Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating transporting and heating a liquid for treating oil and gas wells and pipeline systems is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle having an engine and a tank for transporting a liquid that can be used for treating oil wells or pipeline systems is connected to move with the vehicle. A heat exchanger system is operatively connected to the engine. A selectively operable circulating pump and a circulating line are operatively connected between said tank and said heat exchanger system for circulating the liquid from the tank through the heat exchanger system to heat the liquid. The apparatus includes at least one selectively operable valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the circulating pump, the circulating line, and the heat exchanger system. Liquid is pumped through the heat exchanger system to use heat energy from the engine to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to use for treating an oil well or pipeline system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method of moving a large, heavy structure or piece of machinery, such as an oil rig structure on an offshore platform. A plurality of load bearing plates are provided for supporting the structure. Each of the load bearing plates rides upon a plurality of rollers connected together by an endless chain revolving about a central core member when the structure is to be moved. A motor drives the endless chain connecting the rollers on which at least one of the load bearing plates rides when the structure is to be moved. A worm gear coupled to the motor transmits the motion of the motor to the endless chain to translate the structure across a platform.

Abstract: A spill preventing device for use on a tubular portion of a well head is provided. The device has at least two sections forming an open-topped container with a bottom, the container being of a size to receive spills around the well. The container sections have a central opening in the bottom of the container of a size to fit around a tubular portion of a well head. An upstanding centrally located cylindrical flange is provided to fit around the tubular member. The flange is formed with upwardly extending walls from the container sections, which are releasably connected together to form the flange. A splash suppression assembly is positioned in the open-topped container to prevent liquid from splashing out. The splash suppression assembly has a plurality of rings mounted above the bottom of the container. The rings are concentrically positioned about the central cylindrical flange.

Abstract: Aggregate, fragmented material and the like is transported in a pipeline by introducing foam under pressure into the pipeline along with the aggregate, fragmented material and the like to be transported and the foam and aggregate, fragmented material and the like are maintained at a pressure to move the aggregate, fragmented material and the like and foam along the pipeline. The foam may be regenerated at spaced positions along the pipeline by introducing additional foam into the pipeline or introducing gas under pressure into the pipeline to agitate the foam. The gas phase of the foam, as well as the gas employed to regenerate the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of air, nitrogen, natural gas or carbon dioxide and the liquid phase of the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of water, brine or oil.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fixed offshore platform and method of erecting the same. The platform has an open truss structure with upper and lower deck levels. The upper deck has removable floor sections to allow installation of equipment down through the truss structure. The platform is provided with pads for mounting equipment and housing in modules on the deck. No flotation is provided in the platform and means are provided for supporting the platform on the deck of a simple barge. The platform is generally triangular in shape having three caisson legs with one leg enlarged to allow drilling therethrough. Jacks are provided for gripping the legs and a crane is mounted on the deck to move along tracks provided thereon. In erecting the platform, the platform is first barged to the location of installation on a simple barge with the legs in a vertically-extending position and the platform in its normal operating position with the crane thereon. The barge is moored in position over a well site.

Abstract: A trussed leg structure for use in jack-up mobile offshore platforms of the type that include a plurality of support legs extending into the water down to the ocean floor with jacking units engaging each leg to raise and lower the platform structure relative to the surface of the water. The leg structure disclosed includes a plurality of mutually parallel and laterally spaced apart column members rigidly interconnected to define a triangularly-shaped leg. The leg structure has only a single elongated rack carried on one of the column members to provide single point jacking of the leg. The rack comprises a flat, plate-like rack member having a set of rack teeth extending along each edge for meshed engagement with a separate one of a pair of pinions on a jacking unit. Two of the three column members are made of tubular pipe. The third column member, which carries the elongated rack, is an elongate rack plate oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the first and second column members.

Abstract: A multiple section mast having telescoping modular sections adapted to be erected at remote land sites or on offshore platforms by small capacity cranes. A separate lower mast section having an open side is first placed in vertical position on a substructure. A separate upper mast section is moved horizontally into the lower mast section then elevated vertically to extend above the lower mast section. A separate intermediate mast section having at least part of one side open is then moved horizontally into the lower mast section and fastened to the lower end of the upper mast section. The upper and intermediate mast sections are then simultaneously elevated until the lower end of the intermediate mast section can be fastened to the upper end of the lower mast section. Retainer means removably attached to the lower mast section extend into the open side engaging the upper and intermediate sections as they are telescoped.

Abstract: A mobile crane for use on an offshore oil well platform, comprising parallel base beams adapted to span the capping beams of the platform, and a pedestal and a rotating upper works movably mounted on the base beams. A method is described for erecting a workover rig on the offshore platform by means of the crane, and for expeditiously erecting workover rigs on a plurality of platforms in succession.