Apparatus and method for supporting structures on offshore platforms

• US 20050199400A1
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devin International, Inc. (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Devin International, Inc. (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moncus, James Devin, Miller, Joseph Hayden Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,163,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/355
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/22 Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes lifting or hauling appliances using two or more cooperating endless chains B66D3/003

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a structure on a platform. The platform may be a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a base frame, wherein the base frame has a first bracket and a second bracket attached thereto. The apparatus further includes a x-axis frame having a first pivot point and a second pivot point. The apparatus further comprises a z-axis frame having a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point. A sliding frame assembly is operatively positioned within the z-axis frame, and wherein the sliding frame assembly has a plurality of rods for connecting with an injector head. The apparatus may further include a motion restriction system that restricts movement of the x-axis frame and the z-axis frame. The sliding frame assembly comprises a sliding pad for lateral movement. A method for compensating for the movement of a floating platform having a riser extending therefrom is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting an injector head on a platform comprising:

a base frame mounted to the platform, said base frame having a first bracket and a second bracket attached thereto;

a x-axis frame having a first pivot point and a second pivot point, and wherein said first pivot point is pivotly connected to said first bracket and said second pivot point is pivotly connected to said second bracket so that said x-axis frame is movable along an x axis, and wherein said x-axis frame has a third bracket and a fourth bracket;

a z-axis frame having a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point, and wherein said third pivot point is pivotly connected to said third bracket and said fourth pivot point is pivotly connected to said fourth bracket, and wherein said upper frame is movable along a z-axis;

a sliding frame assembly operatively positioned within said z-axis frame, and wherein said sliding frame assembly has a plurality of rods and wherein the injector head is operatively connected to said rods;

a top plate attached to said z-axis frame so that a cavity is formed, and wherein said sliding frame assembly is contained within said cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sliding frame assembly comprises a sliding layer and an adapter frame and wherein said adapter frame is operatively connected with said rods.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said injector head is connected to a riser wherein said platform is a floating platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an x-axis biasing means for biasing said x-axis frame along the x-axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a z-axis biasing means for biasing said z-axis frame along the z-axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sliding layer comprises a fabric so that the fabric slides on the surface of said z-axis frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising locking means for locking said sliding frame assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said x-axis biasing means comprises:

a first hydraulic cylinder attached to said base frame and a first piston extending from said first hydraulic cylinder, said first piston being attached to said x-axis frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said z-axis biasing means comprises:

a second hydraulic cylinder attached to said x-axis frame and a second piston extending from said second hydraulic cylinder, said second piston being attached to said z-axis frame.

10. An apparatus for supporting a coiled tubing injector head comprising:

a base frame mounted to a track stack structure, said base frame having a first bracket and a second bracket attached thereto;

a x-axis frame having a first pivot point and a second pivot point, and wherein said first pivot point is pivotly connected to said first bracket and said second pivot point is pivotly connected to said second bracket so that said x-axis frame is movable along a x-axis, and wherein said x-axis frame has a third bracket and a fourth bracket;

a z-axis frame having a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point, and wherein said third pivot point is pivotly connected to said third bracket and said fourth pivot point is pivotly connected to said fourth bracket, and wherein said z-axis frame is movable along a z-axis;

a sliding frame assembly operatively positioned within said z-axis frame, and wherein said sliding frame assembly has a plurality of rods and wherein the injector head is operatively connected to said rods;

a top plate attached to said z-axis frame so that a cavity is formed, and wherein said sliding frame assembly is contained within said cavity;

motion restriction means for restricting the x-axis frame movement along the x-axis and the z-axis frame movement along the z-axis.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sliding frame assembly comprises a sliding pad and an adapter frame operatively connected with said rods.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sliding frame assembly comprises a fabric so that the fabric slides on a top surface of said z-axis frame.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said injector head is connected to a riser and wherein said base frame is connected to a floating platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said motion restriction means comprises an x-axis biasing means for biasing said x-axis frame along the x-axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said motion restriction means further comprises a z-axis biasing means for biasing said z-axis frame along the z-axis.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising locking means for locking said sliding frame assembly.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said x-axis biasing means comprises:

a first hydraulic cylinder attached to said base frame and a first piston extending from said first hydraulic cylinder, said first piston being attached to said x-axis frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said z-axis biasing means comprises:

a second hydraulic cylinder attached to said x-axis frame and a second piston extending from said second hydraulic cylinder, said second piston being attached to said z-axis frame.

19. A method for compensating for the movement of a floating platform having a riser extending therefrom, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising;

a base frame mounted to the platform structure, said base frame having a first bracket and a second bracket attached thereto;

a x-axis frame having a first pivot point and a second pivot point, and wherein said first pivot point is pivotly connected to said first bracket and said second pivot point is pivotly connected to said second bracket so that said x-axis frame is movable along an x axis, and wherein said x-axis frame has a third bracket and a fourth bracket;

a z-axis frame having a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point, and wherein said third pivot point is pivotly connected to said third bracket and said fourth pivot point is pivotly connected to said fourth bracket, and wherein said z-axis frame is movable along the z axis;

moving the platform due to wave action;

pivoting the x-axis frame about the first and second pivot point;

pivoting the z-axis frame about the third and fourth pivot point.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said apparatus has a sliding frame assembly operatively associated with said z-axis frame, and wherein the method further comprises:

moving the sliding frame assembly in a lateral plane in response to the platform movement.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

restricting the movement of said x-axis frame along the x-axis.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

restricting the movement of said z-axis frame along the z-axis.

23. An apparatus for use on a platform comprising:

a base frame mounted to the platform;

a x-axis frame pivotly mounted to said base frame so that said x-axis frame is movable along an x axis;

a z-axis frame pivotly mounted to said x-axis frame, and wherein said upper frame is movable along a z-axis.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a sliding frame assembly operatively positioned within said z-axis frame, and wherein said sliding frame assembly has a plurality of rods and wherein an injector head is operatively connected to said rods.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:

a top plate attached to said z-axis frame so that a cavity is formed, and wherein said sliding frame assembly is contained within said cavity.