U.S. patent application number 13/867710 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for boat installation frame for transportation tanks.
This patent application is currently assigned to M-I L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is M-I L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Jan Thore Eia, Kjell Magne Oksnevad.
Application Number | 20130236286 13/867710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40580341 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130236286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oksnevad; Kjell Magne ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
BOAT INSTALLATION FRAME FOR TRANSPORTATION TANKS
Abstract
A method includes attaching a storage unit to a removable frame
assembly. The storage unit is then locked to the removable frame
assembly. A flow conduit may be connected from the frame assembly
to the storage unit and provided with a flow of material between
the flow conduit and the storage unit.
Inventors: |
Oksnevad; Kjell Magne;
(Sandnes, NO) ; Eia; Jan Thore; (Kvernaland,
NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M-I L.L.C. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
M-I L.L.C.
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
40580341 |
Appl. No.: |
13/867710 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12739533 |
Apr 23, 2010 |
8424818 |
|
|
PCT/US2008/080608 |
Oct 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
13867710 |
|
|
|
|
60982305 |
Oct 24, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/803 ;
141/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 21/01 20130101;
B63B 27/24 20130101; B63B 27/00 20130101; B63B 27/29 20200501; B63B
25/28 20130101; E21B 21/12 20130101; Y10T 137/87917 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/803 ;
141/1 |
International
Class: |
B63B 25/28 20060101
B63B025/28; B63B 27/00 20060101 B63B027/00 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A method comprising: attaching a first storage unit to a
removable frame assembly; locking the first storage unit to the
removable frame assembly; connecting a first flow conduit from the
frame assembly to the first storage unit; and providing a first
flow of material between the first flow conduit and the first
storage unit.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the material flows from the
first flow conduit to the first storage unit.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the material flows from the
first storage unit to the first flow conduit.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising monitoring the first
flow of material with a fill sensor.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the fill sensor is a sensor
selected from at least one of the group consisting of a level
sensor, a flow-rate sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a load-cell
sensor.
25. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing the first
flow of material between a supply vessel and a main flow pipe.
26. The method of claim 20, wherein the removable frame assembly
comprises a first frame module having a first valve connected to
the first flow conduit and a second frame module having a second
valve connected to a second flow conduit.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first valve and the second
valve are in fluid communication with a main flow pipe.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing the first
flow of material from the main flow pipe to at least one of the
first and second valves.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising adjusting the first
and second valves as a system.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising adjusting the first
and second valves independently.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising diverting fluid flow
from the first storage unit to a second storage unit.
32. A method comprising: assembling a frame assembly including at
least a first frame module; securing a first storage unit to the
first frame module; locking the first storage unit to the first
frame module with a locking mechanism; connecting a first flow
conduit to the first storage unit.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising discharging the
first storage unit, the discharging comprising: pressurizing the
first storage unit; opening an outlet valve; and pneumatically
discharging contents of the first storage unit.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the locking mechanism is one
chosen from a group consisting of automated locks and manual
locks.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein assembling a frame assembly
comprises attaching a second frame module to the at least first
frame module.
36. A method comprising: lifting a first frame module and a second
frame module onto a supply vessel deck; attaching the first frame
module to the second frame module to form a frame assembly;
attaching fluid flow equipment to the frame assembly; securing a
first storage unit to the first frame module; and attaching the
fluid flow equipment to the first storage unit.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the fluid flow equipment
comprises a main flow pipe, a valve, and a flow conduit.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising mounting a second
main flow pipe on the frame assembly.
39. The method of claim 36, wherein the lifting of the first frame
module and the second frame module are performed individually.
Description
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an
apparatus and method to lift and secure equipment to the surface of
a supply vessel deck. More specifically, embodiments of the present
disclosure relate to an apparatus and method to install, secure,
and fill material storage units on a supply vessel deck.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] In the drilling of wells, a drill bit is used to dig many
thousands of feet into the earth's crust. Oil rigs typically employ
a derrick that extends above the well drilling platform or deck.
The derrick supports joint after joint of drill pipe connected
end-to-end during the drilling operation. As the drill bit is
pushed further into the earth, additional pipe joints are added to
the ever lengthening "string" or "drill string". Therefore, the
drill string typically includes a plurality of joints of pipe.
