Modular well intervention assembly

Abstract

A modular well intervention assembly includes a jack assembly having increased stroke length that can be installed directly over a well or above a BOP assembly. Modular work platforms and a telescoping mast assembly can be installed and secured in place around the jack assembly. Tongs can be suspended from a hydraulically operated “track system”, eliminating the need for a conventional tong pole and spring. Pipe can be manipulated relative to the well intervention assembly using a hydraulically powered pipe handling device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 764,075, filed Feb. 13, 2013, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]NoneBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention pertains to a modular assembly for conducting intervention operations on oil and / or gas wells. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a modular assembly for conducting operations on wells including, without limitation, work over operations and snubbing operations.[0005]2. Brief Description of the Prior Art[0006]Intervention operations have been performed on oil and / or gas wells for many years. When a conventional drilling or workover rig is used to perform such operations, a well is frequently “killed” using drilling mud or other drilling fluids. In such instances, the hydrostatic pressure exe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The well intervention assembly of the present invention further comprises an expanded “work window.” A work window of a conventional snubbing unit, which is generally equivalent to the stroke or travel length of a hydraulic jack assembly, ends at or near the top of said stroke length. By contrast, the well intervention assembly of the present invention comprises a hydraulic jack assembly that permits easy access to said work window. As a result, hydraulic cylinders of the jack assembly of the present invention can optimize space occupied by such work window which is typically dormant or unused on conventional snubbing units.

[0016]The modular work platforms of the present invention are beneficially designed for ease of transportation. For example, said work platforms can be conveniently and efficiently transported to and from offshore or other remote locations using vessels, trucks or other means. When installed, said platforms provide a stable, secure and safe work environment for personnel, while stairs and ladders provide means for personnel to move or traverse between such work platforms. Importantly, such platforms eliminate the need for personnel to be suspended in the air using harnesses or other similar mechanisms.

[0017]Hydraulic tongs are secured on a hydraulically operated “track system”, eliminating the need for a conventional tong pole and spring. The design of the present invention allows a tong operator ease of use in positioning tongs within the intervention assembly of the present invention, including over the center of a well. Further, the movement of pipe (including over the center of said well) is also automated by means of a hydraulically powered pipe handling arm, thereby eliminating most, if not all, hand-to-iron contact and greatly improving personnel safety.

Problems solved by technology

When a conventional drilling or workover rig is used to perform such operations, a well is frequently “killed” using drilling mud or other drilling fluids.

In certain circumstances, it may be impractical or undesirable to kill a well (that is, to offset reservoir pressure with hydrostatic pressure in order to put the well in a pressure-balanced state) prior to performing well intervention operations.

However, in order to perform such operations in a pressurized well system, specialized well intervention equipment is required.

As a result, snubbing units or HWU's are often viewed as a means of last resort, thereby negatively impacting the perception of such systems.

Further, such conventional snubbing units and HWU's suffer from a number of practical and operational limitations.

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