Support apparatus for supporting down hole rotary tools

Abstract

A portable mast assembly is comprised of a skid assembly having a horizontally oriented frame having longitudinally extending support surfaces and a mast assembly having at least two vertically extending column assemblies that are supported upon one or more longitudinally extending mast supports. A means for moving the one or more mast supports along the extending support surfaces of the frame is provided.

Claims

1. A portable mast assembly apparatus comprising: (a) a horizontally oriented frame having at least two support surfaces; (b) a mast assembly having at least two vertical assemblies, said mast assembly supported by said support surfaces; (c) said vertical assemblies defining a generally vertical plane, wherein said vertical assemblies are vertically extendable and retractable along said vertical plane; (d) said mast assembly being traversable in a forward and rearward direction, the mast assembly having a vertical centerline; and (e) a horizontal cross member that connects the vertical assemblies to each other, wherein the cross member is U-shaped to allow additional clearance on all sides of the vertical centerline of the mast assembly, the cross member having an offset portion that is spaced laterally away from said generally vertical plane and an opening located at said plane, wherein the cross member is adjacent the to of the vertical assemblies when the vertical assemblies are retracted adjacent the top of the vertical assemblies when the vertical assemblies are retracted.

2. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the mast assembly further comprises a base plate that supports the vertically extending vertical assemblies.

3. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base plate is supported upon one or more mast supports.

4. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 3 further comprising at least two guide plates for retaining said one or more mast supports upon said at least two support surfaces of said horizontally oriented frame.

5. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 4 further comprising one or more actuators that enable moving the mast assembly along said at least two support surfaces of said horizontally oriented frame.

6. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said one or more actuators has an extendible and retractable rod.

7. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein said guide plates comprise stacked overlapping plates.

8. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a deck surface.

9. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein said deck surface has an opening to provide access below said deck surface.

10. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein said opening in said deck surface is covered by pivotally mounted doors.

11. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein each said vertically extendable and retractable vertical assembly comprises: a lower segment; an upper segment; and an actuator having an extendible and retractable rod, whereby extension and retraction of said extendible and retractable rod extends and retracts said vertically extendable and retractable vertical assemblies.

12. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 11 further comprising: a pin and hole system comprising multiple holes associated with each vertical assembly and one or more support pins to be received in said holes whereby each vertical assembly can be supported by the pins at a desired position between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.

13. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein each vertical assembly further comprises a bearing assembly which is raised and lowered as each said vertical assembly is vertically extended and retracted.

14. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power swivel.

15. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a crane assembly.

16. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 1 further comprising tongs.

17. A portable mast assembly apparatus comprising: (a) a horizontally oriented frame having at least two support surfaces; (b) a mast assembly having at least two vertical assemblies, said mast assembly supported by said support surfaces; (c) said vertical assemblies defining a generally vertical plane, wherein said vertical assemblies are vertically extendable and retractable along said vertical plane; (d) said mast assembly being traversable in a forward and rearward direction; and (e) a cross member that connects the vertical assemblies to each other, the cross member having an offset portion that is spaced laterally away from said generally vertical plane and an opening located at said plane, wherein the cross member is connected only to the vertical assemblies.

18. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein each said vertically extendable and retractable vertical assembly comprises at least one vertically extendable and retractable segment and at least one segment which is not vertically extendable and retractable; and an actuator having an extendible and retractable rod, whereby extension and retraction of said extendible and retractable rod extends and retracts said vertically extendable and retractable vertical segment.

19. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 18 further comprising: a pin and hole system which allows for the vertical extendable and retractable segment to be pinned in position at a desired position between a fully extended and retracted position.

20. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 19 wherein the pin and hole system comprises at least one hole associated with each said vertically extendable and retractable segment and at least one hole associated with each said segment which is not vertically extendable and retractable, and one or more support pins configured to be received in said holes whereby said vertical assemblies are supported by the pins in a desired configuration.

