Patent Publication Number: US-11661803-B2

Title: Rod handling system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/180,740, filed Apr. 28, 2021. The content of this priority application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Sucker rods are utilized in conjunction with above ground pumping units and attached downhole equipment for the extraction of crude oil from below the earth&#39;s surface. Rods are provided in various lengths, are typically made of either steel or fiberglass, and have typical diameters between ⅝-inch (1.6 cm) and 1-⅛ inch (2.9 cm) and a length of about 24 feet (7.3 m). Each rod is equipped with a coupler, allowing two or more rods to be screwed together and extended into the wellbore to the downhole pump. The rods, once connected to each other, are known as a rod string. The rod string is attached to a pumping unit at the earth&#39;s surface and to a downhole pump in the wellbore deep below the earth&#39;s surface. As the pumping unit is powered, it lowers and raises the rod string and therefore the downhole pump. As the downhole pump is raised and lowered while submersed in liquid crude oil, it pulls the liquid to the earth&#39;s surface using a series of check valves that permit the fluid to move upward and prevent it from escaping from the bottom. 
     Depending on the depth of the liquid zone (producing zone) in which the downhole pump is set, a rod string can be made up of hundreds of individual rods. A workover rig and associated equipment are used above the ground surface in assembly of the rods and lowering them and other downhole equipment down the wellbore. During initial installation, the downhole equipment and individual rods are lowered from above the ground surface into the wellbore in sequence. Conventionally, two members of the workover rig crew carry an individual rod from a transport cribbing to the wellbore. The workover rig, operated by a crew member, lifts one end of the rod so that it hangs vertically. The pump is held at the top of the wellbore, where the bottom end of the rod is threaded to it. The pump and rod are lowered by the workover rig until the top of the rod is at the top of the wellbore. Assembly of the rod string begins, in which a second rod is threaded to the first. The second rod is lowered until the top of the rod is at the top of the wellbore. This process is repeated until the pump is at the desired depth. 
     Commonly, a tool called a rod tong is operated by a crew member and is used to screw one rod to another. A rod tong holds one rod stationary while rotating the other rod until they are screwed together. Throughout the life of the well, a rod string may have to be removed from the wellbore and re-installed several times due to downhole equipment, piping, or rod failures. Rod failures typically start as surface imperfections on the rod and proceed to larger fractures caused by mechanical stress, the corrosive nature of the downhole environment, and damage incurred while handling the rods, among other factors. 
     The conventional practices associated with the transport, removal and installation of rods typically result in rod damage, crew member fatigue, and downtime for the well. The carrying of the rods by the crew members from the storage area or transport trailer to the wellbore is known as “tailing.” “Tailing out” is when the rods are carried from the wellbore to the storage area or to the transport trailer. Tailing out requires the workover rig to lift a rod from the wellbore. When the rod is lifted, a crew member physically moves the bottom end of the rod out and away from the rig as the operator of the rig simultaneously lowers the top of the rod to the rig floor or ground surface, where the top end of the rod is removed from the rig&#39;s lifting equipment and supported by a second crew member. The two crew members now fully support the weight of the removed rod. The crew members carry the rod to a designated area, where it is set down and laid horizontally either on a stand or on the ground surface. There it lies until it is either removed from the location or reassembled into a rod string and lowered back into the wellbore. 
     The conventional method of tailing rods “out” requires one crew member to support approximately half the rod weight while walking a minimum distance equal to the length of the rod over the ground surface or possibly down steps off the rig floor, in addition to a desired distance away from the rig. It also requires a second crew member to support the weight of the other end of the rod when it is removed from the rig&#39;s lifting equipment; the second crew member follows the first crew member to the location where the rod will be laid down. 
     Tailing rods “in” uses the same processes but in the reverse order. Two crew members carry the rod from the storage area to the wellbore. Once at the wellbore, one crew member affixes the rod to the workover rig&#39;s lifting equipment. The rig operator lifts the rod vertically into the air until the bottom of the rod is at the top of the wellbore. The rod is then threaded to the pumping equipment or another rod that has been previously set into the wellbore. Now attached to the equipment or rod(s) below, it is lowered to the top of the wellbore and the process is repeated until the desired depth is reached. 
     The conventional method of tailing rods in uses two crew members to support the weight of the rod while walking from the storage area over the ground surface and possibly up steps onto the rig floor to the wellbore. A significant amount of stress is induced onto the rod when it is held in a non-vertical position and not properly supported, allowing it to bend or bow. The conventional method of carrying the rods to or from the wellbore results in the unsupported bending or bowing of the rods. Additional fatigue to the rods is common when the rods are not appropriately supported while being stored. Proper storage of the rods is described in API RP 11BR (American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice). This standard sets guidelines for how the rods should be supported to minimize stress caused by bowing or bending of an unsupported or inadequately supported rod, as well as other methods of preventing damage. Sometimes, proper supporting materials are not available at the working location or guidelines are neglected. 
