Drilling rigs and erection methods

• US 20090218139A1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Liu, Xi Lin, Yu, Yan, Sheng, Hui Chun, Ren, Chunqiao, McCurdy, Stuart Arthur Lyall, Donnally, Robert Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 8,468,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/57
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/02 Drilling rigs characterised by means for land transport with their own drive, e.g. skid mounting or wheel mounting
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/023 the mast being foldable or telescopically retractable

Abstract

Systems and methods for erecting a drilling rig. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A method for assembling a drilling rig, the method comprising

assembling a substructure of a drilling rig, the assembly comprising connecting an upper box to a lower box, the upper box having an upper open space, the lower box having a lower open space, and the upper open space above the lower open space,

moving with a vehicle on ground a floor section connected to and supported by the vehicle into open space including the upper open space and the lower open space, and

securing the floor section to the substructure.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising

disconnecting the floor section from the vehicle, and

moving the vehicle away from the drilling rig.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising

installing a drawworks on the substructure.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising

assembling a mast connected to the substructure.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising

erecting the mast on the substructure.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising

installing a rig structure on the substructure.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the rig structure is one of doghouse, cabin, and control room.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising

installing rig equipment on the substructure.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the rig equipment is one of winch, iron roughneck, independent rotary table drive, and rotary table.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising

raising with raising apparatus the substructure to an operational height.

11. A method for assembling a drilling rig, the method comprising

assembling a substructure of a drilling rig, the assembly comprising connecting an upper box to a lower box, the upper box having an upper open space, the lower box having a lower open space, and the upper open space above the lower open space,

moving with a vehicle on ground a floor section connected to and supported by the vehicle into open space including the upper open space and the lower open space, and

securing the floor section to the substructure,

disconnecting the floor section from the vehicle,

moving the vehicle away from the drilling rig,

installing a drawworks on the substructure,

assembling a mast connected to the substructure,

erecting the mast on the substructure,

installing a rig structure on the substructure, and

raising with raising apparatus the substructure to an operational height.

12. A system for drilling comprising

a substructure, the substructure locatable on ground and comprising an upper box to a lower box, the upper box having an upper open space, the lower box having a lower open space, and the upper open space above the lower open space,

a floor section, the floor section movable with a vehicle on ground adjacent the substructure, the floor section connected to and supported by the vehicle and movable on the vehicle into an open space including the upper open space and the lower open space, and

the floor section releasably connected to the substructure.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising

a drawworks on the substructure.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising

a mast connected to the substructure.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising

a rig structure on the substructure.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the rig structure is one of doghouse, cabin, and control room.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising

rig equipment on the substructure.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the rig equipment is one of winch, iron roughneck, independent rotary table drive, and rotary table.

19. The system of claim 12 further comprising

raising apparatus connected to the substructure for raising the substructure to an operational height.

20. A substructure for a drilling rig, the substructure comprising

an upper box with an upper open space,

a lower box with a lower open space,

the upper open space above the lower open space and comprising a substructure space,

the substructure space sized for selective receipt therein of a vehicle, and

a floor section connectable to and supportable by the vehicle for movement into the substructure space, the floor section connected to the substructure.