Movable Wellhead Platform

Abstract

A movable platform system for performing workover tasks on a wellhead includes a platform base with a base wellhead access gap at its front end. At least one track is fixed to the upper surface of the platform base and extends from the rear of the platform base to a position near the rearward edge of the base wellhead access gap. A platform support frame with a wellhead access gap at its front end is coupled to the track and configured for movement along the length of the track. An upper platform is connected to the platform support frame and also has a platform wellhead access gap at its front end. The three wellhead access gaps at the three levels of the platform system are substantially aligned when the movable platform support frame is disposed and locked in the working position above the wellhead. Workers on the upper platform have access to equipment surrounding the wellhead.

1 . A platform system to permit workover tasks to be performed on a wellhead, said wellhead comprising an upstanding aboveground wellhead component, said system comprising:
 a base having front and rear ends defining a central longitudinal axis extending from said front end to said rear end, said base comprising two spaced apart portions on opposing sides of said longitudinal axis defining a recess therebetween open to said front end; a ground-contacting surface configured to support said base on a ground surface to permit said base to slide along said surface;   a platform frame supported on said base;   said base and platform frame including first and second cooperating means respectively to permit said frame to be moved along said base along said longitudinal axis between a forward position adjacent to said front end of said base and a retracted position adjacent to said rear end of said base;   an upper platform supported by said platform frame and moveable therewith, said upper platform comprising two spaced apart portions on opposing sides of said longitudinal axis defining a recess therebetween open to the front end thereof;   said base, frame and platform being configured to permit said base and platform recesses to be at least partially aligned when said frame and platform are in said forward position, wherein said wellhead component may be received within said base and wellhead recesses wherein said platform recess at least partially surrounds said component to locate said spaced apart portions of said platform on opposing sides of said component to permit worker access thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The system of claim of  claim 1  wherein said cooperating means comprises a track on said base extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, and rotatable wheels mounted to said frame configured to ride on said rails. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said track comprises spaced apart rails located on said opposing spaced apart portions of said base respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises vertically extendible members configured to elevate or lower said upper platform relative to said base. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said vertically extendible members comprise at least one screw jack. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said cooperating means includes a stop member to selectively prevent movement of the frame along said base. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said cooperating means comprises at least one wheel within a wheel housing mounted to said frame, said housing and said base having alignable openings, said stop member comprising a removable pin insertable into said openings when aligned to prevent movement of said frame relative to said base. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said base further comprises an outrigger configured to contact the ground surface when said base is resting thereon to stabilize said platform system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said outrigger is removably mounted to said base. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one secondary platform removably mounted to said frame at a position above or beneath said upper platform, said secondary platform when mounted to said frame being aligned across the recess of said upper platform to provide access to a front side of said wellhead component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said secondary platform is mounted to said frame for fore and aft or vertical adjustment, or both fore and aft and vertical adjustment. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said upper platform comprises a railing extending around at least a portion of the periphery thereof; said railing being removable. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one post configured for engagement of a safety line thereto, said post being collapsible for transport of said system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one wheel means mounted to said base to permit said base to be rolled along said ground surface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a removable surface which may be positioned to at least partially cover the recess within said upper platform. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing worker access to permit workover tasks to be performed on a wellhead, said wellhead comprising an upstanding aboveground wellhead component, said method comprising providing a system as defined in  claim 1 ; assembling said base, frame and platform; positioning said base adjacent to said wellhead component wherein said portions of said base are located on opposing sides of said component and said component protrudes through said recess in said base; moving said frame along said base to position said platform adjacent to said component wherein said component protrudes through the recess of said upper platform. 
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 16  further comprising the step of delivering said base, frame and platform as discrete separate units to the location of said wellhead and assembling said units at said location.