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A lubricator support tool (20) configured for supporting a lubricator (4) on a blow out preventer (10), the lubricator support tool (20) comprising: a first clamping arm (21a), a second clamping arm (21b), and an elongate shaft (22), wherein the second clamping arm (21b) is slidably movable relative to the first clamping arm (21a) along the elongate shaft (22) and rotatable relative to the first clamping arm (21a) about a longitudinal axis (z) of the lubricator support tool (20), the longitudinal axis (z) being a centre axis of the elongate shaft (22).
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13.05.2026
05-04
Saksbehandling
20251685
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2026 May Patent application markup
Rikard Mikalsen
13.05.2026
05-03
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
2026 May Patent application clean
Rikard Mikalsen
13.05.2026
05-02
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
2026 May Letter NIPO
Rikard Mikalsen
13.05.2026
05-01
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
Rikard Mikalsen
30.04.2026
04-02
Saksbehandling
20251685
UT
PT report 10:38:24
30.04.2026
04-01
Saksbehandling
20251685
UT
Realitet patent
Rikard Mikalsen
02.01.2026
03-01
Saksbehandling
20251685
UT
Søknadskvittering Patent
Rikard Mikalsen
02.01.2026
02-01
Saksbehandling
20251685
UT
PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20251685)
Rikard Mikalsen
29.12.2025
01-05
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Patent figures NO-3
Rikard Mikalsen
29.12.2025
01-04
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Patent application NO-3
Rikard Mikalsen
29.12.2025
01-03
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Fullmakt_Patentstyret
Rikard Mikalsen
29.12.2025
01-02
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Cover letter NIPO
Rikard Mikalsen
29.12.2025
01-01
Saksbehandling
20251685
INN
Søknadsskjema Patent
Rikard Mikalsen
Description, claims and drawings
Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.Description
LUBRICATOR SUPPORT TOOLThe present invention relates to a tool for use with lubricators used in well operations, and particularly a tool for supporting the lubricator (or parts thereof) during handling of the lubricator.BACKGROUNDDuring well operations for example in petroleum production, it is often necessary to temporarily stop production and carry out downhole operations in the well. These are commonly denoted well intervention, and typically carried out using a wireline or coiled tubing which is inserted into the well with tools or equipment attached thereto. Such operations may, for example, be to clean the well, to remove debris or other matter from the well, to inspect the well, to take measurements, or to stimulate the well or reservoir. The tools and equipment may, for example, be so-called tractors, injection heads (for example for injecting chemicals), sensors / measurement equipment, or other types.In order to gain access to the well, a lubricator is commonly used. The lubricator allows tools or equipment to be inserted into a well safely, by maintaining barriers between the well and the outside environment. The lubricator is typically arranged on top of a valve stack (such as a blow out preventer (BOP)), whereafter valves can be opened and equipment can be deployed into the well.Publications which may be useful to understand the background include NO 342131 B1, NO 338538 B1 and NO 345549 B1.SUMMARYIn an embodiment, there is provided a lubricator support tool configured for supporting a lubricator on a blow out preventer, the lubricator support tool comprising: a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and an elongate shaft, wherein the second clamping arm is slidably movable relative to the first clamping arm along the elongate shaft and rotatable relative to the first clamping arm about a
longitudinal axis of the lubricator support tool, the longitudinal axis being a centre axis of the elongate shaft.The detailed description below and appended claims outline further embodiments.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 well intervention setup on a rig deck.Figs 2-4 illustrate details of the well intervention setup in three operational configurations.Figs 5-7 show a lubricator support tool in three operational configurations. Fig.8 illustrates a lubricator support tool.Fig.9 illustrates details of a lubricator support tool.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ”upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.Figure 1 shows a well intervention setup on a rig deck 1. The rig deck 1 may for example be a hatch deck on an offshore petroleum platform. The deck 1 can have multiple slots with removable covers, where some or all slots are located above corresponding wells, extending from the platform into the ground.For well intervention purposes, a cover may be removed and a BOP 10 arranged on the deck 1 and fixed to a wellhead below the deck 1. A wireline mast 2 having
sheaves at its upper section 5 can be positioned adjacent the BOP 10, whereby a wire 3 can be used to lift a lubricator 4 and position the lubricator 4 above the BOP 10. The wireline mast 2 can have a base 6 which is supported on the deck 1, and wherein winches or other equipment is arranged. The wireline mast 2 may comprise additional winches and wires running around sheaves at the upper section 5, whereby a well intervention tool (not shown) can be suspended by a wire extending through the lubricator 4 and the BOP 10 and into the well. Alternatively, winches may be separate from the wireline mast 2 and not positioned in the base 6.Figs 2-4 illustrate details of the well intervention setup shown in Fig.1. Fig.2 shows the lubricator 4 fixed to the BOP 10. A lower part 4a of the lubricator 4 comprises a strengthened section which is configured for connecting to the BOP 10, and also for splitting the lubricator 4 at the lower part 4a. A connector 4b is foreseen for this purpose. The lower part 4a shown in Fig.2 is also engaged by a lubricator support tool 20, described in further detail below. The lower part 4a may further have fastener profiles (such as flanges and/or support shoulders) and/or strengthened outer surfaces for engagement with the lubricator support tool 20 and/or for other tools or equipment used in splitting the lubricator 4 by operating the connector 4b. Fig. 3 illustrates the lubricator 4 in the split configuration. In this configuration, the connector 4b has been released (opened) such that the lower part 4a is split into a first section 4c and second section 4d. The second section 4d remains fixed on the BOP 10 in this configuration while the rest of the lubricator 4 is freed from the BOP 10, and supported via the wireline mast 2 and the lubricator support tool 20, described in further detail below. Access to the passage through the BOP 10 and towards the below wellhead and well is in this configuration possible via the upper opening of the second section 4d.Fig. 4 illustrates the lubricator 4 in the split configuration (as in Fig.3) and with the first section 4c moved to a side relative to the second section 4d. In this configuration, unrestricted vertical access from above is possible into the upper opening of the second section 4d, for example for lowering an elongate, downhole tool into the BOP 10.During well intervention operations, there may be a need to run and retrieve downhole tools several times. The lubricator 4 may have to be split and made up between each run, for example for access to the downhole tools inside the lubricator
4 and/or the BOP 10. Often, such downhole tools have a length that require them to be assembled from two parts, where one part hangs in the BOP 10 while the second part is positioned inside the lubricator 4 before being connected. An operator may in such a case need to work on the downhole tools inside the lubricator 4 while the lubricator 4 is in the operational configuration shown in Fig.3, i.e. with the lubricator 4 in a split configuration with the second section 4d fixed to the BOP 10 and the first section 4c and the rest of the lubricator 4 suspended directly (vertically) above the second section 4d. Such work may for example involve connecting or disconnecting two parts of a downhole tool through the gap between the first and second sections 4c,d. This can involve health-and-safety (HSE) risks, for example in an event where the wire 3 (see Fig.1) suspending the lubricator 4 breaks or the lubricator 4 (the first section 4c) is unintentionally lowered while such work is ongoing.Figures 5-7 illustrate the lubricator support tool 20 in the first, second and third operational configuration, corresponding to those operational configurations illustrated in Figs 2, 3 and 4, respectively.The lubricator support tool 20 comprises a first fastener member 21a configured to engage and fix the lubricator support tool 20 to the lubricator 4 at a position below the connector 4b, i.e. at the second section 4d. A second fastener member 21b is configured to engage and fix the lubricator support tool 20 to the lubricator 4 above the connector 4b, i.e. at the first section 4c.The first and second fastener members 21a,b may comprise any suitable mechanical connector for rigidly fixing the first and second fastener members 21a,b to the lubricator 4, such as a clamp, gripper, tong, a connection profile, a bolted connection, or the like. It may be manually or automatically actuated to make up the connection when the fastener members 21a,b have been brought into engagement with the lubricator 4, which can for example be done by an operator guiding the tool 20 into the correct position while the tool 20 is suspended by a wire from the mast 2. The lubricator 4 may have prepared profiles and/or connector parts on its outside surface for engagement with the fastener members 21a,b, for example a suitable profile for providing a secure, rigidly fixed connection.In the examples shown here, the fastener members 21a,b are in the form of bolted clamps extending circumferentially around the lubricator 4 and cooperating with
