Apparatus for protecting wellheads and method of installing the same
First Claim
1. 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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for protecting wellheads of a fixed-leg drilling and production platform which provide an alternative from the shutting in of producing wells as currently required. The apparatus provides a structural barrier for the production process systems of the platform, shielding such systems from heavy objects which may be dropped in the course of rig mobilization and skidding procedures. A method of installing an embodiment of the apparatus allows the barrier to be installed without shutting in the production wells.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. 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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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:
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a first support beam assembly overlaying at least a portion of the first skid beam and a second support beam assembly overlaying at least a portion of the second skid beam, wherein the first support beam assembly comprises a plurality of support beam members attached end to end, the first support beam assembly and the second support beam assembly each collectively 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 assembly and the second support beam assembly, the first cross-member and second cross-member adapted to slide between the support beam assemblies in 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 assembly and the second support beam assembly; and at least one well cover panel spanning between the first cross-member and the second cross-member, the well cover panel comprising a first side end and an opposing second side end, the well cover panel slidably overlaying a portion of the first cross-member assembly and slidably overlaying a portion of the second cross-member assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for installing an apparatus for protecting a wellhead during mobilization and operation of either well drilling or well maintenance equipment on an offshore drilling and production platform, the platform of the type having the wellhead disposed on a production deck through which wellhead hydrocarbon fluids are produced, the platform further comprising a drilling deck disposed above the production deck, the drilling deck comprising a well bay area and an adjacent wing deck area, the well bay area overlaying the wellhead, 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, the method comprising the following steps:
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disposing a first support beam to overlay at least a portion of the first skid beam, wherein a first portion of the first support beam overlies the wing deck area and a second portion of the first support beam overlies the well bay area; disposing a second support beam in parallel relation to the first support beam, wherein a first portion of the second support beam overlies the wing deck area and a second portion of the second support beam overlies the well bay area; placing a first cross-member to span between the first portion of the first support beam and the first portion of the second support beam assembly; placing a second cross-member to span between the first portion of the first support beam and the first portion of the second support beam, such that the first cross-member and second cross-member are adapted to slide in parallel relation to one another from a first position overlaying the wing deck to a second position overlaying the well bay; disposing a well cover panel between the first cross-member and the second cross-member, the well cover panel adapted to slide across the lengths of the first cross-member and to the second cross-member, the well cover panel, the first cross-member, the second cross-member, and the well cover panel collectively comprising a wellhead cover assembly; sliding the wellhead cover assembly from the first position to the second position; and sliding the well cover panel to a position directly overlying the wellhead.
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Specification