Push / pull system and support structure for snubbing unit or the like on a rig floor

Abstract

In one embodiment, a support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount. The unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit. The support structure may further comprise a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. Various push/pull system embodiments, for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, are also taught.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead, comprising:
 a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead and adapted to distribute downward forces to the rig floor;   a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;   a plurality of rig engaging members; and   at least one tensile member mount to facilitate the connection of one or more tensile members between the support structure and the rig floor while tubular components are manipulated co-axially in and out through the passage.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a plurality of ram recesses, each suitable to receive a jacking ram, the support structure further comprising:
 a plurality of ram passages in the support plate coaxially aligned with the plurality of ram recesses, each ram passage being of sufficient diameter to allow a jacking ram to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 1  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 1  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a worker platform adjacent the support plate to support a worker above the rig floor. 
     
     
         8 . A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, said unit having a plurality of jacking rams, the support structure comprising:
 a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure within said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead and further adapted to distribute downward forces to the rig floor;   a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;   a plurality of rig engaging members connected to the support plate;   a plurality of tensile member mounts to facilitate the connection of one or more tensile members between the support structure and the rig floor while tubular components are manipulated co-axially in and out through the passage; and   a plurality of ram passages in the support plate adapted to securably mount the plurality jacking rams;   wherein, during operations, any downward forces are generally distributed into the rig floor through the support structure and the plurality of rig engaging members.   
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of ram retainers to maintain secure placement of the plurality of jacking rams on the support plate. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead further comprises a stationary plate and a stationary slip assembly, and
 wherein the stationary plate is mounted directly underneath the support plate and the stationary slip assembly is mounted directly above the support plate.   
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. 
     
     
         12 . The support structure of  claim 8  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit. 
     
     
         13 . The support structure of  claim 8  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit. 
     
     
         14 . The support structure of  claim 8 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. 
     
     
         15 . A push/pull system for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead, the system comprising:
 a unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead;   the support structure of  claim 1  to support said unit used to manipulate tubular components co-axially in and out through a wellhead at a position above the rig's floor; and   at least one tensile member connected between the support structure's said at least one tensile member mount and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, during manipulation of tubular components co-axially in and out through the wellhead, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. 
     
     
         20 . A push/pull system for use on a rig to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead, the system comprising:
 a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead;   the support structure of  claim 8  to support said unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead at a position above the rig's floor; and   at least one tensile member connected between the support structure's said at least one tensile member mount and a mounting point on the rig or the rig's floor, during manipulation of tubular components co-axially in and out through the wellhead, said at least one tensile member adapted to overcome any well pressure-generated forces on the tubular components which would otherwise urge the tubular components out of the wellhead.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of rig engaging members are positioned between the support plate and the rig floor. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a compact snubbing unit. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20  where the unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead is a push/pull unit. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. 
     
     
         25 . A push/pull unit for use on a rig floor and for manipulating tubular components through a wellhead, said push/pull unit comprising:
 a support plate;   a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough;   a plurality of rig engaging members projecting from the support plate;   at least one tensile member mount;   a traveling slip assembly;   a stationary slip assembly mounted to the support plate;   at least one jacking ram securably mounted between the support plate and the traveling slip assembly;   wherein said traveling slip assembly, said stationary slip assembly and said at least one jacking ram are actuatable to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead.