A frame assembly and a vessel for moving the frame assembly on a deck thereof

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a frame assembly for moving equipment supported thereon on at least one skid rail arranged on a deck of a vessel According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vessel for moving a frame assembly on a deck thereof.

Description

[0001] A FRAME ASSEMBLY AND A VESSEL FOR MOVING THE FRAME ASSEMBLY ON A DECK THEREOF

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a frame assembly for moving equipment supported thereon on at least one skid rail arranged on a deck of a vessel, and a vessel for moving a frame assembly on a deck thereof.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] On floating vessels, there can be a need to store and move equipment when required to different locations on deck, for example to assist in operations. An offshore well intervention vessel is just one example of such a vessel, where equipment may need to be moved to and from specific locations in and around a handling tower, for example to rig-up equipment. There can be precaution to ensure that the equipment can be moved around safely in the working environment. Such moving around of equipment can take place by skidding on skid rails arranged on the deck. Space on deck is often confined and / or at a premium, and there can be limitations in efficiency and use of space associated with the layout of skid rails on deck.

[0006] At least one aim of this disclosure is to obviate or at least mitigate one or more drawbacks of prior art.

[0007] The term “move” and its derivatives (e.g. moving, moved, moveable) may also include other, more specific types of movement, such as “slide” (e.g. sliding), “roll” (e.g. rolling), and “skid” (e.g. skidding, skiddable). For example, throughout the description, where the term “move” and its derivatives is used, the term “skid” and its equivalent derivatives (e.g. skidding, skidded, skiddable) may be used instead. The term “skid” has a specific meaning within the field of offshore industry as would be well known to the skilled person.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a frame assembly for moving equipment supported thereon on at least one skid rail arranged on a deck of a vessel, the frame assembly comprising: a main frame configured to support equipment thereon; and a skidding arrangement configured to move on at least one skid rail arranged on the deck of the vessel, wherein the skidding arrangement is fixed to the main frame; the skidding arrangement comprises at least four rail interfaces; each rail interface is configured to contact the at least one skid rail; and the frame assembly has a non-square footprint and at least four of the rail interfaces are arranged in a square formation.

[0010] Optionally, each rail interface comprises at least one roller.

[0011] Optionally, the frame assembly further comprises a moveable subframe supported on the main frame for supporting and hanging equipment therefrom, the moveable subframe being configured to be moveable relative the main frame between a subframe parking position and a subframe operating position.

[0012] Optionally, the moveable subframe is moveable at least partially outside of a footprint of the main frame.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vessel for moving a frame assembly on a deck thereof, the vessel comprising: a hull; a deck; a moon pool; a skid rail assembly supported on the deck, the skid rail assembly comprising: a first skid rail arrangement comprising a first track comprising at least two skid rails, the first track extending at least partially over the moon pool; and a second skid rail arrangement comprising a second track comprising at least two skid rails, wherein the first track is substantially parallel with a bow-stern direction of the vessel, the second track is substantially parallel with a port-starboard direction of the vessel, the first and second tracks cross one another; a first frame assembly according to the first aspect of the disclosure arranged on the deck of the vessel, wherein a footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly has a first cross-dimension; the footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly has a second cross-dimension; the first and second cross-dimensions of the main frame of the first frame assembly are different and perpendicular to one another; and the main frame of the first frame assembly is arranged such that the longer of its first and second cross-dimensions is substantially parallel with the bowstern axis of the vessel.

[0014] Optionally, the first and second tracks have top surfaces arranged in the same plane.

[0015] Optionally, the first frame assembly further comprises a moveable subframe supported on the main frame for supporting and hanging equipment therefrom, the moveable subframe being configured to be moveable relative the main frame of the first frame assembly between a subframe parking position and a subframe operating position, and the moveable subframe of the first frame assembly is moveable in the bow-stern direction. Optionally, the first frame assembly is further configured to be moveable between at least one parking position located on the deck of the vessel and at least one operating position located on the deck of the vessel.

[0016] Optionally, the vessel further comprises a vertical support structure arranged over the moonpool.

[0017] Optionally, the vertical support structure is a handling tower.

[0018] Optionally, the vertical support structure comprises an access opening for enabling access of the first frame assembly to the moon pool, the access opening having a first cross-dimension in the port-starboard direction, and the shorter of the first and second cross-dimensions of the footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly is shorter than the first cross dimension of the access opening of the vertical support structure.

[0019] Optionally, when the first frame assembly is in the at least one parking position, the first frame assembly is located outside of the vertical support structure; and when the first frame assembly is in the at least one operating position, at least a portion of the first frame assembly is located within the vertical support structure.

[0020] Optionally, the first frame assembly is in the at least one parking position, the first frame assembly is located away from the moon pool; and when the first frame assembly is in the at least one operating position, at least a portion of the first frame assembly is located at least partially above the moon pool.

[0021] Optionally, the vessel further comprises a second frame assembly according to the first aspect of the disclosure arranged on the deck of the vessel.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a skidding system arranged on a vessel, the skidding system comprising a handling tower arrangement, a skid rail assembly, a first embodiment of a first frame assembly, a topside injector head assembly, equipment, a coiled tubing arrangement, and a second frame assembly.

[0025] Figure 2A is a top view of the first embodiment of the skidding system shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 2B is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the first frame assembly shown in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 2C is a bottom view of the second frame assembly shown in Figure 1 , supporting a passive heave compensator.

[0028] Figure 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the skidding system shown in Figure 1 in use.

[0029] Figure 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of the first frame assembly and equipment shown in Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a main frame of a second embodiment of the first frame assembly.

[0031] Figure 6A is a side view of a subsea stripper of the equipment shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 6B is a side view of a subsea injector of the equipment shown in Figure 1 .

[0033] Figure 7A shows the second frame assembly shown in Figure 1 in an extended position.

[0034] Figure 7B shows the second frame assembly shown in Figure 1 in a retracted position.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Skidding system 100 (overview)

[0037] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a skidding system 100 for moving equipment across a deck of a vessel. The system 100 comprises at least one moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and a skid rail assembly 180. In example shown in Figure 1 , the system 100 comprises both a first frame assembly 200 and a second frame assembly 600, but in other embodiments may comprise more than two moveable frame assemblies 200, 600.

[0038] The system 100 may also include one or more of a topside injector head assembly 300, equipment 400, a coiled tubing arrangement 500, as shown in Figure 1. The skidding system 100 may be arranged on a vessel 120, and / or may be considered as comprising the vessel 120. The vessel 120 may also be considered as comprising the skidding system 100.

[0039] Moveable frame assembly 200, 600

[0040] The moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is for moving equipment supported thereon across a deck of a vessel. One or more of the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 of the system 100 may be configured to be moveable between at least one parking position and at least one operating position. These positions are described under the ‘Further details of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600‘ heading below.

[0041] The moveable frame assembly 200, 600 comprises a main frame 210, 612, also described in more detail below, in relation to each of the first and second frame assemblies 200, 600.

[0042] A footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is defined as the surface area of the deck occupied by the moveable frame assembly 200, 600. The footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be non-square such that it has a first cross-dimension and a second cross-dimension perpendicular to the first cross-dimension, the first and second crossdimensions being different. The moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be arranged such that the longer of its first and second cross-dimensions is substantially parallel with a central bow-stern axis of the vessel 120.

[0043] Similarly, a footprint of the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is defined as the surface area of the deck occupied by the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600. The footprint of the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be non-square such that it has a first cross-dimension and a second cross-dimension perpendicular to the first cross-dimension, the first and second crossdimensions being different. The main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be arranged such that the longer of its first and second cross-dimensions is substantially parallel with a central bow-stern axis of the vessel. The moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 are configured to move in two or more directions on the skid rail assembly 180. The main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be moveable in a bow-stern direction of the vessel 120.

[0044] Each of the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 may comprise a skidding arrangement for moving on the skid rail assembly 180. Specific examples of skidding arrangements are discussed in later on in the description, referenced as skidding arrangement 218 in relation to the first frame assembly 200 and skidding arrangement 650 in relation to the second frame assembly 600 but will first be described more generally here.

[0045] Each of the skidding arrangements 218, 650 are configured to enable movement, for example skidding and / or rolling, of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 in which they are comprised in at least two directions.

[0046] In order to facilitate this movement in multiple directions, each skidding arrangement 218, 650 may comprise at least one rail interface 219, 651 for contacting the deck side skidding arrangement 180, for example for contacting at least one skid rail of the skid rail assembly 180. The rail interfaces 219, 651 are discussed further on, in detail, in relation to each of the first and second frame assemblies 200, 600.

[0047] The rail interfaces 219, 651 may each be considered as being at least bidirectional, i.e. configured to enable movement of the skidding arrangement 218, 650 on the skid rail assembly 180 in at least two directions. The rail interfaces 219, 651 of the first frame assembly 200 and second frame assembly 600, respectively, are each quadridirectional, i.e. configured to move on the skid rail assembly 180 in at least four directions.

[0048] One or more of the rail interfaces 219, 651 comprise one or more skid pads and / or one or more rollers. A skid pad is a low-friction plate attached to the bottom of a moveable object, and a roller comprises either a swivel caster, a rotatable wheel or ball transfer unit to reduce friction between the skidding arrangement 219, 651 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and the skid rail assembly 180. The swivel caster may comprise a rotatable wheel and a swivel joint for allowing the rotatable wheel to swivel such that it may move, for example skid and / or roll, in four or more directions.

[0049] Further, the skidding arrangements may comprise one or more guide mechanisms (not shown) for aligning and stabilising the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 on the skid rail assembly 180. In embodiments where there are four or more rail interfaces, at least four of the rail interfaces 219, 651 may be arranged in a parallelogrammical, rectangular, and / or square formation. This means that rail interfaces 219, 651 may be arranged at all of the four vertices of imaginary parallelogram, rectangle, and / or square.

[0050] Further, a footprint of the skidding arrangement 218, 650 does not necessarily need to be the same shape or size as the footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 in which it is comprised. More specifically, a footprint of the formation of rail interfaces 219, 651 does not need to be the same shape or size as the footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 in which they are comprised. This is particularly advantageous as it means differently sized parts 200, 600 may be skidded on the skid rail assembly 180 without each requiring differently sized tracks (described in detail below) to be moved thereon. As a specific example, the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may have a non-square footprint and at least four rail interfaces 219, 651 arranged in a square formation. This, in particular, may also allow the parts 200, 600 to be stored closer together and thus more efficiently on the vessel 120 than would otherwise be possible. In such embodiments, the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be lifted and rotated 90 degrees, for example, before landing the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 back down on the skid rail assembly 180 in a new orientation. In Figure 2B, the first frame assembly 200 has a non-square footprint, and its rail interfaces 219 (discussed below) are in a square formation, and in Figure 2C the second frame assembly 600 has a non-square footprint, and its rail interfaces 651 (also discussed below) are also in a square formation.

[0051] Vessel 120

[0052] As seen in Figure 1 , the vessel 120 comprises a moon pool 125 having a centreline 126 and a hatch 127, a deck 130, and a hull 135. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the moon pool 125 extends through the deck 130 through to the sea 50 below the vessel 120, in which the vessel 120 is floating. The hatch 127 is removable. More specifically, the hatch 127 is an actuated cover for selectively covering the moon pool 125. The hatch 127 may comprise a cover portion for covering the moon pool 125, a hinge portion for hingedly connecting the cover portion to the deck 130, and an actuator for retracting or extending the cover portion. The cover portion, in some embodiments, may have an opening through which coiled tubing or wireline may be run. Vessels such as this, with a moon pool and removeable hatch, are well known in the art and would be familiar to the skilled person.

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2A, the vessel 120 further comprises a handling tower arrangement 140. The handling tower arrangement 140, the skid rail assembly 180, the first frame assembly 200, topside injector head assembly 300, equipment 400, coiled tubing arrangement 500, and second frame assembly 600 are all arranged topside, on the deck 130 of the vessel 120.

[0054] Handling tower arrangement 140

[0055] The handling tower arrangement 140 is for safely and efficiently assisting the deployment and retrieval of equipment through the moon pool 125. These deployments and retrievals may be known as operations. The operation(s) may be performed as part of a riserless coiled tubing operation.

[0056] The handling tower arrangement 140 is entirely optional, and may not be present, or may take a different form, such as a pole or other vertical support structure.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 3, the handling tower arrangement 140 comprises a handling tower 141 , a passive heave compensator 160, and a lateral support frame 170. The handling tower 141 may be any vertically extending structure comprising a hoisting arrangement such as a winch, for example a derrick. The handling tower 141 is arranged over the moon pool 125, as can be seen in Figure 1 , and comprises a main winch 142 for lifting, lowering, and precisely positioning parts of the system 100, such as the topside injector head assembly 300 and / or equipment 400, during operations. The handling tower 141 further comprises rails 144 for guiding and stabilising the movement of the equipment up and down the handling tower 141 . Further, in some embodiments the handling tower arrangement 140 further comprises one or more guide wires (not shown) for lifting relatively light equipment, such as bottom hole assembly sections. The handling tower 141 may be arranged such that its centreline coincides with that of the moon pool 125. Handling towers such as the handling tower 141 are well known in the art, and would be familiar to the skilled person.

[0058] A footprint of the handling tower 141 is defined as the surface area of the deck occupied by the handling tower 141. The moon pool 125 may extend up to inside edges of the handling tower 141 , for example at a base of the handling tower 141 . Such a moon pool would have a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the area of the footprint of the handling tower 141 , though in practice the cross-sectional area of the moon pool would be slightly less due to the area of the footprint taken up by the base of the handling tower 141 itself. As such, the term “substantially equal to” may be taken to mean “within 1 % of”, “within 2% of’, “within 5% of”, “within 10% of”, “within 20% of”, or “within 30% of”, for example. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the moon pool 125 may be substantially less than the area of the footprint of the tower 141 . The term “substantially less than” may be taken to mean “less than 30% of”, “less than 40% of”, “less than 50% of”, “less than 60% of’, “less than 70% of’, “less than 80% of”, “less than 90% of”, or “less than 95% of’, for example.

[0059] The handling tower 141 comprises an access opening having a first cross-dimension. The first cross-dimension of the access opening is in the port-starboard direction for allowing the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 access to the moon pool 125.

[0060] The passive heave compensator 160 is attached to the main winch 142 and mitigates vertical motion of the vessel 120 due to swells or waves in the sea 50, stabilising the equipment being lifted. The passive heave compensator 160 may comprise a lifting sling 162 attached underneath, to which the lifted equipment is attached, as can be seen in Figure 3. Such passive heave compensators 160 are well known in the art. The passive heave compensator 160 may be stored on the second frame assembly 600, and may be considered as a piece of equipment 400.

[0061] The lateral support frame 170 is for supporting the topside injector head assembly 300 during an operation, restricting or preventing its lateral movement in at least one direction, and is supported by the handling tower 141. The lateral support frame 170 may also be known as a lower cursor frame.

[0062] Skid rail assembly 180

[0063] The skid rail assembly 180 is for moving parts of the system 100, such as the first frame assembly 200 and the second frame assembly 600, across the deck 130 of the vessel 120. The skid rail assembly 180 is arranged on the deck 130. More specifically, the skid rail assembly 180 is supported on or integrated into the deck 130. The skid rail assembly 180 may comprise a drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the movement of at least one of the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 thereon. Such drive mechanisms may comprise a hydraulic arrangement and / or a winch arrangement, and / or an electric motor for imparting a force on the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600, and would be well known to the skilled person.

[0064] First skid rail arrangement 181

[0065] As can be seen in Figure 2A, the skid rail assembly 180 comprises a first skid rail arrangement 185 aligned with the bow-stern direction of the vessel 120. The first skid rail arrangement 181 comprises at least one track 182. The at least one track 182 comprises at least one skid rail 183, 184. Each skid rail 183, 184 is an elongate part on which at least one of the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 is supported and moved thereon. In the present embodiment, the first skid rail arrangement 181 comprises a first skid rail 183 and a second skid rail 184, which together form the first track 182. The skid rails 183, 184 are arranged equidistantly from the centreline 126 of the moon pool 125. The skid rails 183, 184 shown in Figure 2A are supported by the deck 130, but in other embodiments may be integrated into the deck 130. For example, the skid rails 183, 184 may be integrated into the deck 130 such that top surfaces of the skid rails 183, 184 are flush with a top surface of the deck 130. Furthermore, each track 182 may comprise at least one part interface (not shown) for guiding the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 supported thereon. For example, each skid rail 183, 184 may have a frame assembly interface in the form of a groove running longitudinally along the length of the skid rail 183, 184, in which a rail interface of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 supported thereon may sit.