     The same API standard applies to how the rods are stored while in transport. When rods are transported in the conventional process, they are individually moved from the ground or rack by hand to a trailer and secured to the trailer in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. When the rods are removed from the transport trailer, they are again removed individually. Because each rod is maneuvered individually, this compounds the potential for damage. 
     Oil well locations are typically constructed of gravel, scoria rock or dirt, resulting in uneven and unstable walking surfaces. Additionally, the hazards of the walking area can be compounded by the well&#39;s associated equipment, piping, and the overall housekeeping habits of the rig crew. For a single trip into or out of the wellbore, and in a case in which there are 400 rods for the string, and each rod is about 25 feet (7.6 m) long, the crew member tailing the bottom of the rod would have to walk over a minimum of 3.75 miles (6.0 km) over the uneven ground surface. Moreover, when the rods are moved onto and off a transport trailer by hand, this movement requires that at least one crew member climbs onto the trailer at an elevated height to pick up or set down the rod. In the processes described above, rods are often handled individually, taking a significant amount of time; moreover, conventional practices are highly inefficient when the crew members tail rods or when they are set onto or removed from the transport trailer. 
     Another inefficiency observed in rod handling occurs when rods are prepared for initial installation (i.e., “prepping”). When rods are purchased, they are typically transported from the manufacturer or distributor to the well location. Rod preparation includes the cleaning of the individual rods of oils and debris created in the manufacturing process, as well as installing couplers on the ends to allow the rods to be connected together. This process is typically completed by the rig crew, taking them away from other essential tasks. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a system includes a crate and a deployer. The crate is configured to contain a plurality of elongated rods; the crate has a length, width and height. The deployer includes a bed frame upper surface, a crate support frame, a tilt mechanism and a scope mechanism. The crate support frame includes an attachment mechanism configured for removable attachment of the crate, wherein the crate support frame has a longitudinal extent aligned with the length of an attached crate. The tilt mechanism is configured to move the crate support frame between a horizontal position parallel to the bed frame upper surface and a vertical position normal to the bed frame upper surface. The scope mechanism is configured to move the crate support frame linearly along its longitudinal extent. 
     In another aspect, a method of deploying a plurality of rods to a selected location is described. The method includes attaching a first crate to a deployer, wherein the first crate is disposed in a horizontal position, transporting the deployer to the selected location, actuating the tilt mechanism to raise the first crate from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and actuating the scope mechanism to move the first crate vertically to a desired height above a ground surface. 
     This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views. All descriptions are applicable to like and analogous structures throughout the several embodiments, unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of an exemplary rod crate. 
         FIG.  2    is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary rod crate. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a top perspective view of an exemplary rod support. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a view of the support fingers of the rod support of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a top perspective view of an exemplary rod guide. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a view of the guide fingers of the rod guide of  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIG.  5    is a side elevation view of the exemplary deployer. 
         FIG.  6    is a side perspective view of a loader moving a crate onto the exemplary deployer (viewed from an opposite side compared to  FIG.  5   ). 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevation view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a horizontal position, viewed from the same perspective as  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is a side elevation view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate being raised from the horizontal position. 
         FIG.  9    is a side elevation view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a vertical position. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a horizontal position. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a vertical position and with the scoping cylinder retracted. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a vertical position and with the scoping cylinder extended. 
         FIG.  13 A  is a back-end elevation view of the exemplary deployer in the configuration of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  13 B  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG.  13 A , showing a crate lock in an unlocked configuration. 
         FIG.  13 C  is a perspective view of the portion of the deployer shown in  FIG.  13 B . 
         FIG.  14 A  is similar to  FIG.  13 B  but shows the upper crate lock in a locked configuration. 
         FIG.  14 B  shows a perspective view of the lower crate lock of  FIG.  13 A  in a locked configuration. 
         FIG.  15    is an end perspective view of the deployer with the crate support frame in a horizontal position. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of an exemplary outrigger. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of an exemplary deployer with a rod crate in a vertical position, and wherein the deployer is positioned for use with a workover rig at a wellbore. 
         FIG.  18    is a partial perspective view of operation of a jib crane for removing a rod from the rod crate. 
         FIG.  19    shows transfer of the rod to a traveling block of the workover rig. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the traveling block traveling downward to lower the rod into the wellbore. 
         FIG.  21    is a partial perspective view of a crate from the underside of a rod support partially filled with rods and separated by cribbing. 
         FIG.  22 A  is top perspective view of the crate of  FIG.  21   , with a lock bar on an open position. 
         FIG.  22 B  is similar to  FIG.  22 A  but shows the lock bar being pivoted to a closed position. 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. 
