Key information

Title
WORK PLATFORM FOR WELL OPERATIONS
Application number
20200252
Case type
National
Status
12.04.2021 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
03.03.2020
Effective date
03.03.2020
Publicly available
12.04.2021
Next annual fee due
31.03.2027
Applicant
NORSE TECHNOLOGY GROUP AS (NO)
Owner
IN WEST INNOVATION AS (NO)
Inventor
Vidar Wollum (NO)
Agent
ZACCO NORWAY AS (NO)
Granted
12.04.2021
Patent number
345549
Expiry date
03.03.2040

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
The disclosure relates to a work platform (10), the work platform (10) being configured for positioning above a well pipe (15) the work platform (10) having a support frame (12), a support tool (13) arranged on the support frame (12), the support tool (13) operable to engage a lubricator (14) and vertically and horizontally support the lubricator (14), wherein the support frame (12) is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position along a horizontal axis (D).

Publications

B1A1
Checking availability of the latest published version...

Documents

 Expand Download files (22)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 11.06.2026 02-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2026/04367 UT Tilbakemelding på generell henvendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 02.06.2026 01-02 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2026/04367 INN 20260527084736124 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 02.06.2026 01-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2026/04367 INN Generell henvendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 06.07.2022 02-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/10293 UT GH Forespørsel ZACCO NORWAY AS
 28.06.2022 01-02 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/10293 INN Fullmakt-Vestre Platå Invest AS ZACCO NORWAY AS
 28.06.2022 01-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/10293 INN Generell henvendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 01.02.2022 07-01 Saksbehandling 20200252(345549) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20200252)
15.04.2021 06-01 Saksbehandling 20200252(345549) UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15) (PT20200252)
05.03.2021 05-01 Saksbehandling 20200252 UT PT Meddelelse om patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 29.01.2021 04-05 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN P62000562NO00_2021 Jan Translated claims ZACCO NORWAY AS
 29.01.2021 04-04 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN P62000562NO00_2021 Jan Revised Spec_Marked up ZACCO NORWAY AS
 29.01.2021 04-03 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN P62000562NO00_2021 Jan Revised Spec_Clean ZACCO NORWAY AS
 29.01.2021 04-02 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN P62000562NO00_2021 Jan Letter NIPO ZACCO NORWAY AS
 29.01.2021 04-01 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 07.08.2020 03-02 Saksbehandling 20200252 UT PT report 12:50:56
07.08.2020 03-01 Saksbehandling 20200252 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 09.03.2020 02-01 Saksbehandling 20200252 UT Infobrev til oppfinner ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.03.2020 01-05 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Fullmakt ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.03.2020 01-04 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Patent figures ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.03.2020 01-03 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Beskrivelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.03.2020 01-02 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Erklæring Søkers rett til oppfinnelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.03.2020 01-01 Saksbehandling 20200252 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ZACCO NORWAY AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
WORK PLATFORM FOR WELL OPERATIONSThe present invention relates to a work platform, and particularly to a work platform for well operations.BACKGROUNDDuring petroleum production, downhole well operations may from time to time be required, for example for well intervention purposes. Such downhole operations are often carried out using tool strings suspended by a wireline or coiled tubing.In these operations, the tools and equipment used therefor are usually handled by a combination of machines, such as cranes or winches, and human operators.Documents which may be useful for understanding the field of technology include WO 2009/001088 A1, which describes a well apparatus with a tower and a support for supporting well intervention, completion, testing, or drilling equipment; US 2019/0242194 A1, which describes a laterally movable mobile well servicing unit and methods of use; and WO 2011/135541 A2, which describes a modular multiworkstring system for subsea intervention and abandonment operations.As for most petroleum-related activities, there is a continued need for safer and more efficient systems and methods for carrying out operations, particularly such operations involving manual intervention and human operators.The present disclosure has the objective to provide improvements, or at least alternatives, to the state of the art in the above or other areas.SUMMARYIn an aspect, there is provided a work platform for use in well operations, the work platform being configured for positioning above a well pipe, the work platform having a support frame arranged thereon, and a support tool arranged on the support frame, the support tool operable to engage a lubricator and vertically and horizontally support the lubricator, wherein the support frame is movable on the work platform between an advanced position and a retracted position along a horizontal axis.Further aspects will become apparent from the detailed description given below in conjunction with the appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wireline mast and associated components.Fig. 2 shows side views of the wireline mast of Fig.1.Fig. 3 shows a work platform for use with a wireline mast.