GB2532350A

GB2532350A - Irregular pipe packs with incomplete layer

Info

Publication number: GB2532350A
Application number: GB1519330.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandal Hagelskjær Kenneth
Original assignee: GLOBAL GRAVITY APS
Current assignee: GLOBAL GRAVITY APS
Priority date: 2014-11-03
Filing date: 2015-11-02
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-02
Also published as: GB2532350B; GB201519330D0; DK178527B1; DK201470672A1; NO20151472A1; NO342544B1

Abstract

A pack 1 for transport and storage of elongated pipe units 2, especially drill pipes and casing pipes, contains a number of elongated pipe units 2 and a transport fitting which comprises at least two sets of profile beams: two first profile beams 3 placed in parallel and in a first plane, transverse recesses 12 on the top surface 13 of the at least two first profile beams 3 carrying a number of elongated pipe units 2 placed in a first layer (4 fig. 1) and a second profile beam 5 placed in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams 3, so that a first and a second profile beam 3, 5 is fixed around the elongated pipe units 2. At least one layer 18 of pipe units within the pack 1 is incomplete and a dummy pipe 19 is placed in the recesses 10, 12 without an elongate pipe unit 2, the length of which dummy pipe 19 is different from one or more other pipe units 2 in said pack 1. The dummy pipe 19 may be shorter than the other pipe units 2. The pack 1 may be lifted with a chain sling (21 fig. 7). The dummy pipe 19 may include indentations/cutouts 23 corresponding to flanges forming the transverse recesses 10, 12 in the profile beams 3, 5.

Description

Irregular pipe packs with incomplete layer

Field of the invention

The present invention concerns a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, especially drill pipes and casing pipes, where the pack contains on the one hand a number of elongated pipe units and on the other hand a transport fitting, where said transport fitting comprises at least two sets of profile beams, where each profile beam has a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side with a given width and two side surfaces, where a number of transverse recesses are arranged on both the bottom side and on the top side and through the two side surfaces for bearing against and par-tial enclosing of the said elongated pipe units, where one set of profile beams comprises at least two profile beams, namely, a first and a second profile beam, where a first profile beam at least comprises joining means which are accessible from the top side, and where a second profile beam is adapted for placement directly on top of the first profile beam, and comprises at least downward pointing joining means for engaging with the said joining means in the top side of the first beam, where a pack is made up at least of: - two first profile beams placed in parallel and in a first plane, a number of elongated pipe units placed in a first layer in the transverse recess-es on the surface of the at least two first profile beams, - a second profile beam placed in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams, wherein a first and a second profile beam is fixed around a number of elongated pipe units, where said recesses in the profile beams have dimensions corresponding to spe-cific diameters of the elongated pipe units.

The invention also involves a dummy pipe for use in a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units and a method of packing of elongated pipe units, especially drill pipes and casing pipes.

Prior art

Within the oil industry, for example, it is generally known how to handle elongated objects such as long cylindrical pipes. Such pipes for example can be drill pipes or casing pipes, being provided at one end with an external thread and at the other end with a corresponding internal thread. It is thus possible to join together such pipes into a theoretically endless pipe string. In order to form such a pipe string, it is necessary to have on hand a substantial number of pipes. To ensure safety during transport and during storage of such pipes, in the course of time various shapes of containers and/or transport frames have been developed, where the pipes are more or less secured and thus protected against inadvertent rolling or otherwise shifting. With such solutions, it is possible to stack up several packs of pipes in transport frames one on top of another and alongside each other. At the same time, it is noticeably easier to handle these transport frames with crane equipment, since a transport frame is a very well defined size, in which the individual pipes are secured. Thus, there is no risk of a stack of pipes shifting and subjecting the workers to danger.

From US 2003/0205907 Al there is known a solution where pipes are secured between profile beams with recesses, corresponding to the outer shape of the pipes. With this solution, it is possible to place several layers of pipes one on top of another, the layers being separated by profile beams. When a pack of pipes is finished, fittings are put in place, securing the ends on the respective profile beams, which are configured with projecting means at the ends. The projecting means are introduced into corresponding recesses in said fittings and the uppermost profile beam and the lowermost profile beam are then connected with a bolt or the like, extending from the projecting means of the uppermost profile beam to the projecting means of the lowermost profile beam, the fitting being thus held in place, and the finished pack with pipes being thus finally secured. After this, the pack is ready for transport or storage. Transport will typically occur under the use of crane equipment, by which the pack is lifted onto a ship or a truck for further transport. If drill pipes are being stored, this is often done in a harbor district or in connection with an oil rig. If the oil rig is placed on land, there may be sufficient room in some cases, but especially on oil rig platforms located offshore there is a definite desire to keep packs with drill pipes on a minimum area, often with several packs placed quite close together and in many layers one on top of anoth-er. This storage can advantageously be done as close as possible to the site of use so as to avoid further transport.

