Multi-application catwalk system (macs)

Abstract

A pipe-handling apparatus for moving a pipe relative to a drilling floor of a drilling rig, the pipe-handling apparatus having a main support structure; a pipe delivery mechanism for delivering pipe between a pipe load/unload position and a drilling floor position; and at least one walking unit comprising: a jack capable of lifting the main support structure in a substantially vertical direction; and a foot capable of moving the main support structure in a substantially horizontal direction.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 a catwalk comprising:
 a pipe delivery mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; 
 a frame connected with the pipe delivery mechanism; 
 a plurality of legs connected with the frame; and 
 a plurality of walking units each comprising:
 a jack portion connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack portion comprises a jack pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the jack portion is operable to move the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and 
 a foot portion connected with the jack portion, wherein the foot portion comprises a foot pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the foot portion is operable to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when the jack pad is not in contact with the ground. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the foot portion is directly connected with and extends from the jack portion. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the foot portion further comprises a buttress connected with and extending from the jack portion. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the catwalk further comprises a plurality of swivel connectors each connecting one of the walking units with a corresponding leg. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the jack portion comprises a vertical structural member connected with the corresponding leg, and wherein the jack pad is operable to swivel with respect to the structural member. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus comprising:
 a catwalk comprising:
 a pipe delivery mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; 
 a frame connected with the pipe delivery mechanism; and 
 a plurality of legs connected with the frame, wherein each leg is configured to:
 change vertical length of the leg to change height of the frame above the ground; and 
 move horizontally with respect to the frame to change distance between the legs on opposing sides of the frame. 
 
   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein each leg is configured to change vertical length and move horizontally with respect to the frame to accommodate beneath the frame a wellbore cellar and/or a Christmas tree connected over a wellbore. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein each leg comprises:
 a vertical telescoping portion configured to extend and retract to change the vertical length of the leg; and 
 a horizontal telescoping portion configured to extend and retract to move the leg horizontally with respect to the frame. 
 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein each leg comprises:
 a vertical inner portion that telescopes within a vertical outer portion of the leg to change the vertical length of the leg; and 
 a horizontal inner portion that telescopes within a horizontal outer portion of the leg to move the leg horizontally with respect to the frame. 
 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the catwalk further comprises a plurality of walking units each connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the walking units are collectively operable to move the catwalk horizontally along the ground, and wherein each walking unit comprises:
 a jack portion operable to move the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and 
 a foot portion operable to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when the jack portion moves the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground. 
 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the catwalk further comprises a plurality of walking units each comprising:
 a jack portion connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack portion comprises a jack pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the jack portion is operable to move the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and 
 a foot portion connected with the jack portion, wherein the foot portion comprises a foot pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the foot portion is operable to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when the jack pad is not in contact with the ground. 
 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein each leg is configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the catwalk further comprises a plurality of walking units each comprising:
 a jack portion connected with a corresponding leg, wherein the jack portion is operable to move the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and 
 a foot portion connected with the jack portion, wherein the foot portion comprises a foot pad configured for making contact with the ground, and wherein the foot portion is operable to move the catwalk horizontally with respect to the ground when:
 the jack portion moves the catwalk vertically with respect to the ground; and 
 the leg is not in contact with the ground. 
 
 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the catwalk further comprises a pipe pick-up mechanism connected with the frame, wherein the pick-up mechanism comprises an elevator operable to:
 receive the pipe; and 
 lift the pipe from a lower position below the frame to an upper position adjacent an upper surface of the catwalk. 
 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus comprising:
 a catwalk comprising:
 a pipe delivery mechanism for moving a pipe to a drilling floor; 
 a frame connected with the pipe delivery mechanism; 
 a plurality of legs connected with the frame; and 
 a pick-up mechanism adjacent the frame, wherein the pick-up mechanism is operable to:
 receive the pipe; and 
 lift the pipe from a lower position below the pipe delivery mechanism to an upper position adjacent an upper surface of the catwalk. 
 
   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the pick-up mechanism comprises:
 a structural member extending between the lower position and the upper position; and 
 an elevator operable to:
 receive the pipe; and 
 move along the structural member to lift the pipe from the lower position to the upper position. 
 
 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the structural member is movable between:
 a vertical position in which the structural member extends substantially vertically between the lower position and the upper position; and 
 a horizontal position in which the structural member extends substantially horizontally. 
 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the pick-up mechanism is connected with the frame, and wherein the elevator is located below the frame when in the lower position. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein each leg is configured to:
 change vertical length of the leg to change height of the frame above the ground; and 
 move horizontally with respect to the frame to change distance between the legs on opposing sides of the frame. 
 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein each leg is configured to change vertical length and move horizontally with respect to the frame to accommodate beneath the frame a wellbore cellar and/or a Christmas tree connected over a wellbore. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein each leg comprises:
 a vertical inner portion that telescopes within a vertical outer portion to change the vertical length of the leg; and 
 a horizontal inner portion that telescopes within a horizontal outer portion to move the leg horizontally with respect to the frame.