Vessel with tower column and coupling device for moving intervention equipment around column axis

Abstract

A vessel in various examples includes a hull, a moonpool, a tower column extending upward from deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis, and at least one coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment, eg. above deck, and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use. The well intervention equipment is in certain examples coiled tubing equipment comprising at least a coiled tubing injector head and a gooseneck. Examples of the tower and apparatus including the coupling device and methods of arranging the equipment for storage or moonpool use are also described.

Description

[0001] VESSEL WITH TOWER COLUMN AND COUPLING DEVICE FOR MOVING INTERVENTION EQUIPMENT AROUND COLUMN AXIS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the provision and arrangement of equipment on vessels for performing deployments into the sea through a moonpool, for example deployments of coiled tubing, wireline, and well entry equipment.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In connection with subsea wells, operations in the well may be performed through a subsea wellhead using tools deployed on coiled tubing or on wirelines from a surface vessel. The subsea wellhead is provided with a subsea well entry assembly including typically a well control package and a lubricator provided on the well control package for containing the well pressure whilst tools are deployed. In this arrangement, the coiled tubing or wireline is submerged in the sea between the vessel and the well entry assembly on the wellhead. This is sometimes referred to as riserless subsea operations. That is, the subsea coiled tubing or wireline is not deployed inside a riser between the wellhead and the surface. The tools may be used for well intervention or workover.

[0006] In prior art, the coiled tubing is typically deployed through a moonpool of the vessel. A handling tower on the vessel extends upward from deck and can be used to arrange operations equipment above the moonpool. The equipment typically includes a coiled tubing injector head provided with a gooseneck. The coiled tubing extends through the injector head with the gooseneck guiding the coiled tubing from the reel into the coiled tubing injector head. The injector head acts on the coiled tubing to urge the tubing through sea toward or away from the wellhead.

[0007] The injector head may be suspended from the tower on a main hoist line. The coiled tubing injector head may also be arranged to be guided with respect to the tower, e.g., by longitudinal rails along the tower, so that movement of the suspended equipment along the tower due to heave motions of the vessel is permitted whilst retained in lateral position relative to the tower. The hoist line can for instance spool in or out to permit movement of the coiled tubing equipment along the tower, and in such way compensate for the heave motions of the vessel. By way of the heave compensation functionality, the coiled tubing injector can be supported from the vessel in constant height (i.e. relative to seabed), despite the vessel heaving up or down with waves, etc.

[0008] When wireline rather than coiled tubing is required, wireline equipment is employed. The wireline may then be deployed through the moonpool into the sea, and a tool string on the end of the wireline may be lowered to the wellbore to perform work, for example, light intervention work. The wireline equipment typically comprises a wireline winch which is operable to spool and unspool the wireline from the winch drum. A heave compensated support member is arranged on the tower over which the wireline from the winch drum is passed. The wireline with the tool string attached to the end thereof is thus suspended over the moonpool from the heave compensated support for deployment into the sea. The wireline and tool string may thus also be heave compensated. The wireline winch drum could also be operated to spool in or out to compensate for heave.

[0009] For coiled tubing operation, space above the moonpool is required for the coiled tubing equipment such as the injector head, gooseneck, etc. The heave compensated support for the wireline may be moved to one side to make space over the moonpool. Transitioning between the wireline set up and coiled tubing set up can be time consuming, complex, and costly. The process must generally also comply with industry safety protocols, which can pose further challenges. For example, the coiled tubing and / or wireline may require load testing before the tool(s) are connected to the end of the coiled tubing. The coiled tubing also needs to be arranged to extend through the injector head. In certain applications, the coiled tubing is arranged through another, subsea injector device and / or is provided with a subsea stripper. These are connected to the coiled tubing topsides and deployed along with the coiled tubing into the sea for connection to the subsea entry assembly on the subsea wellhead. Furthermore, the changeover from coiled tubing to wireline or vice versa may involve changing or reconfiguring the well control package and / or lubricator to be used on the subsea wellhead in the new operation. Thus, the existing well control package and / or lubricator may require to be retrieved back to the surface vessel before redeploying the same or another one.

[0010] Also, multiple deployments on coiled tubing may be carried out for example using different tools for performing different types of work in the wellbore. Similarly, multiple deployments on wireline may also be needed. Between runs, either or both the well control package and the lubricator may be brought to the surface and onto the vessel, for example for maintenance or other reasons, which can add further time and cost to the overall operations.

[0011] At least one aim of the invention is to obviate or at least mitigate one or more drawbacks of prior art.

[0012] SUMMARY

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel comprising: a hull; a moonpool; a tower column extending upward from deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis; at least one coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment, e.g. above deck, and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use. The moonpool use can for example be coiled tubing deployment or retrieval through the moonpool.

[0014] The coupling device may be rotatably connected to the tower column. The coupling device may be arranged to be movable around a part of the tower column. The coupling device may be movable around an arc of up to 120 degrees. In use, moving between the first and second positions may comprise a movement of the coupling device or devices around the axis of at least 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, or 120 degrees. The tower column may be any one or more of: situated to one side of the moonpool; situated at, near or overlapping a side of the moonpool; situated to one side of the centre of the moonpool; situated outside a lateral width extent of the moonpool. The hull may have a longitudinal centreline. The tower column may be situated to one side of the centreline and between a side of the vessel and the moonpool.

[0015] The coupling device may comprise an arm. The coupling device may comprise at least one of a track around the tower a column and a track follower. The coupling device may extend transverse to the column axis outwardly from a part of the tower column. In certain examples, the at least one coupling device includes several coupling devices at different locations along the tower column, each configured to couple with well intervention equipment and movable around the column axis between a first position and a second position. The coupling devices may comprise upper and lower coupling devices. The coupling device or the coupling devices at different locations along the tower column may be configured to extend between a part, e.g. part of a side, of the tower column and the well intervention equipment when coupled thereto.

[0016] The vessel may include the well intervention equipment, and the well intervention equipment may be coupled with at least one coupling device on the tower column, and the coupling device may be movable together with the well intervention equipment between the first and second positions around the column axis. The well intervention equipment under movement between the first and second positions is preferably elevated and spaced above deck level, e.g., spaced apart from deck.

[0017] The well intervention equipment may be any of coiled tubing equipment; wireline equipment; well entry equipment.

[0018] Typically, when the well intervention equipment is coiled tubing equipment, the coiled tubing equipment comprises at least a coiled tubing injector head and a gooseneck. The vessel may include in certain examples a coiled tubing reel, from which a length of coiled tubing spooled out from the reel passes over the gooseneck and through the coiled tubing injector head, the spooled out length of coiled tubing extending between the reel and the coiled tubing injector head in a coiled tubing direction having lateral angle to a longitudinal axis of the hull that changes as the equipment on the tower column is moved between the first and second positions, and the gooseneck is rotatably disposed on the coiled tubing injector head to align with the coiled tubing along the coiled tubing direction with the change in lateral angle.

[0019] The coiled tubing equipment may be coiled tubing deployment equipment configured to be disposed topsides during the deployment or operation of coiled tubing through the moonpool. The coiled tubing equipment may comprise any one or more of: a topsides coiled tubing injector head; a gooseneck; a length of coiled tubing; a tool string; an end connector on the coiled tubing for connecting the tool string to the coiled tubing; a subsea injector device; a subsea stripper; a passive heave compensator device; at least one connecting member for connecting the passive heave compensator to the topsides coiled tubing injector head; at least one connector for suspending the equipment from hoisting gear above the moonpool; either or both of a guide and a guide follower for guiding the coiled tubing injector head with respect to the tower column during subsea coiled tubing operations, permitting heave motions between the coiled tubing injector and the tower longitudinally along the tower, and restricting rotations or motions of the coiled tubing injector away relative to the tower column laterally.

[0020] The coiled tubing equipment may be assembled in the first position for loadtesting a spooled-out length of coiled tubing from a coiled tubing reel, the spooled-out length of coiled tubing passed through the topsides coiled tubing injector head, the subsea coiled tubing injector, and the subsea stripper for load-testing in at least the first position.

[0021] Optionally, the vessel further comprises at least one further coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment, e.g. above deck, and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use, e.g. wireline deployment or retrieval through the moonpool. Thus, in examples when the one coupling device is used for coiled tubing equipment and the further coupling device is used for wireline equipment, the wireline equipment may advantageously be arranged over the moonpool when the coiled tubing is arranged for storage, e.g. above deck, and vice versa.

[0022] The further coupling device may be rotatably connected to the tower column. The further coupling device may be configured to be movable around a part of the tower column. The further coupling device may be movable around an arc of up to 120 degrees. In use, moving between the first and second positions may comprise a movement of the further coupling device or devices around the axis of at least 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, or 120 degrees.

[0023] The further coupling device may comprise an arm. The further coupling device may comprise at least one of a track around the tower column and a track follower. The further coupling device may extend transverse to the column axis outwardly from a part of the tower column. In certain examples, the at least one further coupling device includes several further coupling devices at different locations along the tower column, each configured to couple with wireline equipment and movable around the column axis between a first position and a second position. The further coupling devices may comprise upper and lower further coupling devices. The further coupling device or the further coupling devices at different locations along the tower column may be configured to extend between a part, e.g. part of a side, of the tower column and the well intervention equipment when coupled thereto.

[0024] The vessel may include the well intervention equipment, e.g. wireline equipment, and at least one further coupling device on the tower column may be coupled with the wireline equipment and movable together with the wireline equipment, between the first and second positions around the column axis. The wireline equipment under movement between the first and second positions is preferably elevated and spaced above deck level, e.g., spaced apart from deck. The wireline equipment may be wireline deployment equipment configured to be disposed topsides during the deployment or operation of wireline through the moonpool.

[0025] Optionally, the vessel further comprises at least one other coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment or well entry equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment or well entry equipment, e.g. above deck, and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment or well entry equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use. The moonpool use may be deploying or retrieving the well entry equipment through the moonpool. Thus, in examples when the one coupling device is used for coiled tubing equipment and the other coupling device is used for well entry equipment, the well entry equipment may advantageously be arranged over the moonpool when the coiled tubing is arranged for storage, e.g. above deck, and vice versa. In examples when the one coupling device is used for coiled tubing equipment, the further coupling device is used for wireline equipment, and the other coupling device is used for well entry equipment, the well entry equipment may advantageously be arranged for storage, e.g. above deck, away from the moonpool, i.e. not over the moonpool, when the coiled tubing equipment or wireline equipment is arranged above the moonpool.

