arranged in use to position the upper guide arm for retrieval/storage of a drill tube. The upper guide arm may be attached to a track which may be used for constraining and/or predefining the movement. 
     The movement of the upper and/or lower arm may be effected by an electrical motor, hydraulics and/or pneumatics. 
     The upper guide arm and lower guide arm may be according to any statement herein. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the system comprising an upper guide arm and a lower guide arm; wherein the upper guide arm guides an upper portion of the drill tube; and the lower guide arm guides a lower portion of the drill tube; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     The stowed position may correspond to a drill tube in a rack and the operative position may be a location substantially central with respect to the rig. 
     The movement of the upper and/or lower arms may be effected by an electrical motor, hydraulics and/or pneumatics. 
     The upper guide arm and lower guide arm may be according to any statement herein. 
     The invention also comprises a program for causing a device to perform a method according to any statement herein. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory having therein computer readable instructions, the processor being arranged in used to read the instructions to cause the performance of a method for handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the method comprising selecting a drill tube; guiding an upper portion of the drill tube with an upper guide arm; and guiding a lower portion of the drill tube with a lower guide arm; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     The invention also includes a computer implemented method comprising handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the method comprising selecting a drill tube; guiding an upper portion of the drill tube with an upper guide arm; and guiding a lower portion of the drill tube with a lower guide arm; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     In a further aspect, the invention provides a computer program product on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of handling drill tubes on a drilling platform, the method comprising selecting a drill tube; guiding an upper portion of the drill tube with an upper guide arm; and guiding a lower portion of the drill tube with a lower guide arm; so as to move the drill tube between a first, stowed position and a second, operative position. 
     The invention may include any combination of features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an example of a previously considered drill floor and drilling mast; 
         FIG.  2    is an overview of a drill floor and drilling mast having the platform and lower arm attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a close-up view of an upper portion of the drilling rig of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a close-up view of a lower portion of the drilling rig of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of an upper arm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view from below of a platform with an upper arm; 
         FIG.  7    is an upper perspective view of the platform of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a lower arm in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the lower arm of  FIG.  8    in an extended position; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the lower arm of  FIG.  8    in an extended and rotated position; 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart showing the steps of selecting and installing a drill tube; and 
         FIG.  12    is a flowchart showing the steps of removing a drill tube from a drill string and storing in a rack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the figures, like reference numbers refer to like features 
     SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides apparatus and a method for handling drill tubes, such as drill pipes or drill casings on a drilling platform. The handling of drill tubes is commonly undertaken by a derrickman on a platform at the top of the drilling platform. The derrickman is responsible for moving/guiding the drill tubes into and out of position as they are added to and removed from the drill string. The weight of these tubes means that this job is extremely hazardous and can often result in injuries such as crushed digits. Additionally, as these tasks take place at the top of a drill rig, often 27 m (90 feet) or more in the air, on a narrow platform, adverse weather conditions can result in falls which may cause further injury. 
       FIG.  2    shows an example of a platform  200  and a lower arm assembly  300  when installed, or retrofitted, on an existing drilling rig  400 . 
       FIG.  3    shows the upper portion of one of the drill tubes  410  has been secured in the lifting assembly  420  of the drilling rig  400 . The platform  200  comprises an upper guide arm  100  for guiding the upper portion of one of the drill tubes  410  into position. 
     At the lower portion of the rig  400 , as shown in  FIG.  4   , the lower part of one of the drill tubes  410  is being guided into position over the rest of the drill string (not shown) by the lower guide arm  300 . The lower guide arm  300  has a turret head  330 . Collars are tubes having a diameter of 0.1 meters-0.6 meters, and may be moved into a substantially vertical position, and into a substantially central location with respect to the drilling rig. 
     The upper  100  and lower  300  guide arms are operated under the control of an operative, usually at ground level. 
       FIG.  5    shows a schematic exploded view of an upper arm  100  for mounting on a drilling platform (not shown) for handling drill tubes. The arm  100  comprises a telescopically extending portion  110  made up of at least two sections  110 A,  110 B terminating with a retention head  120  for holding a tube (not shown). The telescopic sections of the example are made from high-strength weldable steel which allows for a simpler design and a lower weight than is the case with previously considered apparatus made from standard sections of lower grade steel. 
     The telescopic portion  110  is arranged so that the first section  110 A is substantially hollow and has a larger cross-section than the second section  110 B. The second section  110 B is arranged in use to move laterally within the interior space of the first section  110 A so that the length of the telescopic section  110  can be controlled so as to be able to reach objects at varying distances. The telescopic section  110  may be controlled hydraulically, pneumatically and/or by electrical motors (not shown). 
     The retention head  120  is positioned at the end of the second section  110 B and enables the arm  100  to select drill tubes (not shown) from one or more predetermined locations. The retention head  120  comprises a drill tube adaptor  121  and a movable retaining finger  122 . The drill tube adaptor  121  moves transversely with respect of the axis of extension/longitudinal axis, within the retention head  120  thereby allowing the retention head  120  to hold drill tubes of varying diameters. The finger  122  is arcuately curved and can move between an open and a closed position so as to grip/release a drill tube. The finger  122  may comprise a rack which interacts with a gear (not shown) within the retention head  120  enabling the finger  122  to move between open and closed positions. The finger/gear may be controlled electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically within the retention head  120 . 
     The telescopic arm  110  is pivotably connected to a machine housing  130  via a mounting member  140 . The telescopic section  110  is arranged to connect to the mounting member  140  such that the first portion  110 A is arranged to move laterally within the cross-section of the mounting member  140 . 
     The mounting member  140  comprises a pivot  141  which extends into the machine housing  130 , and is operable to rotate, thereby causing the telescopic section  110  and retention head  120  to rotate in use. The pivot  141  comprises a slew ring which in some embodiments may comprise a roller bearing and/or teethed outer pinion which is driven hydraulically, pneumatically, and/or via an electric motor. 
     The machine housing  130  is connected to a track (not shown) and comprises two or more supporting members  131  (one for each side) which interact with the track and ensure the arm  100  follows the track. The machine housing  130  also comprises a propulsion means  132 , such as a gear arranged to interact with a rack mounted on or within the track. The necessary connections, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical cables and pipework are connected to drag chain  133  which moves along with the arm and ensures the cables/pipework are organised and do not become tangled and/or damaged. 
       FIG.  6    shows a lower perspective view of the drill tube storage platform  200  and mounting location for the arm  100  shown in  FIG.  5   . In this example the arm is mounted below the platform, which allows for good visibility from below.  FIG.  7    shows an upper perspective view of the platform  200 . The platform  200  is arranged to be mounted on an upper portion of a drilling rig (not shown). The arm  100  is mounted on a track  210  located below a support platform  220 . As mentioned above, the arm  100  is arranged to move along the track  210  so as to be positioned for retrieving or storing drill tubes (not shown) in one or more racks  230 . In use, drill tubes are arranged vertically within the one or more racks and prevented from being removed by a closing gate  231  which is operable to open and close during the retrieval and storage process. This also provides added safety in the event of adverse weather conditions, such as high wind. The platform may also comprise a control station  240  which enables a user to manually control the arm  100 , and other equipment, whilst obviating the need for direct handling of the drill tubes. Whilst this still requires a user to be positioned on the platform  200 , it will result in a reduction of injuries, especially crush injuries, from direct handling of the tube. 
       FIGS.  8 - 10    show a lower arm  300  for guiding a lower portion of the drill tube (not shown) into position when removing from, or storing in, the racks  230  of  FIGS.  6  and  7   . 
     The lower arm  300  comprises an arm member  310  connected to a first pivot  315  at a proximal end. At an opposing distal end, the arm  310  comprises a turret head  330 . The turret head  330  is pivotably mounted on the arm member  310  and has at least two positions providing tools for different tasks such as the task of tripping and tailing tubes/collars of differing diameters. 
     When in a first position, as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the turret  330  is positioned such that a first tool  331  is available for use. The first tool  331  may be a roller for use when tailing/running in. The roller  331  is arranged to contact the lower portion of a drill tube/collar and guide it into position. In other scenarios, the turret  330  may be rotated about the pivot and secured in position such that a second tool  332  is available for use as shown in  FIG.  10   . The second tool may comprise a concave, preferably semi-circular recess in the turret head  330  for contacting with, and guiding, the drill tube into position. 