Yet there are some drawbacks to the known solutions for transport and storage of drill pipes and/or casing pipes. On the one hand, there are drawbacks which become evi-dent during the packing process, and others which become evident during the unpacking An especially large drawback in a solution such as that described in US 2003/0205907 Al as that, in order to get access to the pipes, one has to loosen as it were all the layers in the respective pack, and thus the entire pack becomes much more unstable and it is potentially dangerous to work in its proximity. Since both packing and unpacking involve manual labor, an accident can very easily occur. The reason why all pipes are loose as soon as the pack is opened is because the entire pack is held together by the mentioned fitting, and not least of all by the bolts which connect the uppermost profile beams to the lowermost profile beams. Furthermore, there can be problems with removing the fittings, inasmuch as several packs are placed close next to each other, so that in practice there is a need for a spacing between the respective packs. Thus, a pack according to US 2003/0205907 Al in principle takes up more space than it needs to, since it is not possible to open it without having access to the sides of the pack.

The aforesaid fitting is designed to lift the pack and it can be dispensed with, insofar as other means are used to perform the lifting. This minimizes the need for space along the sides, and the packs can be placed close alongside each other. But there is still the unfortunate situation that the entire pack is loosened by removing the bolts, and the dangers connected to this still exist. Moreover, with the known solutions it is not possible to roll pipes in the uppermost layer of a pack on the respective pack or to the pack placed alongside the respective pack with pipes. This may often be necessary and advantageous, since the respective packs with pipes can thus be used from top to bottom, regardless of whether it involves one, two, three or more packs placed along-side each other. The reason why pipes cannot be rolled directly on the top of a pack and possibly to another pack is that the profile beams are configured with recesses, in which the pipes are placed. This is necessary so that the entire pack of pipes does not become too unstable when the pack is loosened, because the long bolts connecting the uppermost profile beam to the lowermost profile beam are removed. Moreover, both bolts, fittings and profile beams have to be removed and kept separately, which adds further difficulty to the work processes.

Yet another solution is known from DK 177599 B1, which takes into account some of the aforementioned inadequacies. In this solution, each individual layer of pipes in a pack can be loosened without loosening the rest of the pack. This achieves a stable pack which can be placed on top of several layers of additional packs, as mentioned. At the same time, the respective transport fitting comprises a number of profile beams with a top side with transverse recesses which are not as deep as the transverse recess-es at the bottom of the profile beam. This makes it possible to more easily move pipes on the top of the pack and optionally to the top of an adjacent pack. This is an entirely common practice and does not require a major physical challenge with a solution according to DK 177599 Bl.

Purpose of the invention The purpose of the invention is to indicate both a method of storage and transport of drill pipes and/or casing pipes in the form of elongated shapes and a pack for storage and transport of drill pipes or casing pipes or other types of elongated profile shapes with special focus on irregular packs containing irregular or unequal units which are packed, stored and/or transported as standard units.

In the following, the term pipe units shall be used as a common designation for the aforementioned elongated shapes. Such units can be used, for example, in connection with drilling for oil, where the space requirement during both transport and storage is minimal, where the pipes can be released from the transport fitting in a safe and proper manner, and where the possibility of manual handling of both the individual pipes and a pack with units is increased as compared to the prior art, while at the same time it is also possible to handle irregular packs with both complete and incomplete layers of pipe units. Thus far such packs with pipe units have only been used as complete and regular packs, where the packs contain a definite number of pipe units corresponding to the design of the pack.

Specification of the invention

The invention as mentioned concerns a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, especially drill pipes and casing pipes, where the pack contains on the one hand a number of elongated pipe units and on the other hand a transport fitting, where said transport fitting comprises at least two sets of profile beams, where each profile beam has a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side with a given width and two side surfaces, where a number of transverse recesses are arranged on both the bottom side and on the top side and through the two side surfaces for bearing against and partial enclosing of the said elongated pipe units, where one set of profile beams corn-prises at least two profile beams, namely, a first and a second profile beam, where a first profile beam at least comprises joining means which are accessible from the top side, and where a second profile beam is adapted for placement directly on top of the first profile beam, and comprises at least downward pointing joining means for engaging with the said joining means in the top side of the first beam, where a pack is made up at least of: - two first profile beams placed in parallel and in a first plane, a number of elongated pipe units placed in a first layer in the transverse recesses on the surface of the at least two first profile beams, - a second profile beam placed in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams, wherein a first and a second profile beam is fixed around a number of elongated pipe units, where said recesses in the profile beams have dimensions corresponding to specific diameters of the elongated pipe units.

Thus, each layer of pipes or units is enclosed by two profile beams, where these two profile beams are mutually secured to each other with the mentioned joining means. Each layer is individually secured in this way, and therefore it is only the uppermost layer in a pack of elongated units which can be loosened. In this way, one achieves a significantly more stable solution, since underlying layers of units are still secured and thus stabilized. With such a solution, one achieves the advantage that the profile beams are removed one by one from the top of a pack with elongated units, and therefore the weight of the individual parts being handled is never more than the weight of one profile beam with joining means. The profile beams can be the same, regardless of their placement in relation to one another. Thus, there is no special sorting of the means being used during the work of packing or unpacking elongated pipe units such as drill pipes or casing pipes. Since all of the profile beams making up a transport fitting are identical, the work could not be easier, so to speak. At the same time, it is pos-Bible to perform the work faster and more safely, since there is no risk of using the wrong profile beams. A Fmished pack with units can be transported straightaway by truck, ship, or other suitable means to the place where the pack is to be used or stored. Such packs can be placed close together, without affecting the possibility of gaining access to the uppermost layer in the pack, and at the same time it is possible to stack several packs one on top of another without causing any problems.

What is new about a pack according to the invention is that said pack contains at least one incomplete layer of elongated pipe units, where the at least one incomplete layer contains at least one or more pipe units with a length which is different from one or more other pipe units in said pack. In this regard, it shall be understood that a com-plete layer of pipe units contains pipe units with a uniform length and all of them having the same outer diameter, where there are pipe units placed in all the transverse recesses in said profile beams. This achieves an optimal and so far necessary stability in the assembled pack. A pack with complete layer of pipe units as mentioned above is a more or less standardized unit, which is safety-approved as an assembled and com-plete unit.

However, at times certain situations are advantageous when a pack contains fewer or even more pipe units than a standard pack. This possibility is opened up with a pack according to the invention and it is especially useful in connection with the shipping and/or storage of a very specific number of pipe units and in connection with the return of excess or damaged pipe units from a rig. In a pack according to the invention, pipe units with different lengths can be packed in packs which may include pipe units of standard length. Furthermore, it can be packs with a standardized number of profile beams, but where all or some of the respective layers of pipe units are incomplete, yet packed according to the invention. The different possibilities will be explained more closely in the following.

The invention involves a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, where said at least one incomplete layer contains one or more dummy pipes, where such a dummy pipe is placed in one of said transverse recesses and between a profile beam in a first plane and a profile beam in a second plane, where such a dummy pipe thus fills up an empty recess in the respective profile beams. This ensures that all recesses are filled, and that a pack can be transported by crane, forklift, or some other way, while the pack is still as stable as if there were uniform pipe units in all the profile beams recesses. A couple of examples of dummy pipes will be described below.

The invention furthermore involves a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, wherein said incomplete layer contains one or more elongated pipe units placed in transverse recesses and between a profile beam in one plane and a profile beam in a second plane, where each elongated pipe unit is placed at least in two sets of profile beams. For example, a pack can comprise a transport fitting with four sets of profile beams, where certain pipe units extend through all four sets of profile beams, while other shorter pipe units only extend through at least two sets of profile beams. The profile beams, if recesses are not filled by pipe units, can be either filled by dummy pipes or by other pipe units with a shorter length than the other pipe units. The incomplete layer can be arranged in a set of profile beams which is secured to complete lay-ers in the same pack. Examples of this will be given below and in the drawings.

One variant of the invention involves a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, where said at least one incomplete layer of pipe units is secured in at least two sets of profile beams, where said at least two sets of profile beams include a first layer of profile beams placed in a first plane beneath a complete layer of pipe units, where a second layer of profile beams is placed above the complete layer of pipe units and directly on top of the placed profile beams in the first layer, where the second layer of profile beams is secured to the first layer of profile beams, and where the incomplete layer of pipe units is placed in recesses in the second layer of profile beams and secured to a third layer of profile beams, placed directly on top of the second layer of profile beams.

For the understanding of the invention, it should be noted that: an incomplete layer can contain only dummy pipes, an incomplete layer can contain dummy pipes and pipe units of shorter length than the rest of the pipe units of the pack, - an incomplete layer can contain dummy pipes and pipe units of full length -an incomplete layer can contain dummy pipes, pipe units of shorter length and pipe units of full length, an incomplete layer can contain pipe units of shorter length than the other pipe units of the pack, - an incomplete layer can contain pipe units of shorter length and pipe units of full length, - an incomplete layer can be incorporated in a pack, or alternatively it can be built on top of a pack.

The invention also involves a dummy pipe for use in a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, where said dummy pipe has a first end and a second end, a given length and at least one diameter, where both the length and at least one diameter are adapted to the size of the elongated pipe units being simulated A dummy pipe can thus be placed in a transverse recess between two profile beams, ensuring that the two profile beams can be clamped together in the usual way and with the same result, namely, that all pipe units and any dummy pipes are optimally secured, and the pack always has the optimal stability. In the event that a pack is missing one or more pipe units, the pack will no longer be stable and there will be an increased risk that one or more pipe units might shift in the pack during transport. Such a shifting should be prevented and must not occur, since it involves a major safety risk. Thus far, therefore, it has only been possible to transport packs with complete layers of pipe units. It might be hard to see the disadvantage immediately, but since there is often scant room on a drill rig or other offshore platform, it is of the greatest importance to be able to send and receive precisely the required number of pipe units. With the invention, one has the ability to ship irregular packs containing both complete and incomplete layers, or alternatively packs consisting of incomplete layers alone.

A dummy pipe according to the invention can be configured such that said dummy pipe has at both the first end and at the second end a given diameter, and at least one region between the two ends has another diameter, where said diameter at the ends is less than the other diameter. Thus, there is a region between the ends which is thicker and can therefore be secured in the transverse recesses which are formed between two side surfaces on the top side and bottom side of the profile beam.

A dummy pipe according to the invention can also be configured such that said dummy pipe has at both the first end and at the second end a given diameter, and at least one region between the two ends has another diameter, where said diameter at the ends is greater than the other diameter. Thus, there is a region between the ends which is thinner than the ends, while the larger diameter of the ends means that the dummy pipe can be secured in the transverse recesses which are formed between two side surfaces on the top side and bottom side of the profile beam.

In one special variant of a dummy pipe according to the invention, the pipe has two cutouts formed in the surface and perpendicular to the length, each with a width that is greater than the thickness at the side surfaces on the profile beams. This achieves an incredibly safe placement of the individual dummy pipes. This variant is described below and can also be seen in the drawing.

The invention furthermore concerns a method of packing of elongated pipe units, es-pecially drill pipes and casing pipes, where the pack contains on the one hand a number of elongated pipe units and on the other hand a transport fitting, where said transport fitting comprises at least two sets of profile beams, where each profile beam has a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side with a given width and two side surfaces, where a number of transverse recesses are arranged on both the bottom side and on the top side and through the two side surfaces for bearing against and partial enclosing of the said elongated pipe units, where one set of profile beams comprises at least two profile beams, namely, a first and a second profile beam, where a first profile beam at least comprises joining means which are accessible from the top side, and where a second profile beam is adapted for placement directly on top of the first profile beam, and comprises at least downward pointing joining means for engaging with the said joining means in the top side of the first beam, where said method involves at least the following steps: - placement of at least two first profile beams in parallel and in a first plane, -placement of a number of uniform elongated units in a first layer in the transverse recesses on the surface of the at least two first profile beams, - placement of a second profile beam in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams, wherein a first and a second profile beam is secured around a number of elongated pipe units, where said recesses in the profile beams have dimensions corresponding to specific diameters on the elongated pipe units.

What is new about a method according to the invention is that said method comprises at least the following additional steps: - placement of pipe units with a shorter length than said elongated pipe units in certain of said recesses. The advantages of this are already mentioned above.

The method of packing of elongated pipe units according to the invention can include placement of dummy pipes in said recesses, whereby such a dummy pipe thus fills an empty recess in the respective profile beams.

The method of packing of elongated pipe units according to the invention can also in- elude placement of one or more sets of profile beams around a complete layer of elon-gated pipe units and furthermore include placement of elongated pipe units with a shorter length in a layer between profile beams placed on top, wherein the respective layer is secured to at least one complete layer of elongated pipe units.

Description of drawings

The invention shall be described below with reference to the drawing, where: Fig. 1 shows a pipe pack with transport fitting seen from the end.

Fig. 2 shows a profile beam seen from above.

Fig. 3 shows a lifting bolt.

Fig. 4 shows three packs of pipes, stacked one on the other, seen from the side.

Fig. 5 shows two packs with pipes, placed side by side, seen from above.

Fig. 6 shows a pack with two complete layers and one layer with dummy pipes. Fig. 7 shows a lifting of a pack as seen in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a pack with three complete layers and one interpolated incomplete layer.

Fig. 9 shows a lifting of a pack as seen in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows an example of a pack with three incomplete layers making use of dummy pipes.

Fig. 11 shows an example of a dummy pipe.

Fig. 12 shows a dummy pipe seen from the end.

Fig. 13 shows a cross section of a dummy pipe.

Fig. 14 shows a dummy pipe between two profile beams In the description of the figures, identical or corresponding elements will be designat- ed with the same reference in the various figures. Thus, an explanation will not be giv-en for all details in connection with each individual figure or embodiment.

List of reference numbers 1 pack 2 pipe unit 3 first profile beam 4 first layer of pipe units second profile beam 6 second layer of pipe units 7 third profile beam 8 downward pointing joining means 9 uppermost joining means transverse recesses in bottom side 11 bottom side 12 transverse recesses in top side 13 top side 14 lifting bolt open tubular profile on profile beam 16 locking means 17 complete layer of pipe units 18 incomplete layer of pipe units 19 dummy pipe fourth profile beam 21 chain sling 22 end of dummy pipe 23 indentation/cutout in dummy pipe 24 central thickening end thickening

Detailed specification of the invention

Figure 1 shows a pack 1 with eight elongated pipe units 2 seen from the end. The pack 1 comprises a transport fitting according to the invention and consists of a first profile beam 3, which is arranged beneath a first layer 4 of pipe units 2, a second profile beam 5, which is arranged beneath a second layer 6 of pipe units 2, a third profile beam 7, which is arranged on top of the second layer 6 of pipe units 2. The respective profile beams 3, 5, 7 are identical and are secured to each other by partly depicted downward pointing joining means 8 and by the uppermost joining means 9. In the profile beams 3, 5, 7 there are transverse recesses 10 with one size in the bottom side 11 and transverse recesses 12 with another size in the top side 13, corresponding in the illustrated variant to the diameter of the pipe units 2. Figure 1 shows furthermore a possible way of configuring a lifting bolt 14. In this variant, there is arranged at the end of the pro-file beams 3, 5, 7 an open tubular profile 15, in which a lifting bolt 14 is mounted from above. After mounting and positioning, the lifting bolt 14 is rotated 180 degrees about its lengthwise axis in the open tubular profile 15, and locking means 16 designed for this purpose are brought into position respectively above a top side 13 and below a bottom side 11 on the profile beam 3. In the embodiment shown, the lifting bolts 14 are in engagement with the lowermost profile beam 3, but in principle they could engage with both the uppermost profile beam 7 or the middle profile beam 5. The use of a lifting bolt 14 which engages with the lowermost profile beam 3 provides a good, secure and stable lifting. A further advantage of the solution shown here is that the profile beams 3, 5, 7 themselves are closed and thus very stable profiles on account of the open tubular profile 15, which closes the profile beams 3, 5, 7 at the end.

Fig. 2 shows a profile beam 3 seen from above, where the open tubular profiles 15 at the ends are clearly visible.

Figure 3 shows a lifting bolt 14 with locking means 16, which secure the lifting bolt when it is mounted in the three profile beams 3, 5, 7.

Fig. 4 shows three packs 1 of elongated pipe units 2, placed in transport fittings. These transport fittings each comprise two sets of profile beams 3, 5, 7. The packs 1 are placed one atop the other, as shown by fig. 4, and the packs 1 can be stacked quite close together as long as the respective packs 1 are staggered by a distance which is slightly greater than the width of a profile beam 3, 5, 7. Since the profile beams 3, 5, 7 are identical, the recesses 10 not seen at the bottom side 11 of the profile beam 3 fit over the pipe units in the uppermost layer 6 in a second pack 1. In the same way, the pipe units in the lowermost layer 4 in one of the upper packs 1 fit into the transverse recesses 12 not seen on the top side 13 of the profile beams 7.

Fig. 5 shows the same packs 1 as seen in fig. 4, but this time seen from above, where it is clearly noticed that the two stacks of packs 1 can be placed very close together, such that the ends of the profile beams 3, 5, 7 are in direct contact with the adjacent pack 1.

Fig. 6 shows a pack 1 with two complete layers 17 of pipe units 2 and with one incomplete layer 18, which is filled in here with dummy pipes 19. The pack 1 in fig. 6 comprises four sets of profile beams, where each set comprises four identical profile beams 3, 5, 7, 20, and placed between the two uppermost profile beams 7, 20 are dummy pipes 19. The pack thus has its standard height corresponding to the length of the lifting bolts 14 and a second pack 1 can be placed directly on top of this pack 1. This pack I can also be placed straightforward on top of a second pack 1. With a solution as shown in fig. 6 one can use the customary profile beams and lifting bolts, even though the pack 1 is not completely filled with elongated pipe units 2.

Fig. 7 shows a lifting of a pack 1 as shown in fig. 6, the lifting being done with a chain sling 21, which is secured to four lifting bolts 14. As can be seen, there is no buckling of the elongated pipe units 2, since the four sets of profile beams 3, 5, 7, 20 ensure the necessary rigidity of the pack 1.

Fig. 8 shows a pack 1 with three complete layers 17 and with an interpolated incom-plete layer 18'. The interpolated and incomplete lag 18' of pipe units 2 is secured with the profile beams 3' and 5', which are fastened in the uppermost complete layer 17 and above this support the incomplete layer 18' between the profile beams 5' and 7'. This involves an extra layer of pipe units 2 which is placed on top of the three mentioned complete layers 17, where dummy pipes 19 are also used in the incomplete lay-er 18'. In this way, it is possible to also pack and transport a lesser number of pipe units 2 not of standard length along with the other pipe units 2 Fig. 9 shows a lifting of a pack 1 as shown in fig. 8, where the lifting is done by a chain sling 21, which is secured to four lifting bolts 14. As can be seen, there is no buckling of the elongated pipe units 2, since the four sets of profile beams 3, 5, 7, 20 ensure the necessary rigidity of the pack 1.

Fig. 10 shows an example of a pack 1 with three incomplete layers 18, in which dummy pipes 19 are used. In the pack shown, eight identical elongated pipe units 2 are ar-ranged and dummy pipes 19 are placed in the remaining recesses 10, 12 in the profile beams 3, 5, 7, 20.

Fig. 11 shows an example of a dummy pipe 19, where the dummy pipe 19 is made from a piece of pipe, with an indentation/cutout 23 produced at a distance from the ends 22 to make sure that the dummy pipe 19 is more easily held in place in the trans-verse recesses 10, 12 on the profile beams 3, 5, 7, 20, as is also shown by fig. 14.