21. The portable mast assembly apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein each vertical assembly further comprises a bearing assembly which is raised and lowered as each said vertical assembly is vertically extended and retracted.

22. A portable mast assembly apparatus comprising: (a) a horizontally oriented frame having support surfaces; (b) a mast assembly having at least two vertically extendable and retractable assemblies, the mast assembly supported upon one or more mast supports, each said mast support positioned upon and supported by one of said support surfaces of said horizontally oriented frame; and (c) at least one actuator having an extendible and retractable rod, whereby extension and retraction of said rod of said actuator enables the one or more mast supports of said mast assembly to move along said support surfaces of said horizontally oriented frame; and (d) a horizontal cross member that connects one of the at least two vertically extendable and retractable assemblies to another one of the at least two vertically extendable and retractable assemblies, the cross member having a laterally offset portion as viewed from above, wherein the cross member is located vertically above said one or more mast supports, the cross member connecting only to the vertically extendable and retractable assemblies.

23. The portable mast assembly apparatus of claim 22 further comprising at least two vertically oriented actuators, each of said at least two vertically oriented actuators having an extendible and retractable rod whereby extension and retraction of said extendible and retractable rods extends and retracts said at least two vertically extendable and retractable assemblies.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a frontal isometric elevation view of the frame assembly located above a deck access opening to a wellhead with the column assemblies of the mast assembly extended vertically.

(3) FIG. 2 is a frontal isometric elevation view of the frame assembly with mast assembly traversed forward and with the column assemblies of the mast assembly vertically retracted.

(4) FIG. 3 is a frontal isometric elevation view of the frame assembly with the mast assembly traversed rearward with the deck covers open and with the column assemblies of the mast assembly extended vertically.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the frame assembly with pivotal crane retracted and mast traversed forward.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the frame assembly with pivotal crane extended and mast traversed rearward.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevated view of the frame assembly with the mast assembly traversed forward and with the column assembles extended vertically.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevated view of the frame assembly with the mast assembly traversed rearward and with the column assembles retracted vertically.

(9) FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the frame assembly with the column assembles of the mast assembly extended vertically and pinned.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 8 with the column assembles of the mast assembly partially extended.

(11) FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view taken along sight lines 10-10 as seen in FIG. 8.

(12) FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional view taken along sight lines 11-11 as seen in FIG. 8.

(13) FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of the extender head and bearing assembly.

(14) FIG. 13 is a frontal elevation view of the frame assembly showing an elevator lifting assembly adaptation.

(15) FIG. 14 is an alternate cross section view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 8 with the column assembles of the mast assembly partially extended by means of a mechanical screw-type actuator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

(16) As first seen in FIG. 1, the frame assembly 10 includes a horizontally oriented skid assembly 12, a vertically oriented, extendable and retractable, mast assembly 14, and a pivotal crane assembly 16 as support for various downhole tools such as optional hydraulic swivel assembly 11. The mast assembly is slidably positionable on the skid frame. The skid assembly 12 is positioned on the well platform deck 13 adjacent to a platform wellhead opening 15.

(17) As seen in FIG. 2, the horizontally oriented skid assembly 12 includes a perimeter frame 18, lifting eyes 20, transverse cross members 22, longitudinal support beams 24 that extend longitudinally along the length of the frame, longitudinal guides 26 that correspond to the support beams 24, decking 28 and pivotal deck doors 30. The guide 26 shown is comprised of overlapping stacked plates mounted to the support beams 24. The top surface of each support beam 24 is positioned flush with the decking 28.

(18) The mast assembly 14 is comprised of a substantially U-shaped column base plate 47 that supports at least two vertically oriented, extendable and retractable, tubular column assemblies 49 which are capped by a split-bearing assembly 80. The column assemblies 49 are tied together by a horizontal cross member 50. The column base plate 47 is in turn supported upon longitudinal mast support beams 48. Guide plates 26 slidable retain the mast support beams 48 directly upon the support beams 24 of the skid assembly 12. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical assemblies 49 define a generally vertical plane and the vertical assemblies are vertically extendable and retractable along the vertical plane.