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.The present description provides an improved work platform for use with wireline mast. According to an example embodiment there is provided a work platform for use with a wireline mast. The work platform may be configured for positioning above a well pipe adjacent the wireline mast. The work platform has a support frame and a support tool arranged on the support frame, the support tool being operable to engage a lubricator suspended from the wireline mast and vertically and horizontally support the lubricator, wherein the support frame is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position along a horizontal axis.In well operations, there is commonly a need for regular well intervention or servicing. This is typically carried out using a tool string (also known as a bottom hole assembly, BHA), which is suspended by a flexible pipe (so-called coiled tubing) or a wireline. The tool string will, as is known in the art, be introduced into the well via a lubricator. During a well intervention operation, there may be a need to retrieve and re-insert the tool string several times, to complete all necessary downhole tasks. It is therefore desirable that these operations can be carried out efficiently, in order to minimise the time required for the overall operation. At the same time, there is a requirement that these operations be carried out safely and with minimised risk to equipment and personnel.Often, the tool string has a length which necessitates splitting it during insertion or retrieval, as the lubricator may not have a length which is sufficient to allow the entire tool string to be retrieved fully into the lubricator. In such cases, the lubricator will be broken out, a lower part of the tool string will be hung off in the well pipe, and the tool string will be split and retrieved in parts.Figures 1-3 illustrate an example setup according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figs.1-3 show a work platform 10 for use with a wireline mast 11. The wireline mast 11 may be a conventional mast or tower used for wireline operations, for example on offshore petroleum platforms. The mast 11 conventionally comprises one or more hoisting wires 21 extending via sheaves (not shown) arranged in a top section 11’ of the mast, for hoisting and suspending items during the wireline operation. The wireline used for suspending the tool string is also arranged via the top section 11’ of the mast 11. Winches (not shown) can be arranged on the deck 16, operatively connected to the hoisting wire(s) 21 and the wireline.The work platform 10 is configured for positioning above a well pipe 15 (see Figs 2 and 3) extending downwardly to a subterranean reservoir (not shown). The well pipe 15 may conventionally extend towards the reservoir via a riser, a valve tree and a wellhead. A blow out preventer 20 may be arranged in the well pipe 15. The blow out preventer 20 and the riser may be temporarily arranged on the valve tree for the purpose of a downhole intervention operation.The work platform is arranged adjacent the wireline mast 11 during the wireline operations. The work platform 10 has a support frame 12 and a support tool 13 arranged on the support frame 12. The support tool 13 is operable to engage a lubricator 14 suspended from the wireline mast 11 and vertically and horizontally support the lubricator 14. For this purpose, the support tool 13 can, for example, comprises a clamp or a gripper tong which can engage the outer surface of the lubricator 14 and hold the lubricator 14 fixed. In this manner, the support tool 13 both holds the lubricator 14 fixed in the horizontal plane, and supports the lubricator 14 vertically, i.e. supports the weight of the lubricator 14. The support tool 13 can for this purpose be arranged with a sufficient gripping force or friction surface to be able to hold a vertical force, and/or the lubricator 14 may be arranged with recesses or protrusions such that the support tool 13 can engage a non-vertical face of the lubricator 14 outer surface for holding a vertical force.When the tool string needs to be split (during retrieval) or made up (during run-in), the support tool 13 can thus be engaged to hold the lubricator 14 both horizontally and vertically. This provides the advantage that the lubricator 14 is prevented from moving vertically when a human operator 18 (see Fig.3) is carrying out operations for hanging off, splitting, or assembling the tool string in the gap between the (split) lubricator parts, or between the lubricator 14 and the well pipe 15. As the lubricator 14 is held fixed also by the support tool 13 in the support frame 12, the lubricator 14 is not suspended merely by a hoisting wire 21 in the mast 11, but is additionally secured against undesired movement when the operator 18 is doing work on the tool string, e.g. a failure of the hoisting system or a hoisting wire 21 which may result in the lubricator 14 falling/dropping. The