Patent ID: 7419006

Claim:
On an offshore drilling and production platform, the platform of the type having a wellhead disposed on a production deck through which wellhead hydrocarbon fluids are produced, the platform further comprising a first skid beam and a second skid beam, the skid beams generally disposed in parallel relation to one another and disposed above the production deck, an apparatus for protecting the wellhead during mobilization and operation of either well drilling or well maintenance equipment, the apparatus comprising: a first support beam overlaying at least a portion of the first skid beam and a second support beam overlaying at least a portion of the second skid beam, the first support beam and the second support beam each having a top surface adapted for receiving either well drilling or well maintenance equipment; a first cross-member and a second cross-member spanning between the first support beam and the second support beam, the cross-members in general parallel relation to one another; means for securing the ends of the first cross-member and the second cross-member to the first support beam and the second support beam; and at least one well cover panel spanning between the first cross-member and the second cross-member, wherein the well cover panel comprises an opening having a removable cover, wherein access to the wellhead may be obtained by removing the removable cover.