Automated tubular racking system

• US 10,465,455 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2016
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Berry, Joe Rodney, Metz, Robert, Orr, Melvin Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwenning, Lynn E
• Application Number:
  US15/311,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20180087332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 414 2251- 2271
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/14 Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole E21B19/20, E21B19/22 take precedence

Abstract

A tubular racking system has a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast. The racking module has a frame, a fingerboard assembly, and a clasp extendable to a stand hand-off position for securing a tubular stand in position. An upper racking mechanism (upper racking mechanism) has a bridge translatably connected to the frame. An arm is rotatably and translatably connected to the bridge. A gripper is translatably connected to the arm. A setback platform module has a platform and an alleyway adjacent the platform. A lower racking mechanism (lower racking mechanism) is translatably connected to the alleyway. The lower racking mechanism is rotatably and extendable with a clasp operable to secure a tubular stand from horizontal movement. Movements of the lower racking mechanism are controlled by movements of the upper racking mechanism.

Claims

1. A tubular racking system, comprising:

a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast, wherein the racking module comprises

a frame;

a fingerboard assembly connected to the frame, having columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns oriented in a direction towards the mast;

a fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns;

an upper racking mechanism, wherein the upper racking mechanism comprises

a bridge connected to the frame in translatable relation;

an arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation;

a gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation; and

a second upper racking mechanism located in the racking module.

2. A tubular racking system, comprising:

a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast, wherein the racking module comprises

a frame;

a fingerboard assembly connected to the frame, having columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns oriented in a direction towards the mast; and

a fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns;

an upper racking mechanism, wherein the upper racking mechanism comprises

a bridge connected to the frame in translatable relation;

an arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation; and

a gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation; and

a setback platform module, wherein the setback platform module comprises

a platform positioned beneath the fingerboard assembly;

a platform alleyway adjacent to the platform;

a lower racking mechanism comprising;

a base connected to the alleyway in translatable relation;

a frame connected to the base in rotatable and pivotal relation;

an arm pivotally connected to the frame; and

a clasp pivotally connected to the arm; and

a tubular centerline at the center of tubulars held by the gripper;

an arm rotation centerline at the center of rotation of the arm;

a clasp centerline at the center of rotation of the clasp when rotating the lower racking mechanism; and

,

the tubular centerline and the arm rotation centerline and the clasp centerline being coincident.

3. A tubular racking system, comprising:

a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast, wherein the racking module comprises

a frame;

a fingerboard assembly connected to the frame, having columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns oriented in a direction towards the mast;

a fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns;

an upper racking mechanism, wherein the upper racking mechanism comprises;

a bridge connected to the frame in translatable relation;

an arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation

a gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation; and

a lower stand constraint connected to a platform, wherein the lower stand constraint comprises

a frame;

a carriage connected to the frame in extendable relationship;

a carriage actuator connected between the frame and the carriage, and operable to extend or retract the carriage outward from the frame;

a clasp attached to the extendable end of the carriage; and

a clasp actuator connected to the clasp, and operable to open or close the clasp around a tubular stand,

wherein the carriage extends towards a well center of the drilling rig to position a center of the clasp at the center of the stand hand-off position; and

wherein the carriage retracts towards the platform to remove the clasp from vertical alignment with the alleyway.

4. A tubular racking system, comprising:

a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast, wherein the racking module comprises

a frame;

a fingerboard assembly connected to the frame, having columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns oriented in a direction towards the mast;

a fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns;

an upper racking mechanism, wherein the upper racking mechanism comprises;

a bridge connected to the frame in translatable relation;

an arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation

a gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation; and

a lower stand constraint connected to a platform, wherein the lower stand constraint comprises

a frame;

a carriage connected to the frame in extendable relationship;

a carriage actuator connected between the frame and the carriage, and operable to extend or retract the carriage outward from the frame;

a clasp attached to the extendable end of the carriage; and

a clasp actuator connected to the clasp, and operable to open or close the clasp around a tubular stand,

wherein the carriage extends towards the well center to position a center of the clasp beyond the center of the stand hand-off position.

5. A tubular racking system, comprising:

a racking module connected to a drilling rig mast, wherein the racking module comprises

a frame;

a fingerboard assembly connected to the frame, having columns receivable of tubular stands, the columns oriented in a direction towards the mast; and

a fingerboard alleyway connecting the columns on a mast side of the columns;

an upper racking mechanism, wherein the upper racking mechanism comprises

a bridge connected to the frame in translatable relation;

an arm connected to the bridge in rotatable and translatable relation; and

a gripper connected to the arm in vertically translatable relation; and

a setback platform module, wherein the setback platform module comprises

a platform positioned beneath the fingerboard assembly;

a platform alleyway adjacent to the platform;

a lower racking mechanism comprising;

a base connected to the alleyway in translatable relation;

a frame connected to the base in rotatable and pivotal relation;

an arm pivotally connected to the frame; and

a clasp pivotally connected to the arm; and

a stand hand-off station comprising;

a base connected to the alleyway of the setback platform;

a chamber attached to the base; and

,

an elastomeric seal over a top end of the chamber, the seal having an opening receivable of a tubular stand received into the chamber.

6. The stand hand-off station of claim 5, further comprising:

a grease nozzle directed towards the interior of the chamber;

a grease supply line connected to the grease nozzle;

a wash nozzle directed towards the interior of the chamber;

a wash supply line connected to the wash nozzle; and

,

a drain for collection of wash residue.

7. A setback platform module (900) for a drilling rig comprising:

a platform (910) for vertical storage of tubular drilling stands (80);

the platform (910) having a mast side and an opposite catwalk side;

an alleyway (912) extending along the mast side of the platform (910);

the alleyway (912) being offset below the platform (910);

a stand hand-off position (50) located on the alleyway (912);

a geared rail (914) affixed to the alleyway (912);

a lower racking mechanism (950) comprising;

a base (952) translatably connected to the rail (914);

a frame (970) rotatably and pivotally connected to the base (952);

an arm (980) pivotally connected to the frame (970); and

,

a clasp (990) connected to the arm (980);

a pinion drive (956) on the base (952) engaged with the geared rail (914), operable to translate the lower racking mechanism (950) along the rail (914);

a rotate actuator (362) connected between the base (952) and the frame (970), operable to rotate the frame (970) in relation to the base (952);

a frame actuator (968) connected between the frame (970) and the base (952), operable to extend and retract the frame (970) in relation to the base (952);

an arm actuator (976) connected between the arm (980) and the frame (970), operable to extend and retract the arm (980) in relation to the frame (970); and

,

a clasp actuator (998) connected to the clasp (990) and operable to open and close the clasp (990) around a tubular stand (80).