Method of deploying a mobile rig system

• US 9,249,626 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2012
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis Energy Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Superior Energy Services-North America Services, Inc
• Inventors: Flusche, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): COY, NICOLE A
• Application Number:
  US13/507,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20130343858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/155 Handling between horizontal and vertical position
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/023 the mast being foldable or telescopically retractable
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/026 having auxiliary platforms, e.g. for observation purposes

Abstract

A method for deploying a mobile rig system to a well site includes transporting a control van to the well site. A rig carrier is utilized to transport the mast assembly and position the mast adjacent a wellhead. A skid mounted pipe moving member is transported to the well site and positioned on an opposite end of the wellhead from the mast assembly. The skid is interconnected to the rig carrier for maintaining a fixed distance between the mast assembly and the pipe moving member. A carrier support member is fastened at the interconnection point and extends outward to stabilize the mast assembly. Hydraulic actuators are utilized to level the mast assembly with a ground surface.

Claims

1. A method for deploying a mobile rig system to a well site, comprising:

transporting a control van to said well site for controlling drilling operations at said well site;

transporting a mast assembly to said well site utilizing a rig carrier, wherein said rig carrier comprises motorized pumps and power sources for raising and lowering the mast assembly on said rig carrier and operating a plurality of rig components on said mobile rig system, and wherein said mast assembly is on said rig carrier and is movable between a lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and an upright position with respect to said rig carrier;

positioning said mast assembly adjacent a wellhead at said well site using sensors mounted to rear of said rig carrier;

raising said mast assembly to said upright position, wherein said mast assembly is remotely operable from said control van using said motorized pumps and said power sources;

transporting a pipe moving member mounted to a skid, wherein said pipe moving member is operable for moving pipe to said mast assembly and away from said mast assembly, wherein said pipe moving member is remotely operable from said control van; and

transporting at least one pipe tub for storing pipe and positioning said pipe tub adjacent said pipe moving member mounted to said skid.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising interconnecting said rig carrier to said skid whereby a relative position of said mast assembly and said skid is affixed, wherein said motorized pumps and said power sources are usable for transporting said rig carrier and mast assembly.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing that said interconnecting step utilizes at least two interconnectors on either side of said wellhead and fastening a carrier support member to said at least two interconnectors.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising extending a carrier support member outward from said mast assembly to support said mast assembly using at least two hydraulic operators for positioning said support member against a ground surface using said motorized pumps and said power sources.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing that at least one of said pipe tub or said skid comprises a pipe transfer system operable for moving pipe from said pipe tub to said pipe moving member and for moving pipe from said pipe moving member to said pipe tub, wherein said pipe transfer system is operable from said control van for moving pipe from said at least one pipe tub to said pipe moving member by real time operation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting a pipe transfer system operable for moving pipe from said pipe tub to said pipe moving member and for moving pipe from said pipe moving member to said pipe tub, wherein said pipe transfer system is operable from said control van for moving pipe from said at least one pipe tub to said pipe moving member by real time operation.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting a top drive that moves along a predefined path within said mast assembly and aligning said predetermined path with said wellhead using said motorized pumps and said power sources.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising raising a work floor surface to a selectable height on said mast assembly and positioning a set of stairs to access said work floor surface.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning said control van so that a single operator can visually monitor said mobile rig system from said control van and providing windows on an upper surface of said control van to permit said single operator to see a top of said mast assembly, wherein said mast assembly is raised and lowered by a single operator in real time operations by said single operator.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one pipe tub is mounted to a skid.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one pipe tub is a catwalk pipe tube with tube handling elements combined on only one skid.

12. A method of deploying a mobile rig system to a well site, comprising:

transporting a control van to said well site for controlling drilling operations at said well site;

transporting a mast assembly to said well site utilizing a rig carrier, wherein said mast assembly is on the rig carrier and is movable between a lowered position with respect to said rig carrier and an upright position with respect to said rig carrier, and wherein said rig carrier comprises motorized pumps and power sources for raising and lowering said mast assembly on said rig carrier and operating a plurality of rig components on said mobile rig system;

providing that said mast assembly comprises a top drive which is transported within said mast assembly, and providing that said top drive is movable along a predefined path;

positioning said mast assembly adjacent a wellhead at said well site;

raising said mast assembly to said upright position, wherein said mast assembly is remotely operable from said control van using said motorized pumps and said power sources;

positioning said top drive so that said predefined path and said wellhead are aligned, wherein sensors are utilized to align said top drive moving along said predefined path with said wellhead;

transporting a pipe moving member mounted to a skid, wherein said pipe moving member is remotely operable from said control van; and

positioning said pipe moving member on an opposite end of said wellhead with respect to said mast assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising interconnecting said rig carrier to said skid utilizing at least two connection members whereby a relative position of said mast assembly and said skid is affixed, and wherein said motorized pumps and said power sources are usable to transport said rig carrier and mast assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising fastening an extendable carrier support member to said at least two connection members and extending said support member outward in opposite directions from said rig carrier to support said mast assembly.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning at least one pipe tub for storing pipe at said well site, adjacent to said pipe moving member, and moving pipe from said at least one pipe tub to said pipe moving member by real time operation.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing that a pipe transfer system is positioned at said well site.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning said pipe transfer system for moving pipe from said pipe tub to said pipe moving member and for moving pipe from said pipe moving member to said pipe tub in real time operation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one pipe tub is a catwalk pipe tube with tube handling elements combined on only one skid.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning said control van so that at least one operator can visually monitor said mobile rig system and providing windows on an upper surface of said control van to permit said operator to see a top of said mast assembly and raising the mast assembly with a single operator.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising utilizing at least two hydraulic actuators, said motorized pumps, and said power sources for positioning the extendable carrier support member against a ground surface.