[0026] The other coupling device may be rotatably connected to the tower column. The other coupling device may be configured to be movable around a part of the tower column. The other coupling device may be movable around an arc of up to 120 degrees. In use, moving between the first and second positions may comprise a movement of the other coupling device or devices around the axis of at least 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, or 120 degrees.

[0027] The other coupling device may comprise an arm. The other coupling device may comprise at least one of a track around the tower column and a track follower. The other coupling device may extend transverse to the column axis outwardly from a part of the tower column. In certain examples, the at least one other coupling device includes several other coupling devices at different locations along the tower column, each configured to couple with well intervention equipment or well entry equipment and movable around the column axis between a first position and a second position. The other coupling devices may comprise upper and lower other coupling devices. The other coupling device or the other coupling devices at different locations along the tower column may be configured to extend between a part, e.g. part of a side, of the tower column and the well entry equipment when coupled thereto.

[0028] The vessel may include the well intervention equipment or well entry equipment, and at least one other coupling device on the tower column may be coupled with the well entry equipment, and movable together with the well intervention equipment or well entry equipment between the first position and the second position around the column axis. The well intervention equipment or well entry equipment under movement between the first and second positions is preferably elevated and spaced above deck level, e.g., spaced apart from deck. When in the first position, the well intervention equipment is typically not arranged over the moonpool.

[0029] The said moonpool use may be at least one of: coiled tubing deployment or retrieval through the moonpool when the well intervention equipment is coiled tubing equipment; wireline deployment or retrieval through the moonpool when the well intervention equipment is wireline equipment; deploying or retrieving well entry equipment through the moonpool.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus configured to be disposed on a tower column extending from deck of a floating hull, the tower column having a column axis, the apparatus comprising at least one coupling device configured to be coupled with well intervention equipment and configured to be disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position, in use, for storing the well intervention equipment, e.g. above the deck, and a second position, in use, for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a tower configured to be disposed on a floating hull to extend upward from a deck of the floating hull, the floating hull comprising a moonpool, the tower comprising: at least one tower column, which comprises a longitudinal axis along the tower, and on which is disposed at least one coupling device configured to be coupled with well intervention equipment and which is movable around the column axis of the tower column between a first position, in use, for storing the well intervention equipment, e.g. above the deck, and a second position, in use, for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel comprising: a hull; a moonpool; a tower column extending upward from a deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis; well intervention equipment coupled to the tower column through at least one coupling at least part of which is movable with the well intervention equipment around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment, e.g. above the deck, and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for moonpool use. When in the first position, the well intervention equipment is typically not arranged over the moonpool. The first position may be regarded a storage position. The second position may be regarded a deployment position.

[0032] At least part of the tower column may be rotatable about the axis to move the part of the coupling with the coiled tubing equipment around the column axis.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of arranging well intervention equipment for storage or for moonpool use, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vessel in accordance with the first or fourth aspects of the invention; coupling coiled tubing equipment to at least one coupling device. The method may further comprise operating the at least one coupling device, thereby moving the coupling device together with the well intervention equipment around the column axis between the first position and the second position. When in the first position, the well intervention equipment is typically not arranged over the moonpool. The method may further comprise, once in the second position, connecting coiled tubing equipment to a suspension member, and suspending the coiled tubing equipment on the suspension member from the tower column to accommodate heave motions of the coiled tubing equipment relative to the tower, and optionally disconnecting the at least one coupling device from coiled tubing. The suspension member may for example comprise a hoist line passed over hoisting gear on the tower. The hoist line may be spooled out from a main tower winch.

[0034] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel comprising: a hull; a moonpool; a tower column extending upward from deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis; at least one coupling device which is configured to couple with first wireline equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the first wireline equipment, e.g. above deck and a second position for locating the first wireline equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for first wireline deployment or retrieval through the moonpool; at least one further coupling device which is configured to couple with second wireline equipment and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a further first position for storing the second wireline equipment, e.g. above deck, and a further second position for locating the second wireline equipment over the moonpool, e.g. for second wireline deployment or retrieval through the moonpool. When in the first position, the first wireline equipment is typically not arranged over the moonpool. When in the further first position, the second wireline equipment is typically not arranged over the moonpool. The first position may be regarded a storage position. The second position may be regarded a deployment position. The further first position may be regarded a storage position. The further second position may be regarded a deployment position.

[0035] Any of the aspects of the invention may have one or more further features as described to any other of the aspects of the invention, or wherever else described herein. Embodiments of the invention may be advantageous in various ways as will be apparent from throughout herein.

[0036] Description and drawings

[0037] There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a side view representation of a vessel floating on the sea, the vessel including a tower column and a moonpool;

[0039] Figure 2 is an overhead view of the vessel of Figure 1 with coiled tubing equipment coupled to the tower column in a first position around the tower column, the first position being a storage position;

[0040] Figure 3 is an overhead view of the vessel of Figure 1 with coiled tubing equipment coupled to the tower column in a second position around the tower column, the second position being a deployment position;

[0041] Figure 4 is an aft end view of the vessel of Figure 1 , the coiled tubing equipment in the first position;

[0042] Figure 5 is an aft end view of the vessel of Figure 1 , the coiled tubing equipment in the second position;

[0043] Figures 6A and 6B are overhead representations of an example coupling between the coiled tubing equipment and the tower column of the vessel of Figure 1 in the first position (Figure 6A) and in the second position (Figure 6B);

[0044] Figures 7A and 7B are overhead representations of another example coupling between the coiled tubing equipment and the tower column of the vessel of Figure 1 in the first position (Figure 7A) and in the second position (Figure 7B); Figures 8A and 8B are overhead representations of yet another example coupling between the coiled tubing equipment and the tower column of the vessel of Figure 1 in the first position (Figure 8A) and in the second position (Figure 8B);

[0045] Figure 9 is a side view and an overhead view of the vessel of Figure 1 with both coiled tubing equipment and wireline equipment coupled to the tower column, and each arranged in a first, storage position;

[0046] Figure 10 is a side view and an overhead view of the vessel of Figure 1 with both coiled tubing equipment and wireline equipment coupled to the tower column, the coiled tubing equipment being arranged in a first, storage position, and the wireline equipment being arranged in a second, deployment position;

[0047] Figure 11 is a side view and an overhead view of the vessel of Figure 1 with both coiled tubing equipment and wireline equipment coupled to the tower column, the wireline equipment being arranged in a first, storage position, and the coiled tubing equipment being arranged in a second, deployment position;

[0048] Figure 12 is a schematic side view representation of coiled tubing equipment for coupling to the tower column of the vessel of Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 13 is a schematic side view representation of wireline equipment for coupling to the tower column of the vessel of Figure 1 ;

[0050] Figure 14 is a schematic side view representation of well entry equipment for subsea connection to a subsea wellhead;

[0051] Figure 15 is an overhead view of a vessel floating on the sea, the vessel including a tower column and a moonpool, and with coiled tubing equipment, wireline equipment, and well entry equipment each coupled to the tower column, wherein the wireline equipment and the well entry equipment are each arranged in a first, storage position, and the coiled tubing equipment is arranged in a second, deployment position;

[0052] Figure 16 is a side sectional view of the vessel of Figure 15 along the line AA;

[0053] Figure 17 is an aft end sectional view of the vessel of Figure 15 along the line BB;

[0054] Figure 18 is an overhead view of a vessel floating on the sea, the vessel having a tower comprising first and second tower columns, and a moonpool, and with coiled tubing equipment, wireline equipment, and well entry equipment each coupled to the first tower column, wherein the wireline equipment and the well entry equipment are each arranged in a first, storage position, and the coiled tubing equipment is arranged in a second, deployment position; and

[0055] Figure 19 is an aft end sectional view of the vessel of Figure 18 along the line CC.

[0056] Turning first to Figure 1 , the vessel 10 floats on the sea 5 at sea surface 6. The vessel 10 includes a hull 11 , a tower column 12 which extends vertically upward from the hull 11 , and a moonpool 16. The tower column 12 has a vertical column axis 12x. The hull has a longitudinal centre line 17. Well intervention equipment such as coiled tubing equipment, wireline equipment, or well entry equipment can be suspended from the tower column 12 and deployed into the sea 5 through the moonpool 16. The equipment is arranged along a side of the tower column 12. The moonpool 16 is accessible through an upper access opening in a deck 15 of the hull 11. In Figure 2, coiled tubing equipment 100 is coupled to the tower column 12 through a coupling 40. A length of coiled tubing 140 extends from coiled tubing reel 14 to the coiled tubing equipment 100. As will be described further below, the coiled tubing equipment 100 includes a coiled tubing injector head and a gooseneck, and the coiled tubing 140 from the reel 14 is passed over the gooseneck and through the injector head.

[0057] The coiled tubing equipment 100 in Figure 2 is arranged in a first position which is a storage position. In the storage position, the coiled tubing equipment 100 is parked and on standby for future use in coiled tubing operations, such as future deployment or retrieval of coiled tubing into or from the sea through the moonpool. In this first, storage position the coiled tubing equipment 100 is located over the deck 15 and not over the moonpool 16. Whilst in the storage position, for example, the coiled tubing equipment 100 can be assembled and prepared for future operations, which might include the coiled tubing 140 being fed through the coiled tubing injector head and load tested.

[0058] The coiled tubing equipment 100 is arranged on an outside of the tower column 12. This can be convenient for accessing the equipment in the storage position.

[0059] It can also be appreciated that the tower column 12 is arranged between the side 13 of the vessel and the moonpool 16. The vessel 10 can thus be docked with the side 13 adjacent a quay for allowing the coiled tubing equipment in the first position to be prepared with assistance from quayside. For example, load devices located onshore can be applied to an end of the coiled tubing and used to test the load capability of the coiled tubing.

[0060] Furthermore, the arrangement in the first, storage position as seen in Figure 2 can help to free up space over the moonpool 16 and centrally on the vessel. This can be useful when moving large scale equipment such as the subsea pressure control package into and out of storage hanger on the deck 15 for deployment or retrieval.

[0061] In Figure 3, the coiled tubing equipment 100 is arranged in a second position which is a deployment position. In the deployment position, the equipment 100 is arranged over the moonpool 16 for performing subsea coiled tubing operations. The coiled tubing operations includes deploying a length of coiled tubing into the sea through the moonpool, conveying one or more tools on the end of the length of the coiled tubing into the subsea well, supporting the coiled tubing from the vessel, extracting the coiled tubing from the well, and / or retrieving the coiled tubing and / or the one or more tools from the sea through the moonpool.

[0062] The coiled tubing equipment 100 is positioned such that the coiled tubing fed through the coiled tubing injector head can extend vertically downward from coiled tubing injector head into the moonpool.

[0063] The arrangement of the coiled tubing equipment 100 in the first and second positions can be appreciated further from Figures 4 and 5.

[0064] The coiled tubing equipment 100 has moved from the first position (see Figures 2 and 4) to the second position (see Figures 3 and 5) around the vertical axis 12x of the tower column 12.

[0065] The movement between the first and second positions can be provided in any suitable way. In Figures 6Aand 6B for example, coupling member 40m extends fixedly from column section 12s and connects to the coiled tubing equipment 100. The column section 12s is rotatably coupled to the hull, such that rotating the tower column 12 or column section 12s relative to the hull as indicated by arrow F results in rotation of the coupling member 40m and the coiled tubing equipment 100 around the vertical axis 12x. To this end, the tower column 12 or column section 12s may be coupled to the hull or an adjacent section of the tower column 12 through a rotation coupling that allows rotation of the tower column or column section 12s relative to the hull, actuation means, e.g., a motor and drive member, being applied to drive the rotation.

[0066] In Figures 7A and 7B, the coupling member 40m’ is arranged movably on the column section 12s’ and connects to the coiled tubing equipment 100. The column section 12s’ is non-rotatable relative to the hull although it does not have to be. The coupling member 40m’ and the coiled tubing equipment 100 connected thereto are together rotatable relative to the column section 12s’ around the vertical axis 12x, as indicated by arrow G. In certain examples, the coupling member 40m’s is arranged on a track on the column section 12s’ for guiding the coupling member around the tower column 12. Actuation means, e.g., a motor and drive member, is applied in certain variants to drive the rotation, the actuation means for example urging the coupling member along the track to follow the track between first and second positions.

[0067] In Figures 8A and 8B, the coupling member 40m” is in the form of a manipulator arm which extends from a fixed location on the column section 12s” and connects to the coiled tubing equipment 100. The manipulator arm 40m” has a first limb that connects to a part of the column section 12s” at a first joint, and a second limb that connects at one end to the first limb at a second joint and at the other end to the coiled tubing equipment 100 at a third joint. The first and second joints permit rotation of the first limb relative to the column section 12s”, and the second limb relative to the first limb, about vertical axes of the joints respectively, as indicated by arrows H. The limbs of the arm can therefore manipulate and position the equipment in different positions around the vertical axis 12x. Actuation means, such as servo motors at each joint, can be used to drive the rotation at each joint to manipulate the equipment 100 into different positions around the axis 12x of the tower column 12, i.e. from the first position to the second position around the axis 12x. By rotational coupling of the coupling member 40m” to the coiled tubing equipment at the third joint, the orientation of the coiled tubing equipment 100 relative to the deck 15 can be maintained or varied as required. In other variants, the third joint is omitted and replaced by a fixed connection such that the second limb connects to the coiled tubing equipment through the fixed connection. In other variants, the second joint is not required and instead the coupling member 40m” comprises an arm of fixed configuration, e.g. a curved or bent arm, which is rotated only from the first joint about a vertical axis relative to the column section 12s” to move the coiled tubing equipment from the first position to the second position.

[0068] In variants of Figures 6A & 6B or Figures 7A & 7B, the connection of the end of the coupling member 40m, 40m’ to the coiled tubing equipment is rotational, such that the rotational orientation about a vertical axis of the coiled tubing equipment relative to deck can be controlled and / or varied upon moving between the first and second positions.

[0069] Many other variants can be devised. Although actuators using motors are mentioned above, rotation from one position to another around the vertical axis in other variants is alternatively achieved by other mechanisms or other means, e.g., through use of biasing devices, manual rolling or sliding, and / or releasing or controlling brakes.

[0070] In Figures 9 to 11 , wireline equipment 200 is additionally coupled to the tower column 12’ through a coupling 41.

[0071] Like the coiled tubing equipment 100, the wireline equipment 200 is also movable around the vertical axis 12x of the tower column 12’ from a first position (see Figure 9) to a second position (see Figure 10).

[0072] In order to effect movement between the first and second positions, the coupling 41 for the wireline equipment 200 can be configured in generally the same way as the coupling 40 for coiled tubing equipment 100 as described above. Furthermore, the couplings 40 and 41 are separate in that they permit movement of the coiled tubing equipment 100 around the axis 12x independently of the movement of the wireline equipment 200 around the axis 12x. Therefore, both the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 in Figure 9 are located each in a first position, which is a storage position, in which the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 is arranged over the deck 15, parked and on standby for future operations.

[0073] Like the coiled tubing equipment 100, the wireline equipment 200 is arranged on an outside of the tower column 12. The wireline equipment 200 in the storage position of Figure 9 can be conveniently accessed and prepared, e.g. assembled at least partially into a future use configuration, for example to reduce the time required later to switch to wireline operations.

[0074] In Figure 10, the wireline equipment 200 is arranged in the second position, which is an operational position in which the wireline equipment 200 is arranged over the moonpool 16. The coiled tubing equipment 100 remains in the first, storage position. The wireline equipment 200 is described further below, but typically includes a sheave or similar structure over which wireline is passed to suspend the wireline from the tower column 12. In the second, operational position the wireline equipment 200 is arranged such that the length of wireline when passed over the sheave extends vertically from sheave into the moonpool 16. In the second, operational position, the wireline equipment can be used for deployment of wireline and one or more tools connected thereto into the sea, or their retrieval from the sea, through the moonpool 16.

[0075] In Figure 11 , the coiled tubing equipment 100 is arranged in the second, operational position in which the coiled tubing equipment 100 is arranged over the moonpool 16 as described above for example in relation to Figure 3, and the wireline equipment 200 is arranged in the first, storage position.

[0076] In some variants, the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 are moved directly from the arrangement of Figure 10 to that of Figure 11 , or vice versa, by way of simultaneously moving the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 around the axis 12x. This functionality is implementable in certain variants through both the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 being connected to a common, column section 12s that is rotatable relative to the hull 11 .

[0077] Notwithstanding the above, the arrangement of Figure 9 where the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200 are both arranged in their first, storage positions can be useful for example in order to make available space above the moonpool or centrally over the hull for the deployment or retrieval of other equipment or moving other equipment about deck. Such other equipment is in some instances for example a subsea well control package retrieved through the moonpool 16 and onto the vessel for maintenance.

[0078] With reference now additionally to Figure 12, example coiled tubing equipment 100 is described in further detail. The coiled tubing equipment 100 comprises an assembly used for deploying the coiled tubing into the sea and the subsea well. The coiled tubing equipment 100 includes in particular a coiled tubing injector head 115 including a gooseneck 114. The coiled tubing injector head 115 is configured to be used topsides to urge the coiled tubing 140 from the vessel downwards or upwards in accordance with arrow J through the moonpool 140 when performing coiled tubing operations.

[0079] The coiled tubing equipment 100 in this example further comprises apparatus for suspending the coiled tubing injector head 115 from the tower column 12, including a passive heave compensator 112, connecting members 113, e.g. wires for connecting the coiled tubing injector head 115 to the passive heave compensator 112, and a connector 111 for connecting the passive heave compensator to hoisting gear supported on the tower, typically to a main hoisting winch.

[0080] A length of coiled tubing 140 is spooled out from the reel. The coiled tubing 140 is passed over the gooseneck 114 and through the coiled tubing injector head 115. The equipment further includes a subsea coiled tubing end and a subsea injector device 116 and a subsea stripper 117 on the coiled tubing 140. The coiled tubing 140 extends through the subsea injector device 116 and the subsea stripper 117. The subsea injector device 116 and the subsea stripper 117 are arranged to be deployed subsea along with the coiled tubing 140. The subsea injector device 116 is configured to be deployed subsea, near the wellhead for facilitating to urge the coiled tubing into or out of the subsea well. The stripper 117 is configured to connect sealingly subsea with an upper end of the lubricator of the subsea well entry assembly for containment of fluids and pressure from the wellbore. The end of the coiled tubing 140 has an end connector 118 through which one or more tools 19 are connected to the coiled tubing 140 and arranged to be deployed using the coiled tubing 140.

[0081] The coiled tubing equipment 100 is a load-tested assembly in which test loads have been applied to the end of the coiled tubing in the storage position. (The load test may alternatively be performed in the deployment position with the equipment depicted in Figure 12 connected to and suspended from the tower column 12 on the main hoisting line.) As such, the assembly may be suitable for deployment without further load testing. While the coiled tubing equipment 100 in Figure 12 is depicted in assembled form, in other variants the equipment 100 is in distributed form, for example in the form of unassembled parts or merely partially assembled.

[0082] In certain variants for example, the passive heave compensator 112 may not be coupled to the coiled tubing injector head 115. One or more components in other variants are omitted from the coiled tubing equipment that is moved from the first and second position. For example, the passive heave compensator 112 or the one or more tools 119 in some variants is omitted.

[0083] Variants are also contemplated where the coiled tubing 140 is omitted when the equipment is moved toward the second position, in which case the coiled tubing 140 may be fed through the injector head 115 and load tested once in the second position. In some variants, the coiled tubing equipment includes the stripper 117 and the subsea injector device 116 and the coiled tubing 140 is not fed through the stripper or the subsea injector until the equipment has reached the second position. In certain variants, the subsea injector head and stripper may be omitted altogether.

[0084] The coupling 40 of the coiled tubing equipment to the tower column 12 when moving from the first to the second position around the axis 12x in various examples comprises one or more connecting members in different positions along the tower column. This can facilitate supporting the multiple components of the coiled tubing equipment, in particular in an assembled configuration as seen in Figure 12 where the assembly can be of considerable length.

[0085] With reference now further to Figure 13, example wireline equipment 200 is depicted and described in further detail.

[0086] The wireline equipment 200 a support arm 211 , a passive heave compensator cylinder 212, and a sheave 214. The support arm 211 is configured to be coupled to the tower for use in wireline operations. A length of wireline 240 is passed over the sheave 214. The wireline extends toward an end provided with an end connector 218. The wireline passes through a subsea pressure control head 217 on the wireline 240. The passive heave compensator comprises a part connecting to the sheave and a part connecting the support arm to compensate for heave induced motions of the vessel relative to the hang off point of the wireline at the sheave 214. The subsea pressure control head 217 is configured to connect subsea to an upper end of a subsea lubricator of the subsea well entry assembly. One or more wireline tools 219 are connected to the wireline 240 through the end connector 218. The wireline is spooled in or out from a winch (not shown).

[0087] The wireline equipment 200 is depicted in the form of an assembly. In other variants, the wireline equipment 200 is in distributed form or partially assembled. One or more of the components of the equipment may be omitted or omitted from the equipment 200 which is moved from the first, storage position to the second, operational position around the axis 12x. The pressure control head 217 is in some variants not required.

[0088] The wireline equipment can in other embodiments comprise other means or gear for supporting and heave compensating the wireline from the tower column 12. For example, at least one of the arm 211 , passive heave compensator cylinder 212, and sheave 214 is not required. Instead, for example, a heave compensated wireline drum can be configured to be coupled to the tower at an elevated position on the tower with one or more tools 19 connected to the spooled-out end of the wireline.

[0089] In Figure 14, subsea well entry equipment 300 is depicted in the form of a lubricator comprising a tubular lubricator body 301 for accommodating a tool string on an end of a conveyancing means from a vessel, within the lubricator body. A lower end 302 of the lubricator body is configured to be coupled to the subsea wellhead. More specifically, the lower end 302 is configured to connect to a pressure control package. The upper end 303 of the lubricator body 301 is configured to couple with the pressure control head 217 on the wireline. Valves 305, 306 allow for sluicing the tool string into the interior of the lubricator body 301. The valve 306 may then be opened to allow pressure communication between the lubricator and the wellbore through the pressure control package. The tool string can be lowered from the into the well through from the lubricator. The apparatus 300 is generally representative both for wireline and coiled tubing operations, although the configuration of the lubricator does differ for wireline and coiled tubing operations, such that the lubricator for coiled tubing operations cannot generally be used for wireline operations and vice versa. In a coiled tubing operation, a subsea stripper 117 is provided for connection to the upper end 301 of the lubricator. In a wireline operation, a pressure control head 217 is provided for connecting to the upper end 301 . However, both the stripper 117 and the pressure control head 217 provide fluid sealing and pressure containment between the inside of the lubricator body 301 and the surrounding sea and must be connected to the lubricator for providing the necessary pressure containment before the tool string on the wireline 240 or on coiled tubing 140 enters the wellbore. Consequently, the subsea lubricator is replaced between coiled tubing operations and wireline operations.

[0090] Figures 15 to 17 depict an arrangement in which additionally to the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200, well entry equipment 300 is coupled to the tower column 12” of the vessel 10” through a coupling 42.

[0091] Like the coiled tubing equipment 100 and the wireline equipment 200, the well entry equipment 300 is also movable around the vertical axis 12x of the tower column 12’ from a first, storage position to a second, deployment position. The well entry equipment 300 is arranged in the first position in Figures 15 to 17.

[0092] Similarly, in order to effect movement between the first and second positions, the coupling 42 for the well entry equipment 300 can be configured in generally the same way as the coupling 40 for coiled tubing equipment 100 or the coupling 41 for the wireline equipment 200, as described above.

[0093] Furthermore, the couplings 40, 41 and 42 are separate in that they permit movement of the coiled tubing equipment 100, the wireline equipment 200, and the well entry equipment 300 around the axis 12x independently of one another.

[0094] In Figures 15 to 17, both the wireline equipment 200 and the well entry equipment 300 are located each in a first position, which is a storage position, in which the wireline equipment 200 and the well entry equipment 300 is arranged over the deck 15, e.g., parked and on standby for future operations. In the storage position, the equipment 200, 300 is for example prepared and maintained ready for future operation. Like the coiled tubing equipment 100 and wireline equipment 200, the well entry equipment 300 is arranged on an outside of the tower column 12. In some variants, the well entry equipment 300 comprises a subsea lubricator for wireline operations, and at least one of preparatory activity performed with the well entry equipment 300 in the first, storage position comprises modifying the lubricator for example to extend its length for accommodating wireline tool strings of greater length.

[0095] The coiled tubing equipment 100 in Figures 15 to 17 is arranged in the second position, which is an operational position in which the well entry equipment 200 is arranged over the moonpool 16.

[0096] When desired, the coiled tubing equipment 100 can be moved around the axis 12x away from the area above the moonpool 16 into a first, storage position. The well entry equipment 300 from the first, storage position depicted in Figures 15 to 17 is movable around the axis 12x to a second, deployment position, in which the well entry equipment 300 is arranged over the moonpool 16 (not shown), from where at least part of the well entry equipment 300, such as the lubricator, is lowerable on a vertical winch line from the tower column 12” into the sea through the moonpool 16.

[0097] The first coupling 40 comprises upper and lower coupling members 401a, 401b each connecting between the coiled tubing equipment 100 and an outer part of the tower column 12” at locations spaced apart along the tower column 12”. The second coupling 41 comprises upper and lower coupling members 411a, 411 b each connecting between the wireline equipment 200 and an outer part of the tower column 12” at locations spaced apart along the tower column 12”. The third coupling 42 comprises upper and lower coupling members 421a, 421b each connecting between the well entry equipment 300 and an outer part of the tower column 12” at upper and lower locations spaced apart along the tower column 12”. Any one or more of the upper and lower coupling members 401a, 401b, 411a, 411b, 421a, 421 b in certain variants are configured as described in relation to the coupling members 40m, 40m’, 40m” described above.

[0098] In the various examples described above each of the coiled tubing equipment 100, the wireline equipment 200, and the well entry equipment 300 is coupled to the tower, with the lower ends of each suspended above the deck 15 or deck level.

[0099] In Figures 18 and 19, the vessel 10”’ has a tower 1200 including a tower column 12’” to which each of the coiled tubing equipment 100, the wireline equipment

[0100] 200, and the well entry equipment 300 is coupled and arranged in the way described above in relation to the vessel 10” of Figures 15 to 17.

[0101] The movement “between” the first position and the second position as expressed anywhere herein can be movement “from” the first position “to” the second position or “from” the second position “to” the first position.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vessel comprising: a hull; a moonpool; a tower column extending upward from deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis; at least one coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coupling device is rotatably connected to the tower column.

3. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling device is arranged to be movable around a part of the tower column.

4. A vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tower column is any one or more of: situated to one side of the moonpool; situated at, near or overlapping a side of the moonpool; situated to one side of the centre of the moonpool; situated outside a lateral width extent of the moonpool.

5. A vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hull has a longitudinal centreline, and the tower column is situated to one side of the centreline and between a side of the vessel and the moonpool.

6. A vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, including the well intervention equipment, the well intervention equipment being coupled with at least one coupling device on the tower column, the coupling device being movable together with the well intervention equipment between the first and second positions around the column axis.

7. A vessel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the well intervention equipment is any of coiled tubing equipment; wireline equipment; well entry equipment.

8. A vessel as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the well intervention equipment is coiled tubing equipment comprising at least a coiled tubing injector head and a gooseneck.

9. A vessel as claimed in claim 8, which further comprises a coiled tubing reel from which a length of coiled tubing spooled out from the reel passes over the gooseneck and through the coiled tubing injector head, the spooled out length of coiled tubing extending between the reel and the coiled tubing injector head in a coiled tubing direction having lateral angle to a longitudinal axis of the hull that changes as the equipment on the tower column is moved between the first and second positions, and the gooseneck is rotatably disposed on the coiled tubing injector head to align with the coiled tubing along the coiled tubing direction with the change in lateral angle.

10. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the coiled tubing equipment comprises any one or more of: a topsides coiled tubing injector head; a gooseneck; a length of coiled tubing; a tool string; an end connector on the coiled tubing for connecting the tool string to the coiled tubing; a subsea injector device; a subsea stripper; a passive heave compensator device; at least one connecting member for connecting the passive heave compensator to the topsides coiled tubing injector head; at least one connector for suspending the equipment from hoisting gear above the moonpool; either or both of a guide and a guide follower for guiding the coiled tubing injector head with respect to the tower column during subsea coiled tubing operations, permitting heave motions between the coiled tubing injector and the tower longitudinally along the tower, and restricting rotations or motions of the coiled tubing injector away relative to the tower column laterally.

11. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the coiled tubing equipment is assembled in the first position for load-testing a spooled-out length of coiled tubing from a coiled tubing reel, the spooled-out length of coiled tubing passed through the topsides coiled tubing injector head, the subseacoiled tubing injector, and the subsea stripper for load-testing in at least the first position.

12. A vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one further coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

13. A vessel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further coupling device is rotatably connected to the tower column.

14. A vessel as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the further coupling device is configured to be movable around a part of the tower column.

15. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the well intervention equipment is any of coiled tubing equipment; wireline equipment; well entry equipment.

16. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, including the well intervention equipment, the well intervention equipment being wireline equipment, at least one further coupling device on the tower column being coupled with the wireline equipment and movable together with the wireline equipment, between the first and second positions around the column axis.

17. A vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one other coupling device which is configured to couple with well intervention equipment, and which is disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

18. A vessel as claimed in claim 17, wherein the other coupling device is rotatably connected to the tower column.

19. A vessel as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the other coupling device is configured to be movable around a part of the tower column.

20. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the well intervention equipment is any of coiled tubing equipment; wireline equipment; well entry equipment.

21. A vessel as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, including the well intervention equipment, the well intervention equipment being well entry equipment, at least one other coupling device on the tower column being coupled with the well entry equipment, and movable together with the well entry equipment between the first position and the second position around the column axis.

22. Apparatus configured to be disposed on a tower column extending from deck of a floating hull, the tower column having a column axis, the apparatus comprising at least one coupling device configured to be coupled with well intervention equipment and configured to be disposed on the tower column so as to be movable around the column axis between a first position, in use, for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position, in use, for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

23. A tower configured to be disposed on a floating hull to extend upward from a deck of the floating hull, the floating hull comprising a moonpool, the tower comprising: at least one tower column, which comprises a longitudinal axis along the tower, and on which is disposed at least one coupling device configured to be coupled with well intervention equipment and which is movable around the column axis of the tower column between a first position, in use, for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position, in use, for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

24. A vessel comprising: a hull;a moonpool; a tower column extending upward from a deck on the hull, the tower column having a column axis; well intervention equipment coupled to the tower column through at least one coupling at least part of which is movable with the well intervention equipment around the column axis between a first position for storing the well intervention equipment and a second position for locating the well intervention equipment over the moonpool for moonpool use.

25. A vessel as claimed in claim 24, at least part of the tower column being rotatable about the axis to move the part of the coupling with the coiled tubing equipment around the column axis.

26. A method of arranging well intervention equipment for storage or for moonpool use, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vessel in accordance with any of claims 1 to 21 or claim 24 or claim 25; coupling well intervention equipment to at least one coupling device.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the step of: operating the at least one coupling device, thereby moving the coupling device together with the well intervention equipment around the column axis between the first position and the second position.

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