Riser assist for wellsites

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11454079-B2
Application number	US-202016871328-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2020
Priority date	Sep 14, 2018
Publication date	Sep 27, 2022
Grant date	Sep 27, 2022

Abstract

An apparatus and associated method is disclosed for a riser hanging system. The apparatus includes a first elongated member with a provision for a first external mechanical coupling at a distal location on the first elongated member. A second elongated member is mechanically coupled to the first elongated member at proximal locations on the first elongated member and the second elongated member. A third member is mechanically coupled to a first portion of the first elongated member. The third member includes a fourth member to move through at least a second portion of a length of the second elongated member. Mechanical couplers associated with the second elongated member are provided for a second external mechanical coupling of the riser to the apparatus. The riser may be hoisted using the apparatus for better control during coupling to the wellhead.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for hoisting functions, the apparatus comprising:
at least two members mechanically coupled together to enable relative movement between the at least two members;
a connecting member coupled to a first one of the at least two members and coupled to a moving member within a second one of the at least two members; and
a first mechanical coupler of the first one of the at least two members to be coupled to a hoist and a second mechanical coupler on the second one of the at least two members to be coupled to a riser.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a damping system within the first one of the at least two members, the damping system coupled to the connecting member to dampen the relative movement between the at least two members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hollow portion within the second one of the at least two members to comprise the moving member, the moving member movable within the hollow portion to limit an angle associated with the relative moment between the at least two members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hinge enabling the at least two members to be mechanically coupled together at the proximal locations of the at least two members.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a latching feature to provide the second mechanical coupler on the second one of the at least two members, the latching feature to enable latching of the apparatus to the riser.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
the at least two members mechanically coupled at proximal locations of the at least two members and the first mechanical coupler at a distal location of the first one of the at least two members.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder within the first one of the at least two members, the hydraulic cylinder having a piston that is coupled to the connecting member to dampen the relative movement.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising:
an adjustment feature for the hydraulic cylinder to enable adjustments to a stiffness of the piston that translates to a speed of the relative movement expected while lifting the riser.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising:
an adjustment feature for the hydraulic cylinder or the moving member, the adjustment feature to control an angle allowed for the relative movement between the at least two members.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising:
adjustment features for one or more of the hydraulic cylinder or the moving member, the adjustment features to control a speed of the relative movement and an angle allowed for the relative movement based at least in part on determined specifications for the riser.

11. A method for using or making an apparatus for hoisting functions, the method comprising:
providing at least two members having mechanical coupling there between to enable relative movement between the at least two members;
providing a connecting member coupled to a first one of the at least two members and coupled to a moving member within a second one of the at least two members;
coupling a first mechanical coupler of the first one of the at least two members to a hoist; and
coupling a second mechanical coupler on the second one of the at least two members to a riser.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing a damping system within the first one of the at least two members, the damping system coupled to the connecting member to dampen the relative movement between the at least two members.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
enabling a hollow portion within the second one of the at least two members to comprise the moving member, the moving member movable within the hollow portion to limit an angle associated with the relative moment between the at least two members.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
enabling a hinge between the at least two members so that the at least two members are mechanically coupled together at the proximal locations of the at least two members.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing a latching feature as the second mechanical coupler on the second one of the at least two members, the latching feature to enable latching of the apparatus to the riser.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
mechanically coupling the at least two members at proximal locations of the at least two members so that the first mechanical coupler is at a distal location of the first one of the at least two members.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing a hydraulic cylinder within the first one of the at least two members, the hydraulic cylinder having a piston that is coupled to the connecting member to dampen the relative movement.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
providing an adjustment feature or an adjustment for the hydraulic cylinder, the adjustment feature or the adjustment to enable changes to a stiffness of the piston that translates to a speed of the relative movement expected while lifting the riser.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
providing an adjustment feature or an adjustment for the hydraulic cylinder or the moving member, the adjustment feature or the adjustment to control an angle allowed for the relative movement between the at least two members.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
providing adjustment features or adjustments for one or more of the hydraulic cylinder or the moving member, the adjustment features or the adjustments to control a speed of the relative movement and an angle allowed for the relative movement based at least in part on determined specifications for the riser.

Assignees

• U S Well Services Llc

Inventors

• Brunty Jeremy
• Kimbler Randall
• Chero Dominic
• Frame Andrew
• Kurtz Robert

Classifications

• B66C13/06 Primary

  for minimising or preventing longitudinal or transverse swinging of loads · CPC title

• E21B33/068 Primary

  having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) · CPC title

• F16F15/023

  using fluid means · CPC title

• E21B43/2607

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title