Section 230

Schlum berger COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL

Dow ell Rev A - 98

AUXILIARY SURFACE EQUIPMENT

Contents Page

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2
1 COILED TUBING LIFTING FRAMES ........................................................................... 2
1.1 Description ....................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Features ........................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Operation ......................................................................................................... 4
2 COILED TUBING JACKING FRAMES ......................................................................... 6
2.1 Description ....................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Features ........................................................................................................... 6
2.2.1 Injector Head Support Frame ............................................................................ 6
2.2.2 Injector Head Support Substructure .................................................................. 7
2.2.3 Multi-Purpose Support Substructure ................................................................. 7
2.3 Operation ......................................................................................................... 8
3 CRANES ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Description ....................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Operational Requirements .............................................................................. 10

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Section 230
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Schlum berger
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Introduction Most lifting frames currently used are fabricated from flat
steel plate. Strengthening webs welded on the outside of
There are several items of equipment that may be required the frame also provide some protection for the winch
to enable CT services to be performed under certain supply and control lines.
wellbore, wellsite or application conditions. The items of
special equipment outlined in this section generally relate The lifting capacity of each lifting frame will vary depend-
to the handling of the injector head and pressure control ing on its design and intended purpose. However, most
equipment. lifting frames have a certified lifting capacity of ±300 tons.

1 COILED TUBING LIFTING FRAMES • Winch

1.1 Description When the lifting frame is suspended from the traveling
block and attached to the flowhead or tubing string, any
A lifting frame is required when performing CT operations heave of the ship or rig is seen as a movement in the
offshore from a drillship or semi submersible drilling or suspended string. To provide a safe and practical means
workover rig. The function of the lifting frame is to provide of installing the pressure control equipment and CT
a motion-compensated connection onto which the injector injector head, a winch which is attached to the “moving“
head and pressure control equipment can be assembled. lifting frame must be used.

The bottom connection of the lifting frame is generally Winches are generally of the air-operated tugger design
attached to a temporary or testing flowhead. In most cases, and are controlled remotely from the drill-floor level and/
a load-bearing hydraulic connector is used to expedite the or the lifting frame base via pilot control lines.
rigging up and down process.
The lifting capacity of the winch is generally ±7 tons.
The handling sub of the lifting frame is held in the rig Sufficient wire rope must be available on the winch drum
traveling block elevators. On rigs of this type, either the to allow loads to be lifted from the floor level while the
travailing block or crown block will have a motion-compen- frame is elevated.
sating device fitted to compensate for the wave action and
heave experienced by floating vessels. The weight or • Winch controls
tension in the tubing string, in effect, provides the anchor
on which the motion-compensation system operates. Winch operation is generally controlled by a three-way
pneumatic valve. This is connected to the winch control
1.2 Features spool by pilot lines of sufficient length to allow operation
of the winch from the floor level while the frame is
There are a variety of different lifting frames currently in elevated. The winch should be fitted with an automatic
use. The features described below and identified in Figure brake which engages immediately the winch control is
1 will apply to most designs. However, early designs may returned to the neutral position.
not incorporate some of the features.
• Flowhead/string connection
• Frame
There are three commonly used means of attaching the
Early frames, and some existing designs, use heavy- lifting frame to the flowhead or tubing string to be sus-
weight drillpipe for the frame sides. This offers the pended:
advantage of being able to disassemble the lifting frame
with relative ease for transport or storage. However, the • Bails and riser.
major disadvantage of this design is the lack of rigidity
when handling the frame during rigging operations. • Threaded connection.

• Extended JHS connector.

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Lifting sub

Air winch

Pad-eyes for lifting

and handling slings

Frame strengthening
webs

Inside connection

Bottom connection

Figure 1. Coiled tubing lifting frame.

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Section 230
COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
Schlum berger
Rev A - 98 AUXILIARY SURFACE EQUIPMENT Dow ell

The illustrations in Figure 2 through Figure 5 show a • Inside connection

typical arrangement of each method.
The inside connection is the connection on which the
The bail and riser method of connection is generally used BOP and injector head are made. This is typically
when a temporary flowhead and subsea completion are to designed to match the BOP bottom connection to avoid
be entered. Threaded connections and the extended JHS the use of crossover connections.
connector are typically used when connecting to well-
testing flowheads. • Lifting sub

The lifting sub is held in the rig elevators. It is commonly

machined to match a common drillpipe or tubing size to
avoid the use of special elevators.
Short lubricator
section passes 1.3 Operation
through hole in
base of frame The weight and size of a CT lifting frame together with the
requirement that it be used on a floating vessel indicate that
the handling and rigging operations must be conducted
using sufficient equipment and personnel to keep control of
the load at all times.
Short bails
Protection of the winch and connections from accidental
damage should be a priority during all handling operations.