(19) As seen in FIG. 3, the mast assembly 14 is traversable in a forward and rearward direction (forward being towards the doors 30) by means of at least one actuator 32 having an extendible and retractable rod 32a, shown in section in FIG. 14, that is located above and within the perimeter frame 18 between beams 24. The actuator 32 is horizontally oriented and mounted between the skid assembly 12 and said mast assembly 14 whereby extension retraction of the rod 32a will move the mast support beams 48 of the mast assembly 14 along the top of the support beams 24 of the skid assembly 12. The actuators 32 may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuators. Such actuators are thought to be well known. For instance, a horizontally oriented screw-type actuator may be utilized for actuators 32 to traverse the mast assembly in a forward and rearward direction. The deck doors 30 of the skid assembly 12 pivotally open to provide access to the wellhead opening 15. The column assemblies 49 are comprised of a lower tubular column segment 41 configured to telescopically receive an upper tubular column segment 43.

(20) As also seen in FIG. 4, a top view of the frame assembly 10, the mast assembly 14 is shown extended forwardly. Here the actuators 32 are extended forward to a position whereby the center line of the split-bearing assemblies 80 on the column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 may be aligned with the wellhead center line 36. The pivotal crane assembly 16 has a right angle pivot arm 38 for supporting a set of tongs (not shown) so as to be aligned with the wellhead centerline 36.

(21) As may be seen in FIG. 5, an alternative top view of the frame assembly to, the mast assembly 14 is shown fully retracted rearward. Here the actuators 32 are retracted rearward to move the mast assembly away from the wellhead centerline 36. The column assembly 49 is arranged to allow plenty of room over the exposed doors 30 of the skid assembly 12 in order to maneuver pivot crane 16 and its pivot arm 38 into position in alignment with the wellhead centerline 36. This arrangement is beneficial in cases where tubing is uncoupled using tongs. When casing is being removed, using bars penetrating the casing (previously discussed but not shown); such bars may be supported by the doors or the top of beams 24.

(22) As seen in FIG. 6, the column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 may be extended by pulling the upper tubular column segment 43 from within the lower tubular column segment 41. The upper tubular column segment 43 may then be pinned in position on the lower tubular column segment 41 at a desired position between the fully retracted position seen in FIG. 7 and the fully extended position seen in FIG. 6. The upper tubular column segment 43 and the lower tubular column segment 41 of each column assembly 49 are configured to fully enclose a mast extension and retraction actuator 52. The actuators 52 may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuators. The column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 may be configured vertically, by means of the actuators 52, from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 8, or any selected point in between, Stiff legs 40 having a plurality of spaced apart selective holes 42 mounted on the outside of each upper column segment 41 and positioned with respect to a stiff leg support bracket 45 mounted on each lower column segment 43. Each support bracket 45 has a hole 46 configured to correspond with a selected hole 42 on stiff legs 40. Holes 42 and 45 are configured to receive pin 44 to retain each upper column segment 43 and the lower column segment 41 of the column assemblies 49 in a desired configuration. The combination of the pins 44 and stiff legs 40 and support bracket 45 allow stress on the upper tubular column segments 43 of the column assemblies 49 to be transferred via pins 44 to the lower tubular column segments 41 of column assemblies 49.

(23) FIG. 9, a cross section view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 8, further shows the configuration of the mast assembly 14 and its position with respect to the skid assembly 12. The vertical column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 are tied together by horizontal cross member 50. The horizontal cross member 50 is offset rearwardly, forming a “U” shape, to allow additional clearance on all sides of the vertical centerline of the mast assembly 14. Each vertical column assembly 49 is comprised of the lower tubular column segment 41 configured to telescopically receive the upper tubular column segment 43. Each lower tubular column segment 41 serves to house a vertically oriented internal actuator 52. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, cross member 50 has a generally U-shaped opening when viewed from above. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, for example, cross member 50 that connects vertical assemblies 49 is not part of a larger vertical assemblies support frame and is adjacent the top of the vertical assemblies 49 when the vertical assemblies 49 are retracted.

(24) The actuators 52 are rigidly mounted at one end by a flange 54 to a flanged spool member 56 attached to the column base plate 47 at a position over longitudinal mast support beams 48. It is thought that I-beams or wide flange (W) beams will be utilized for the mast support beams 48. The telescopically extending rod end 53 of each actuator 52 is positioned with and pivotally mounted to the upper tubular column segment 43 by rod end assembly 58. Longitudinal mast support beams 48 are positioned upon the skid support beams 24. A flange of each mast support beam 48 is slidably retained and guided along the support beams 24 of the skid assembly 12 by longitudinally extending guides 26. The guide 26 is mounted to the support beams 24. The guide 26 shown is comprised of a plate stack comprised of a bottom plate 27 and an overlapping top plate 29. The top plate 29 of the guide 26 extends over a flange of each mast support beam 48. This allows the mast assembly 14 to be slidable moved forward and rearward by means of sliding the mast support beams 48 along the top of support beams 24 of the skid assembly 12 by action of the actuators 32.

(25) FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Here each vertical column assembly 49 is comprised of a mechanical screw-type actuator 52′ having threaded actuator rod 53′ that serves to telescopically extend each upper tubular column 43 from each lower tubular column segment 41.

(26) Returning now to FIG. 7, we see that each vertical lower tubular column segment 41 of the column assemblies 49 includes diagonal bracing members 62. The bracing members 62 are have flanges 64 for attachment of the bracing members 62 to base member assembly 66. A plurality of “U” shaped bars 68, provide steps along one side of at least one diagonal bracing member 62.

(27) Looking now at FIG. 10, the actuator 52 is shown fully rigidly suspended within the lower tubular column segment 41. It can also be seen that upper tubular column segment 43 is telescopically guided within column segment 41 by wear strips 70. As seen in FIG. 11, the rod end assembly 58 includes an actuator rod nut 72 that is made pivotal via pin 74. Rod end assembly 58 also includes a mounting head 76 attached to upper tubular column segment 43 (not shown) and further supports rod nut 72 via plunger 78. A split-bearing assembly 80 is mounted on the mounting head 76 on each vertical column assembly 49. A more detailed exploded view of the assembly is shown in FIG. 12.

(28) An operational view of the assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 13, utilizing pivotal elevator assembly 90 supported by a split-bearing assembly 80. Elevator assembly 90 includes a support member 92 having a shaft extending from each end for support by bearings 80. The support member 92 has a hole therein for supporting an elevator 94, the elevator 94 having slips or other gripping devices (not shown) for gripping and extracting casing 96 from a wellbore. Extension and retraction of the column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 will lift the casing supported on the elevator.

(29) Often it is necessary to mill the surface of a downhole pipe string such as a casing string. The assembly 1o may be situated over a pipe string and used to simulate the weight of a drill collar for such milling purposes. This can be accomplished by providing the column assemblies 49 of the mast assembly 14 with actuators 52 that can provide both an upward and a downward force on the pipe string. Actuators 52 capable of providing both an upward force and a downward force of at least 15 tons, when used with a power swivel as shown in FIG. 1 with an attached milling assembly, would be sufficient for simulating the weight of a drill collar for milling purposes.

(30) When used for milling purposes, the assembly 10 is fitted with a power swivel having an attached pipe milling assembly with associated reaming and cutting equipment. The assembly 10 is brought to a desired wellhead location and the mast assembly 14 of the assembly 10 is traversed forward and rearward as desired by means of actuator 32 to position the milling assembly over the centerline of the wellhead and the pipe string. The actuators 52 of the column assemblies 49 are then retracted to apply a downward force on said milling assembly for milling of the pipe string.

(31) Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.