     As mentioned above, the turret  330  may rotate about a pivot. The turret  330  is secured in position using a locking pin  333  which is arranged when in the locked position, to extend through an aperture  334  in the turret  330 . It will be appreciated that the rotation and locking of the turret  330  may be manually controlled, or alternatively, one or both operations may be powered, for example by way of an electric motor. 
     The arm member  310  is arranged rotate about the first pivot  315  such that the turret head moves arcuately away from the drill rig (not shown). This motion may be controlled electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically, for example using pistons  320  as shown in  FIG.  9   . 
     The entire lower arm assembly  300  is positioned on a support  340  between two horizontal supports  350 A, 350 B of the drill rig. The support  340  is pivotably connected between the horizontal supports  350 A, 350 B via a vertical pivot  345  thereby allowing the arm member  310  to rotate about the vertical pivot  345  so as to extend the range of the arm. As with the first pivot  315 , the vertical pivot  345  may be hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically operated by way of an upper piston  360  enabling horizontal movement by rotating the support  340  which is associated with the first pivot  315 . For example, the support  340  may rotate +/−20 degrees as shown in  FIG.  10    which shows the arm extended and rotated at an angle. 
       FIG.  11    is a flowchart indicating the steps for selecting a drill tube and moving it into position for connection to a drill string (tailing). At step  510  an operator indicates which drill tube from the drill tube rack  230  is to be selected. The method then moves to step  520  where the upper arm  100  is moved into position. The method moves to step  530 , and the retention head  120  of the upper arm  100  is directed to grab the selected drill tube. This is achieved by extending the telescopic section  110  of the upper arm  100 , and then by using the drill tube adaptor  121  and the finger  122  to securely grasp the selected drill tube. Once the system is notified, either manually or via one or more sensors, that the drill tube has been securely captured, the method moves to step  540  where the lower arm  300  is positioned such that the turret head  330 , with the roller  331  in use, is resting against the lower portion of the selected drill tube. Once in position, the securing rack gate  231  is opened. The method then moves to step  560  wherein the upper arm  100  and the lower arm  300  synchronously move to guide the drill tube into position. Once in position, the method moves to step  570  where the drill tube is connected to the elevator  420 . The method then moves to step  580  where the drill tube is released and the upper  100  and lower  300  arms are reset to their starting position, ready to select the next drill tube for connection to the drill string. 
       FIG.  12    is a flowchart indicating the steps for removing a drill tube from a drill string and storing it in the rack  230 . Once the drill tube is in position at step  610  the upper arm  100  is positioned to grab the upper portion of the drill tube. The method then moves to step  620  where the lower arm  300  is positioned so that the turret head  330 , with the racking head portion  332  in use, contacts the lower portion of the drill tube. Once in position, the method moves to step  630  where the retention head  120  grabs the upper portion of the drill tube. The drill tube is then removed from the elevator  420 , at step  640  and the method progresses to step  650  wherein the rack gate  231  of the selected racking position is opened. The method then moves to step  660  where the drill tube is guided to the selected racking position using the upper  100  and lower  300  arms. Once in position, the method moves to step  670  wherein the rack gate  231  is closed. The method then progresses to step  680  where the upper  100  and lower  300  arm positions are reset. 
     Embodiments of pipe handling apparatus according to the present invention employ telescoping sections to extend and retract an upper arm/guide so that drill tubes can efficiently be stowed in a tube rack or withdrawn therefrom and taken to an operative position for use. The telescopic approach allows good dimensional control whilst providing excellent strength to weight ratio. As a result, the apparatus is compact/shallow and light in weight in contrast with a scissor or V-frame structure. 
     The relative compactness and lightness means that the apparatus is easy to install and dismantle. In particular, the apparatus may be stowed with the racking board/platform. This means that the apparatus is particularly suited to use with smaller drilling rigs, and operations with a relatively short duration, such as is the case with many land-based rigs. The resultant saving of work in setting up and later dismantling when moving to a new location lessens costly down-time, when the rig is not productive. 
     Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.