[0005] Fluid "drilling mud" is pumped from the well drilling
platform, through the drill string, and to a drill bit supported at
the lower or distal end of the drill string. The drilling mud
lubricates the drill bit and carries away well cuttings generated
by the drill bit as it digs deeper. The cuttings are carried in a
return flow stream of drilling mud through the well annulus and
back to the well drilling platform at the earth's surface. When the
drilling mud reaches the platform, it is contaminated with small
pieces of shale and rock that are known in the industry as well
cuttings or drill cuttings. Once the drill cuttings, drilling mud,
and other waste reach the platform, a "shale shaker" is typically
used to remove the drilling mud from the drill cuttings so that the
drilling mud may be reused. The remaining drill cuttings, waste,
and residual drilling mud are then transferred to a holding trough
or vessel for disposal. The drill cuttings are typically stored in
large tanks or vessels on the drilling rig platform. These vessels
may be large in size, and therefore, may require large spaces on
the drilling rig. In some situations, for example with specific
types of drilling mud, the drilling mud may not be reused and it
must also be disposed. Typically, the non-recycled drilling mud is
disposed of separate from the drill cuttings and other waste by
transporting the drilling mud via a vessel to a disposal site.
[0006] The disposal of the drill cuttings and drilling mud is a
complex environmental problem. Drill cuttings contain not only the
residual drilling mud product that would contaminate the
surrounding environment, but may also contain oil and other waste
that is particularly hazardous to the environment, especially when
drilling in a marine environment. Traditional methods of disposal
include dumping, bucket transport, cumbersome conveyor belts, screw
conveyors, and washing techniques that require large amounts of
water. Adding water creates additional problems such as added
volume, bulk, and transportation. Installing conveyors requires
major modification to the rig area and involves extensive
installation hours and expense.
[0007] Another method of disposal includes returning the drill
cuttings, drilling mud, and/or other waste via injection under high
pressure into an earth formation. Generally, the injection process
involves preparation of a slurry within surface-based equipment and
pumping the slurry into a well that extends relatively deep
underground into a receiving stratum or adequate formation.
Material to be injected back into a formation may be prepared into
a slurry acceptable to high pressure pumps used in pumping material
down a well. The particles are usually not uniform in size and
density, thus making the slurrification process complex. If the
slurry is not the correct density, the slurry often plugs
circulating pumps. The abrasiveness of the material particles may
also abrade or damage the pump impellers causing cracking. Some
centrifugal pumps may be used for grinding the injection particles
by purposely causing pump cavitations.
[0008] In some instances, the cuttings, which are still
contaminated with some oil, are transported from a drilling rig to
an offshore rig or ashore in the form of a thick heavy paste for
injection into an earth formation. Typically, the material is
transferred into special skips of about 10 ton capacity which are
loaded by crane from the rig onto supply boats. This is a difficult
and dangerous operation that may be laborious and expensive.
[0009] Further, space on offshore platforms may be limited. In
addition to the storage and transfer of cuttings, many additional
operations take place on a drilling rig, including tank cleaning,
slurrification operations, drilling, chemical treatment operations,
raw material storage, mud preparation, mud recycle, mud
separations, and many others. Due to the limited space, it is
common to modularize these operations and to swap out modules when
not needed or when space is needed for the equipment. For example,
cuttings containers may be offloaded from the rig to make room for
modularized equipment used for tank cleaning operations.
[0010] In other drilling operations, cuttings containers may be
offloaded from the rig to make room for environmental and/or
drilling fluid recycling systems. Such systems may include a number
of mixing, flocculating, and storage tanks to clean industrial
wastewater produced during drilling or shipping operations.
Slurrification systems that may be moved onto a rig are typically
large modules that are fully self-contained, receiving cuttings
from a drilling rig's fluid/mud recovery system.
[0011] The lifting operations required to swap modular systems, as
mentioned above, may be difficult, dangerous, and expensive.
Additionally, many of these modularized operations are
self-contained, and therefore include redundant equipment, such as
pumps, valves, and tanks or storage units.
[0012] Accordingly, there exists a continuing need for systems and
methods for efficiently storing and transporting materials used in
drilling operations.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0013] In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate
to a system to secure a storage unit on a supply vessel surface,
the system including a first frame module having a first attachment
mechanism configured to releasably engage with a second attachment
mechanism of a second frame module and a first valve disposed on
the first frame module, wherein the first valve is in fluid
communication with a second valve disposed on the second frame
module through a central flow pipe. The system also including a
locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the storage unit
to at least the first frame module and at least one flow conduit
configured to provide fluid communication between the first valve
and the storage unit.