[0066] In some embodiments, for example a monorail embodiment (not shown), each track 182 may be formed by only one skid rail 183, 184. In other embodiments, each track 182 may be formed by three or more skid rails 183, 184. Further, as discussed below in relation to the second skid rail arrangement 186, in embodiments where there is more than one track 182, one or more of the skid rails 183, 184 may form part of two or more tracks 182.

[0067] Some embodiments of the first skid rail arrangement 181 may comprise two or more tracks

[0068] 182, for example three, four, five, six, or more than six.

[0069] In embodiments where the first skid rail arrangement 181 comprises two or more skid rails

[0070] 183, 184, the two or more skid rails 183, 184 are substantially parallel. This means that the two or more skid rails 183, 184 are parallel with respect to each other within 1 degree, within 2 degrees, within 5 degrees, within 10 degrees, or within 20 degrees, for example.

[0071] In embodiments where each track 182 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 is formed by two or more skid rails 183, 184, each track 182 has a width of a first distance 1 D. This means that the outermost skid rails 183, 184 of each track 182 are arranged the first distance 1 D apart from one another. The first distance 1 D is typically measured from the centres of the skid rails 183, 184 forming the track 182, though in some embodiments the first distance 1 D is measured from the inside surfaces of the skid rails 183, 184 forming the track 182 wherein the first distance 1 D may be considered as being a track gauge.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the skid rails 183, 184 are substantially straight. This means that the skid rails 183, 184 do not curve along their length more than 1 degree, 2 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, or 20 degrees, for example. In some embodiments, at least one track 182 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 extends at least partially into the handling tower 141. For example, in the embodiment that can be seen in Figure 2A, the first skid rail arrangement 181 comprises a moon pool portion 185 supported on the hatch 127 of the moon pool 125. The skid rails 183, 184 may thus have one or more breaks (not shown), which may be known as discontinuities, to facilitate the extension and / or retraction of the hatch 127. The breaks may be at either side of the hatch 127. The embodiment shown in Figure 2A, for example, has two breaks along each skid rail 183, 184, as the skid rails 183, 184 extend either side of the handling tower 141. The moon pool portion 185 is fixed to the hatch 127. The portion of the first skid rail arrangement 181 within the handling tower 141 is thus the moon pool portion 185. Though in the present embodiment only the first skid rail arrangement 181 has a moon pool portion, in other embodiments the second skid rail arrangement 186 may have a moon pool portion either instead of or as well as the first skid rail arrangement 181.

[0073] In some embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the first skid rail arrangement 181 extends either side of the handling tower 141 and over the moon pool 125. In other words, the first skid rail arrangement 181 extends at a first side of the moon pool 125, over the moon pool 125 via the moon pool portion 185, and at a second side of the moon pool 125.

[0074] Second skid rail arrangement 186

[0075] As can also be seen in Figure 2A, the skid rail assembly 180 further comprises a second skid rail arrangement 186 aligned with the port-starboard direction of the vessel 120. The first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 are thus perpendicular to one another. In other embodiments, one or both of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and second skid rail arrangement 186 are not aligned with the bow-stern or port-starboard directions with respect to the vessel 120. In such embodiments, first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 may still be perpendicular to one another, or may be nonperpendicular, for example extending at an angle of between 5 and 85 degrees relative to one another.

[0076] The second skid rail arrangement 186 comprises at least one track 187, 188, 189, 190. The at least one track 187, 188, 189, 190 comprises at least one skid rail 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196. Each skid rail 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 is an elongate part on which a moveable frame assembly is supported and moved thereon. In the present embodiment, the second skid rail arrangement 186 comprises a first track 187, a second track 188, a third track 189, and a fourth track 190. The first track 187 is formed by a first skid rail 191 and a second skid rail 192. The second track 188 is formed by the second skid rail 192 and a third skid rail 193. The third track 189 is formed by the third skid rail 193 and a fourth skid rail 194. As such, the second skid rail 192 and the third skid rail 193 each form part of two tracks: the second rail 192 forms part of each of the first and second tracks 187, 188, and the third skid rail 193 forms part of each of the second and third tracks 188, 189. The fourth track 190 is formed by a fifth skid rail 195 and a sixth skid rail 196. Therefore, in the present embodiment there are six skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 forming four tracks 187, 188, 189, 190. Further, similar to the first skid rail arrangement 181 , each track 187, 188, 189, 190 may comprise at least one part interface (not shown) for guiding the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 supported thereon. For example, each skid rail 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 may have a moveable frame assembly interface in the form of a groove running longitudinally along the length of the skid rail 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, in which a rail interface of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 supported thereon may sit.

[0077] Similar to the first skid rail arrangement 181 , in some embodiments, for example a monorail embodiment, each track 187, 188, 189, 190 of the second skid rail arrangement 182 may be formed by only one skid rail 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196. In some embodiments, the second skid rail arrangement 186 may comprise less than four tracks, for example two or three, or more than four tracks, for example five, six, seven, or eight or more. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second skid rail arrangement 186 may comprise two or more skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, for example two, three, four, or five or more skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, and in other embodiments the second skid rail arrangement 186 may comprise seven or more skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, for example seven, eight, nine, or ten, or ten or more.

[0078] Also much like the first skid rail arrangement 181 , in embodiments where the second skid rail arrangement 186 comprises two or more skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, the two or more skid rails are substantially parallel. The definition of substantially parallel is the same as that given in relation to the first skid rail arrangement 181.

[0079] In embodiments wherein each track 187, 188, 189, 190 of the second skid rail arrangement 186 is formed by two or more skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, each track 187, 188, 189, 190 has a width of a distance 2D. This means that the outermost skid rails 187, 188, 189, 190 of each track 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 are arranged the second distance 2D apart from one another. Similar to the first distance 1 D, the second distance 2D is typically measured from the centres of the skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, though in some embodiments the second distance 2D is measured from the inside surfaces of the skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 forming each track 187, 188, 189, 190 wherein the second distance 2D may be considered as being a track gauge.

[0080] Further, in the present embodiment, the skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 are substantially straight. The definition of substantially straight is also the same as that given in relation to the first skid rail arrangement 181 .

[0081] The first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186

[0082] The first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 have top surfaces arranged in the same plane. This allows the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 moving thereon to transfer between the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid arrangement 186, without reguiring additional lifting. This plane is in the horizontal plane, parallel with the deck 130 of the vessel 120.

[0083] The skid rails 183, 184 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and / or the skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 of the second skid rail arrangement 186 may be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry running along a longitudinal axis thereof.

[0084] This means that a first skid rail may be used with a second skid rail on either side of the first skid rail to support eguipment thereon. For example, in some embodiments where the first skid rail arrangement 185 and / or the second skid rail arrangement 190 comprises three parallel skid rails 186, 187, 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, arranged such that the first and second skid rails are separated by the first distance 1 D or the second distance 2D, and the second and third skid rails are also separated by the first distance 1 D or the second distance 2D, a first and second of the skid rails may be used to support a first piece of eguipment thereon, without use of the third skid rail, and the second and third of the skid rails may be used to support a second piece of eguipment thereon, without use of the first skid rail.

[0085] The first distance 1 D and the second distance 2D may be egual to one another. This enables one or more of the moveable frame assemblies 200, 600 of the system 100 to be moved on the skid rail assembly 180 in two or more orientations, for example a first orientation and a second orientation offset from the first orientation by 90 degrees. This may allow the parts to be stored closer together and thus more efficiently on the deck 130 than would otherwise be possible. This may be done, for example, by lifting the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 using the main winch 142, and rotating the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 before landing it back down on the skid rail assembly 180 in a new orientation. Each area of the skid rail assembly 180 where the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 cross one another may be known as a junction 197. This junction 197 refers to the point at which a load is transferred from one of the skid rail arrangements 181 , 186 to another skid rail arrangement 181 , 186. Each specific area where a skid rails 183, 184 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 cross the skid rails 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 of the second skid rail arrangement 186 may be known as a sub-junction 198. For example, in Figure 2A, the first frame assembly 200 can be seen on the junction 197 formed by the first track 182 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the first track 187 of the second skid rail arrangement 186, the junction 197 having four sub-junctions as each of the first tracks 182, 187 is formed by two skid rails 183, 184, 191 , 192. When the junction 197 is formed by two perpendicular tracks crossing one another wherein the tracks each comprise two substantially parallel skid rails, the sub-junctions 198 are arranged in a rectangular formation. This means that the sub-junctions 198 are arranged at all of the four vertices of an imaginary rectangle. Further, when the junction 197 is formed by two perpendicular tracks crossing one another wherein the tracks each comprise two substantially parallel skid rails and the first distance 1 D between the first tracks and the second distance 2D between the second tracks are also equal to one another, the sub-junctions 198 are arranged in a square formation. This means that the sub-junctions 198 are arranged at all of the four vertices of an imaginary square. This can be seen, for example, at the junction between the first track 182 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the fourth track 190 of the second skid rail arrangement 186. When the junction 197 is formed by two tracks crossing one another non-perpendicularly, wherein the tracks each comprise two substantially parallel skid rails, the sub-junctions 198 are arranged in a parallelogrammic formation. This means that the sub-junctions 198 are arranged at all of the four vertices of an imaginary parallelogram.

[0086] Further details of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600

[0087] A parking position is a position wherein the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and / or the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is located outside of the handling tower 141 . As can be seen in Figure 2A, the first frame assembly 200 and the second frame assembly 600 are both shown in parking positions. An operating position is a position where the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and / or the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is located at least partially within the handling tower 141 . This means that the footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and / or the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is located at least partially within the footprint of the handling tower 141. In an operating position, the footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and / or the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be fully located within the footprint of the handling tower 141.

[0088] The shorter of the first and second cross-dimensions of the footprint of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 and / or the main frame 210, 612 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is shorter than the first cross dimension of the access opening of the handling tower 141.

[0089] The moveable frame assembly 200, 600 is configured to move in a first direction along one of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and second skid rail arrangement 186 and in a second direction along the other of the first skid rail arrangement 181 and second skid rail arrangement 186. This allows another moveable frame assembly 200, 600 to pass, potentially reducing operational bottlenecks experienced when moving parts 200, 600 of the system 100 across the deck 130, as the need for winches and / or lifting cranes to move such frame assemblies 200, 600 across the deck 130 is reduced or eradicated entirely. Further, this configuration is particularly useful when moving equipment from a parking position to an operating position. For example, moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may have a parking position located on the second skid rail arrangement 186, and an operating position located on the first skid rail arrangement 181. The operating position of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be located at least partially on the moon pool portion 185 of the first skid rail arrangement 181 .

