Support apparatus for a well bore tool

• US 7,921,918 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deltide Fishing and Rental Tools, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Deltide Fishing and Rental Tools, Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryant, Charles Larue Jr., Ruttley, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach; Thomas A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buck; Matthew R
• Application Number:
  US12/215,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20090321592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 166/351, 166/338, 166/339, 166/341, 166/352, 166/361, 166/368, 166/250.01, 166/78.1, 166/55.7, 166/298, 405/201, 405/195.1, 212/282, 212/283, 212/307, 212/223, 212/251, 248/178.1, 248/177.1
• US Class Current: 166/351
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 29/12 specially adapted for underwater installations E21B29/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A rigless support for a downhole operation, such as cutting of an underwater casing in preparation for plug-and-abandonment. The unit has a movable base that can be positioned on a floating structure, such as a barge or a marine vessel and delivered to the site. A pair of piston rams support a swivel unit therebetween, with the swivel unit being driven by a hydraulic motor and driving a casing cutter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting downhole operations, from a deck of a rigless structure comprising:

a base having an opening for allowing access to a well bore in a subterranean formation;

a pair of spaced-apart vertical legs secured to and extending upwardly from the base, each of said legs comprising a movable portion adapted for vertical movement in relation to the base, top parts of each of said movable portions supporting an alignment assembly;

a swivel unit mounted between alignment assemblies above said opening, said swivel unit being configured for connecting to a rotating tool for delivery of rotating force to a downhole tool, wherein each alignment assembly comprises an elongated arm carrying alignment members having a plurality of radially-extending spokes on a proximate end thereof and carrying a handle on a distal end thereof, and a tightening member secured between the handle and the proximate end to facilitate movement of the alignment members into contact with the swivel unit upon demand for supporting the swivel unit in a substantial alignment over said opening and absorbing vibration from said swivel unit; and

a power source for providing power to said swivel unit and said movable portions of the legs.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a weight gauge is mounted between the power source and said movable portions for controlling the amount of power delivered to the movable portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a torque gauge is mounted between the power source and the swivel unit to facilitate monitoring of the amount of force delivered to the swivel unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one crane mounted on said base for moving said swivel unit upon demand.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one crane comprises a lower portion secured to said base and an upper portion detachably engaged with the lower portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising at least a second crane mounted on said base for moving a well bore tool upon demand.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least second crane comprises a bottom portion secured to said base and a top portion detachably engaged with the bottom portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said alignment assemblies further comprises a connector mounted between said arm and said tightening member, said connector being detachably secured to a top part of a respective leg.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said swivel unit is configured for operational connection to a casing cutter.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said swivel unit is operationally connected to said rotating tool extending into a casing in said well bore, said rotating tool being configured for carrying a casing cutter on a lower end thereof, and wherein said casing cutter is driven by said swivel unit to cut the well casing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said vertical legs is retained in an upright position by a respective support structures erected on the base.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one operator platform secured to said support structure;

said operator platform being movable between a substantially horizontal position operation position and a substantially vertical stowed position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power source is a hydraulic motor.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is mounted on a pair of skid members allowing sliding movement of the base along a deck of a floating structure.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is configured for lifting by a fork truck.

16. An apparatus for supporting a casing cutter from a deck of a rigless floating vessel, the apparatus comprising:

a base having an opening for allowing access to a well bore in a subterranean formation;

a pair of spaced-apart vertical legs secured to and extending upwardly from the base, each of said legs comprising a movable portion adapted for vertical movement in relation to the base, top parts of each of said movable portions supporting an alignment assembly;

a swivel unit mounted between said alignment assemblies above said opening, said swivel unit being configured for connecting to a rotating tool for delivery of rotating force to the casing cutter, said swivel unit exerting downward force on said rotating tool for activating the casing cutter, wherein each alignment assembly comprises an elongated arm carrying an alignment member having a plurality of radially-extending spokes on a proximate end thereof and carrying a handle on a distal end thereof, and a tightening member secured between the handle and the proximate end of each arm to facilitate movement of the alignment members into contact with the swivel unit upon demand so as to support the swivel unit in a substantial alignment over said opening in the base and absorb vibration from said swivel unit; and

a power source for providing power to said swivel unit and said movable portions of the legs.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a means for controlling amount of downward force exerted by said swivel unit and for controlling amount of torque transmitted by said swivel unit to said rotating tool.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said control means comprises a first gauge mounted between the power source and said movable portions of the legs, and a second gauge mounted between said power source and the swivel unit.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a first crane mounted on said base for moving said swivel unit upon demand and a second crane mounted on said base for moving a well bore tool upon demand.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said power source is a hydraulic motor.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said base is mounted on a pair of skid members allowing sliding movement of the base along said deck of said rigless floating vessel, said base being configured for lifting by a fork truck.