     The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, vertical, horizontal, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure describes a system and methods of use that replace the conventional practices of installing, removing, transporting, and storing of elongated members such as sucker rods. The described apparatuses and practices improve the longevity of sucker rods, reduce worker fatigue, and create efficiencies associated with the handling of sucker rods in the oil field industry. 
     Increasing the longevity of rods is achieved by limiting the stress or damage induced during the rod installation and removal processes. The described system and methods significantly reduce stress by providing proper support and storage of the rods in a rod crate as they are installed and removed from the wellbore, as well as during storage and transport. The described methods eliminate the conventional practice of tailing rods and allows the process of up righting and laying down rods to be completed without stressing the rod and while providing continuous proper support. 
     The system includes a crate and deployer designed to be used during the rod installation, removal, transportation and storage process. The crate and deployer are set proximate a wellbore, where the rods are hung vertically as they would be in the wellbore; thus, by design, the rods do not bend or bow. This orientation removes the stresses associated with the conventional method of tailing the rods. When the rods are stored, the crate is articulated into a horizontal position, in which the rods are in the horizontal position as well. The crate is designed to provide the proper support as outlined in API RP 11BR while the rods are in a horizontal, vertical, or any orientation in between. The crate is further designed to secure the rods as they are moved, such as during articulation or transportation. In the drawings, the crate  54  is generally shown empty (without rods  78  therein) so that its structure is more clearly visible. However, it is to be understood that in many stages of use, crate  54  will be partially or fully filled with rods  78 . 
     Rod installation uses an elevated worker on a platform to move individual rods from the crate under the power of an air actuated lift cylinder line to the rig&#39;s lifting equipment. The rod is then lowered to above the wellbore, where its bottom end is screwed to another rod previously installed or to pumping equipment. The process of screwing the rods together or to the pump is the same process as previously described in the conventional process. For rod removal from the wellbore, the elevated worker removes the top of the rod from the rig&#39;s lifting equipment using the associated lifting cylinder and places the rod into the crate. The process is repeated until all the rods are removed from the wellbore. Since the workers no longer tail rods across the ground surface, worker fatigue and the time associated with a tailing process are greatly reduced. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, many rods can be moved at once with powered equipment such as a loader having wheels or a ground-engaging track. The crate is equipped with stake pockets, allowing the wheeled loader to lift a crate (whether loaded with rods or not) and either move it around the location or onto a transport trailer or deployer. For example, a full crate of rods can be moved by the loader to a nearby location, or moved by the loader to a transport trailer for longer distance moves. The crates are designed to fit onto a typical flatbed trailer and is easily secured to it following FMCSA requirements. Once on the trailer, a worker can easily secure a crate to the trailer. 
     Another efficiency gain is seen in the rod preparation process. Instead of transporting the rods to the well location, the system allows the crated rods to be shipped to an alternate location, where they can be processed by another party. This allows the preparation to be completed while the rig crew is completing other essential tasks, resulting in less rig downtime and reduced labor costs of the rig crew. 
     An exemplary rod handling system  50  includes two equipment elements: a deployer  52  and an associated rod crate  54 . As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 12  and  17   , in an exemplary embodiment, deployer  52  is configured as a trailer designed to travel over the road, towed by a semi-trailer truck  56 . Deployer  52  in an exemplary embodiment has outriggers  58 , bed frame  60 , working platform  62 , support bracket  63 , crate support frame  64  with securement pins  66  in crate attachment bracket  68 , platform brace  67 , dual hydraulic cylinders  70 , ladder  72 , hydraulic scoping cylinder  74  and ground engaging wheels  76 . 
     The rod crate  54  is designed to securely hold many rods  78  simultaneously, whether in a vertical position as shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  11 ,  12 , and  17 - 20   ; a horizontal position as shown in  FIGS.  6 ,  7 , and  10   ; or an intermediate position as shown in  FIG.  8   ; while providing support along the length of the rods  78 , thereby minimizing stress and potential damage to the rods  78 . In an exemplary embodiment, crate  54  is a steel structure, approximately 24 feet (7.3 m) by 4 feet (1.2 m) by 3 feet (0.9 m) and is configured to be used in the vertical position (24 feet (7.3 m) in height) during rod installation or removal from the wellbore  80  and in the horizontal position (4 feet (1.2 m) in height) when the rods are to be stored or transported. Thus, in one embodiment, the length of crate  54  is sufficient to hold many single rods  78 . In the vertical position, the single rods  78  hang side-by-side, as shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   . In the horizontal position, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the single rods  78  lay side-by-side, wherein rows of rods are aligned by rod support  82  and rod guides  84 . In the vertical position, as shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , the single rods  78  hang by a top rod support  82  and are spaced by intermediate and bottom rod guides  84 . While exemplary embodiments of crate  54  are described, it is contemplated that different dimensions and capacities can be provided to accommodate various rod diameter sizes and numbers of rods. Moreover, other materials can also be used. 
