U.S. patent application number 15/984465 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-21 for multi-application catwalk system (macs).
The applicant listed for this patent is Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Babak Bob Arefi, Max Paul Holand, John David Rowatt, Glenn Thore Saebo, Kristian Tindvik.
Application Number | 20190352982 15/984465 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68534249 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190352982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arefi; Babak Bob ; et
al. |
November 21, 2019 |
MULTI-APPLICATION CATWALK SYSTEM (MACS)
Abstract
A pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe relative to a
drilling floor of a drilling rig, the pipe-handling apparatus
having a main support structure; a pipe delivery mechanism for
delivering pipe between a pipe load/unload position and a drilling
floor position; and at least one walking unit comprising: a jack
capable of lifting the main support structure in a substantially
vertical direction; and a foot capable of moving the main support
structure in a substantially horizontal direction.
Inventors: |
Arefi; Babak Bob; (Spring,
TX) ; Saebo; Glenn Thore; (Kristiansand, NO) ;
Rowatt; John David; (Katy, TX) ; Holand; Max
Paul; (Kristiansand, NO) ; Tindvik; Kristian;
(Kristiansand, NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schlumberger Technology Corporation |
Sugar Land |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68534249 |
Appl. No.: |
15/984465 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/155
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/15 20060101
E21B019/15 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An apparatus comprising: a catwalk comprising: a pipe delivery
mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; a frame connected
with the pipe delivery mechanism; a plurality of legs connected
with the frame; and a plurality of walking units each comprising: a
jack portion connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack
portion comprises a jack pad configured for making contact with the
ground, and wherein the jack portion is operable to move the
catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and a foot portion
connected with the jack portion, wherein the foot portion comprises
a foot pad configured for making contact with the ground, and
wherein the foot portion is operable to move the catwalk
horizontally with respect to the ground when the jack pad is not in
contact with the ground.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the foot portion is directly
connected with and extends from the jack portion.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the foot portion further
comprises a buttress connected with and extending from the jack
portion.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the catwalk further comprises
a plurality of swivel connectors each connecting one of the walking
units with a corresponding leg.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the jack portion comprises a
vertical structural member connected with the corresponding leg,
and wherein the jack pad is operable to swivel with respect to the
structural member.
26. An apparatus comprising: a catwalk comprising: a pipe delivery
mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; a frame connected
with the pipe delivery mechanism; and a plurality of legs connected
with the frame, wherein each leg is configured to: change vertical
length of the leg to change height of the frame above the ground;
and move horizontally with respect to the frame to change distance
between the legs on opposing sides of the frame.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each leg is configured to
change vertical length and move horizontally with respect to the
frame to accommodate beneath the frame a wellbore cellar and/or a
Christmas tree connected over a wellbore.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each leg comprises: a
vertical telescoping portion configured to extend and retract to
change the vertical length of the leg; and a horizontal telescoping
portion configured to extend and retract to move the leg
horizontally with respect to the frame.
29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each leg comprises: a
vertical inner portion that telescopes within a vertical outer
portion of the leg to change the vertical length of the leg; and a
horizontal inner portion that telescopes within a horizontal outer
portion of the leg to move the leg horizontally with respect to the
frame.
30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the catwalk further comprises
a plurality of walking units each connected with a corresponding
leg, wherein the walking units are collectively operable to move
the catwalk horizontally along the ground, and wherein each walking
unit comprises: a jack portion operable to move the catwalk
vertically with respect to the ground; and a foot portion operable
to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when
the jack portion moves the catwalk vertically with respect to the
ground.
31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the catwalk further comprises
a plurality of walking units each comprising: a jack portion
connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack portion
comprises a jack pad configured for making contact with the ground,
and wherein the jack portion is operable to move the catwalk
vertically with respect to the ground; and a foot portion connected
with the jack portion, wherein the foot portion comprises a foot
pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the
foot portion is operable to move the catwalk horizontally with
respect to the ground when the jack pad is not in contact with the
ground.
32. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein each leg is configured for
making contact with the ground, and wherein the catwalk further
comprises a plurality of walking units each comprising: a jack
portion connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack
portion is operable to move the catwalk vertically with respect to
the ground; and a foot portion connected with the jack portion,
wherein the foot portion comprises a foot pad configured for making
contact with the ground, and wherein the foot portion is operable
to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when:
the jack portion moves the catwalk vertically with respect to the
ground; and the leg is not in contact with the ground.
33. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the catwalk further comprises
a pipe pick-up mechanism connected with the frame, wherein the
pick-up mechanism comprises an elevator operable to: receive the
pipe; and lift the pipe from a lower position below the frame to an
upper position adjacent an upper surface of the catwalk.
34. An apparatus comprising: a catwalk comprising: a pipe delivery
mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; a frame connected
with the pipe delivery mechanism; a plurality of legs connected
with the frame; and a pick-up mechanism adjacent the frame, wherein
the pick-up mechanism is operable to: receive the pipe; and lift
the pipe from a lower position below the pipe delivery mechanism to
an upper position adjacent an upper surface of the catwalk.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the pick-up mechanism
comprises: a structural member extending between the lower position
and the upper position; and an elevator operable to: receive the
pipe; and move along the structural member to lift the pipe from
the lower position to the upper position.
36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the structural member is
movable between: a vertical position in which the structural member
extends substantially vertically between the lower position and the
upper position; and a horizontal position in which the structural
member extends substantially horizontally.
37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the pick-up mechanism is
connected with the frame, and wherein the elevator is located below
the frame when in the lower position.
38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein each leg is configured to:
change vertical length of the leg to change height of the frame
above the ground; and move horizontally with respect to the frame
to change distance between the legs on opposing sides of the
frame.
39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein each leg is configured to
change vertical length and move horizontally with respect to the
frame to accommodate beneath the frame a wellbore cellar and/or a
Christmas tree connected over a wellbore.
40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein each leg comprises: a
vertical inner portion that telescopes within a vertical outer
portion to change the vertical length of the leg; and a horizontal
inner portion that telescopes within a horizontal outer portion to
move the leg horizontally with respect to the frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to catwalk systems and
processes for handling drill pipe and casing relative to drill rig
operations. In particular, the invention relates to catwalk systems
and processes that are maneuverable and flexible to suit most
applications such as multi-well pad, batch, batched section and
infill drilling operations.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Current catwalk systems create hazardous work environments
and present problems and issues during batch and infill drilling
operations. Current catwalks do not provide either easy safe
accessibility to the cellars or maneuverability over objects above
the ground level. Unfortunately, the narrow space below known
catwalks limit safe accessibility to cellars below the catwalks.
Further, objects above ground level present problems for current
catwalks because they are unable or have difficulty to walk or skid
over the objects. Walking and skidding over objects above the
ground level, e.g. live wells with caged x-trees, are difficult and
hazardous tasks for most presently known catwalks. Typically,
cranes must be used to lift catwalks over above-ground objects, if
it is even possible for the catwalk to be positioned over or
adjacent the above-ground objects. Thus, there is a need for
catwalk systems and processes that accommodate above- and
below-ground objects on well sites.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure,
disadvantages and problems associated with existing drill rig
control systems are alleviated.
[0004] Multi-Application Catwalk System (MACS) is a comprehensive
fit for purpose catwalk. MACS is designed to suit most applications
such as multi-well pad, batch, batched section and infill drilling
operations. Most important features of this catwalk are easy
"maneuverability/flexibility" and safe "accessibility" to its
beneath. MACS can be expanded horizontally and elevated vertically
as desired to make feasible the operations with x-tree underneath
and cellar with different sizes. Flexibility of different
components of the rig is so important to allow different drilling
operations under variety of circumstances. MACS will not need crane
or other means of lifting to operate safely over the cellars or
objects above the ground level. MACS will decrease non-productive
time-NPT of the operations.
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe relative to a drilling
floor of a drilling rig, the pipe-handling apparatus comprising: a
main support structure; a pipe delivery mechanism in mechanical
communication with the main support structure for delivering pipe
between a pipe load/unload position and a drilling floor position;
at least one walking unit in mechanical communication with the main
support structure so as to support the main support structure,
wherein the at least one walking unit comprises: a jack in
mechanical communication with the main support structure capable of
lifting the main support structure in a substantially vertical
direction; and a foot in mechanical communication with the main
support structure capable of moving the main support structure in a
substantially horizontal direction.
[0006] A further aspect of the invention provides a process for
moving pipe relative to a drilling floor of a drilling rig, the
process comprising: providing a pipe-handling apparatus to a
position adjacent the drill rig; delivering pipe via the
pipe-handling apparatus between a loading/unloading position and a
rig floor delivery position; walking the pipe-handling apparatus
from one wellbore location to another wellbore location; and
reconfiguring the pipe-handling apparatus to avoid at least one
obstacle during walking.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe relative to a
drilling floor of a drilling rig, the pipe-handling apparatus
comprising: a main support structure; a pipe delivery mechanism in
mechanical communication with the main support structure for
delivering pipe between a pipe load/unload position and a drilling
floor position, the pipe delivery mechanism comprising a lower
skate, an upper skate, a rig up system that moves the upper and
lower skates between a pipe loading/unloading configuration and a
pipe sliding configuration, and a pipe pusher configured to move
relative to the upper and lower skates; at least one walking unit
in mechanical communication with the main support structure so as
to support the main support structure, wherein the at least one
walking unit comprises: a jack in mechanical communication with the
main support structure capable of lifting the main support
structure in a substantially vertical direction; and a foot in
mechanical communication with the main support structure capable of
moving the main support structure in a substantially horizontal
direction; a swivel in mechanical communication with the walking
unit to rotate the foot around a substantially vertical axis; at
least one leg in mechanical communication with the main support
structure, wherein the at least one leg is extendable to raise at
least a portion of the main support structure in a substantially
vertical direction; and a cross brace in mechanical communication
with the main support structure and the at least one leg, wherein
the cross brace is extendable to extend the leg further away from
the main support structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments may
be acquired by referring to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numbers indicate like features.
[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a catwalk having a lower
skate and an upper skate configured to slide pipes, which includes
casing, up and down the skates.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the catwalk of FIG. 1A,
wherein the lower and upper skates are configured to load and
unload pipes (casing) from the catwalk.
[0011] FIG. 1C is a side view of a walking unit having a jack and a
foot for walking a catwalk.
[0012] FIG. 1D is a side view of a walking unit having a jack and a
track for walking catwalk.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process for batch drilling
boreholes.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a drilling pad site for batch
drilling multiple boreholes.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a batch of christmas trees
enclosed by a cage.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a catwalk
having legs that are extendable to raise the main support structure
or frame vertically relative to the ground.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a catwalk and
pipe feeding table.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a catwalk
having cross braces that extend to position legs further away from
the main support structure or frame of the catwalk.
[0019] The objects and features of the invention will become more
readily understood from the following detailed description and
appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like numerals represent like elements.
[0020] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Preferred embodiments are best understood by reference to
FIGS. 1A-7 below in view of the following general discussion. The
present disclosure may be more easily understood in the context of
a high level description of certain embodiments.
[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of a catwalk of the
present invention, wherein FIG. 1A shows a pipe raising
configuration and FIG. 1B shows a pipe loading/unloading
configuration. The catwalk 100 has an upper skate 102 and a lower
skate 104. A rig-up system 108 moves the upper and a lower skates
102 and 104 between configurations, where the upper and lower
skates 102 and 104 are pivotally connected to each other. A pusher
106 pushes pipe and casing up the skates to deliver pipe or casing
to the drill floor level of the derrick (not shown). A pulling
winch 110 facilitates movement of the pusher 106 up and down the
skates 102 and 104. A frame 112 provides the foundational structure
for the catwalk 100. The lower skate 104 is pivotally connected to
the frame 112 at its end opposite the upper skate 104. The upper
skate 104 is supported on the frame 112 via a truss 114, wherein
the truss is pivotally connected at opposite ends to the frame 112
and the upper skate 104, respectively. A pipe feeding table 120
extends transversely from the frame 112 adjacent one side of the
lower skate 102. On the opposite side of the lower skate 102, a
casing feeding system 130 extends transversely from the frame 112.
The catwalk 100 may further have legs 140 extending from the four
corners of the frame 112, and each leg may have a walking unit for
walking the catwalk between wellbores.
[0023] FIG. 1C shows a side view of a walking unit 140. The walking
unit 140 walks by loading the weight of the catwalk on a foot,
sliding the catwalk structure across the foot, transferring the
weight of the catwalk from the foot to a jack, moving a foot to a
new position, and repeating the steps. The walking unit 140
generally comprises a foot 141 and a jack 151. The jack 151 lifts
the catwalk vertically and the foot 141 moves the catwalk
horizontally. The walking unit 140 connects to a leg 116 of the
catwalk 100 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) via a leg connector 164. The
swivel 162 enables the foot 141 to be pointed in any direction, 360
degrees around the jack 151, so the catwalk 100 may walk in any
direction.
[0024] Regarding the jack 151, a jack inner barrel 154 connects to
the leg connector 164 via a swivel 162. The jack inner barrel 154
telescopes within a jack outer barrel 152 and is moved relative
thereto by a jack actuator 156. The jack actuator 156 is attached
to the jack inner barrel 154 via an inner barrel anchor 158 and to
the jack outer barrel 152 via an outer barrel anchor 160. A jack
pad 166 is attached to the lower end of the jack outer barrel 152
for making contact with the ground. This connection is a swivel
connection so the swivel 162 may rotate the foot 141 around the
jack 151 when the jack 151 has lifted the foot 141 off the ground.
The jack components work together to lift the catwalk 100
vertically.
[0025] Regarding the foot 141, it is for moving the catwalk in
horizontal directions. A buttress 168 extends from the jack inner
barrel 154 and has a foot sled 144 at its lower most end. The foot
141 has a foot pad 142 for resting on the ground and providing a
broad surface area sufficient to support the weight of the catwalk
100 without sinking into the earthy material of the drilling pad
site. The foot sled 144 is engaged with the upper surface of the
foot pad 142 so as to slide relative thereto. A foot actuator 146
moves the foot sled 144 laterally relative to the foot pad 142. The
foot actuator 146 is attached to the foot pad 142 via a pad anchor
148 and to the foot sled 144 via a sled anchor 150.
[0026] The actuators 146 and 156 may be hydraulic or pneumatic
pistons, worm gears, rack and pinion gears, etc. or any movement
inducing devices known to persons of skill in the art. The walking
unit 140 may further comprise a control unit to coordinate
movements of the jack and foot. When the catwalk has a plurality of
walking units 140, the control units may be linked together for
coordinated movements of the walking units 140. In particular, it
is preferable that all of the walking units 140 move in the same
direction at the same time, so that the catwalk 100 moves as a
single unit. However, they must not always move in harmony as it
may be advantageous to rotate the position of the catwalk around a
vertical axis, in addition to translating the position of the
catwalk in a horizontal direction.
[0027] An alternative embodiment of the walking unit 140 is shown
in FIG. 5, wherein the jack 151 is configured to be between the
buttress 168 and the foot 141. In this embodiment, a leg 116
extends from the frame 112 to the ground and the buttress 168 is
attached to the leg 116. When the jack 151 is configured to raise
the foot 141 off the ground, the leg 116 rests firmly on the ground
to support the catwalk 100. When the jack is configured to lower
the foot 141 to the ground and raise the buttress 168 relative to
the foot 141, the leg 116 is also raised off the ground so the foot
141 may then move the catwalk in a horizontal direction (walking
the catwalk).
[0028] FIG. 1D illustrates an alternative walking unit 140, wherein
a foot 141 comprises a track so as to distribute the weight of the
catwalk over a greater area of the ground. The track 176 is
supported by a series of rollers 178 and is driven by a drive wheel
180. As shown in FIG. 1D, the foot 141 is raised off the ground as
the jack 151 is extended to raise the catwalk and the foot 141
simultaneously. In alternative embodiments, the foot may comprise
any locomotive device. For example, the foot may comprise wheels
driven by a motor and transmission,
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a batch drilling process. Batch
drilling is an assembly line process for drilling a cluster wells
at a single pad site. The drilling rig moves between wellbores via
rails, skids, or hydraulic rig walking shoes. The drilling pipe and
casing stands may remain attached to the drilling rig as it moves.
As shown in FIG. 2, with batch drilling, the surface section for
wells A-F are drilled. The surface section of wellbore A is drilled
at step 202A, and then the drill rig moves to a wellbore B and
drills the surface section at step 202B. The surface sections of
wellbores C, D, E and F may then be drilled in order at steps 202C,
202D, 202E and 202F. In alternative embodiments, any number of
wellbores may be drilled consecutively, all with the same drilling
mud, as the rig moves from wellbore to wellbore. Next, the
intermediate sections of the wellbores may be drilled starting with
wellbore F at step 204F. The drill rig then moves to wellbore E to
drill the intermediate section at step 204E. The intermediate
sections of wellbores D, C, B and A may then be drilled in order at
steps 204D, 204C, 204B and 204A. Intermediate sections may all be
drilled, with the same drilling mud formulated for intermediate
sections, by moving the rig from wellbore to wellbore. Finally, the
production section of wellbore A is drilled at step 206A, and then
the drill rig moves to wellbore B and drills the production section
at step 206B. The production sections of wellbores C, D, E and F
may then be drilled in order at steps 206C, 206D, 206E and 206F.
The production sections are typically lateral sections, wherein the
laterals for the well may all be drilled, with a drilling mud
formulated for laterals, by moving the rig from wellbore to
wellbore.
[0030] During drilling operations, the drill rig is typically
positioned directly over the wellbore with the catwalk immediately
adjacent thereto. To drill a second wellbore, the drill rig
typically moves in the direction of the catwalk. For example,
referring to FIG. 2, when the drill rig is positioned directly over
wellbore A, the catwalk is positioned over wellbores B and C. Thus,
for the drill rig to move to wellbore B, the catwalk must remove
itself to a position over wellbores C and D. There are no
obstructions when the surface sections of the wellbores are being
drilled (202A-202F). However, when the drill rig and catwalk walk
back and forth over the wellbores to drill the intermediates
sections (204f-204A) and the production sections (206A-206F), then
the catwalk must straddle the wellbore cellars, and preferably,
allow access to the cellars.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a drilling pad site. First,
second, third, fourth and fifth clusters of wellbores 301, 302,
303, 304, and 305 each have six wellbores drilled in a line,
wherein the lines of each cluster are parallel but offset relative
to each other. Five reserve pits 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315 may
also be part of the pad site 300, wherein each reserve pit services
a cluster of wells, respectively. The pad 300 may also have an
entrance/exit 320, offices 330 and production facilities 330 as is
well known in the art. The relative positions of the wellbores in
the clusters illustrates that a catwalk may need two-dimensional
walking capabilities.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cluster of well
christmas trees protected by a cage. In the illustrated cluster,
there are four well christmas trees. A cluster of caged christmas
trees illustrates the type of above-ground obstacles over and
around which a catwalk may be called upon to work for given pad
site configurations.
[0033] To perform multi-well pad, batch, batched section and infill
drilling, Multi-Application Catwalk System (MACS) can expand
horizontally and elevated vertically safely based on desired length
and height. There are many ways to build the MACS, but its most
important characteristics are easy "maneuverability/flexibility"
over any object on a pad and safe "accessibility" to the cellars
beneath. Some of the key functionalities of MACS include: (1) being
able to expands horizontally to not interfere with the cellar's
diameter or width; (2) being able to adjust its height from the
ground level to different elevation depending to circumstances; (3)
being able to walk or skid safely over the cellars with any
diameter and width and objects with different heights above the
ground level; (4) being able to operate safely and easily over live
wells with caged x-trees above the ground levels; (5) having
simplicity to operate rather than complexity with fancy movements;
(6) having horizontal pipe racking system that can be easily
transformed from horizontal position to vertical position to act as
elevator as height of MACS changes; (7) requiring minimal usage of
fork lift, crane or other similar lifting systems; (8) being able
to transported easily while rig move; (9) being able to walk and
skid smoothly, precisely and safely within the pads; (10) not
interfere with the v-door and rig floor space to create hazardous
environment. MACS may reduce non-productive time (NPT) because
there is no need to waste time to rig up and rig down the catwalk
to perform safely the operations such as batch and infill
drilling.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of a catwalk
100 that has vertically adjustable legs. A lower skate 104 is shown
supported by a frame 112. Four legs 116 support the frame 112. Each
leg 116 is extendable, such that a lower portion of the leg
telescopes into an upper portion of the leg. An actuator is located
within each leg (not shown). In this embodiment, the extendable
legs adjust the height of the frame 112 relative to the ground.
When the height of the frame 112 is increased, it may also be
needful to adjust a casing pickup system 170 and the pipe pickup
system 172. For example, MACS may have a horizontal pipe racking
system that can be easily transformed to include vertical elevators
174 depending on the height of catwalk.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a pipe feeding
table adjacent a catwalk. According to some embodiments of the
invention, pipe and casing tables may be elevated or lowered to the
same height as the catwalk. For example, the pipe feeding table
120, which extends transversely from the frame 112 adjacent one
side of the lower skate 102 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), may be raised
the same as the frame 112. Similarly, the casing feeding system
130, which extends transversely from the opposite side of the lower
skate 102 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), may be raised the same as the
frame 112. These tables may be equipped with walking units to move
with the catwalk.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of a catwalk
100 that has horizontally adjustable legs. Each leg 116 is attached
to the frame 112 by a telescoping cross-brace 182. The cross-brace
182 may be lengthened or shortened to allow the leg 116 to be
positioned to avoid contact with above-ground or below-ground
obstructions. The length of each cross-brace 182 may be
individually adjusted to allow the catwalk to flexibly conform to
the particular circumstances of the working environment.
[0037] Aspects of the invention may be implemented with catwalks
having a variety of pipe handling mechanisms. For example, catwalks
of the present invention may comprise a pipe delivery mechanism
having a pipe carrying carriage and a device for moving the
carriage between a substantially horizontal position to a position
having a vertical component. Examples are illustrated by U.S. Pat.
Nos. 7,540,338; 8,215,887; 6,695,559; 7,163,367 and 9,476,266 the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by
reference.
[0038] It should be noted that in the development of any such
actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must
be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as
compliance with system related and business related constraints,
which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it
will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex
and time consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking
for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure. In addition, the composition used/disclosed herein can
also comprise some components other than those cited. In the
summary of the invention and this detailed description, each
numerical value should be read once as modified by the term "about"
(unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not
so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the
summary of the invention and this detailed description, it should
be understood that a concentration range listed or described as
being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every
concentration within the range, including the end points, is to be
considered as having been stated. For example, "a range of from 1
to 10" is to be read as indicating each and every possible number
along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if
specific data points within the range, or even no data points
within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few
specific, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and
understand that any and all data points within the range are to be
considered to have been specified, and that inventors possessed
knowledge of the entire range and all points within the range. The
statements made herein merely provide information related to the
present disclosure and may not constitute prior art, and may
describe some embodiments illustrating the invention.
[0039] The following description is presented to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided
in the context of a particular application and its requirements.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed
herein.
[0040] If used herein, the term "substantially" is intended for
construction as meaning "more so than not."
[0041] Having thus described the present invention by reference to
certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the
embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in
nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes,
and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and,
in some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many
such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by
those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing
description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
[0042] Although the disclosed embodiments are described in detail
in the present disclosure, it should be understood that various
changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the
embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0043] Catwalks for drilling rigs of the of the present invention
have many industrial applications including but not limited to
drilling batch well bores for the oil and gas industry.
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