Elevators on The illustrations in Figure 6 and 7 show the typical equip-

flowhead lift sub ment configuration during and after rig up.

Figure 3. Bail and elevator.

Threaded connection
supported by flange
attached to lifting
frame base

Figure 4. Threaded connection. Figure 5. Extended JHS connector.

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Lifting sub

Air winch

300-ton capacity
frame

CT injector head
Rig tugger line passed
through shackle on
injector head
Non load-bearing
hydraulic connector

Rig tugger line BOP stack

secured to rig floor

Injector head
hydraulic connector

Temporary or testing Load bearing

flowhead hydraulic connector

Figure 6. Coiled tubing lifting frame rig-up detail. Figure 7. Coiled tubing lifting frame typical rig-up
configuration.

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Section 230
COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
Schlum berger
Rev A - 98 AUXILIARY SURFACE EQUIPMENT Dow ell

2 COILED TUBING JACKING FRAMES • Telescopic Legs

2.1 Description Four telescopic legs extend to provide the reach needed
to support the injector head in an elevated position. Pins
A CT jacking frame is designed to support and stabilize the and safety clips are used to secure the legs at the desired
injector head while performing a CT operation on a well height.
where there is no rig, crane or mast. The most common
application of the lifting frame is while operating on offshore • Hydraulic Rams
wellhead platforms. The jacking frame is adjusted hydrau-
lically, although during the CT operation the telescopic legs Each leg is raised by a hydraulic ram which is capable of
must be pinned and secured in position. independent operation to allow proper alignment of the
securing pins and holes.
Jacking frames or specially engineered substructures are
more commonly used on CT applications which are con- Hydraulic power for the jacking frame is supplied by the
ducted over an extended period, or involve several runs into coiled tubing unit (CTU) power pack via a flow and return
the wellbore. hose to the jacking frame control spool located on the
frame chassis. A valve and gauge manifold to allow
2.2 Features independent isolation, operation and monitoring of each
jack leg is located at the base of the jacking frame.
There are three distinct types of jacking frame currently in
use:

• Injector head support frame

Injector head mount
Jacks and supports the injector head. This type of jacking
frame is not designed to take the weight of the injector
head and CT string.

• Injector head support substructure

Jacks and supports the injector head, and has the added
Hydraulic ram
advantage that the injector head can be skidded to one
side, allowing the use of tools, etc. This type of jacking
frame is designed to take the weight of the injector head
and CT string.

• Multi-purpose support substructure

Performs the same functions as the support substruc-

ture, but may also be used in jacking jointed pipe. This
type of jacking frame is designed to take the weight of the
injector head and CT string. Hydraulic hose
reel and controls
2.2.1 Injector Head Support Frame
Frame base
Most jacking frames used on CT operations will include the
following features (see Figure 8).

Figure 8. Typical jacking frame features.

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Figure 9. Typical injector head support substructure.

• Injector Mounts 2.2.2 Injector Head Support Substructure

The injector head is secured to the jacking frame by four There are many designs of injector head support substruc-
mounting pins, which are located in the injector-head ture, most of which have evolved from experience in CTD
sleeves normally used for the support legs. operations. In addition to the features listed above, these
structures typically incorporate a facility to hydraulically
• Frame Base skid the injector head off to the side. This enables access
for running and retrieving tools and downhole equipment
The lifting frame base generally has no special features. without the need for addition crane support (Figure 9).
However, consideration must be given to the distribution
of weight once the jacking frame is in use. In some cases, 2.2.3 Multi-Purpose Support Substructure
it may be necessary to use some type of spreader frame
to evenly distribute the equipment weight. Multi purpose support structures will typically include the
features mentioned in the two previous designs plus
The frame base is generally designed with one side open incorporate a jacking system which can be used to run and
to allow the frame to be positioned around the riser or retrieve jointed tubulars Figure 10).
lubricator without requiring the frame to be lifted over any
wellhead equipment.

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Section 230
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Rev A - 98 AUXILIARY SURFACE EQUIPMENT Dow ell

Figure 10. Multipurpose support substructure.

