Dual device apparatus and methods usable in well drilling and other operations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rig comprising:
- a. a plurality of tubular rotational devices, including at least a first tubular rotational device and at least a second tubular rotation device, wherein the first tubular rotation device and the second tubular rotation device each includes a drive shaft;
b. a derrick assembly for supporting the plurality of tubular rotational devices and a plurality of booms;
c. wherein the plurality of booms include at least a first boom and a second boom, wherein the first boom is operatively connected to at least the first tubular rotational device, wherein the second boom is operatively connected to at least the second tubular rotational device, wherein the first boom is capable of moving the first tubular rotational device vertically inline with a single wellbore while the second boom is capable of independently moving the second tubular rotational device vertically out of alignment with the wellbore,wherein the plurality of booms are slidably disposed in a horizontal direction along a rail proximate an opening of the wellbore to move each of the plurality of tubular rotational devices and toward the wellbore and away from the wellbore, the wellbore having a wellbore axis;
d. an elevator assembly configured to engage a first tubular segment; and
,e. a clamp assembly configured to move the first tubular segment toward the drive shaft of the first tubular rotational device;
wherein the first tubular rotational device is capable of rotating and lifting the first tubular segment inline with the wellbore while the second tubular rotational device is lifting and rotating a second tubular segment out of alignment with the wellbore.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer-mounted drilling rig incorporates a dual top drive apparatus and a plurality of lifting assemblies useable for decreasing connection time of pipe segments useable during well drilling or other well operations, and methods of connecting pipe segments useable during well drilling or other operations. The plurality of lifting assemblies operatively connected to the dual top drive apparatus and a first lifting assembly is capable of moving a first top drive vertically inline with a wellbore while a second lifting assembly is capable of independently moving a second top drive vertically out of alignment with the wellbore.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A rig comprising:
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a. a plurality of tubular rotational devices, including at least a first tubular rotational device and at least a second tubular rotation device, wherein the first tubular rotation device and the second tubular rotation device each includes a drive shaft; b. a derrick assembly for supporting the plurality of tubular rotational devices and a plurality of booms; c. wherein the plurality of booms include at least a first boom and a second boom, wherein the first boom is operatively connected to at least the first tubular rotational device, wherein the second boom is operatively connected to at least the second tubular rotational device, wherein the first boom is capable of moving the first tubular rotational device vertically inline with a single wellbore while the second boom is capable of independently moving the second tubular rotational device vertically out of alignment with the wellbore, wherein the plurality of booms are slidably disposed in a horizontal direction along a rail proximate an opening of the wellbore to move each of the plurality of tubular rotational devices and toward the wellbore and away from the wellbore, the wellbore having a wellbore axis; d. an elevator assembly configured to engage a first tubular segment; and
,e. a clamp assembly configured to move the first tubular segment toward the drive shaft of the first tubular rotational device; wherein the first tubular rotational device is capable of rotating and lifting the first tubular segment inline with the wellbore while the second tubular rotational device is lifting and rotating a second tubular segment out of alignment with the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of assembling a tubular segment string using a rig comprising:
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a. a plurality of tubular rotational devices, including at least a first tubular rotational device and at least a second tubular rotation device, wherein the first tubular rotation device and the second tubular rotation device each includes a drive shaft; b. a derrick assembly for supporting the plurality of tubular rotational devices, wherein each of the plurality of tubular rotational devices is slidably disposed to move the tubular rotational devices toward a single wellbore and away from the wellbore, the wellbore having a wellbore axis; and c. a plurality of booms, including at least a first boom and a second boom, wherein the first boom is operatively connected to at least the first tubular rotational device, wherein the second boom is operatively connected to at least the second tubular rotational device, wherein the first boom is capable of moving the first tubular rotational device vertically inline with the wellbore while the second boom is capable of independently moving the second tubular rotational device vertically out of alignment with the wellbore, wherein the first tubular rotational device is capable of rotating and lifting the first tubular segment inline with the wellbore while the second tubular rotational device is lifting and rotating a second tubular segment out of alignment with the wellbore;
the method comprising the steps of;i. coupling the first tubular segment having a top and a bottom end with the first tubular rotational device; ii. moving the first tubular segment in a horizontal direction relative to a wellbore axis; iii. engaging the first tubular segment with a tubular segment string in the wellbore; iv. lowering the first tubular segment into the wellbore; v. coupling the second tubular segment having a top and a bottom end with the second tubular rotational device; vi. moving the second tubular segment in a horizontal direction relative to the wellbore axis; vii. engaging the bottom end of the second tubular segment with the top end of the first tubular segment and lowering the second tubular segment into the wellbore; and viii. repeating at least steps i-iv for additional tubular segments; further comprising preventing a gas from the wellbore from venting into the atmosphere by employing a check valve operatively connected to one of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment, wherein the check valve is opened by engaging one of the first tubular rotational device and the second tubular rotational device to whichever of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment to which the check valve is connected.
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15. A method of assembling a tubular segment string using a rig comprising:
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a. a plurality of tubular rotational devices, including at least a first tubular rotational device and at least a second tubular rotation device, wherein the first tubular rotation device and the second tubular rotation device each includes a drive shaft; b. a derrick assembly for supporting the plurality of tubular rotational devices and a plurality of booms; and c. wherein the plurality of booms include at least a first boom and a second boom, wherein the first boom is operatively connected to at least the first tubular rotational device, wherein the second boom is operatively connected to at least the second tubular rotational device, wherein the first boom is capable of moving the first tubular rotational device vertically inline with a single wellbore while the second boom is capable of independently moving the second tubular rotational device vertically out of alignment with the wellbore, wherein the plurality of booms are slidably disposed in a horizontal direction along a rail proximate an opening of the wellbore to move each of the plurality of tubular rotational devices and toward the wellbore and away from the wellbore, the wellbore having a wellbore axis, d. an elevator assembly configured to engage a first tubular segment; and
,e. a clamp assembly configured to move the first tubular segment toward the drive shaft of the first tubular rotational device; wherein the first tubular rotational device is capable of rotating and lifting the first tubular segment inline with the wellbore while the second tubular rotational device is lifting and rotating a second tubular segment out of alignment with the wellbore; the method comprising the steps of; i. coupling the first tubular segment having a top and a bottom end with the first tubular rotational device; ii. moving the first tubular segment in a horizontal direction relative to a wellbore axis; iii. engaging the first tubular segment with a tubular segment string in the wellbore; iv. lowering the first tubular segment into the wellbore; v. coupling the second tubular segment having a top and a bottom end with the second tubular rotational device; vi. moving the second tubular segment in a horizontal direction relative to the wellbore axis; vii. engaging the bottom end of the second tubular segment with the top end of the first tubular segment and lowering the second tubular segment into the wellbore; and viii. repeating at least steps i-iv for additional tubular segments; further comprising communicating a drilling fluid into a fluid passageway of at least one of the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment lowered into the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification