Lift frame with pivoting lift sub

Abstract

A lift frame for conducting wireline or coiled tubing operations on an oil rig comprises a main frame and a substantially cylindrical lift sub for lifting the lift frame assembly by means of a block. A pivot is provided between the main frame and the lift sub. The lift frame is provided with skids for supporting the assembly in an undeployed position with the main frame being substantially parallel to a resting surface such as a rig floor. In the undeployed position, the lift sub extends vertically upward from the resting surface. When the lift sub is engaged by elevators coupled by links to the lifting block, the lift frame assembly can be raised into a deployed position wherein the main frame pivots relative to the vertical lift sub to be substantially perpendicular to the resting surface. Difficulties in engaging a horizontally-oriented lift sub are therefore eliminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lift frame, comprising:
 a frame assembly having a top and a side, said lift frame being adapted to rest with said side on a substantially horizontal surface when undeployed;   a lift sub, pivotally coupled to said top of said frame assembly, said lift sub being substantially vertical and perpendicular to said side when said lift frame is undeployed;   wherein when said lift frame is deployed by elevators engaging said substantially vertical lift sub, said frame assembly pivots under the force of gravity into a deployed position wherein said lift sub is substantially parallel to said side and said side is substantially perpendicular to said horizontal surface.   
     
     
         2 . A lift frame in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said frame assembly carries a winch assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A lift frame in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said frame assembly includes at least one skid on said side for supporting said undeployed lift frame. 
     
     
         4 . A lift frame in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said winch assembly includes a hydraulically driven winch. 
     
     
         5 . A lift frame in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said frame assembly is adapted to engage elevator links on a bottom of said frame assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A lift frame in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said lift frame is a coiled tubing lift frame. 
     
     
         7 . A method of lifting a lift frame into deployed position above a wellbore, comprising:
 providing a frame assembly having a top and a side and having a lift sub pivotally coupled to said top;   preparing for deployment by resting said side of said frame assembly on and parallel to a substantially horizontal surface and pivoting said lift sub into a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to said horizontal surface;   deploying said lift frame by engaging said lift sub with elevators and lifting said lift frame;   permitting said frame assembly to pivot under the force of gravity as said lift frame is lifted until said side is substantially parallel to said substantially vertical lift sub and substantially perpendicular to said horizontal surface.   
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing a winch assembly carried by said frame assembly.   
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said winch assembly includes a hydraulically driven winch. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said lift frame comprises a coiled tubing lift frame.