Pipe handling system and method

Abstract

A racking assembly for receiving and storing at least one pipe, the racking assembly comprising a setback assembly including a selectively rotatable member having a plurality radial slots sized to receive a first portion of the pipe(s) in sliding engagement, and a base placed distal from the selectively rotatable member and coupled thereto so as to permit mutual rotation, the base arranged to support the pipe(s) on a support face of the base; a barrier located about a peripheral edge of the base, such that the setback assembly rotates relative to the barrier, the barrier arranged to prevent the pipe(s) from moving radially from the base, the barrier having a gap sized to permit selective lateral movement of the pipe(s); where mutual rotation of the selectively rotatable member and the base permit alignment of the gap and a selected slot of the selectively rotatable member, and so permitting the pipe stands to be moved laterally into the setback assembly.

1 . A racking assembly for receiving and storing at least one pipe, the racking assembly comprising:
 a setback assembly including a selectively rotatable member having a plurality radial slots sized to receive a first portion of the at least one pipe in sliding engagement, and a base placed distal from the selectively rotatable member and coupled thereto so as to permit mutual rotation, said base arranged to support the at least one pipe on a support face of said base;   a barrier located about a peripheral edge of the base, such that the setback assembly rotates relative to the barrier, said barrier arranged to prevent the at least one pipe from moving radially from said base, said barrier having a gap sized to permit selective lateral movement of the at least one pipe;   wherein mutual rotation of the selectively rotatable member and the base permit alignment of the gap and a selected slot of said selectively rotatable member, and so permitting the pipe stands to be moved laterally into said setback assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the selectively rotatable member is a finger board. 
   
   
       3 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  further including a pair of racker arms for gripping the at least one pipe and moving said pipe and so as to engage said slot and gap. 
   
   
       4 . The racking assembly according to  claim 3  further including a guide assembly for receiving said pipe from said racker arms so as to move the pipe to said slot and gap. 
   
   
       5 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said setback assembly further includes a shaft connecting the selectively rotatable member and base. 
   
   
       6 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said selectively rotatable member and/or base are circular with rotation about the centre of said selectively rotatable member and/or base. 
   
   
       7 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said more than one pipe is stored within the setback assembly, said pipes arranged in radial lines from a centre of rotation of said selectively rotatable member and base. 
   
   
       8 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a second setback assembly. 
   
   
       9 . The racking assembly according to  claim 1  further including a plate located about a peripheral edge of the selectively rotatable member said plate including a gap through which the pipe can enter a selected slot when said slot correspond to said gap. 
   
   
       10 . The racking assembly according to  claim 7  further including a second pair of racker arms each pair of racker arms corresponding to two well centres such that the racking assembly can accommodate to two different well centres simultaneously. 
   
   
       11 . A method of receiving and storing at least one pipe, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a setback assembly, said setback assembly including a selectively rotatable member with a plurality radial slots and a base placed distal from the selectively rotatable member and coupled thereto so as to permit mutual rotation;   engaging the pipe in any of said slots and;   moving the pipe laterally so as to slide along said slot and be placed on said base.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further including, before the engaging step, the steps of:
 providing a barrier located about a peripheral edge of the base, said barrier having a gap;   rotating said setback assembly relative to said barrier and;   aligning any of said slots and gap.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further including, before the engaging step, the steps of:
 gripping a pipe stand with a pair of racker arms and;   moving said pipe stand and so as to engage said slot and gap.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to any one of  claims 11 , further including, before the engaging step, the steps of:
 gripping a pipe stand with a pair of racker arms and;   moving said pipe stand so as to be received by a guide assembly, and rotating said guide assembly and consequently the pipe stand so as to engage said slot and gap.   
   
   
       15 . A guide assembly for receiving a pipe and moving said pipe to an outlet position, the assembly comprising
 a first and second support assembly for engaging the pipe, said assemblies in spaced relation to engage distal portions of said pipe;   said support assemblies arranged to rotate as a single entity so as to rotate the pipe from an engaging position to the outlet position.   
   
   
       16 . The assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the second support assembly further includes a base plate for supporting said pipe. 
   
   
       17 . The guide assembly according to  claims 15  wherein said pipe is received from a pair of racker arms. 
   
   
       18 . The guide assembly according to  claims 15  wherein said output station corresponds to an inlet to a setback assembly for storing said pipe. 
   
   
       19 . A method for receiving a pipe and moving said pipe to an outlet position, the method comprising the steps of:
 engaging the pipe with a first and second support assembly, said assemblies in spaced relation to engage distal portions of said pipe;   rotating said support assemblies and so rotating the pipe from an engaging position to the outlet position.   
   
   
       20 . A pipe delivery system comprising
 a base to which pipes are delivered:   a support block for supporting a plurality of pipe;   said base having at least one slot sized to allow the support block to project from or retract into said base, said slot further sized to prevent said pipe to pass there through;   wherein the support block is arranged to move along said slot, projecting from said slot with said pipe and to selectively retract below said base so as to position the pipe on said base.   
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20  further including a retractor to selectively project and retract said block. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 21  wherein said retractor includes at least one linear actuator. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 21  wherein said retractor includes a plurality of upstands rotatably mounted to said block at a first end and pivotably mounted at an opposed second end, said upstands arranged such that in the vertical position the block projects from the base and in an inclined position the block retracts into said base. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 20  further including a trolley arranged to move the block from a pipe receiving position to a pipe delivery position said pipe delivery position coinciding with the position at which the block retracts into the base so as to deliver the pipes to the base. 
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein said trolley includes any one of: a sliding assembly, a roller assembly or a chain drive. 
   
   
       26 . A method of delivering a plurality of pipes to a base, the method comprising the steps of:
 supporting the plurality of pipes on a support block;   projecting the support block from a slot in said base;   moving the support block along said slot whilst projecting from said slot with said pipes and;
 selectively retracting below said base so as to position the pipes on said base.