Blow out preventer handling system

• US 6,955,223 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Incorporated
• Inventors: Stauder, Rob, Orr, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/341,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20040134666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 166/339, 166/364, 166/85.4, 166/77.51, 166/360, 166/359, 166/378, 166/379
• US Class Current: 166/378
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/002 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/06 Blow-out preventers , i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers rotating blow-out preventers E21B33/085

Abstract

A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling rig having a drawworks wherein the blow out preventer is transported between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore. The process includes the steps of connecting an upper connector end of an elongated running tool to the drawworks of the drilling rig. The elongated running tool is moved in position parallel to the wellbore using the drawworks of the drilling rig. The running tool is lowered so that a stab connection is made between a lower connector end of the running tool and the blow out preventer. The blow out preventer is thereafter moved over and in alignment with the wellbore.

Claims

1. A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling or workover rig having a drawworks between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore, which process comprises the steps of:

connecting an upper connector end of an elongated running tool to said drawworks of said drilling rig wherein said running tool has a cylindrical surface with a constant outside diameter along a length of said tool engageable by rollers of a deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly;

moving said elongated running tool into position parallel to said wellbore using said drawworks of said drilling rig;

lowering said running tool so that a stab connection is made between a lower connector end of said running tool and said blow out preventer;

moving said blow out preventer over and in alignment with said wellbore; and

restraining lateral movement of said blow out preventer with said deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly by said rollers which engage said cylindrical surface of said running tool.

2. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said steps are performed in reverse order.

3. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 1 including the additional subsequent steps of:

connecting said blow out preventer to a well head at said wellbore; and

thereafter disconnecting said running tool from said blow out preventer.

4. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated running tool includes a tool lower section and a tool upper section and wherein said process includes an additional step of joining said lower section and said upper section together.

5. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drawworks includes a top drive and elevators which connect with said upper connector end of said running tool.

6. A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling or workover rig having a drawworks between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore, which process comprises the steps of:

moving an elongated tool lower section into position parallel to said wellbore using said drawworks;

moving an elongated tool upper section into position parallel to said wellbore and over said lower section;

joining said tool lower section and said tool tipper section together wherein said tool sections have cylindrical surfaces with a constant outside diameter along a length of said tool engageable by rollers of a deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly;

connecting said tool lower section to said blow out preventer;

moving said elongated tool and said connected blow out preventer in position over and in alignment with said wellbore; and

restraining lateral movement of said blow out preventer with said deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly by said rollers which engage said cylindrical surface of said running tool.

7. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 6 wherein said steps are performed in reverse order.

8. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 6 including the additional subsequent steps of:

connecting said blowout preventer to a wellhead at said wellbore; and

thereafter disconnecting said tool from said blowout preventer.

9. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper tool section includes a lifting sub which will be connected to elevators of a hoisting assembly, said lifting sub having a conical, reduced diameter end.

10. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of connecting said lower tool section to said blow out preventer includes a stab connection between said lower section and said blow out preventer.

11. A process to transport a blow out preventer as set forth in claim 6 wherein said step of moving said elongated tool includes rotating said tool.

12. A blow out preventer handling tool for a drilling or workover rig having a drawworks and a wellbore, which tool comprises:

an elongated tool upper section having an upper connector end to connect to said drawworks and a lower end;

a deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly having rollers; and

an elongated tool lower section having a lower connector end making a stab on connection with a blow out preventer and an upper end to connect with said lower end of said upper section wherein said upper section and said lower sections have cylindrical surfaces with a constant outside diameter along a length of said tool which engage said rollers of said deck supported centralizing dolly and floating centralizing assembly.

13. A blow out preventer handling tool as set forth in claim 12 wherein said lower tool section includes extending pad eyes to connect secondary safety cables between said tool and said blow out preventer.

14. A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling or workover rig having a drawworks between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore, which process comprises the steps of:

connecting an upper connector end of an elongated running tool to said drawworks of said drilling rig wherein said running tool has an opening therethrough to receive a bearing bar;

moving said elongated running tool into position parallel to said wellbore using said drawworks of said drilling rig;

lowering said miming tool so that a stab connection is made between a lower connector end of said running tool and said blow out preventer; and

moving said blow out preventer over and in alignment with said wellbore.

15. A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling or workover rig having a drawworks between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore, which process comprises the steps of:

moving an elongated tool lower section into position parallel to said wellbore using said drawworks;

passing a bearing bar through an opening in said tool lower section and suspending said lower section from a floor or deck of said rig;

moving an elongated tool upper section into position parallel to said wellbore and over said lower section;

joining said tool lower section and said tool upper section together;

removing said bearing bar from said opening in said tool lower section;

connecting said tool lower section to said blow out preventer; and

moving said elongated tool and said connected blow out preventer in position over and in alignment with said wellbore.