[0014] In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to an apparatus to secure a storage unit to a supply vessel
surface, the apparatus including a first frame module having a
first attachment mechanism configured to releasably connect to a
second attachment mechanism of a second frame module, and a locking
mechanism configured to releasably secure the storage unit to at
least the first frame module, wherein at least the first frame
module is configured to be removable.
[0015] In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to a method to fill a storage unit with a material, the
method including attaching the storage unit to a removable frame
assembly, locking the storage unit to the removable frame assembly,
connecting a flow conduit from the frame assembly to the storage
unit, and providing a flow of material between the flow conduit and
the storage unit.
[0016] Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the
following description and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an assembly view of a frame assembly in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a component view of a female end of a frame
assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a component view of a male end of a frame
assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an assembly view of multiple frame assemblies
connected in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows an assembly view of the installation of the
storage units onto the frame assembly in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows an assembly view of a lifting point on a frame
assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 7A-7C show system views of various arrangements of
storage units and frame assemblies in accordance with embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 8A shows a component view of a pneumatic storage
unit.
[0025] FIG. 8B shows a component view a storage unit having a
plurality of internal baffles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to
apparatus and methods to install and secure equipment on a supply
vessel surface. More specifically, embodiments of the present
disclosure relate to an apparatus and method to install, secure,
and fill material storage units on a supply vessel deck.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a frame assembly 100 for securing
storage units on a supply vessel surface in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Frame assembly 100
includes frame modules 110, locking mechanisms 116, and bumper
plates 118. Frame assembly 100 also includes valves 122, flow
conduits 120, and a main flow pipe 130. Multiple frame modules 110
may be connected via an attachment mechanism (not shown) to form
frame assembly 100, which will be discussed in detail below.
[0028] Frame modules 110 may be fabricated using various methods
known to those skilled in the art. In certain embodiments, frame
modules 110 may be fabricated by welding, bolting, riveting, or
connecting components in any other way known in the art. Further,
materials and configurations of individual components may be varied
according to the requirements of a given operation. Example
configurations may include steel round tubing, square tubing,
I-beams, etc.
[0029] Referring still to FIG. 1, various fluid flow equipment may
be disposed on frame assembly 100. As illustrated, main flow pipe
130 is mounted on frame module 110, thereby connecting multiple
valves 122. Flow conduit 120, extending from valve 122, has a free
end 121 configured to connect to storage supply equipment or other
required equipment. In one embodiment of the present disclosure,
valve 122 may be an R-valve used to divert a flow of material from
one storage unit to another. In other embodiments, valve 122 may be
any type of valve known to one of ordinary skill in the art,
including, but not limited to globe valves, gate valves, butterfly
valves, ball valves, etc.
[0030] In certain embodiments, valves 122 may be fully automated,
and adjust according to fill sensors. Various fill sensors may be
used including, but not limited to, level sensors, flow-rate
sensors, conductivity sensors, and load-cell sensors. Further,
valves 122 may be adjustable as a system, or individually
adjustable as single units. Still further, valves 122 may be
manually adjusted as seen appropriate by an operator. In alternate
embodiments, valves 122 may be configured to divert the flow of
material from one storage unit to the next.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together, a female end 113 and a
male guide 114, respectively, of attachment mechanism of frame
module 110 are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, female end 113 of the attachment
mechanism includes a locking pin 115. Referring to FIG. 3, a male
guide 114 of the attachment mechanism of frame module 110 is shown.
Frame modules 110 may include a first end having the female end 113
and an opposite end having the male guide 114. Frame modules 110
may be connected end-to-end by releasably engaging male guide 114
of a first frame module 110 with female end 113 of a second frame
module and locking the frame modules together with locking pin 115.
While male guide 114 releasably engaged with female end 113 is
contemplated, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in
the art that alternative means or configurations of connecting
frame modules 110 may be used.
[0032] In certain embodiments, frame modules 110 may include only
female ends 113 on both ends or only male guides 114 on both ends.
In such a configuration, frame modules 110 may be arranged so as to
alternate having a frame module 110 with females ends 113 connected
to a frame module 110 with male guides 114, and continue on in this
way alternating with as many frame modules as are required. In
further embodiments, attachment mechanisms may includes a sliding
lock, ratchet mechanisms, etc.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, a frame assembly 100 in accordance
with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Multiple frame
assemblies 100 (from FIG. 1) are shown fastened end-to-end to form
a larger frame assembly capable of connecting multiple storage
units as needed. Depending on the size of the supply vessel, or
number of storage units needed, a person of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that any number of frame modules 110 for a
required operation may be connected to one another. For example,
larger operations may require more storage units or larger storage
units to store fluids, which may require more frame assemblies for
attachment.
[0034] Now referring to FIG. 5, storage units 150 secured to a
frame assembly 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure are shown. After completing frame assembly 100,
attachment straps 140 are measured and secured to storage units 150
providing extra support. Attachment straps 140 may be secured to
the frame assembly 100 with any locking device known to a person
having ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to,
bolts, screws, rivets, etc. Storage units 150 are then secured to
frame assembly 100 with locking mechanism 116, and flow conduit 120
may be connected to storage unit 150. Locking mechanism 116 may be
of any design known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including,
but not limited to, automated locks, manual locks, etc. Further,
bumper plates 118 are provided to prevent damage to valves 122 and
flow conduits 120 when joining storage units 150 with frame
assembly 100.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, lifting points 160 for frame assembly
100 are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. Bumper plates 118 may have lifting points 160, such
that lifting equipment (e.g., cranes) may be attached. Lifting
points may be configured as hook lift holes, shackles, etc., for
attaching a hook or wire sling to, such that frame assembly 100 may
be removable.
[0036] Installation of the frame assembly 100 from FIG. 1 may be
performed by lifting the individual frame modules 110 onto a supply
vessel deck by inserting a hook (not illustrated) into a lifting
point or by connecting a wire sling through a shackle in the frame
module 110. Next, frame modules 110 may be attached to one another
via an attachment mechanism, wherein a male guide is inserted into
a female end and secured in place with a locking pin. Once frame
modules 110 are secured together, fluid equipment, including
valves, flow conduits, and a main flow pipe, may be attached to the
storage units. Attachment straps may be secured to the storage
units prior to lifting them onto frame assembly 100 for added
support. Finally, the storage units may be secured to the frame
assembly with a locking mechanism. In this way, storage units may
be arranged and secured to the supply vessel deck.
[0037] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame
assembly may be configured to secure the storage units on a boat
deck surface, offshore rig surface, or land surface. Further, the
frame assembly may be configured to allow for filling storage units
in multiple positions, including a vertical and horizontal
position. To compensate for various positions of the storage units,
the flow conduit may be expandable and flexible to provide for the
different lengths needed to connect to the storage units at various
positions. Flexible flow conduits may also provide for the
efficient filling of various sizes of storage units, such as may be
used in a single drilling operation.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 7A-7C, various arrangements of storage
units 150 attached to a frame assembly 100 in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. FIG. 7A shows an
alternating arrangement of storage units 150 as attached down both
sides of frame assembly 100. FIG. 7B shows an arrangement of
storage units 150 down a second side of frame assembly 100. In this
embodiment, flow conduits 120 have been rotated 180 degrees from
their normal position to connect to storage units 150 on the second
side. In one embodiment, the flow conduits may be configured to
rotate 360 degrees to allow for alternate arrangements and
connections to storage units 100. Finally, FIG. 7C shows an
alternate embodiment in which two main flow pipes 130 connect to
rows of storage units 150 down both sides of the frame assembly
100. Embodiments of various storage unit arrangements may allow for
a greater number of storage units 150 to be used at once, as well
as to maximize the use of space available on a supply vessel deck.
Furthermore, various arrangements may provide solutions to
balancing the weight on the deck of a supply vessel once
loaded.
[0039] Still further, in alternate embodiments of the present
disclosure, frame assembly 100 may be configured to attach to the
supply vessel surface to further prevent movement of the assembly.
"Sea fastening" mechanisms for frame assembly 100 may include
pre-existing tie downs on the deck surface, attachment straps,
chains, etc. The sea fastening mechanisms may be attached to the
storage unit and to the deck surface byway of special hooks or
holes on the deck surface of the supply vessel. The added security
from the sea fastening mechanisms may be provided for use during
rough weather conditions or as otherwise seen appropriate by a
person skilled in the art.