support tool 13 may comprise a spinner tong operable to rotate the lubricator 14 when engaged. This may allow the support tool 13 to assist spinning out or spinning in the lubricator parts during make-up or breaking out the lubricator 14. A spinner tong may be arranged in addition to a clamp or gripper tong, or on its own and arranged to also hold and fix the lubricator 14 horizontally and vertically.The support frame 12 is movable on the work platform 10 between an advanced position and a retracted position along a horizontal axis D (see Fig.3). In the advanced position, the support tool 13 is positioned in a well centre line CL (indicated in Fig.2) which extends through the well pipe 15, and in the retracted position the support tool 13 is spaced horizontally from the well centre line CL. Figs 1-3 illustrate the advanced position, wherein the support tool 13 can engage the lubricator 14 which is positioned directly above the well pipe 15 in the well centre line CL.By providing the support frame 12 movable on the work platform 10, it can be retracted when not in use, for example after make-up of the lubricator 14, when the wireline operation is ongoing, or before the lubricator 14 has been hoisted in place before the start of a wireline operation.Optionally, the movable support frame 12 may also be used to support the lubricator 14 after break-out, by keeping the lubricator 14 fixed in the support tool 13 and retracting the support frame 12 such that the lower part of the lubricator 14 is moved away from the well centre line CL. This can be done after the lubricator 14 has been broken out and after the tool string has been split and the lower part of the tool string hung off in the well pipe 15. The lubricator 14 can then be moved out of the well centre line CL such that the lower part of the tool string can be hoisted out of the well pipe 15.The work platform 10 may optionally comprise a workfloor 17 for the human operator 18. This can allow the operator 18 to work directly adjacent the lower part of the lubricator 14, in the event that the height of the well pipe 15 and/or the blow out preventer 20 would otherwise make this difficult.Advantageously, the work platform 10 is made structurally independent from the wireline mast 11. This allows the work platform 10 to be used with different wireline masts, not being dependent on a particular mast design. The work platform 10 may be made modular and movable for this purpose, such that it can be used on different wells and/or on different locations. Optionally, for this purpose, the workfloor 17 can be made collapsible by means of foldable workfloor sections. This may be done, for example, by fixing the workfloor sections to the rest of the work platform 10 via hinges.The work platform 10 may be configured for being fixed to and supported by the well pipe 15 itself, and/or by the blow out preventer 20. This can avoid the need for a dedicated support structure for the work platform 10 and ensure that the work platform 10 is arranged at the correct height and location in relation to the well pipe 15.Alternatively (or additionally), the work platform 10 can be configured for being supported on the deck 16. This can, for example, be done via support legs extending from the work platform 10 to the deck 16. Such support legs may be height-adjustable in order that the work platform 10 can be positioned at the correct height in relation to the well pipe 15.Optionally, the support frame 12 comprises an actuator operable to move the support tool 13 vertically in relation to the support frame 12. This may, for example, be realised by arranging the support tool 13 or rails or by other means arranging the support tool 13 vertically movable in relation to the support frame 12, and providing an actuator to control the vertical position of the support tool 13 in relation to the support frame 12. The actuator may, for example, be a linear hydraulic actuator, a threaded rod arrangement, or any other suitable actuation arrangement. This can allow the support tool 13 to provide a lifting force on the lubricator 14, for example to lift the lubricator 14 during break-out and/or to assist in the positioning of the lubricator 14 relative to the well pipe 15 during make-up. Such vertical actuation of the support tool 13 may provide more secure or more accurate vertical movement of the lubricator 14 than the hoisting system via the wireline mast 11.Optionally, the work platform 10 may be configured for use without a wireline mast 11 above the well pipe 15. The work platform 10 may in such a case be employable also without the wireline mast 11, for example if an operation only requires a short lubricator 14 which can be hoisted or moved in place without a wireline mast 11. Advantageously, the work platform 10 is configured for use both with and without the wireline mast 11. This can be done by designing the work platform 10 to be independent of the wireline mast 11, and for example being supported on the deck 16 or on the well pipe 15.The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims. Modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the claims, as will be understood by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A work platform (10) for use in well operations,the work platform (10) being configured for positioning above a well pipe (15),characterized in that the work platform (10) hasa support frame (12) arranged thereon, anda support tool (13) arranged on the support frame (12), the support tool (13) operable to engage a lubricator (14) and vertically and horizontally support the lubricator (14),wherein the support frame (12) is movable on the work platform between an advanced position and a retracted position along a horizontal axis (D).2. The work platform (10) of the preceding claim, wherein in the advanced position the support tool (13) intersects a well centre line (CL) extending through the well pipe (15) and in the retracted position the support tool (13) is spaced horizontally from the well centre line (CL).3. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the work platform (10) is configured for being fixed to and supported by the well pipe (15).4. The work platform (10) of any of claims 1-3, wherein the work platform (10) is configured for being supported by a deck (16).5. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the work platform (10) comprises a workfloor (17) for a human operator (18).6. The work platform (10) of the preceding claim, wherein the work platform (10) comprises foldable workfloor sections.7. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the support frame (12) comprises an actuator operable to move the support tool (13) vertically in relation to the support frame (12).8. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the support tool (13) comprises a clamp or a gripper tong.9. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the support tool (13) comprises a spinner tong operable to rotate the lubricator (14) when engaged.10. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the work platform is configured for use with a wireline mast (11) operable to suspend the lubricator (14), whereby, in use, the work platform (10) is positioned adjacent the wireline mast (11) above the well pipe (15).11. The work platform (10) of the preceding claim, wherein the work platform (10) is structurally independent from the wireline mast (11).12. The work platform (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the work platform is configured for use without a wireline mast (11) above the well pipe (15).PATENTKRAV1. Arbeidsplattform (10) for bruk i brønnoperasjoner,hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) er konfigurert for posisjonering over et brønnrør (15),karakterisert ved at arbeidsplattformen (10) haren støtteramme (12) arrangert på denne, oget støtteverktøy (13) arrangert på støtterammen (12), hvor støtteverktøyet (13) er opererbart til å engasjere en lubrikator (14) og støtte denne vertikalt og horisontalt,hvor støtterammen (12) er bevegelig på arbeidsplattformen mellom en fremskutt posisjon og en tilbaketrukket posisjon langs en horisontal akse (D).2. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til det foregående krav, hvor støtteverktøyet (13) i den fremskutte posisjonen skjærer en brønnsenterlinje (CL) som forløper gjennom brønnrøret (15), og hvor støtteverktøyet (13) i den tilbaketrukkede posisjonen er distansert horisontalt fra brønnsenterlinjen (CL).3. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) er konfigurert for å være festet til og støttet av brønnrøret (15).4. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst av krav 1-3, hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) er konfigurert til å være støttet av et dekk (16).5. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) omfatter et arbeidsgulv (17) for en menneskelig operatør.6. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til det foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) omfatter sammenleggbare arbeidsgulvseksjoner.7. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor støtterammen (12) omfatter en aktuator opererbar til å bevege støtteverktøyet (13) vertikalt relativt til støtterammen (12).8. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor støtteverktøyet (13) omfatter en klemme eller en gripetang.9. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor støtteverktøyet (13) omfatter en spinnetang opererbar til å rotere lubrikatoren (14) når den er engasjert.10. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen er konfigurert for bruk med en vaiermast (11) opererbar til å avhenge lubrikatoren (14), hvor, i bruk, arbeidsplattformen (10) er posisjonert ved siden av vaiermasten (11) over brønnrøret (15).11. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til det foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen (10) er strukturelt uavhengig av vaiermasten (11).12. Arbeidsplattformen (10) i henhold til hvilket som helst foregående krav, hvor arbeidsplattformen er konfigurert for bruk uten en vaiermast (11) over brønnrøret (15).
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesE21B 15/00E21B 19/16E21B 19/22CPC classesE21B 15/00E21B 19/168E21B 19/22

Citations

WO 2009/001088 A1 (A1)US 2019/0242194 A1 (A1)WO 2011/135541 A2 (A2)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
IN WEST INNOVATION AS
IN WEST INNOVATION AS

Org. number: 875778382

Name and address are automatically synchronized with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Koppholen 20 4313 SANDNES NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 875778382Inventors
Vidar Wollum
Nedre Barkvedv. 47 4100 JØRPELAND NO (STRAND Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

ZACCO NORWAY AS
ZACCO NORWAY AS

Org. number: 982702887

Name and address are automatically synchronized with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 982702887
Reference: P62000562NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

No Gazette entries foundOnly events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.