[0090] In some embodiments, for example the first and second frame assemblies 200, 600 shown in Figure 2A to C, the skidding arrangements 218, 650 are configured to move, for example skid and / or roll, in at least four directions. These directions are in the same plane, i.e. the horizontal plane parallel with the deck 130 of the vessel 120, and may be sequentially offset by 90 degrees with respect to one another. These directions, for example, may correspond with the bow-stern, stern-bow, port-starboard, and starboard-port directions of the vessel 120, for example when the first skid rail arrangement 181 is aligned with the bow-stern direction of the vessel 120 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 is aligned with the port-starboard direction of the vessel 120. As the first and second frame assemblies 200, 600 are each moveable in four directions, they may thus each be considered as being quadridirectionally moveable.

[0091] Each rail interface 219, 651 may, for example, engage with the moveable frame assembly interface of each track 182, 187, 188, 189, 190.

[0092] One or more of the rail interfaces may be retractable and extendable, allowing the skidding arrangement to transfer between the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186 using rail interfaces which may only be configured to move on one of the first or second skid rail arrangements 181 , 182, for example.

[0093] The formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 of a particular moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be the same as the formation of the sub-junctions 198 of the particular junction 197 where the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 transfers between the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186. For example, if the sub-junctions 198 of the particular junction 197 are arranged in a square formation, the formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 will also be square. If the formation of the sub-junctions 198 of the particular junction 197 is rectangular, the formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 will also be rectangular. Further, if the formation of the sub-junctions 198 of the particular junction 197 is parallelogrammic, the formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 will also be parallelogrammic. This means that centres of the rail interfaces may be arranged in the same shape as the centres of the sub-junctions 198 of a particular junction 197 where the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 will transfer between the first skid rail arrangement 181 and the second skid rail arrangement 186.

[0094] Though the formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 may be the same as that of the subjunctions 198 of a particular junction 197, it is important to note that the formations may differ in scale, for example one being more than 10% smaller, more than 20% smaller, more than 10% larger, or more than 20% larger than the other. This difference in scale may be useful in scenarios where the rail interfaces 219, 651 sit off-centre on the skid rails 183, 184, 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, for example towards the inside surfaces of the rails. In such a scenario, the formation of the rail interfaces 219, 651 may be smaller than the formation of the subjunctions 198.

[0095] The skidding arrangements 218, 650 may comprise a braking assembly to control movement of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600 on the skid rail assembly 180. This control may include slowing down or preventing movement of the moveable frame assembly 200, 600. The details of such a braking assembly would be well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0096] First frame assembly 200

[0097] The first frame assembly 200 is for moving equipment 400 relative to the handling tower 141 , for example in and out of the handling tower 141 , and / or relative to the moon pool 125. The first frame assembly 200 comprises a main frame 210 and a moveable subframe 220. In some embodiments, the first frame assembly 200 further comprises a topside injector head frame 230, and / or a winch 240, and / or a sheave 250.

[0098] The main frame 210 is for supporting the equipment 400 and the moveable subframe 220. Further, in many advantageous embodiments, the moveable subframe 220 is housed within the main frame 210 and / or supported by the main frame 210. In the first embodiment of the main frame 210, shown clearly in Figure 4, the moveable subframe 220 is housed within and supported by the main frame 210. A second embodiment of the main frame 210 is shown in Figure 5.

[0099] The main frame 210 comprises a first main frame portion 211 and a second main frame portion 212. The purpose for the first and second main frame portions 211 , 212 is to make it easier to transport the main frame 210, before it is assembled either on the deck 130 of the vessel 120, or on the quayside before the vessel 130 sets sail. In other words, the first and second main frame portions 211 , 212 are configured to be assembled on-site into the main frame 210. The first main frame portion 211 is arranged above the second main frame portion 212.

[0100] The main frame 210 may further comprise a side equipment opening 213 for enabling equipment 400 supported on the moveable subframe 220 to enter or exit the main frame 210. In other words, the side equipment opening 213 is configured to receive the equipment 400 supported on the moveable subframe. The side equipment opening 213 is present in both the first and second embodiments of the main frame 210 shown in Figures 4 and 5. The main frame 210, in both of the first and second embodiments, comprises at least one hinged door 214. The hinged door 214 is arranged at the side equipment opening 213 and enables access to the equipment 400 on the moveable subframe 220 to be restricted if desired. There may be hinged doors or access openings arranged at other locations of the main frame for personnel to access the interior of the main frame 210 and the moveable subframe 220.

[0101] The main frame 210 may also comprise a connection means 215 for connecting the topside injector head frame 230 thereto. As can be seen in the first and second embodiments of the main frame 210, the connection means 215 comprises a pin extending from an upper surface of the main frame 210. Such a pin may act as a guiding pin for the topside injection head frame 230. The main frame 210 may also comprise cylinder arrangements for moving an abutment surface for the topside injector head frame 230 relative the main frame 210. In other examples not shown, the connection means 215 may comprise an aperture for receiving a portion of the topside injector head frame 230. The first embodiment of the main frame 210 further comprises a pull test beam 216. The purpose of the pull test beam 216 is for conducting load tests on equipment 400 and the coiled tubing arrangement 500, part of which may extend through the equipment 400. The pull test beam 216 may be known as a pull test frame 216. The pull test beam 216 is attached to the main frame 210 or may be unitarily formed therewith. The pull test beam 216 may be detachably attachable to the main frame 210, and is located directly below the moveable subframe 220 when the moveable subframe 220 is in the subframe operating position.

[0102] The first frame assembly 200 is configured to be moveable between a parking position and an operating position. The main frame 210 is configured to be moveable between a main frame parking position and a main frame operating position. When in the main frame parking position, the main frame 210 is located outside of the handling tower 141 and / or away from the moon pool 125. The main frame 210 shown in Figure 2A is in the main frame parking position. When in the main frame operating position, the main frame 210 is located at least partially within the handling tower 141 and / or above the moon pool 125. In Figure 3, for example, the main frame 210 can be seen in the main frame operating position. The main frame 210 is moveable on the skid rail assembly 180. The skid rail assembly 180 are therefore suitable for moving the main frame 210 between the main frame parking position and the main frame operating position thereon.

[0103] To this end, the first frame assembly 200 may comprise a skidding arrangement 218, as seen in Figure 2B. More specifically, the main frame 210 may further comprise the skidding arrangement 218. The skidding arrangement 218 supports the main frame 210 on the skid rail assembly 180 and enables the movement of the main frame 210 between the main frame parking position and the main frame operating position, for example by reducing the friction between the main frame 210 and the skid rail assembly 180 when the main frame 210 moves between the main frame parking position and the main frame operating position. The skidding arrangement 218 comprises four quadridirectional rail interfaces 219, each comprising one roller. The rail interfaces 219 are arranged in a square formation.

[0104] The main frame 210 may further comprise rails 217 for supporting the moveable subframe 220. The rails 217 extend horizontally across the main frame 210.

[0105] As can be seen in Figure 4, the moveable subframe 220 is mounted on the rails 217 of the main frame 210. The moveable subframe 220 shown in Figure 4 further comprises an actuating means 222, which is shown as a hydraulically actuated piston. The actuating means 222 allows the moveable subframe 220 to be moved along the rails 217, within the main frame 210, between a subframe parking position and a subframe operating position. The moveable subframe 220 may comprise a subframe roller assembly (not shown) supporting the moveable subframe 220 on the rails 217 of the main frame 210, for reducing the friction between the moveable subframe 220 and the rails 217 when the moveable subframe 220 moves between its parking and operating positions.

[0106] Figure 4 shows the moveable subframe 220 in the subframe operating position. In the subframe parking position, the moveable subframe 220 is located a first distance from the side equipment opening 213 of the main frame 210, and in the subframe operating position, the moveable subframe 220 is located a second distance from the side equipment opening 213 of the main frame 210. In the present examples, the second distance is shorter than the first distance, i.e. when the moveable subframe 220 is moved from its parking position to its operating position, it is moved towards the side equipment opening 213. The moveable subframe 220 may be moveable in a bow-stern direction of the vessel 120, and / or in the direction of the longer of the first and second cross dimensions of the footprint of the main frame 210.

[0107] When the main frame 210 is in the main frame operating position, and the moveable subframe 220 is in the subframe operating position, at least a portion of the moveable subframe 220 is located such that equipment supported on the moveable subframe 220 is located directly above the moon pool. For example, at least a portion of the moveable subframe is located directly above the moon pool 125.

[0108] Figure 5 shows the second embodiment of the main frame 210. This second embodiment of the main frame 210 differs from the first embodiment of the main frame 210 in that the hinged door 214 is in a different form, and there is no moveable subframe 220 arranged therewithin.

[0109] Equipment 400

[0110] The moveable frame assembly 200, 600 may be used for moving various different types of equipment. The equipment 400 may be well intervention equipment. For example, as can be seen in Figure 6A and Figure 6B, the equipment 400 may comprise a subsea stripper 410, and / or a subsea injector 420. In some operations, parts of the equipment 400, for example the subsea stripper 410 and / or the subsea injector 420, may be supported on the moveable subframe 220. In Figures 3 and 4, for example, the subsea stripper 410 is supported on the moveable subframe 220. During use, the equipment 400 supported on the moveable subframe 220 may be detachably attached to the first frame assembly 200 to prevent it falling off. The equipment 400 may also comprise a bottom hole assembly 430, as shown in Figure 3. The bottom hole assembly 430 may be provided in sections, which are then made up on deck 130 and / or, for example, in the moon pool 125. One or more of these sections may have a lifting cap to assist with their lifting, for example by guide wires 146.

[0111] Second frame assembly 600

[0112] As can be seen in Figure 7A and Figure 7B, the second frame assembly 600 may comprise a bed 610, a gallows 620, a slips bowl 630, a dog collar (not shown), and / or a skidding arrangement 650. The second frame assembly 600 may be known as a tool handling skid.

[0113] In the example shown in Figure 7A and Figure 7B, the second frame assembly 600 supports the passive heave compensator 160. In the example shown in Figure 3, the second frame assembly 600 supports the bottom hole assembly 430.

[0114] As can be seen in Figure 2A, the second frame assembly 600 is moveable along the skid rail assembly 180. The second frame assembly 600 is moveable between a second frame assembly parking position, a second frame assembly first operating position, and a second frame assembly second operating position.

[0115] In the second frame assembly parking position, the second frame assembly 600 is located outside of the handling tower 141. This can be seen in Figure 3, for example. In the second frame assembly first operating position (not shown), the slips bowl 630 is located within the handling tower 141 , above the moon pool 125 but away from a centre of the moon pool 125. In this position, the slips bowl 630 may be vertically aligned with a centreline of one of the funnels 233 of the injector head frame 230, allowing the winch 240 to assist the making up of equipment 400 held in the slips bowl 630. In the second frame assembly second operating position (not shown), the slips bowl 630 is located within the handling tower 141 , above the moon pool 125 and above a centre of the moon pool 125.

[0116] The first and second operating positions of the second frame assembly 600 allow equipment 400, for example the bottom hole assembly 430, to be assembled / made-up away from the centreline 126 of the moon pool 125. This may be useful because the moon pool 125 may have a different piece of equipment 400 such as the subsea stripper 410 arranged in its centreline 126, restricting vertical space for the making up of the equipment 400 here. Once the equipment 400 has been made up in the slips bowl 630 of the second frame assembly 600 in the first operating position, with, for example, the equipment extending into the moon pool 125, the second frame assembly 600 is moved into the second operating position, moving the equipment 400 into the centreline 126 of the moon pool 125.

