Mobile land drilling apparatus and method

• US 6,634,436 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National Oilwell LP (National Oilwell Varco Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: National Oilwell LP (National Oilwell Varco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Desai, Vinod
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/544,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 173/1, 173/28, 173/184, 173/186
• US Class Current: 173/1
• 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

Abstract

A mobile land rig and method are disclosed, for the transport, assembly, and disassembly of oil drilling equipment. A mobile telescoping substructure box includes at least one axle and coupled wheels lockable and releasable for engaging the ground and being raised above the ground and for supporting a mobile drill mast. A lifting means selectively supports the mobile telescoping substructure box unit in a raised position and lowered position with respect to the ground. An extension cylinder further extends the mobile telescoping substructure box unit in telescopic extension. A stationary frame member and a telescoping frame member comprising the mobile telescoping substructure box unit have a plurality of cables attached thereto for supporting the telescoping frame member when extended. Limit switches attached between the cables and frame members sense when cable tension reaches predetermined limits and generate a stop signal. Telescopic extension of the telescoping frame member is stopped in response to the stop signal. Stop pins are further engaged in response to the stop signal to support the telescoping frame member in the extended position. Trolley winch allows completion of rig assembly without external crane.

Claims

1. A mobile land rig, for the erection, transport, and disassembly of oil drilling equipment along the ground, said mobile land rig comprising:

a mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig;

said mobile telescoping substructure box having at least one axle coupled thereto with each axle having at least one set of wheels for supporting said mobile telescoping substructure box in rolling relation to a ground surface; and

a mobile drill mast attachable to said mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig and said mobile drill mast;

wherein said mobile telescoping substructure box further comprises telescoping means secured to said substructure box for selectively moving said mobile telescoping substructure box between telescoping extension and telescopic retraction, a stationary frame member and a telescoping frame member having a plurality of cables attached thereto between said telescoping frame member and said stationary frame member in a predetermined configuration for supporting said telescoping frame member when said telescoping frame member reaches a maximum telescopic extension.

2. The mobile land rig of claim 1 including, a telescoping frame member having a plurality of cables attached thereto between said telescoping frame member and said stationary frame member in a predetermined configuration for supporting said telescoping frame member when said telescoping frame member reaches a maximum telescopic extension.

3. The mobile land rig of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of cables comprises a limit switch coupled between an end of said each of said plurality of cables and a frame member responsive to tension imposed thereon for providing a stop signal for stopping the telescopic excursion of said mobile telescoping substructure box.

31. The mobile land rig of claim 1, wherein said support means for locking includes a member journaled to each axle and removable means connected to said substructure box and said member.

4. A mobile land rig, for the erection, transport, and disassembly of oil drilling equipment along the ground, said mobile land rig comprising:

a mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig;

said mobile telescoping substructure box having at least one axle coupled thereto with each axle having at least one set of wheels for supporting said mobile telescoping substructure box in rolling relation to a ground surface; and

a mobile drill mast attachable to said mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig and said mobile drill mast;

wherein said mobile telescoping substructure box further comprises a stop pin controlled by a stop pin activator responsive to a stop signal upon telescopic extension of the substructure box for supporting said telescoping frame member in maximum telescopic extension.

5. The mobile land rig of claim 4, including a racking board secured to said mobile drill mast for supporting loads in lifting relation to said mobile land rig and wherein said board further comprises a winch for hoisting said loads.

6. The mobile land rig of claim 5, wherein said winch further includes a trolley for positioning said winch at a predetermined point along the length of said racking board.

7. The mobile land rig of claim 6, wherein said trolley comprises a rack gear coupled to said racking board and extending a predetermined amount along the length of said racking board and a pinion gear coupled to said winch and engaged with said rack gear.

8. The mobile land rig of claim 5, wherein said trolley further comprises a drive means coupled to said pinion gear for turning said pinion gear and allowing said pinion gear to progressively engage said rack gear along the length thereof.

9. A method for erecting, transporting, and disassembling a drilling rig on the ground, said method comprising:

rolling said drill rig components into proximity with said drilling site on ground engaging wheels, said drill rig components including a mobile telescoping substructure box and a drill mast raising said substructure box relative to said ground engaging wheels, disengaging said wheels from said substructure box lowering said substructure box toward the ground,

connecting said drill mast to said mobile telescoping substructure box,

raising said drill mast to an upright position, and

telescoping said mobile telescoping substructure box into an extended position.

10. The method of claim 9, further including a step of:

hoisting said drill rig components into place using hoisting means coupled to said mast.

11. The method of claim 10, further including the steps of:

monitoring said mobile telescoping substructure box rise to an extended position using cables;

sensing a tension value on said cables;

generating a stop signal indicative of a predetermined tension being reached in said cables and said substructure box being in a desired extended position.

12. The method of claim 11, further including the steps of:

stopping said mobile telescoping substructure box unit from being extended in response to said stop signal, and

locking said mobile telescoping substructure box unit in an extended position in response to said stop signal.

13. A method for erecting, transporting, and disassembling a drilling rig, said method comprising:

transporting drill rig components to a drilling site using trailer means coupled to said drill rig components,

positioning said drill rig components into proximity with said drilling site, said drill rig components including a mobile telescoping substructure box and a drill mast;

connecting said drill mast to said mobile telescoping substructure box;

raising said drill mast to an upright position;

telescoping said mobile telescoping substructure box unit toward an extended position;

monitoring a limit value of said mobile telescoping substructure box rise to an extended limit position,

sensing the substructure box rise to said limit value, and generating a stop signal indicative of reaching said limit value and said substructure box being in a desired extended position.

14. A substructure box for supporting a drill mast of a mobile land rig comprising:

mobile means;

a first support structure mountable on said mobile means, displaceable between a first position supported on said mobile means and a second position resting on the ground;

means for selectively displacing said first support structure between said first and second positions thereof;

a second support structure mounted on said first support structure, displaceable between retracted and extended positions and having means for detachably, pivotally connecting a mast thereon angularly displaceable between a lower, transportable position and an erect, operative position, supported on said second support structure, when connected thereto; and

means for selectively displacing said second support structure between said retracted and extended positions.

15. A substructure box according to claim 14 wherein said displacing means comprise fluid actuated cylinder assemblies.

16. A substructure box according to claim 14 including means for guiding said support structure along a line of travel when displaced relative to each other.

17. A substructure box according to claim 14 including means for releaseably locking said second support structure relative to said first structure when said second support structure is in said extended position.

18. A substructure box according to claim 14 when said support structures are telescopically connected.

19. A mobile land rig comprising:

a first mobile means including a first support structure mountable on said mobile means, displaceable between a first position supported on said mobile means and a second position resting on the ground, means for selectively displacing said first support structure between said first and second positions thereof, a second support structure mounted on said first support structure, displaceable between retracted and extended positions and means for selectively displacing said second support structure between said retracted and extended positions; and

a second mobile means positionable adjacent said first mobile means, having a drill mast mountable thereon including a base portion pivotally connectable to said second support structure of said first mobile means when said second mobile means is positioned adjacent said first mobile means, means for pivoting said drill mast into an upright position supported on said second support structure when said mast is pivotally connected to said second support structure and means for securing said mast on said second support structure when said mast is pivoted into said upright position.

20. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 when said displacing means of said first mobile means comprises fluid actuated cylinder assemblies.

21. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 wherein said substructure box includes means for guiding said second support structure relative to said first support structure along a line of travel when displaced relative to each other.

22. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 wherein said substructure box includes means for releaseably locking said second support structure relative to a said first support structure when said second support structure is in said extended position.

23. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 wherein said support structures of said substructure box are telescopically connected.

24. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 wherein said second mobile means is detachably connectable to said first mobile means.

25. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 wherein said base portion of said mast is provided with a pair of spaced leg sections, one of said leg sections is rigidly connected to a main body portion of said mast and has an end portion detachably, pivotally connectable to said second support structure of said substructure box, and the other of said leg sections is pivotally connected at one end thereof to said main body portion of said mast, allowing said other leg section to collapse when said mast is in a horizontal, transport position, and connectable to said second support structure of said substructure box when said mast is in said upright.

26. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 including a third mobile means supporting a drawworks operatively connectable to said mast.

27. A mobile land rig according to claim 26 wherein said third mobile means is detachably connectable to said first mobile means.

28. A mobile land rig according to claim 19 including a pair of said first mobile means and wherein said mast is pivotally connectable to said second support structures of said pair of said first mobile means, for supporting said mast in an upright position supported on said second support structures, and including means for securing said mast to said second support structures when said mast is disposed in said upright position.

29. A mobile land rig, for the erection, transport, and disassembly of oil drilling equipment along the ground, said mobile land rig comprising:

a mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig;

said mobile telescoping substructure box having at least one axle coupled thereto with each axle having at least one set of wheels for supporting said mobile telescoping substructure box in rolling relation to a ground surface; and

a mobile drill mast attachable to said mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig and said mobile drill mast;

wherein said mobile telescoping substructure box further comprises a ground engageable lifting means coupled thereto for selectively supporting said mobile telescoping substructure box unit in raised relation to said ground surface and for selectively lowering said mobile telescoping substructure box into contact with said ground surface.

30. A mobile land rig, for the erection, transport, and disassembly of oil drilling equipment along the ground, said mobile land rig comprising:

a mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig;

said mobile telescoping substructure box having at least one axle coupled thereto with each axle having at least one set of wheels for supporting said mobile telescoping substructure box in rolling relation to a ground surface; and

a mobile drill mast attachable to said mobile telescoping substructure box for supporting said mobile land rig and said mobile drill mast;

wherein said mobile telescoping substructure box further includes a support means for locking each axle and each set of wheels to said substructure box when said substructure box is in rolling relation to the ground and for releasing said locking when said substructure box is supported by the ground.