horizontal shoulders on the first and second sections 4c,d in order to provide good vertical load-carrying capability.As can be seen when comparing Figs 5 and 6, the first lubricator fastener member 21a is movable relative to the second lubricator fastener member 21b in a vertical direction. “Vertical” refers here to the situation when the tool 20 is in use and oriented as shown in the figures, and is then a direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator 4, which is also arranged substantially vertically when in use. This vertical direction corresponds with a longitudinal axis z of the tool 20 (see Figs 6 and 9). The first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b are spaced along the longitudinal axis z in order that the tool 20 spans the connector 4b to permit connection above and below the connector 4b. The skilled reader will understand that during handling, transport, etc. of the tool 20, it may be oriented differently.In the shown example, the second lubricator fastener member 21b is slidably movable relative to the first lubricator fastener member 21a along a shaft 22. The first fastener member 21a is in this example longitudinally fixed relative to the shaft 22. Alternatively, the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b may be connected but movable relative to each other via a different structure, such as beams, trusses or other suitable arrangements.The tool 20 can thus be connected to the lubricator 4 above and below the lubricator connector 4b while the connector 4b is closed (i.e., the lubricator 4 being in a “nonsplit” configuration) and the second section 4d is fixed to the blow out preventer 10. Optionally, the tool 20 can be arranged on the lubricator 4 before the lubricator 4 is positioned on the BOP 10. By means of the fastener members 21a,b of the tool 20 being longitudinally movable relative to each other, the lubricator connector 4b can be opened or closed, and the first and second sections 4c,d can be moved vertically apart or together, while the tool 20 is connected to the lubricator 4.Advantageously, by fixing the tool 20 to the second section 4d, which is again fixed (at least indirectly) to the blow out preventer 10, the tool 20 may be configured for supporting the lubricator 4 without engagement with the deck 1. When the tool 20 is fixed to the first and second sections 4c,d, the lubricator 4 is supported from the BOP 10 also when the lubricator connector 4b is released, i.e. the part of the
lubricator 4 above the connector 4b is in such a situation not suspended freely from the mast 2 but also remains connected to the blow out preventer 10 via the tool 20. In the examples shown here, each of the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b comprises a clamp part 27a,b configured to fix the respective first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b to the lubricator 4 by means of a bolted connection.The fastener members 21a,b may fix the tool 20 to the lubricator at least partly by means of friction force (for example in the case of clamping). Preferably, the lubricator 4 has profiles, such as shoulders, depressions, flanges, or the like, which engage corresponding surfaces on the fastener members 21a,b for load transfer in the vertical direction. This may, for example, be in the form of substantially horizontal shoulders which prevent vertical movement between the fastener members 21a,b and the lubricator 4, when engaged.The second lubricator fastener member 21b is further rotatable relative to the first lubricator fastener member 21a about a vertical axis, in this case about the longitudinal axis z of the lubricator support tool 20. In the shown example, the shaft 22 and the second lubricator fastener member 21b are rotatable together relative to the first lubricator fastener member 21a. (I.e. the shaft 22 and the second lubricator fastener member 21b are rotationally fixed in relation to each other, such that the second lubricator fastener member 21b is longitudinally slidable along the shaft 22, but not free to rotate about it.) The first lubricator fastener member 21a may be fixed to a base 26 having a motor, such as a hydraulic motor, operable to rotate the shaft 22 relative to the base 26 and the first lubricator fastener member 21a. Alternatively, the relative rotation between the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b can be effectuated by an operator, for example by using other tools or equipment on the rig.Alternatively, the second lubricator fastener member 21b may be rotatable about an axis which is parallel to but spaced from the longitudinal axis z. The second lubricator fastener member 21b may, for example, be connected to the shaft 22 (or a beam, truss or other relevant structure, as discussed above) via a hinge mechanism having a rotational axis which is parallel to but spaced from the longitudinal axis z.