[0117] The second frame assembly 600 can be seen in detail in Figure 7A. The bed 610 of the second frame assembly 600 may comprise a main body 612 and a carriage 614. The carriage 614 is configured to controllably extend and retract with respect to the main body 612. When the carriage 614 is extended, the second frame assembly 600 may be said to be in an extended position. This can be seen in Figure 7A. When the carriage 614 is retracted, the second frame assembly 600 may be said to be in a retracted position. This position can be seen in Figure 7B. The gallows 620 may be located on the main body 612 of the bed 610, and the slips bowl 630 may be located on the carriage 614 of the bed 610. The carriage 614 may extend telescopically from the main body 612. The main body 612 may be considered as a main frame, and the carriage 614 may be considered as a moveable subframe. The carriage 614 differs from the moveable subframe 220 in that in one of its positions may extend at least partially outside of a footprint of the main body 612.

[0118] The gallows 620 comprise a horizontal portion, and a vertical portion. The vertical portion of the gallows 620 is configured to be extended and retracted such that the horizontal portion of the gallows 620 is height-adjustable.

[0119] The slips bowl 630 may comprise a height adjustment means for adjusting the height thereof. This height adjustment means may comprise one or more hydraulic cylinders. The dog collar sits within the slips bowl 630. The dog collar is used to prevent equipment 400, for example the bottom hole tool 430, from accidentally falling into the moon pool, for example while being made-up, uncontrollably down into the sea 50, potentially irretrievably. In some embodiments, the slips bowl 630 and dog collar may be unitarily formed as one integral part.

[0120] The second frame assembly 600 may further comprise the skidding arrangement 650, as seen in Figure 2C. The skidding arrangement 650 supports the second frame assembly 600 on the skid rail assembly 180, and enables movement of the second frame assembly 600 between the parking position and the operating positions, for example by reducing the friction between the second frame assembly 600 and the skid rail assembly 180 when the second frame assembly 600 moves between the parking position and the operating positions. Similar to the skidding arrangement 218, the skidding arrangement 650 comprises four quadridirectional rail interfaces 651 , each comprising one roller. The rail interfaces 651 are arranged in a square formation. The second frame assembly 600 may optionally further comprise an operator panel (not shown) configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the horizontal portion of the gallows 620 and / or extend or retract the carriage 614 from the main body 612.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A frame assembly for moving equipment supported thereon on at least one skid rail arranged on a deck of a vessel, the frame assembly comprising: a main frame configured to support equipment thereon; and a skidding arrangement configured to move on at least one skid rail arranged on the deck of the vessel, wherein the skidding arrangement is fixed to the main frame; the skidding arrangement comprises at least four rail interfaces; each rail interface is configured to contact the at least one skid rail; and the frame assembly has a non-square footprint and at least four of the rail interfaces are arranged in a square formation.

2. The frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein each rail interface comprises at least one roller.

3. The frame assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame assembly further comprises a moveable subframe supported on the main frame for supporting and hanging equipment therefrom, the moveable subframe being configured to be moveable relative the main frame between a subframe parking position and a subframe operating position.

4. The frame assembly of claim 3, wherein the moveable subframe is moveable at least partially outside of a footprint of the main frame.

5. A vessel for moving a frame assembly on a deck thereof, the vessel comprising: a hull; a deck; a moon pool; a skid rail assembly supported on the deck, the skid rail assembly comprising: a first skid rail arrangement comprising a first track comprising at least two skid rails, the first track extending at least partially over the moon pool; and a second skid rail arrangement comprising a second track comprising at least two skid rails, wherein the first track is substantially parallel with a bowstern direction of the vessel, the second track is substantially parallel with a port-starboard direction of the vessel, the first and second tracks cross one another; a first frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 arranged on the deck of the vessel, whereina footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly has a first cross-dimension; the footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly has a second crossdimension; the first and second cross-dimensions of the main frame of the first frame assembly are different and perpendicular to one another; and the main frame of the first frame assembly is arranged such that the longer of its first and second cross-dimensions is substantially parallel with the bow-stern axis of the vessel.

6. The vessel of claim 5, wherein the first and second tracks have top surfaces arranged in the same plane.

7. The vessel of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first frame assembly is the frame assembly of claim 3 or 4, and the moveable subframe of the first frame assembly is moveable in the bowstern direction.

8. The vessel of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first frame assembly is further configured to be moveable between at least one parking position located on the deck of the vessel and at least one operating position located on the deck of the vessel.

9. The vessel of any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising a vertical support structure arranged over the moonpool.

10. The vessel of claim 9, wherein the vertical support structure comprises an access opening for enabling access of the first frame assembly to the moon pool, the access opening having a first cross-dimension in the port-starboard direction, and the shorter of the first and second cross-dimensions of the footprint of the main frame of the first frame assembly is shorter than the first cross dimension of the access opening of the vertical support structure.11 . The vessel of claim 9 or 10, wherein: when the first frame assembly is in the at least one parking position, the first frame assembly is located outside of the vertical support structure; and when the first frame assembly is in the at least one operating position, at least a portion of the first frame assembly is located within the vertical support structure.

12. The vessel of any one of claims 5 to 11 , wherein:when the first frame assembly is in the at least one parking position, the first frame assembly is located away from the moon pool; and when the first frame assembly is in the at least one operating position, at least a portion of the first frame assembly is located at least partially above the moon pool.

13. The vessel of any of claims 5 to 12, further comprising a second frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 arranged on the deck of the vessel.

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