Modular drilling rig system

• US 9,334,668 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2015
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itrec BV (Ace Innovation Holding BV)
• Original Assignee: Itrec BV (Ace Innovation Holding BV)
• Inventors: Roodenburg, Joop, Wijning, Diederick Bernardus
• Primary Examiner(s): MAESTRI, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US14/854,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20160002947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 521/15, 521/16, 521/18, 521/19, 521/231, 403/335
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34336 Structures movable as a whole, e.g. mobile home structures vehicles comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping or like vehicles B60P3/32
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/344 with hinged parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/187 with hinged sections
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/345 Arrangements for tilting up whole structures or sections thereof E04H12/347 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/20 Combined feeding from rack and connecting, e.g. automatically
• 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

Modular transfigurable drilling rig system composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transportable and an operational mode in which the components are assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well centre in the ground.

Claims

1. A method for bringing a modular transfigurable drilling rig system into an operational mode, wherein the modular transfigurable drilling rig system is composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transported and an operational mode in which the components have been assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well center in the ground, the system comprising:

a base structure adapted to be positioned in the operational mode on the ground adjacent the well center, the base structure comprising an assembly of interconnected parts, including a pair of base members and a drilling mast foot connection assembly defining a drilling mast foot pivot axis;

a drilling rig mast having a top end and a foot end, composed of multiple transportable mast sections, said mast sections at least including a lower section comprising the foot end of the mast, the lower section being connectable to the base structure, and a top section comprising the top end of the mast, which drilling rig mast is movable between a substantially horizontal mast assembly position, wherein the mast is assembled by interconnection of said multiple mast sections and an operational position vertically above the well center; and

at least one drive assembly to move the drilling rig mast between the substantially horizontal mast assembly position and the vertical operational position,

wherein the method comprises the steps of;

positioning the base structure on the ground adjacent the well centre in a C-arrangement when seen from above, such that portions of said base members extend side-by-side with a spacing there between dimensioned to receive a lower portion of the lower mast section in its substantially horizontal position;

positioning the lower mast section on a transport vehicle and moving it between the spaced base members so that the foot end of the lower mast section is brought adjacent the base structure;

pivotally connecting the foot end of the lower mast section to the drilling mast foot connection assembly of the base structure;

operating the at least one drive assembly to raise the lower mast section from the transport vehicle;

removing the transport vehicle;

positioning a subsequent drilling rig mast section which has been transported on a vehicle in a substantially horizontal position adjacent the lower mast section;

aligning the upper end of the lower mast section with a lower end of the subsequent drilling rig mast section by tilting the lower mast section downward;

connecting one end of the subsequent drilling mast section to the lower mast section; and

operating the at least one drive assembly such that the drilling rig mast moves towards its vertical operational position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subsequent drilling rig mast section is a middle mast section, and wherein prior to moving the drilling rig mast to its vertical operational position the method comprises the steps of:

positioning a top section on a vehicle in a substantially horizontal position adjacent the middle mast section;

aligning the upper end of the middle mast section with a lower end of the top section by tilting the lower mast section downward; and

connecting one end of the top section to the middle mast section.

3. The method according to claim 1, the system further comprising a top drive to perform drilling activities, wherein the method, prior to moving the drilling rig mast to its vertical operational position comprises the steps of:

supplying by means of a vehicle the top drive in a substantially horizontal orientation;

aligning the drilling rig mast, in at least partly assembled state and connected to the base structure, with the top drive that is in substantially horizontal orientation on the vehicle;

when aligned, connecting the top drive to the drilling rig mast; and

operating the at least one drive assembly such that the drilling mast with the top drive moves towards its vertical operational position.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the drilling rig mast is composed of multiple sections at least including a lower mast section, middle mast section, and an upper mast section, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

connecting the lower mast section to the base structure;

connecting the middle mast section to the lower mast section in a substantially horizontal assembly position;

aligning the middle section with the top drive that is in substantially horizontal orientation on the vehicle;

when aligned, connecting the top drive to the drilling rig mast middle section;

connecting said upper mast section to the one or more middle sections in substantially horizontal assembly position; and

operating the at least one drive assembly such that the drilling mast with the top drive moves towards its vertical operational position.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein top section of the mast includes a crown block and a travelling block, and wherein—

after bringing the mast in its vertical operational position—

the travelling block is connected to the top drive.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein top section of the mast includes a crown block and a travelling block, and wherein, after bringing the mast in its vertical operational position, the travelling block is connected to the top drive.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly to raise and lower the mast includes a winch and one or more cables.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the winch is a hydraulic winch having one or more hydraulic winch drive motors.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly to raise and lower the mast includes a hydraulic cylinder.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a pipe loader, and

wherein, after the mast has been brought into its vertical operative position, the pipe loader can be arranged to extend at least partly in the space between the spaced base members.