Method and apparatus for a horizontal pipe handling system on a self-elevating jack-up drilling unit

A system for handling tubular members at an offshore structure, comprising:

• a pipe rack for retaining a plurality of double and greater lengths tubular members in a generally horizontal position;
• a lifting means for lifting at least one tubular member and lowering said at least one tubular member adjacent a vertical storage area;
• a means for socking the vertical storage area with a plurality of tubular members at a location adjacent a well bore, said means comprising a vertical lift assembly for grasping said at least one tubular member and moving said at least one tubular member to the vertical pipe storage area, said vertical lift assembly being provided with a pair of vertically spaced ripping jaws for secure holding of said at least one tubular member adjacent opposite ends of said at least one tubular member while said at least one tubular member is being moved to the vertical storage area;
• and
• a feeding assembly with a conveyor for transporting said at least one tubular member from said lifting means to said vertical lifting assembly.

An offshore drilling unit, comprising:

• a platform adapted for conducting drilling and production operations at a selected offshore location, said platform being supported by a plurality of leg members at a pre-determined height above wave action;
• a cantilevered portion fixedly attached to said platform and having a major surface area thereof extending above water level;
• a drill floor located on said cantilevered portion;
• a vertical storage area for tubular members located on said drill floor on the cantilevered portion;
• a pipe rack for retaining a plurality of tubular members on said platform adjacent said drill floor;
• and
• a means for moving said tubular members from said pipe rack to the vertical storage area on said drill floor, said moving means comprising a lifting means for lifting at least one tubular member from said pipe rack, a hoisting means for picking up said lifted at least one tubular member and moving it vertically to the cantilevered portion and a vertical lift assembly for grasping said at least one tubular member adjacent opposite ends of said at least one tubular member and moving said at least one tubular member to the vertical storage area while retaining said tubular members in a generally vertical orientation in said vertical storage area.

A method of moving tubular members from a horizontal storage area to a vertical storage area on a cantilevered drill floor, comprising the following steps:

• providing a pipe rack for retaining a plurality of various length tubular members in a generally horizontal position;
• positioning the plurality of tubular members in said pipe rack;
• providing a lifting means for lifting at least one tubular member;
• providing a vertical lift assembly for grasping said at least one tubular member;
• lifting at least one tubular member from the pipe rack and moving said at least one tubular member towards said vertical lift assembly;
• lowering said at least one tubular member adjacent said vertical lift assembly;
• grasping said at least one tubular member with said vertical lifting assembly adjacent opposite ends of said at least one tubular member, while moving said at least one tubular member in a generally vertical position;
• and
• forming a vertical storage area on a cantilevered drill floor for tubular members by placing said at least one tubular member in the vertical storage area.

A method of moving tubular members on an offshore structure, comprising the following steps:

• providing a platform with a cantilever portion;
• forming a drill floor on said cantilever portion;
• providing a pipe rack for retaining a plurality of various length tubular members in a generally horizontal position on said platform;
• providing a vertical storage area for said tubular members on said drill floor;
• positioning the plurality of tubular members in said pipe rack;
• providing a lifting means for lifting at least one tubular member;
• providing a hoisting means for hoisting said at least one tubular member and moving said at least one tubular member to a position adjacent said drill floor;
• providing a vertical lift assembly for grasping said at least one tubular member at locations adjacent to opposite ends of said at least one tubular member;
• lifting at least one tubular member from the pipe rack and moving said at least one tubular member towards said vertical lift assembly;
• placing said at least one tubular member adjacent the vertical lift assembly;
• and
• grasping said at least one tubular member with said vertical lift assembly, while moving said at least one tubular member to the vertical storage area on said drill floor.