WORK PLATFORM FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING OPERATIONS

Abstract

A modular work platform providing at least two adjustable work levels supported by transverse frames and an adjustable base plate, where a deck support bracket may be affixed over a frame pin to support the corners of the modular deck unit.

Description

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,336, filed May 17, 2010 entitled Work Platform for Hydraulic Fracturing Operations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant disclosure relates generally to the field of work platforms.

BACKGROUND

Hydraulic Fracturing was first used commercially in 1949, and due to its success, is now widely used in the gas and oil industry to provide wells with added exposure to the oil and gas bearing formations. Common hydraulic fracturing wellhead configurations currently used in the industry (in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, for example) consist of wellheads that project above the ground surface approximately thirty feet. Several fittings and valves on these wellheads must be accessed at all levels during the fracturing process.

Light-duty single-level work platforms were used in the past to provide access to the lower levels of the wellheads. These single-level platforms proved inconvenient, as additional lifts with man-baskets were required to provide access to the upper levels of the wellheads. In addition, these light-duty work platforms do not meet OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments described herein relate to a modular work platform for use in the field of mineral extraction and in other fields. More particularly, certain embodiments relate to the technical field of natural gas and oil extraction. Some embodiments relate to the technical field of hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas bearing formations for completions of natural gas and oil wells for natural gas and oil extraction.

Some embodiments disclosed herein provide improved access to hydraulic fracturing equipment, typically on a wellhead above the ground surface. Certain embodiments include a system that provides access to two levels along the above-ground wellhead, and is adjustable and modular to allow for field erection, break-down and transport.

Certain embodiments of the work platform for hydraulic fracturing operations provide two adjustable work levels to access hydraulic fracturing wellheads. Stairways and handrails may provide efficient and safe access to the wellheads. When used in the field of natural gas and oil extraction, the work platform may serve six wellheads simultaneously. In other embodiments, the work platform may serve any number of wellheads. In certain embodiments, some components of the system may be designed to be modular to allow for efficient erection, disassembly and transport, and may be designed to meet or exceed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety requirements.

The primary structural components of the Work Platform for Hydraulic Fracturing Operations consist of Transverse Frame Units, Frame Pins, Deck Support Brackets, Modular Deck Units and Adjustable Base Plates. In certain embodiments, some components consist of Adjustable Cross-Braces, Adjustable Stairs and Handrails. In some embodiments, components of the work platform are steel. In other embodiments, the work platform components consist of other building materials known to those skilled in the art such as, but not limited to, aluminum, titanium or stainless steel. In some embodiments, the structural components may be assembled with welded connections, and may be then attached to one another using pinned connections.

Changes and/or modifications to the work platform may be made to the disclosed embodiments to accommodate any number of additional requirements, including, but not limited to, different floor loading requirements, wellhead spacing and height, stair and railing configuration, and height adjustment requirements. In addition, bolted, pinned and welded connections may be changed as required to satisfy different fabrication and erection requirements.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention are set forth or are more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended drawings. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the work platform.

FIG. 2 is side view of the work platform.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of the transverse frame.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the frame pin.

FIG. 5 shows various views of the deck support bracket.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the modular deck unit.

FIG. 7 is a close up view of the corner angle pocket.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of the adjustable base plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The instant disclosure relates generally to the field of work platforms. This disclosure is intended to provide a general description of one exemplary embodiment in which some embodiments may be configured and implemented. One skilled in the art, though, will appreciate that the invention may be embodied by a variety of configurations.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary work platform 10. As illustrated in this figure, in at least one embodiment work platform 10 includes a first modular deck unit 12 and a second modular deck unit 14. The work platform 10 supports the first modular deck unit 12 and second modular deck unit 14 by at least one transverse frame 16. Each transverse frame may include an adjustable base plate 18. In addition, a frame pin 20 is positioned along a first support 22 of the transverse frame 16. A deck support bracket 24 may also be affixed over the frame pin 20 and may be used to support the corners of the modular deck units, 12, 14.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the exemplary work platform 10 according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 2 shows modular deck units 12 and 14 including their structural support. For instance, this embodiment shows deck support bracket 24 as it is affixed over the frame pin 20. In some embodiments, the frame pin 20 may connect first transverse frame 16 with a second transverse frame 26 in a substantially vertical manner. In addition, the deck support bracket 24 may support the corners of the modular deck units 12, 14. This embodiment also shows adjustable base plate 18 supporting the work platform 10 at the ground level.

FIG. 3 represents the transverse frame 16 in isolation from work platform 10. In some embodiments, the transverse frame 16 may provide lateral stability and support for the work platform 10. In at least one embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 3, the transverse frame 16 may include first vertical support 28, horizontal support 30, a second vertical support 32, a first and second diagonal brace 34, 36, a first and second diagonal support 38, 40, and a first and second tube seat 42, 44.

FIG. 3 also shows a cross-sectional view of a representative embodiment of transverse frame 16. This embodiment shows a first pin connection opening 46, the horizontal support 30, the vertical support 28, the diagonal support 38, the tube seat and pad-eye 42 and a second pin connection opening 48. In certain embodiments, the transverse frame 16 uses hollow structural sections (HSS), which are materials having a metal profile with a hollow tubular cross section. In some embodiments, the HSS are of circular or rectangular section, or even elliptical. As shown in this figure, the first and second tube seats, 42, 44, provide convenient connection points for the first and second diagonal supports, 38, 40, and the first and second diagonal braces 34, 36. As is also shown in this figure, the pin connection openings, 46, 48, are provided for connection to frame pins (not shown in this figure).

FIG. 4 shows a representative frame pin 50. In certain embodiments, frame pin 50 includes two connectors; an inner connector 52 and an outer connector 54. As shown in this figure, the outer connector 54 may be shorter and wider than the inner connector 52, so that the smaller, longer inner connector 52 is centered on the inside of the larger, shorter outer connector 54, the ends of the inner connector projecting from each end of the larger outer connector 54. In some embodiments, frame pin 50 may connect transverse frame 16 (not shown in this figure) with second transverse frame 26. In at least one embodiment, the ends 56 of inner tube 52 slide inside first and second vertical support 28, 32 and may be affixed with removable pins 58 (not shown) through frame pin connection opening 60, thereby connecting the first and second vertical supports 28, 32 together. In some embodiments, the first and second supports 28, 32 bear directly on the ends 56 of inner tube 52. Frame pin 50 may have height adjustment openings 62 at uniform intervals for deck height adjustments.

FIG. 5 shows various views of deck support bracket 24. In some embodiments, deck support bracket 24 affixes over frame pin 50 (not shown in FIG. 5) and includes pintles 64, a frame pin opening 66, a frame pin sleeve 68, a deck support plate 70 and stiffener plates 72. In certain embodiments, deck support bracket 24 supports a corner 74 of modular deck unit 12. Some embodiments of the deck support bracket 24 use steel HSS and steel plates. Other embodiments use other materials known to those skilled in the art. Deck support bracket 24 slides over frame pin 50 and is secured to the frame pin 50 with removable pin 58 inserted through frame pin opening 66 and the height adjustment openings 62 of the frame pin 50. In at least one embodiment, the stiffener plate 72 reinforces the lower section of each pintle 64 and the frame pin sleeve 68. The pintle sleeve 68 on the modular deck unit 12 may be set over the pintle 64 and may be supported by the deck support plate 70.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary modular deck unit 12 that makes up the floor system of the work platform 10 and includes framing members 76, floor decking 78; handrail inserts 80; corner angle pockets 82; pintle sleeves 84 (shown in FIG. 7) and stair connection brackets 86. In some embodiments, each modular deck unit 12 is similar such that they may be interchangeable throughout the work platform system 10. A center section 88 of the modular deck unit 12 is open and may be covered with removable segmental floor decking 90 which may be arranged to accommodate variations. For instance, when the work platform 10 is used in the hydraulic fracturing industry, the arrangement of the removable segmental floor decking 90 may accommodate variations in wellhead spacing. The pintle sleeve 84 fits over the pintles 64 on the deck support brackets 24, while the corner angle pockets 82 provide room for the deck support brackets 24 and frame pins 20, while minimizing the space between adjacent modular deck units.

FIG. 7 shows a close up of the corner angle pocket 82 and shows pintle sleeve 84, deck support bracket 24, framing members 76, and handrail insert 80.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the adjustable base plate 18 as it may be used to support the work platform 12 at ground level, and where it may be adjustable to provide leveling of the work platform 12. The adjustable base plate 18 includes a tube insert 92 welded to a frame support plate 94, which has a nut 96 welded over an opening 98 at its center. A threaded rod 100 may be attached to the center of a bearing plate 102 on one end, while the other end is threaded into the nut 96 on the frame support plate 94, and projects through an opening 98 in the center of the frame support plate 94. Adjustment may be made by turning the threaded rod 100 into or out of the nut 96. The entire assembly of the adjustable base plate 18 may be inserted into the end of the first support 22 of the transverse frame 16 at ground level and secured with the removable pin 58.

Certain embodiments have one or more of the following characteristics: compliance with OSHA requirements for floor loading and railing design; floor system multi-level and modular, and may be adjustable as required to access well fittings and valves, blow-off preventers and other devices; stair systems may be adjustable to accommodate all floor elevation ranges; in some embodiments, all parts and fittings may be designed to be similar and interchangeable in order to expedite field erection, breakdown and transport; openings in the floor system allow well heads to project up through all levels of the structure; floor decking sections over open sections may be arranged as required to accommodate various well spacing and can be secured while in service; upper and lower levels may be enclosable to allow for heat entrapment for frost protection during cold conditions; system is designed to resist wind loading while enclosed, if properly anchored and braced; and base plates are height adjustable for rough leveling to accommodate uneven site grades.

In addition, in some embodiments, several of the elements of work platform 10 may be modified to accommodate different project requirements. These modifications include, but are not limited to, the following: transverse frames 16 may be re-configured, including height, width, member sizes, member types and configurations; frame pins 50 may be re-configured, or made integral with the transverse frames 16, and opening sizes and spacing may be changed to accommodate different loading conditions and deck elevation increments and ranges; modular deck unit 12 may be modified in length, width, thickness, load rating, framing member configuration and member type; deck support brackets 24 may be re-configured and re-sized to accommodate frame and deck re-configurations, as well as different load ratings and adjustment requirements; guardrails may be changed and re-configured to accommodate different lateral loading conditions, scaffold access and stairway access requirements; stairways may be re-configured to accommodate different access requirements; adjustable base plates 18 may be re-configured to accommodate different soil pressure requirements and adjustment ranges; cross-bracing system may be re-designed to allow for different bracing scenarios (i.e. tension only or both tension and compression); and overall framing configuration may be modified to accommodate different well-head configurations and requirements.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A modular work platform comprising:

a first modular deck unit;

a second modular deck unit;

transverse frames configured to support the first and second modular deck units, wherein the transverse frames include at least one adjustable base plate;

frame pins positioned along a support of the transverse frames; and

deck support brackets affixed over the frame pins and positioned to support one or more of the corners of the modular work platform.

2. The modular work platform of claim 1, wherein each of the transverse frames comprises:

a first vertical support, a horizontal support, and a second vertical support, wherein the horizontal support is connected to the first vertical support and the second vertical support;

a first and second diagonal brace, wherein the first diagonal brace is connected to the horizontal support and the first vertical support and the second diagonal brace is connected to the horizontal support and the second vertical support;

a first and second diagonal support, wherein the first diagonal support is connected to the first diagonal brace and the first vertical support and the second diagonal support is connected to the second diagonal brace and the second vertical support;

and a first and second tube seat, wherein the first tube seat is connected to the first diagonal support and the first vertical support and the second tube seat is connected to the second diagonal support and the second vertical support.

3. The modular work platform of claim 1, wherein at least one of the deck support brackets comprises a first and second pintle, a frame pin opening, a frame pin sleeve, a deck support plate, and a first and a second stiffener plate.

4. The modular work platform of claim 3, wherein the deck support bracket slides over the frame pin and is secured to the frame pin with a removable pin inserted through the frame pin opening and height adjustment openings of the frame pin.

5. The modular work platform of claim 1, wherein the frame pin comprises an inner connector and an outer connector.

6. The modular work platform of claim 1, wherein the first modular deck unit includes a portion that comprises removable segmental floor decking.