Method and apparatus for working multiple wellheads in close proximity

• US 9,382,766 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2012
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis Energy Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Superior Energy Services-North America Services, Inc
• Inventors: Flusche, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Kenneth L
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLS III, MICHAEL R
• Application Number:
  US13/507,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20130341038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 166/379, 166/85.1, 175/57, 405/201
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/003 adapted to be moved on their substructure, e.g. with skidding means; adapted to drill a plurality of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/00 Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables

Abstract

A rig system and method is provided for use with multiple wellheads in close proximity on a wellsite. A mast assembly is mounted to a rig carrier for alignment with a first wellhead. A pipe handling system is mounted to a skid having a pipe moving member mounted to the skid. A rig platform for use with the mast assembly is vertically moveable for accommodating a second wellhead in close proximity to the first wellhead while allowing operators to work within the mast assembly.

Claims

1. A rig system for use with multiple wellheads in close proximity on a wellsite, said multiple wellheads comprising at least a first wellhead and a second wellhead, said rig system comprising:

a rig carrier;

a mast assembly carried by said rig carrier, said mast assembly being movable between a first lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and a second upright position with respect to said rig carrier;

a top drive mounted so as to be moveable along an axial path in said mast assembly, said rig carrier being moveable to a position so that said axial path of said top drive is at least substantially aligned with said first wellhead;

a skid;

a pipe moving member mounted to said skid, said pipe moving member operable for moving pipe to said mast assembly and away from said mast assembly, wherein said skid and said rig carrier are configurable to allow access to said first wellhead when said second wellhead is within a 10 foot radius or greater with respect to said first wellhead, wherein said pipe moving member further comprises a pipe receptacle and clamps to hold pipe in said pipe receptacle, said pipe moving member remotely operable from a control system;

a pipe tub for storing pipe;

a pipe transfer system operable for moving pipe from said pipe tub to said pipe moving member and for moving pipe from said pipe moving member to said pipe tub; and

said control system for calibrating and coordinating movement of at least said pipe moving member, said pipe transfer system and said mast assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two rig interconnectors, said at least two rig interconnectors connecting said mast assembly and said skid, wherein said at least two rig interconnectors maintain a fixed distance between said mast assembly and said skid during operations.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said skid further comprises a rig platform, said rig platform having an adjustable height for accommodating said second wellhead.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said second wellhead may have a height of at least 12 feet.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said second wellhead may have a height of at least 15 feet.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said control system operates said top drive and said pipe transfer system in a coordinated manner in real time.

7. A method for making a rig for use with multiple wellheads in close proximity, said multiple wellheads comprising at least a first wellhead and a second wellhead, said method comprising:

providing a rig carrier;

providing a mast assembly carried by said rig carrier, said mast assembly being pivotally movable between a first lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and a second upright position with respect to said rig carrier;

providing a top drive moveable in said mast assembly;

providing that said rig carrier can be positioned so that a portion of said mast assembly extends outward from a rear end of said rig carrier when in said upright position and so that at least a portion of said mast assembly axially aligns with a first wellhead;

providing a pipe handling system mounted to a skid, said pipe handling system comprising at least a pipe moving member;

providing a rig platform with an adjustable height for use with said mast assembly;

providing that said rig platform is positionable adjacent said skid;

providing that said rig platform is vertically movable to accommodate said second wellhead beneath said rig platform in close proximity to said second wellhead;

providing that said pipe handling system can be positioned so that said rig platform is on an opposite side of said first wellhead with respect to said mast assembly, wherein said pipe moving member does not contact said rig platform while moving between said first position to said second position;

providing a control system with at least one computer programmed for operating said top drive and said pipe handling system; and

operating said top drive and said pipe handling system in a coordinated manner in real time.

8. The method of claim 7, providing that said mast assembly and said rig platform can accommodate a distance between said first wellhead and said second wellhead of less than 10 feet.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a pipe transfer system that can be positioned adjacent said pipe handling system for moving pipe from a pipe tub to said pipe moving member and for moving pipe from said pipe moving member to said pipe tub.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing at least two rig interconnectors, said at least two rig interconnectors connecting said mast assembly to said skid, wherein said at least two rig interconnectors maintain a fixed distance between said mast assembly and said skid during operations.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing that said rig platform can accommodate a second wellhead with a height of at least 15 foot.

12. An apparatus usable for use with multiple wellheads comprising:

a rig carrier;

a mast assembly carried by said rig carrier, said mast assembly being pivotally movable between a first lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and a second upright position with respect to said rig carrier, wherein said rig carrier can be positioned so that a portion of said mast assembly extends outward from a rear end of said rig carrier when in said upright position and so that at least a portion of said mast assembly axially aligns with a first wellhead;

a top drive moveable in said mast assembly;

a pipe handling system mounted to a skid, said pipe handling system comprising at least a pipe moving member;

rig platform with an adjustable height for use with said mast assembly, wherein said rig platform is positionable adjacent said skid, wherein said rig platform is vertically movable to accommodate a second wellhead beneath said rig platform in close proximity to said second wellhead, wherein said pipe handling system can be positioned so that said rig platform is on an opposite side of said first wellhead with respect to said mast assembly, wherein said pipe moving member does not contact said rig platform while moving between said first position to said second position; and

a control system with at least one computer programmed for operating said top drive and said pipe handling system.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least two rig interconnectors, said at least two rig interconnectors connecting said mast assembly and said skid, wherein said at least two rig interconnectors maintain a fixed distance between said mast assembly and said skid during operations.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pipe moving member further comprises a pipe receptacle and clamps to hold pipe in said pipe receptacle, said pipe moving member remotely operable from said control system.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said skid further comprises a rig platform, said rig platform having an adjustable height for accommodating said second wellhead.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second wellhead may have a height of at least 12 feet.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second wellhead may have a height of at least 15 feet.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising wherein said top drive and said pipe handling system can be operated in a coordinated manner in real time.