2.3 Operation 3 CRANES

Since the configuration of the wellhead riser/lubricator and 3.1 Description

jacking frame varies depending on application or location,
then so does the rig-up procedure. The requirement for safe operation and maintenance of
cranes and lifting equipment is well documented by manu-
In most operations, almost all of the CT and wellhead facturers and national certifying authorities.
equipment weight will be supported by the wellhead. There-
fore, the primary function of the jacking frame is to allow the This manual section does not replace any of the documents
injector head to be lifted and lowered on the BOP connec- mentioned above, but is intended to outline minimum
tion, thereby permitting access to change or service the operating standards typically required on CT operations.
bottomhole assembly (BHA).
The illustrations in Figures 11 and 12 show the features
If the security or ability of the wellhead to support such found on cranes commonly fitted to coiled tubing units
weight is limited, it may be necessary for the jacking frame (CTU) and crane trucks.
or substructure to be used in such a manner that the
wellhead is protected from excess weight or forces. The specifications of such cranes vary by age and manu-
facturer. However, the capacity and limitations of each
crane must be known by the operator prior to use.

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Extending boom
Winch

Boom elevating Slew ring

ram

Control station

Hook with
safety catch
Truck chassis

Extending outrigger

Figure 11. Typical CTU crane - side view.

Winch

Truck chassis
Control station

Extending
outriggers

Figure 12. Typical CTU crane - rear view.

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Section 230
COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
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3.2 Operational Requirements Vehicle Transportation

Operator Qualifications In addition to the standard safety considerations during

transport, the following points must be considered when
Operation of cranes shall be restricted to qualified person- transporting cranes.
nel within the following categories:
Before Transporting
• Certified, designated personnel that are competent and
experienced in the operation of the equipment to be used. • Ensure that all outriggers and stabilizers are properly
stowed and secured.
• Maintenance and/or test personnel operating the equip-
ment only insofar as it is necessary for the performance • Secure the load-line hook.
of their duties.
• Ensure that the boom is adequately secured.
• Service Supervisor or other CTU crew member operating
the equipment with a designated, experienced person • Ensure that all loose lifting and ancillary equipment is
present. secured.

In addition to the above requirements the operator must: During Transport

• Be able to demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend • Never travel with a load on the hook.
and interpret all placards, operator’s manuals, safety
codes and other information pertinent to the safe and • Ensure that there is sufficient safe clearance before
correct operation of the crane and lifting equipment. passing beneath overhead obstructions.

• Possess knowledge of emergency procedures and imple- Equipment Setup

mentation of same.
As with all mobile equipment to be spotted at the wellsite,
• Be familiar with all relevant safety codes and applicable prior planning of equipment location is of great importance.
government requirements. In addition to the equipment safety and loss prevention
standards applied to wellsite rig-up, the following consider-
• Recognize and be responsible for all maintenance require- ations apply when spotting cranes and lifting equipment.
ments of the crane operated by him or trainees under his
instruction. • The CTU and/or crane truck should be positioned in an
area free from overhead obstructions to allow the entire
• Be thoroughly familiar with the crane and control functions operation to be performed without repositioning the CTU
being operated. or crane.

• Have read and fully comprehend the operating procedures • The crane vehicle must be located on a firm, level surface
as outlined in the relevant Standards of Operation. that will provide sufficient support for the outrigger load-
ing. Use caution when setting up equipment near em-
Equipment Inspection bankments or excavations.

Before operation of the crane or lifting equipment can be • The truck brake must be applied and the drive axle
undertaken, the operator must ensure that current legal disengaged.
inspection requirements have been fulfilled.
• The outriggers must be fully extended to a firm surface
and should be elevated sufficiently to ensure that the
truck is level when viewed from side to side. The front

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stabilizers should then be used to ensure that the truck is

level when viewed front to back. A level indicator should
be positioned at the operator's control station. A signal
person should observe the operation of any outriggers or
stabilizers not visible from the operator's control station.

• The crane unit must be positioned so that it is impossible

for any equipment to come within the minimum safe
distance from any energized power line.

A clearance of at least 10 ft must be maintained between

any part of the crane, load line or load and any electrical
equipment carrying up to 50,000V. One foot additional
clearance is required for each 30,000V (or part thereof)
carried. If the voltage is unknown (and therefore the
clearance required is unknown), the electrical utility or
operator should be contacted. Be aware of any extra
clearance required to compensate for wind deflection of the
cables or load line.

All overhead electrical cables should be considered live

until the relevant electrical authority verifies its safe condi-
tion, and the cables are visibly grounded.

Equipment Documentation

In addition to the documentation which must be carried on

trucks and vehicles, the following support documentation
should be available on all cranes.

• Crane manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual.

• A copy of the applicable location safety and loss preven-

tion standards.

• A copy of any applicable local or national regulations,

codes or insurance requirements.

• An illustration showing the standard hand signals to be

used when controlling crane operations.

• A copy of the current inspection record (where applicable).

• A copy of the appropriate crane capacity tables indicating

the crane capacity as determined by the boom radius at
which the load is being handled.

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