[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure may also include
various configurations for transportation and containment of
fluids. Referring to FIG. 8A, in certain embodiments, a pneumatic
storage vessel 800 may have an angled lower section 802 configured
to achieve mass flow of the material in the pneumatic storage
vessel 800. In one embodiment, angled lower section 802 may include
one conical angle. An exemplary pneumatic storage vessel 800 is an
ISO-PUMPS commercially available from M-I, LLC (Houston, Tex.).
Pneumatic storage vessels 800 may be used in the containment and
transport of drill cuttings, for example, to provide temporary rig
storage of drill cuttings prior to a re-injection operation.
Further, pneumatic storage vessels 800 may be used for boat
transport and land transport of cuttings, and may then be used to
discharge cuttings into the final disposal or recycling process.
Pneumatic storage vessel 800 may be a stainless steel pressure
vessel housed in a standard ISO-container-sized frame. Discharge of
the pneumatic storage vessel is pneumatic, requiring a compressed
air supply. To discharge, the vessel is pressurized, an outlet
valve (not shown) opened, and the contents discharged. Fluid
equipment, including the main flow pipe, flow conduits, and valves
may be configured to allow for pneumatic transfer of material as
described above.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8B, alternate embodiments may be
configured to work with other storage units 850 having various
configurations. One such storage unit 850 may have an angled lower
section 852 having a plurality of internal baffles 854 for
directing a flow of drill solids to a specific one of outlets 856.
For example, as drill solids are transferred into storage unit 852,
the drill solids may be divided into a plurality of discrete
streams, such that a certain volume of drill solids are discharged
through each of the plurality of outlets 856. Thus, storage unit
850 having a plurality of baffles 854, each corresponding to one of
outlets 856, may increase the efficiency of discharging drill
solids from storage unit 850.
[0042] To facilitate the transfer of material from the storage
units to a supply vessel or between storage units, in one
embodiment, the storage unit may be pressurized. In such an
embodiment, a pressurized storage unit may store non-free flowing
material, for example, cuttings. In this embodiment, a pneumatic
transfer device may be coupled to the storage unit. Pneumatic
transfer devices may include, for example, a cuttings blower and
pneumatic transfer lines, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,698,989, 6,702,539, and 6,709,216, hereby incorporated by
reference herein. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that other methods for transferring cuttings to storage
units may include augers, conveyors, and vacuum suction.
[0043] In still further embodiments of the present disclosure, with
the frame assembly installed on a drilling rig, the main flow pipe
providing fluid communication between all storage units may be
connected to a loading hose that is connected to a supply vessel.
The supply vessel may have another frame assembly with storage
units installed on the surface to receive fluids from the drilling
rig, thereby preventing the offloading of storage units from the
drilling rig. This may advantageously increase the efficiency and
speed at which operations may occur, as well as reduce the risk of
spills or injury to personnel from lifting.
[0044] The loading hose described above may be connected directly
to an end of the main flow pipe, or may be connected via a TILT
TABLE (commercially available from M-I, LLC, Houston, Tex.), which
is a device which may provide a safer and easier connection method
for the loading hose. The TILT TABLE is attached to either side or
the stern of a vessel. During connection, a flange of the loading
hose is guided onto the TILT TABLE and secured quickly using
latching handles, and moved, via a hydraulic jack, to its
connection position.
[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages
when securing storage units to the deck of a supply vessel. When
installing tanks for cuttings or other material on the deck of a
supply boat, the installation time may be costly due to welding and
transportation of equipment parts that are assembled on the deck.
The size of the equipment may require large areas for storage and
high maintenance both on the boat and in the yard. Embodiments of
the present disclosure may reduce labor intense manual handling of
cutting transfer equipment by providing pre-installed frame modules
that may be quickly located and attached together.
[0046] Furthermore, preinstalled frame modules that may be quickly
located and attached together may reduce the manual handling of the
frames, thereby reducing risk to personnel on the deck. Further,
the attachment mechanism between the frame modules may reduce
installation and assembly time, thereby increasing the overall
efficiency of a waste management operation. Embodiments of the
present disclosure may also help to organize the storage units on
the deck of the supply vessel, thereby eliminating wasted
space.
[0047] Finally, embodiments of the present disclosure may be
retrofitted to older equipment or structures, including rigs and
supply vessels. Because of the ease with which the frame modules
attach together, they may be lifted onto a rig or supply vessel and
quickly attached, providing a reliable attachment for storage
units. Frame assemblies in accordance with embodiments disclosed
herein may also be installed when retrofitting older oil rigs and
supply vessels, thereby reducing overall costs.
[0048] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *