Guided Telescoping System For A Snubbing or Drilling Assembly

Abstract

A pipe guiding system is provided for use with a snubbing assembly. The system comprises a work basket supported on one or more work basket supports; a travelling jackplate having travelling slips and supported on the one or more work basket supports; one or more hydraulic cylinders and a tubing guide. The work basket supports, travelling jackplate, travelling slips, one or more hydraulic cylinders and tubing guide form a singular, integral jackplate guiding unit. A method is further provided for assembling a pipe guiding system. The method comprises the steps of assembling a singular, jackplate guiding unit to a work basket; and assembling the work basket and the singular integral jackplate guiding unit to a gin pole mast. The jackplate guiding unit comprises one or more work basket supports, a travelling jackplate, one or more hydraulic cylinders and a tubing guide.

1 . A pipe guiding system for use with a snubbing assembly, said system comprising:
 a. a work basket supported on one or more work basket supports;   b. a travelling jackplate having travelling slips and supported on the one or more work basket supports;   c. one or more hydraulic cylinders; and   d. a tubing guide,   wherein the work basket supports, travelling jackplate with travelling slips, one or more hydraulic cylinders and tubing guide form a singular, integral jackplate guiding unit.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 1 , wherein the the work basket and the travelling jackplate are supported on the common work basket support. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 1 , wherein the work basket supports are telescopic to allow travel up and down of the work basket relative to the jack plate. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 3 , wherein the unitary work basket supports serve to reduce torqueing strain on the hydraulic cylinders and support axial loads of the jackplate. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 4 , wherein reduced torque forces on the hydraulic cylinders serves to increase stroke length achievable by the hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 1 , wherein the work basket is laterally extendable to enlarge a working surface of the work basket. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 6 , wherein the work basket is extendable by hydraulic means. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 7 , wherein the work basket further comprises a lower riser for receiving the jackplate when the hydraulic cylinders are extended. 
     
     
         9 . A method for assembling a pipe guiding system, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. assembling a singular, jackplate guiding unit to a work basket; and   b. assembling the work basket and the singular integral jackplate guiding unit to a gin pole mast,   
       wherein the jackplate guiding unit comprises one or more work basket supports, a travelling jackplate, one or more hydraulic cylinders and a tubing guide. 
     
     
         10 . A pipe guiding system for use with a snubbing assembly, said system comprising:
 a. a fixed riser;   b. a work basket supported on the fixed riser;   c. a tong unit fixed to the fixed riser;   d. a travelling jackplate having travelling slips;   e. one or more hydraulic cylinders extending from a rig floor and connected to the travelling jackplate for actuating travel thereof; and   wherein the tong unit is fixed to the fixed riser at a height that is higher than a maximum height of the travelling jackplate when said one or more hydraulic cylinders are fully extended.   
     
     
         11 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 10 , wherein the tong unit is fixed to the riser just below a floor of the work basket. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 11  wherein the fixed riser is supported on a lower work floor, said lower work floor having a height corresponding to a lowest-most height of the jackplate when it is lowered. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 10 , wherein the fixed riser further provides support for the jackplate as the jackplate travels. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 13 , wherein an inner surface of the fixed riser comprises one or more support beams along which the jackplate can travel as it is lifted and lowered by the hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 10 , further comprising an elevator unit movable along a length of one or more sides of the fixed riser. 
     
     
         16 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 15 , wherein elevator unit is movable to carry any one or more of equipment, instrumentation, controls or people up and down the the pipe guiding system. 
     
     
         17 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 10 , wherein operation of the elevator unit is remotely controlled. 
     
     
         18 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 11 , wherein the elevator unit comprises a control console for performing any one or more of taking measurements, taking images and controlling operations of the snubbing unit and parts thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The pipe guiding system of  claim 12 , wherein the operation of the elevator unit is controlled by the control console to raise and lower the elevator unit.