A rotational lock, such as a pin or friction lock (e.g. a wedge or clamp), may be arranged to selectively prevent relative rotation between the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b, i.e. to lock these in relation to each other. Such a rotational lock may, for example, be arranged in the base 26. Such a lock can be operable to lock the fastener members 21a,b in relation to each other in one or more of the operational configurations shown in Figs 5-7.In this example, one of the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b (here, the first lubricator fastener members 21a) is longitudinally fixed relative to the shaft 22, and the other of the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b (here, the second lubricator fastener members 21b) is rotationally fixed relative to the shaft 22. The skilled reader will, however, understand that in other examples, one of the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b may be both rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the shaft 22, while the other of the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b is both rotationally and longitudinally movable relative to the shaft 22.Referring now again to Figs 2-4, when carrying out an operation in which the lubricator 4 needs to be split by opening the connector 4b, the tool 20 may be arranged on the lubricator 4 with the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a and 21b fixed to the first and second sections 4d and 4c, respectively. This is shown in Fig.2, and corresponds with the tool 20 being in the operational configuration shown in Fig.5.The lubricator connector 4b can now be opened for splitting the lubricator 4, and the lubricator 4 lifted, for example by means of the wire 3. The second section 4d will remain fixed to the blow out preventer 10, while the rest of the lubricator 4 will be vertically lifted. This situation is shown in Fig.3, and the tool 20 will be in the operational configuration shown in Fig.6. In this configuration, an operator may carry out work on a tool positioned inside the lubricator 4 and/or the blow out preventer 10 in the gap between the first and second sections 4c,d as described above.The lubricator 4 (with the exception of the second section 4d) may thereafter be moved (i.e. swung or pivoted) to the side to further improve access to the well. This operational configuration is shown in Figs 4 and 7.
Illustrated in Fig.9, the tool 20 may further comprise a lock mechanism 40 operable to lock the second lubricator fastener member 21b relative to the first lubricator fastener member 21a and prevent relative movement therebetween. The locking mechanism 40 can prevent relative vertical movement between the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b, i.e. in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis z.This may provide enhanced safety in the operational configuration shown in Figs 3 and 6, when an operator may need to carry out work in the gap between the first and second sections 4c,d, as described above. By having a lock mechanism 40, additional security is provided against an undesirable situation where the first section 4c is unintentionally lowered while such work is being carried out, for example if the wire 3 breaks.The lock mechanism 40 may for this purpose for example comprise a lock piston 42 operable to engage a lock profile 41, as illustrated in Fig.9. In this example, the lock piston 42 is arranged as part of the second lubricator fastener member 21b and the lock profile 41 is provided on the shaft 22. The lock profile 41 in this example comprises an elongate serrated surface along at least a part of the length of the shaft 22, and the lock piston 42 comprises a corresponding serrated surface for engagement with the serrated surface of the lock profile 41.The skilled reader will understand that various alternative mechanical locking mechanisms may be available to obtain the same effect, for example locking pins, friction locks (such as a wedge or clamp), a lead screw / trapezoidal screw or other types. A hydraulic cylinder (for example as described below) may also form a lock mechanism for this purpose.The lock mechanism 40 may be arranged as a ratchet mechanism (such as a sawtooth lock profile 41, as illustrated), permitting motion in which the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b moves away from each other, while preventing motion in the other direction. This is illustrated in Fig.9 by means of the double arrow D. Forming the lock profile 41 and the corresponding surface on the piston 42 as a ratchet, as can be seen in Fig.9, can allow relative movement in the direction of the double arrow, e.g. when the lubricator is brought from the operational configuration in Fig.2 to that in Fig.3, but prevent a return (downward) motion. A manual release can be provided as part of the ratchet mechanism for the
purpose of allowing such return motion, for example when manual work in the gap between the first and second sections 4c,d has been completed and the lubricator 4 should be re-assembled by connecting the first and second sections 4c,d by connector 4b. The manual release may, for example, comprise a lever to retract and hold the lock piston 42 away from the lock profile 41. Optionally, the lock mechanism 40 may be a different type of one-way longitudinal lock, such as a hydraulic circuit having a one-way valve permitting movement of a hydraulic cylinder (e.g. such as the hydraulic cylinder 30 illustrated in Fig.8) in one direction but blocking return motion by preventing outflow of hydraulic fluid from one of the cylinder chambers. The lock piston 42 may, for example, be operated by a spring or other type of elastic member, continuously urging the lock piston 42 towards the lock profile 41. Such an arrangement may be particularly beneficial if the lock mechanism 40 comprises a ratchet mechanism, as described above. Alternatively, or additionally, the lock piston 42 may be manually operated, for example by an operator or by hydraulics, to bring or force the lock piston 42 into a locked position when the tool 20 has been placed in the desired operational configuration in which it should be locked (such as that shown in Figs 3 and 6).The lock mechanism 40 may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to prevent relative rotational movement between the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b about a vertical axis, i.e. an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis z. It may, for example, be beneficial to arrange the tool 20 to lock the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b relative to each other both longitudinally and rotationally in the operational configuration shown in Figs 4 and 7.In some examples, the tool 20 may comprise a linear actuator 30 operable to produce a force urging the first lubricator fastener member 21a away from the second lubricator fastener member 21b in the longitudinal direction. Illustrated in Fig. 8, the linear actuator 30 can be fixed to the first lubricator fastener member 21a via a connector 30b, and may have a shaft engagement member 30a operatively engaging the shaft 22. In this example, the shaft engagement member 30a operatively engages the shaft 22 at an end part 22a of the shaft 22 such as to produce a longitudinal force on the shaft 22. Alternatively, the linear actuator 30 may engage the first and/or second lubricator fastener members 21a,b at other positions, or indirectly via other elements, such as the base 26.
The linear actuator 30 may thus be operable to move the tool 20 from the operational configuration shown in Figs 2 and 5, to the operational configuration shown in Figs 3 and 6 by means of a force produced by the actuator 30.The shaft engagement member 30a can permit rotation of the shaft 22 relative to the shaft engagement member 30a, for example wherein the shaft engagement member 30a engages an end surface of the shaft 22 and/or wherein the tool 20 comprises an insert between the shaft engagement member 30a and the end part 22a permitting such rotation.The linear actuator 30 may, for example, be a hydraulic piston-cylinder actuator, a lead (trapezoidal) screw, or an electric actuator. It may be manually or automatically operated.By means of the linear actuator 30, a force can be produced to assist in lifting the lubricator 4 after the connector 4b has been opened, i.e. to raise the first section 4c in relation to the second section 4d. Such lifting may alternatively be done via the wire 3, or by other means, such as a dedicated crane or hoisting assembly.The linear actuator 30 may, additionally or alternatively, provide a securing (locking) function when the lubricator 4 and the tool 20 are in the operational configuration shown in Figs 3 and 6. By operating the linear actuator 30 to maintain a force urging the first and second lubricator fastener members 21a,b apart, additional safety can be provided in an event where for example the wire 3 breaks, as the linear actuator 30 could then prevent the first section 4c from lowering towards the second section 4d while manual work is being carried out in the gap between these.The same can be achieved if the linear actuator 30 is provided with a lock, such as a hydraulic lock or a mechanical lock, which can fix the linear actuator 30 in a position as shown in Fig.6.According to the present disclosure, support for a lubricator 4 may be provided in a more efficient manner, e.g. to provide a tool which is easier to handle on the rig deck 1, while providing the abovementioned safety functionality when operators are carrying out operations on the lubricator 4 or related equipment such as downhole tools in the blow out preventer 10 and/or the lubricator 4. Embodiments according to the present disclosure can thus provide a significantly reduced HSE risk since the upper part of the lubricator 4 can be secured from dropping.