Fig. 12 shows a dummy pipe 19 seen from the one end, while fig. 13 shows a cross section of a dummy pipe 19 as seen in fig. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 shows a dummy pipe 19, with two indentations/cutouts 23, corresponding to the flanges composing the transverse recesses 10, 12 in the two profile beams 3, 5. It is also apparent from this figure that a dummy pipe 19 with only one central thickening 24 could be used, as well as a dummy pipe 19 with only end thickenings 25. In fact, a purely cylindrical dummy pipe 19 can also be used, but this sacrifices the extra securing-torque which-is-achieved by the mentioned-recesses/cutoutswhich-is-not-attrac--tive.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. Pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units, especially drill pipes and casing pipes, where the pack contains on the one hand a number of elongated pipe units and on the other hand a transport fitting, where said transport fitting comprises at least two sets of profile beams, where each profile beam has a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side with a given width and two side surfaces, where a number of transverse recesses are arranged on both the bottom side and on the top side and through the two side surfaces for bearing against and partial enclosing of the said elongated pipe units, where one set of profile beams comprises at least two profile beams, namely, a first and a second profile beam, where a fast profile beam at least comprises joining means which are accessible from the top side, and where a second profile beam is adapted for placement directly on top of the first profile beam, and comprises at least downward pointing joining means for engaging with the said join-ing means in the top side of the first beam, where a pack is made up at least of: two first profile beams placed in parallel and in a first plane, a number of elongated pipe units placed in a first layer in the transverse recesses on the surface of the at least two first profile beams, a second profile beam placed in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams, wherein a first and a second profile beam is fixed around a number of elongated pipe units, where said recesses in the profile beams have dimensions corresponding to specific diameters of the elongated pipe units, characterized in that said pack contains at least one incomplete layer of elongated pipe units, where the at least one incomplete layer contains at least one or more pipe units with a length which is different from one or more other pipe units in said pack.
2. Pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units according to claim 1, characterized in that where said at least one incomplete layer contains one or more dummy pipes, where such a dummy pipe is placed in one of said transverse recesses and between a profile beam in a first plane and a profile beam in a second plane, where such a dummy pipe thus fills up an empty recess in the respective profile beams.
3. Pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units according to claim 1, characterized in that said incomplete layer contains one or more elongated pipe units placed in transverse recesses and between a profile beam in one plane and a profile beam in a second plane, where each elongated pipe unit is placed at least in two sets of profile beams.
4. Pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one incomplete layer of pipe units is secured in at least two sets of profile beams, where said at least two sets of profile beams include a first layer of profile beams placed in a first plane beneath a complete layer of pipe units, where a second layer of profile beams is placed above the complete layer of pipe units and directly on top of the placed profile beams in the first layer, where the second layer of profile beams is secured to the first layer, and where the incomplete layer of pipe units is placed in recesses in the second layer of profile beams and secured to a third layer of profile beams, placed directly on top of the second layer of profile beams.
5. Dummy pipe for use in a pack for transport and storage of elongated pipe units according to claim 1, characterized in that said dummy pipe has a first end and a second end, a given length and at least one diameter, where both the length and at least one diameter are adapted to the size of the elongated pipe units being simulated.
6. Dummy pipe according to claim 5, characterized in that said dummy pipe has at both the first end and at the second end a given diameter, and at least one region between the two ends has another diameter, where said diameter at the ends is less than the other diameter.
7. Dummy pipe according to claim 5, characterized in that said dummy pipe has at both the first end and at the second end a given diameter, and at least one region between the two ends has another diameter, where said diameter at the ends is larger than the other diameter.
8. Method of packing of elongated pipe units, especially drill pipes and casing pipes, where the pack contains on the one hand a number of elongated pipe units and on the other hand a transport fitting, where said transport fitting comprises at least two sets of profile beams, where each profile beam has a first end and a second end, a bot-tom side, a top side with a given width and two side surfaces, where a number of transverse recesses are arranged on both the bottom side and on the top side and through the two side surfaces for bearing against and partial enclosing of the said elongated pipe units, where one set of profile beams comprises at least two profile beams, namely, a first and a second profile beam, where a first profile beam at least comprises joining means which are accessible from the top side, and where a second profile beam is adapted for placement directly on top of the first profile beam, and comprises at least downward pointing joining means for engaging with the said joining means in the top side of the first beam, where said method involves at least the following steps: -placement of at least two first profile beams in parallel and in a first plane, -placement of a number of uniform elongated units in a first layer in the transverse recesses on the surface of the at least two first profile beams, -placement of a second profile beam in a second plane and directly on top of each of the first profile beams, wherein a first and a second profile beam is secured around a number of elongated pipe units, where said recesses in the profile beams have dimensions corresponding to specific diameters on the elongated pipe units, characterized in that said method comprises at least the following additional steps: -placement of pipe units with a shorter length than said elongated pipe units in certain of said recesses.
9. Method of packing of elongated pipe units according to claim 8, character-ized in that said method includes placement of dummy pipes in said recesses, whereby such a dummy pipe thus fills an empty recess in the respective profile beams.
10. Method of packing of elongated pipe units according to claim 8, character-ized in that said method includes placement of one or more sets of profile beams around a complete layer of elongated pipe units and furthermore includes placement of elongated pipe units with a shorter length in a layer between profile beams placed on top, wherein the respective layer is secured to at least one complete layer of elongated pipe units.