       FIG.  1    is a top perspective view, and  FIG.  2    is a bottom perspective view, of an exemplary crate  54 . In an exemplary embodiment, crate  54  includes a plurality of elongated frame members  86  connected to each other in a block configuration at rod support  82  and rod guides  84 . Moreover, bracing members  88  are provided on a back side of the crate  54 . A front side of the crate, which is opposite the back side, remains open for the insertion of rods  78  between fingers of the rod support  82  and rod guides  84 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3 B , the crate  54  has a built-in rod support  82 , configured with parallel support fingers  92  that allow many rods to be hung vertically within the crate  54 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a top perspective view of rod support  82 , which is disposed at a top end of crate  54  when the crate  54  is vertical. As shown in  FIG.  3 A , rod support  82  includes a back frame member  96  and two side frame members  98 .  FIG.  3 B  shows the plurality of support fingers  92  removed from the back frame member  96  and two end support finger portions  100  removed from the side frame members  98 . In an exemplary embodiment, each of support fingers  92  and end support finger portions  100  has a greater height dimension near the back end thereof compared to the front end thereof. Thus, a strong attachment of support fingers  92  to back frame member  96  is provided while allowing for savings in materials and weight at the open, cantilevered front end. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the support fingers  92  at its front end includes a protrusion  102  to prevent unintentional sliding of a rod  78  out of the open front end. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a top perspective view of rod guide  84 , which is disposed at a bottom end of crate  54  when the crate  54  is vertical, and at two equally-spaced, intermediate positions along a length of crate  54 . As shown in  FIG.  4 A , rod guide  84  includes a back frame member  96  and two side frame members  98 .  FIG.  4 B  shows the plurality of guide fingers  104  removed from the back frame member  96  and two end guide finger portions  107  removed from the side frame members  98 . In an exemplary embodiment, each of guide fingers  104  is attached to back frame member  96  and has an open, cantilevered front end. 
     The crate  54  is configured with rod guides  84  aligned with the rod support  82  so that the slots  94 ,  106  are aligned for the receipt of rods  78 . The rod guides  84  are strategically positioned to provide support as outlined by API RP 11BR while the rods  78  are in the horizontal position, such as while being stored or while in transit. Exemplary embodiments of crate  54  are capable of securely storing and protecting about 11 to 15 rows of rods or between about 132 and 195 rods, depending on the rod size or model of crate. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, slot pockets  94  are closely dimensioned to hold the tops of rods  78  in a hanging configuration, as shown in  FIGS.  18 ,  19  and  21 - 22 B , for example. The precise placement of the tops of rods  78  on rod support  82  allow for careful alignment of the rods  78 . Moreover, the use of cribbing bars  166  (labeled in  FIG.  21   ) across each row of filled rods, wherein a row is perpendicular to a slot pocket  94 ,  106 , spaces each of the plurality of rods  78  from the other rods. Intermediate portions and lower ends of each of the rods  78  is received into a slot pocket  106  of a rod guide  84 . In an exemplary embodiment, a width of each guide finger  104  is narrower than that of a corresponding support finger  92  so that slot pockets  106  are slightly wider than slot pockets  94 . The slot pockets  106  of rod guide  84  are wider than the slot pockets  94  of rod support  82  to allow for ease of insertion without undue contact between the rods  78  and guide fingers  104 . Because the guide fingers  104  do not support the weight of the rods as do the support fingers  92 , the guide fingers  104  can be less robust (narrower in width and height) than the support fingers  92 . 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , in an exemplary embodiment, there are eleven support fingers  92  and two end support finger portions  100 , creating twelve slot pockets  94  therebetween, each about 1 inch wide, into which the rods  78  may be slid. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the slot pockets  94  has a capacity of about fifteen rods. When the crate  54  is filled, it is then secured with built-in lock bars  170  (shown in  FIGS.  22 A and  22 B ). In an exemplary embodiment, lock bars  170  are installed on the open side of crate  54 , opposite back frame member  96 , at the top and bottom of crate  54 . Closing locks bars  160  prevents the rods  78  from sliding out, especially when crate  54  is in motion, such as when the crate  54  is being transported or articulated either to the horizontal or vertical position. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in an exemplary embodiment, the crate  54  features four pin receivers  90  that allow the crate  54  to be detachably secured to the deployer  52  (see  FIGS.  7 - 10   ). In an exemplary embodiment, the pin receiver  90  is configured as a flange having a heavily reinforced port  110  into which a large pin  66  can be set. The pin  66  is part of the crate lock  108  of the deployer  52 , thereby securing the crate  54  to the deployer  52  (see  FIGS.  13 B- 14 B ). 
       FIG.  13 A  is a rear view of rod handling system  50 , showing two crate locks  108 .  FIG.  13 B  is an enlarged portion of  FIG.  13 A , showing an upper crate lock  108 .  FIG.  13 C  is a perspective view of the crate lock  108 . In  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C , the lock  108  is in an unlocked position, wherein pins  66  have not been extended into port  110  of pin receiver  90 . In an exemplary embodiment of crate lock  108 , each pin  66  is pivotally connected to linkage  112  so that pin  66  moves transversally in directions  114  as lock cylinder  116  expands and retracts. Linkage  112  is pivotally connected at its other end to a fixed location  118  on deployer  52 .  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C  show the crate lock  108  in an unlocked position, wherein pin  66  is not received through port  110  of pin receiver  90  and an aligned port of crate attachment bracket  68 . 
       FIGS.  14 A- 14 B  show a locked configuration of each crate lock  108 , wherein lock cylinder  116  is extended, to thereby move pins  66  into and through ports  110  of pin receivers  90  and aligned ports of crate attachment bracket  68 . Thus, in the locked configuration of  FIGS.  14 A and  14 B , crate  54  is locked to deployer  52 . The drawing figures illustrate the locking and unlocking features of the upper ( FIG.  14 A ) and lower ( FIG.  14 B ) crate locks  108  with the crate  54  in the vertical position for easy viewing. However, it is to be understood that in actual implementation, the crate  54  would be locked to deployer  52  after the crate is positioned onto the deployer, as shown in  FIG.  6   , and before the activation of lift cylinders  70 . 
       FIG.  15    is a rear perspective view of a deployer  52  with crate support frame  64  in a horizontal position (as in  FIG.  5   ). Some elements of outriggers  58 , such as cylinders  130 , ground engaging plates  132  and pivotal connections  158 , are not shown. Mast lock  120  is provided to lock the deployer  52  in a vertical position, as shown in  FIGS.  9  and  11   , for example. The operation of mast lock  120  is similar to that for crate lock  108 , and similar parts are given the same reference number. In an exemplary embodiment of mast lock  120 , each pin  66  is pivotally connected to linkage  112  so that pin  66  moves transversally in directions  114  as lock cylinder  116  expands and retracts. Linkage  112  is pivotally connected at its other end to a fixed location  118  on deployer  52 .  FIG.  15    shows the mast lock  120  in an unlocked position, wherein pin  66  is not received through port  110  of pin receiver  90  of crate support rails  65 . After lift cylinders  70  are actuated to move crate support rails to a vertical position so that ports  110  of pin receivers  90  are aligned with pins  66 , lock cylinder  116  is extended. This action moves pins  66  into and through ports  110  of pin receivers  90  of crate support rails  65 . Thus, the crate support rails  65  are locked vertically, to the back end of bed frame  60 , as shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  11 - 13 A,  17  and  20   . The position of the crate support frame  64  can still move vertically as scoping cylinder  74  is extended and retracted, as shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   . A suitable lock cylinder  116  includes, for example, a 3000 PSI Rated Tie-Rod commercially available from Prince Manufacturing Corporation of North Sioux City, S. Dak. 
       FIG.  16    is a perspective view of an exemplary outrigger  58 , a portion of which is also visible in  FIG.  15   . In an exemplary use, arm  122  is rotated about pivot axis  124  of outrigger mount  126 . Bracket  128  is attached to a distal end of arm  122  and is configured for attachment to hydraulic jack cylinder  130 . A bottom end of hydraulic jack cylinder  130  includes a ground engaging plate  132 . In an exemplary embodiment, two pivot pin connections  158  are disposed between a bottom of the jack cylinder  130  and the ground engaging plate  132  to allow for tilting in two orthogonal directions to accommodate a non-flat ground surface. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the outriggers  58  is independently actuable to allow for different levels of cylinder extension at each outrigger  58 , such as to accommodate for uneven ground surfaces. A suitable cylinder  130  includes, for example, a “Fortress” Welded-DA-Heavy-Duty-3000 PSI cylinder, which is commercially available from Prince Manufacturing Corporation of North Sioux City, S. Dak. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, crates  54  are designed to allow multiple such crates  54  to be stacked one on top of another (when disposed in a horizontal position) to help minimize storage footprint requirements. In some embodiments, additional bracing members  88  can be attached to the front side of crate  54  after it is filled with rods  78 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in an exemplary embodiment, crate  54  includes loader lift base  134  having fork pockets  136 . The base  134  is provided in the form of two parallel flanges connected by tube pockets  136  configured to accept the tines of a fork lift type loader  138  such as shown in  FIG.  6   . A crate  54 , whether empty or partially or fully filled with rods  78 , can be easily lifted and moved using the loader  138 . Thus, an entire crate  54  of rods can be simultaneously moved from a storage area or onto the deployer  52  under mechanical means. 
     An exemplary deployer  52  includes equipment that allows the crate  54  to be articulated between the horizontal and vertical positions (such as dual hydraulic lift cylinders  70 ); an elevated working platform  62  on which a crew member may stand to move rods to and from the crate  54  when in the vertical position; a built in ladder  72  by which to access the platform  62 ; hydraulic scoping slide or cylinder  74  to raise and lower the crate  54  into the proper position for sucker rod deployment or collection; as well as outriggers  58  to help stabilize the system  50  when the crate  54  is in motion or in the vertical position. Additionally, the deployer  52  is equipped with a jib crane  140  and an associated lift cylinder  142  mounted on trolley  144 ; these components are used by the worker standing on platform  62  to transfer individual rods  78  into and out of the crate  54 . 
     In the illustrations, and in particular in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , workers are not shown so that the system components are more easily viewed. However, it is to be understood that in a typical operation method, a worker standing on platform  62  controls movement of the jib crane  140  along the trolley mounts  144  to operate the lift cylinder  142 , in order to attach and detach rods  78 . As shown in  FIG.  17   , in an exemplary method of use, a semi-trailer driver moves system  50  into position near the wellbore  80  and workover rig  146 . A proper position allows an elevated worker standing on working platform  62  to reach the rig&#39;s lifting equipment. Once the deployer  52  is in the final position, the forward and rear outriggers  58  are rotated outward and hydraulically extended downward; these actions level, support and stabilize the system  50 , such as to prevent it from tipping over under working weight, forces incurred while installing or removing rods, and wind forces. 
     Drill lines  148  of the workover rig  146  carry traveling block  150 , which is designed to latch onto the top ends of rods  78  to lift them up and down (out of and into) the wellbore  80 . Referring to  FIGS.  17 - 20   , during rod insertion or extraction operations, the system  50  is positioned so that a worker standing on platform  62  can reach a traveling block  150  as it is raised by the drill lines  148  in order to either remove a rod  78  attached to the traveling block  150  or attach a rod  78  to an empty traveling block  150 . 
     The deployer  52  is equipped with crate lock  108  to secure to the crate  54  and allow the crate  54  to be raised into an upright position. In an exemplary embodiment, dual hydraulic tilt cylinders  70  are used to raise and lower the crate support frame  64  (and crate  54  mounted thereon), though other lift mechanisms could be employed. Suitable cylinders  70  include an 8-Inch Bore Welded-Double Acting-3000 PSI cylinder, commercially available from Prince Manufacturing Corporation of North Sioux City, S. Dak. The distal end of the deployer  52  has a hinge  152  that allows the crate support  64  to articulate into the vertical position. Once vertical, mast lock  120  is engaged to lock crate support rails  65  to bed frame  60  to prevent the crate  54  from moving back to the horizontal position. 
     Once in the vertical position, the height of crate  54  can be adjusted to accommodate the oil well&#39;s associated equipment, such as a height of a top of the wellbore  80  from the ground surface, for example. A variety of equipment is found in different oil fields, wherein the wellbore opening can vary significantly in height above the ground surface from one field to another. For example, some wells have blow-out relief valves or other valves, thereby raising the working opening of the well head to about two feet (0.6 m) to about six feet (1.8 m) above the surrounding ground surface. Thus, system  50  provides for vertical adjustment of a position of crate  54 ; this allows for variation in clearance above a wellbore  80  and accommodates various heights of working platform  62  above a ground surface on which the deployer  52  rests. In an exemplary embodiment, a hydraulically powered scoping cylinder  74  is used to vertically adjust the height of the crate/deployer assembly in a vertical configuration. 
     The scoping cylinder  74  moves the crate support frame  64  longitudinally along crate support rails  65 . Rails  65  are spaced apart by connectors  164 . In an exemplary embodiment, crate support frame  64  includes side members  160  that slide longitudinally along crate support rails  65 . The side members are connected by spaced brackets  162 . In an exemplary embodiment, one end of scoping cylinder  74  is connected to the crate support rails  65  and another end of the scoping cylinder is connected to crate support frame  64 . Thus, when scoping cylinder  74  extends and retracts, crate support frame  64  slides along crate support rails  65 . Accordingly, in the vertical configuration of  FIGS.  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 A,  17  and  20   , actuation of the scoping cylinder  74  moves crate attachment bracket  68  (and any attached crate  54 ) vertically. In the horizontal configuration of  FIGS.  7  and  10   , actuation of the scoping cylinder  74  moves crate attachment bracket  68  (and any attached crate  54 ) horizontally. A comparison of  FIGS.  5  and  6    shows displacement of crate support frame  64  horizontally on crate support rails  65 . A suitable cylinder  74  includes, for example, a double acting telescopic cylinder commercially available from Custom Hoists, Inc. of Hayesville, Ohio. 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , once a final height of crate  54  has been established, a crew member can climb the integrated ladder  72  to access the working platform  62  of the deployer  52 . The platform is typically about 25 feet (7.6 m) above the ground surface, and the worker handles just one rod  78  at a time. Once on the platform  62 , the crew member secures him/herself to the deployer  52  using appropriate fall protection equipment that can be attached to railing  154 , for example. The platform  62  is designed for the elevated worker to be able reach rods  78  that are elevated to him by the workover rig  146  and also to reach into the farthest points of the crate  54  to and from which he will be transferring the rods  78  in or out. In the system  50  as set up in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , the worker would be facing toward the workover rig  146 , with the crate  54  to his/her left and with the drill lines  148  moving up and down to his/her right. The trolley  144  moves from left and right and carries a rod transfer bottle or lift cylinder  142  on jib crane  140 . 
     Depending on the task at hand, the elevated crew member can transfer rods  78  into or out of the crate  54 . Using the jib crane  140  and trolley  144 , equipped with a rod transfer bottle or lift cylinder  142 , rods  78  can be transferred from the workover rig  146  into the crate  54  or from the crate  54  to the workover rig  146  using mechanical means and minimal physical effort. A suitable lift cylinder  142  is commercially available from Dakota Fluid Power of Sioux Falls, S. Dak. The cylinder  142  is extended or retracted under the control of the elevated worker. The support  156  for the jib crane  140  extends above the platform  62 . The support  156  and/or jib crane  140  can be rotated in the horizontal plane to position the jib crane  140  at a convenient location for the worker. The cylinder  142  is attached to the trolley  144 , which travels the length of the horizontal section of the crane  140 . The trolley  144  and cylinder  142  allow the crew member to maneuver the full weight of a rod  78  with ease between the rod crate  54  and the workover rig&#39;s lifting equipment, such as traveling block  150 . 
     In a process of tripping rods out of the wellbore, the elevated worker uses cylinder  142  to latch onto a top of rod  78  and remove it from traveling block  150 . The cylinder  142  with the connected rod  78  is moved from the right side of crane  140  toward the left side thereof to a receiving slot pocket  94 ,  106  between the rod support fingers  92  and the rod guide fingers  104 . The worker pushes the rod  78  into one of the slot pockets  94  to hang the rod  78  from the between aligned support fingers  92 . Once a row is filled (wherein a row is perpendicular to a slot  94 ,  106 ; for example, a row may consist of one rod in each slot  94 ,  106  in contact with back frame member  96 ), an employee installs a cribbing bar  166  for securement and to provide rod separation.  FIG.  21    is a partial perspective view of a crate  54  from the underside of a rod support  82 , partially filled with rods  78 . The rods  78  in slots  94 ,  106  are separated by cribbing bars  166 , which are placed perpendicular to the fingers  92 ,  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, cribbing guides  168  (not shown in all drawings) are attached to side frame members  98  of rod support  82  and each rod guide  84  to support cribbing bars  166 . Cribbing bars  166  are installed to prevent adjacent rods  78  from touching each other. Cribbing bars  166  space the rods  78  apart, preventing them from touching and rubbing together while in transit; this step can reduce physical damage and material fatigue in the rods  78 . In an exemplary embodiment, each cribbing guide  168  is configured as a right angle metal member. 
       FIG.  22 A  is top perspective view of the crate of  FIG.  21   , with a hurricane bar or lock bar  170  on an open position.  FIG.  22 B  is similar to  FIG.  22 A  but shows the lock bar  170  being pivoted to a closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, lock bar  170  is attached to one of the side frame members  98  of rod support  82  and of the end rod guide  84  at pivot connection  172  (such as a hinge, for example). After a crate  54  is filled with rods  78  (or the operation otherwise completed), the elevated worker closes lock bar  170  and secures it to the opposite side frame member  98  by insertion of a fastener through aligned apertures  174 ,  176 . Similarly, a ground worker attaches lock bar  170  across the open side of the crate  54  at the bottom end rod guide  84 . 
     The crate  54  is moved relative to the workover rig  146  by retracting the scoping cylinder  74 . The mast lock  120  is then disengaged. Under control of a crew member, hydraulic cylinders  70  are actuated to move the deployer  52  and the connected crate  54  back into the horizontal position. In one method, once laid back, the crate/deployer securement pins  66  are disengaged from the crate pin receivers  90  by unlocking crate locks  108 . The full crate  54  can then be removed using a loader  138 . An empty crate  54  can then be attached to deployer  52  and locked with crate lock  108 , using pins  66  in the aligned crate pin receivers  90  and pin holes  110  in crate attachment bracket  68  of deployer  52 . This process is then repeated until all the rods of a rod string are removed from the wellbore  80 . 
     Due to space requirements, a position of the laid down crate on the deployer may be adjusted horizontally to allow the loader  138  to access the stake or fork pockets  136 . The deployer&#39;s hydraulic scoping cylinder  74  can adjust the crate&#39;s position horizontally to optimally position the fork pockets  136  and further create space between the end of the crate  54  and the workover rig  146 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , in the horizontal position of crate  54 , rod support  82  and rod guides  84  are oriented so that the rod compartment slots  94 ,  106  and fingers  92 ,  104  of support  82  and guides  84  are oriented horizontally. Thus, adjacent rods in the compartments lay side-by-side. 
     Using the described system and methods, tasks conventionally achieved with a four-member rig crew can be completed with three members. One member operates the rig  146 , one member operates the equipment used to screw or unscrew the rods  78  at the wellbore  80 , and one completes the tasks on the elevated platform  62 . Additionally, cribbing bars  166  can be installed by the operator on platform  62  as he or she fills the crate from the back to the front (the front being the open side of the rod slots). 
     It is anticipated that in one method, oil field companies would utilize the crate  54  for new rods, beginning the process at the manufacturer or distributor. New rods  78  would be packaged into the crate  54 , by which they would be delivered to a preparation (“prepping”) location. Instead of utilizing the workover rig crew, a more economical and efficient process could be used to prepare the rods using a third party with more cost-effective labor while permitting the rig crew to complete other essential tasks simultaneously. The crate  54  allows the rod prepping procedures to be completed while secured in the crate. The prepped rods  78  can then be delivered to the final worksite without taking time and resources from the workover crew members. 
     The described systems and methods realize a reduction in physical labor, in potential damage to the rods, and in time associated with the conventional methods of tripping, prepping, and transporting rods. For example, the length of time used to handle each rod individually when moving the rods around a wellbore location is reduced to a few minutes versus hours. Finally, substantial cost savings to the purchaser of the rods is anticipated with the ability to prep the rods offsite and preserve their integrity in use. 
     Exemplary, non-limiting systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a system  50  comprises a crate  54  and a deployer  52 . The crate  54  is configured to contain a plurality of elongated rods  78 . The crate  54  has a length, width and height. The deployer  52  comprises a bed frame upper surface  60 , a crate support frame  64 , a tilt mechanism  70 , and a scope mechanism  74 . The crate support frame  64  comprises a crate attachment bracket  68  configured for removable attachment of the crate  54 , wherein the crate support frame  64  has a longitudinal extent aligned with the length of an attached crate  54 . The tilt mechanism  70  is configured to move the crate support frame  64  between a horizontal position (shown in  FIGS.  7 ,  8  and  10   ) parallel to the bed frame upper surface  60  and a vertical position (shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  17  and  20   ) normal to the bed frame upper surface  60 . The scope mechanism  74  is configured to move the crate support frame  64  linearly along crate support rails  65 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the tilt mechanism  70  comprises one or more hydraulic cylinders. In an exemplary embodiment, the scope mechanism  74  comprises one or more hydraulic cylinders. In an exemplary embodiment, the deployer  52  comprises a platform  62  connected to the crate support frame  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the deployer  52  comprises a ladder  72  connected to the crate support frame  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the deployer  52  comprises a jib crane  140  connected to the crate support frame  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the deployer  52  comprises a trolley  144  connected to the crane  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, the deployer  52  comprises a plurality of ground engaging wheels  76 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the crate  54  comprises a first plurality of rod support fingers  92  of rod support  82  disposed at one end of the crate  54  and a second plurality of rod guide fingers  104  of rod guide  84  disposed at an intermediate location along the length of the crate  54 . The first and second plurality of fingers  92 ,  104  are aligned with each other to provide rod receiving slots  94 ,  106  therebetween. In an exemplary embodiment, the crate  54  comprises a lift base  134  comprising a plurality of channels  136 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a method of deploying a plurality of rods  78  to a selected location comprises attaching a first crate  54  containing the plurality of rods  78  to a deployer  52 , transporting the deployer  52  to the selected location, actuating a tilt mechanism  70  to raise the first crate  54  from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and actuating a scope mechanism  74  to move the first crate  54  vertically to a desired height above a ground surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises locking the crate support rails  65  in the vertical position using pin  66  to connect the crate support rails  65  and the bed frame  60 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises actuating the scope mechanism  74  while the crate support frame  64  is disposed in the horizontal position, to move the first crate  54  horizontally above the ground surface. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises detaching the first crate  54  from the deployer  52 . In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises removing the first crate  54  from the deployer  52 . In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises inserting a tine of a loader  138  into a channel  136  in a base  134  of the first crate  54 . In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises attaching a second crate  54  to the crate support frame  64 . 
     In an exemplary method, when both the first and second crates  54  are removed from the deployer  52 , the method comprises stacking the first and second crates  54 . In an exemplary method, transporting the deployer  52  comprises towing the deployer with a truck  56 . In an exemplary method, the selected location is proximate a wellbore  80 . 
     Although the subject of this disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, while hydraulic actuation is described, other actuation devices and methods such as electrical and other mechanical apparatuses can be employed alternatively or additionally.