The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.The following clauses outline further embodiments and inventive aspects according to the present disclosure:1. A lubricator support tool (20) having:a first lubricator fastener member (21a) and a second lubricator fastener member (21b), each of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a,b) being configured to connect to, e.g. engage in a fixed connection, a lubricator (4), with one of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a,b) engaging the lubricator (4) above a lubricator connector (4b) and the other of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a,b) engaging the lubricator (4) below the lubricator connector (4b),the first lubricator fastener member (21a) being movable relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4) when engaged.2. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is slidably movable relative to the first lubricator fastener member (21a).3. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the tool (20) comprises an elongate shaft (22) and the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is slidably movable along the shaft (22).4. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lubricator support tool (20) is configured for supporting the lubricator (4) when the lubricator (4) is mounted on a blow out preventer (10).5. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein one of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a,b) is configured to engage a section (4d) of the lubricator (4) located below the lubricator connector (4b) and fixed on the blow out preventer (10), and hold fixed the lubricator support tool (20) relative to the blow out preventer (10).6. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lubricator support tool (20) is configured for supporting the lubricator (4) without engagement with a rig deck (1).7. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lubricator support tool (20) has a longitudinal axis (z), the longitudinal axis (z)
being an axis which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4) when the tool (20) is engaged with the lubricator (4).8. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the longitudinal axis (z) is a vertical axis when the tool (20) is in an installed, operational configuration.9. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) are spaced along the longitudinal axis (z).10. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein each of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) comprises a clamp part (27a, b) configured to fix the respective first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) to the lubricator (4).11. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b) are clamping arms. 12. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is rotatable relative to the first lubricator fastener member (21a) about a vertical axis.13. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is rotatable relative to the first lubricator fastener member (21a) about a longitudinal axis (z) of the tool (20).14. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is rotatable relative to the first lubricator fastener member (21a) about an axis which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4) and spaced from the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b).15. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the second lubricator fastener member (21b) is rotatable relative to the first lubricator fastener member (21a) about an axis which is parallel to but spaced from a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4).16. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the first and second lubricator fastener members (21b) are rotatable relative to each other about an elongate shaft (22) and the axis is the centre axis of the elongate shaft (22).17. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, where the tool (20) comprises an elongate shaft (22) and:
one of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) being longitudinally fixed relative to the shaft, andthe other of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a,b) being rotationally fixed relative to the shaft (22).18. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, further comprising a rotational lock arranged to selectively prevent relative rotation between the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b).19. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, further comprising a lock mechanism (40) operable to lock the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) and prevent relative movement therebetween.20. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock mechanism (40) is configured to prevent relative movement between the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z).21. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock mechanism (40) is configured to permit motion (D) in which the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a,b) move away from each other but to prevent motion (D) in which the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b) move towards each other.22. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock mechanism (40) is configured to prevent relative rotational movement between the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (z) or about the longitudinal axis (z). 23. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock mechanism (40) comprises a lock piston (42) operable to engage a lock profile (41).24. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock piston (42) is arranged as part of the second lubricator fastener member (21b) and the lock profile (41) is provided on the shaft (22).25. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock profile (41) comprises a serrated surface and the lock piston (42) comprises a corresponding serrated surface for engagement with the serrated surface of the lock profile (41).
26. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the lock mechanism (40) is a ratchet mechanism permitting motion (D) in which the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) move away from each other.27. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, comprising an actuator (30), such as a linear actuator (30), operable to produce a force urging the first lubricator fastener member (21a) away from the second lubricator fastener member (21b) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z).28. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the linear actuator (30) is fixed to the first lubricator fastener member (21a) via a connector (30b) and a shaft engagement member (30a) operatively engaging the shaft (22), particularly wherein the shaft engagement member (30a) operatively engages the shaft (22) at an end part (22a) of the shaft (22) such as to produce a force on the shaft (22) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z).29. A lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause, wherein the shaft engagement member (30a) permits rotation of the shaft (22) relative to the shaft engagement member (30a), for example wherein the shaft engagement member (30a) engages an end surface of the shaft (22), the end surfacing being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (z), or wherein the tool (20) comprises an insert between the shaft engagement member (30a) and the end part (22a).30. A rig havinga lubricator (4) suspended by a mast (2) and fixed on a blow out preventer (10), anda lubricator support tool (20) according to any preceding clause.31. A method of supporting a lubricator (4) during a well intervention operation, the method comprising:arranging a support tool (20) having a first lubricator fastener member (21a) and a second lubricator fastener member (21b) such that each of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b) connect to, e.g. engage in a fixed connection, the lubricator (4), with one of the first and second lubricator fastener members (21 a, b) engaging the lubricator (4) above a lubricator connector (4b) and the other of the first and second lubricator fastener
members (21a, b) engaging the lubricator (4) below the lubricator connector (4b),where the first lubricator fastener member (21a) is movable relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4).32. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising:operating the lubricator connector (4b) to split the lubricator (4); splitting the lubricator (4) by moving a first section (4c) of the lubricator (4) away from a second section (4d) of the lubricator (4);operating the tool (20) to hold the first lubricator fastener member (21a) locked relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) while carrying out work in a gap between the first and sections (4c, d).33. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising:driving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) away from the second lubricator fastener member (21b) to bring the lubricator (4) into a split lubricator state by means of an actuator (30) on the tool (20).34. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising slidably moving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b).35. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising rotatably moving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b).36. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising rotatably moving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) about a longitudinal axis (z) of the tool (20).37. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising rotatably moving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) about an axis which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4) and spaced from the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b).38. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising rotatably moving the first lubricator fastener member (21a) relative to the second lubricator fastener member (21b) about an axis which is parallel to but spaced from a longitudinal axis of the lubricator (4).
39. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising operating a rotational lock to prevent relative rotation between the first and second lubricator fastener members (21a, b).40. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the tool (30) is a tool according to any of clauses 1-29.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A lubricator support tool (20) configured for supporting a lubricator (4) on a blow out preventer (10), the lubricator support tool (20) comprising:a first clamping arm (21a),a second clamping arm (21b), andan elongate shaft (22),wherein the second clamping arm (21b) is slidably movable relative to the first clamping arm (21a) along the elongate shaft (22) and rotatable relative to the first clamping arm (21a) about a longitudinal axis (z) of the lubricator support tool (20), the longitudinal axis (z) being a centre axis of the elongate shaft (22).2. The lubricator support tool (20) of claim 1, wherein the lubricator support tool (20) is configured for supporting the lubricator (4) without engagement with a rig deck (1).3. The lubricator support tool (20) of any preceding claim, further comprising a rotational lock arranged to selectively prevent relative rotation between the first and second clamping arms (21a,b).4. The lubricator support tool (20) of any preceding claim, further comprising a lock mechanism (40) operable to lock the first clamping arm (20a) relative to the second clamping arm (21b) and prevent relative movement between the first and second clamping arms (21a,b) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z).5. The lubricator support tool (20) of any preceding claim, wherein the first clamping arm (21a) is a lower clamping arm and the second clamping arm (21b) is an upper clamping arm.