EP4013949A1

EP4013949A1 - Underground drilling rig and method for erecting same

Info

Publication number: EP4013949A1
Application number: EP20757547.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jürgen VOLKERS; Arend Lödden; Achim Nordbeck
Original assignee: Bentec Drilling and Oilfield Systems GmbH
Current assignee: Bentec Drilling and Oilfield Systems GmbH
Priority date: 2019-08-13
Filing date: 2020-08-10
Publication date: 2022-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-10
Also published as: EP4013949B1; WO2021028383A1; US20220307373A1; DE102019212152A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an underground drilling rig (10) and to a method for erecting same, wherein the method, in one specific embodiment, comprises erecting a mast structure (20) of the drilling rig (10) starting from a horizontal tunnel (production gallery) into a vertical mast shaft (14) and by means of an erecting construction (50), wherein the mast structure (20) comprises a plurality of interconnected or interconnectable mast segments (60).

Description

description

Underground drilling rig and procedures for its construction

The invention relates to an underground drilling rig, referred to below as an underground drilling rig and operating underground, and a method for its erection.

Drilling rigs, namely drilling rigs for sinking deep boreholes on coal hydrogen deposits or for developing geothermal energy are basically known per se. Such drilling rigs are conventionally designed as land drilling rigs or as so-called offshore drilling rigs. From US 2,331,072 and EP 2 245 256 A1 a method and a device for sinking a deep borehole underground are known. Operating a drilling rig underground has the advantage that the drilling rig does not appear optically or acoustically above ground and the drilling rig does not require any space above ground. In a particularly preferred embodiment, no structural measures above ground are required for the construction of the drilling rig at the position of the deep borehole.

For the construction of the underground drilling rig, sometimes referred to below as the drilling rig, a tunnel is driven into the rock. The term "mountains" is to be understood in the sense of the so-called miners' language and describes the material of the earth's crust, in particular rock, into which mines (shafts, tunnels, etc.) are driven. The tunnel driven into the rock to build the drilling rig comprises at least one horizontal section or at least essentially horizontal section. This is referred to below as the production tunnel. A vertical shaft extends from this production tunnel. This is referred to below as the mast shaft. The mast shaft is preferably, but not necessary, a blind shaft, that is to say a shaft that does not extend to the surface. The The drilling rig is erected in the production tunnel and below the mast shaft and partly into the mast shaft. The production tunnel and the mast shaft as well as their construction are not the subject of the innovation presented here.

The innovation is a method for erecting a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) in such a production tunnel and in the area of a mast shaft there as well as a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) built according to the method.

The subject method is a method for setting up a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) for sinking deep boreholes, sometimes briefly referred to below as boreholes, namely deep boreholes on hydrocarbon deposits or for the development of geothermal energy or other valuable materials or deep boreholes for research purposes, for example Tunnels driven into a rock using a tunnel boring machine. The cleat comprises a horizontal or at least substantially horizontal section. This is referred to here and in the following as a production tunnel to distinguish it. The production tunnel, or at least a section of the production tunnel, functions as a production line when the drilling rig is erected and when the drilling is later. The terms “horizontal section of the tunnel”, “production tunnel” and “production line” refer to the same thing. A vertical section / a vertical shaft extends from the production tunnel. This is referred to here and below as the mast shaft to distinguish it from the production tunnel.

It should already be pointed out that in the description and claims presented here, terms and directions such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “parallel”, “aligned” and the like are always referred to as “horizontal or at least essentially horizontal”, “ vertically or at least essentially vertically ”and so on. It comes to an exactly horizontal or an exactly vertical orientation or an exactly parallel or an exactly aligned orientation and so on does not apply to the innovation proposed here. That is why only approximately horizontal, vertical, parallel, aligned and so on alignments or orientations are sufficient. In the interest of better readability of the following description, it is continued with brief direction and orientation information, namely “horizontal”, “vertical”, “parallel” and the like, whereby the general form formulated above is always meant and must be read accordingly.

The construction of the drilling rig (underground drilling rig) according to the approach proposed here takes place in the production tunnel and in the area of the mast shaft there. During operation of the drilling rig, the basically known handling of drill rod elements takes place in the mast shaft. Handling of drill string elements includes connecting drill string elements to the drill string when installing a drill string and releasing drill string elements from the drill string when removing a drill string. The drilling operation of the drilling rig is basically carried out underground in the manner known from land drilling rigs or offshore drilling rigs and accordingly does not require any further description here. For general orientation, it should be noted that the lifting or lowering of the drill string in the borehole in the mast shaft is effected underground and that a longitudinal axis of the drill string above the bottom of the production tunnel is parallel or at least essentially parallel to the vertical axis of the mast shaft.

The method proposed here for erecting or when erecting the drilling rig (underground drilling rig) comprises at least the following process steps in one variant:

Lifting a crown bearing of the drilling system out of the production tunnel and into the mast shaft and vertically fixing the crown bearing in the mast shaft at a distance from a ceiling of the production tunnel, the distance corresponding to at least the length of at least one drill rod in the drilling system. This variant relates to a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) in which the drilling string is raised and lowered by means of a hoist belonging to the drilling rig and a pulley system. In a drilling rig, the pulley system includes the crown bearing and a crown block there, as well as a vertically movable block hanging under the crown block, the so-called traveling block. The crown block and the traveling block act as the top and bottom blocks of the pulley system. With a corresponding variant, this also applies to the drilling rig proposed here (underground drilling rig). The drill string hangs directly or indirectly from the bottom block. The crown bearing must be at a certain height above the so-called drill floor so that the usual handling of drill rods or drill rod trains - here and below collectively referred to as drill rod element or drill rod element - is possible when installing and removing the drill string. In the case of a functional indication of the height of the crown bearing above the drill floor, this can be related to the drill rod elements provided for use in drilling operations, namely a single drill rod (so-called single) or drill rods combined to form drill rods (so-called doubles, triples, etc.): After that the distance (height) of the crown bearing from the drill floor is at least so large that between the drill floor and crown bearing one of the drill rod elements provided for use in the drilling system, the respective drive device for rotating the drill string (drill string drive unit), in the case of a drilling system with a so-called top drive So there is space for the topdrive and the pulley system. In fact, the distance is greater by a margin of safety and mobility (a measure of safety and mobility) in order to enable the mentioned units to move above the drill floor. These conditions (necessary from the crown bearing stand from the drill floor) also apply to the drilling rig proposed here (underground drilling rig). In previous drilling rigs (land drilling rigs, offshore drilling rigs), the necessary height of the crown bearing is achieved by means of a drilling mast (derrick). The drill mast also absorbs the forces (weight of the drill string) that act on the drill bit and the drill mast during drilling directs the forces occurring directly or indirectly into the ground in the area of the drilling rig. With an underground drilling rig there are additional possibilities for dissipating these forces. In an underground drilling rig, as in previous drilling rigs, a mast (or derrick) can be used to dissipate these forces. The mast (referred to below as the mast structure) is then erected in the mast shaft and basically the same conditions as with previous drilling rigs result. However, wind loads and the like, for example, do not need to be taken into account, so that in the case of the underground drilling rig, the mast can be made structurally simpler. Since the mast can be supported along the mast shaft, it can also be operated with longer drill rod pulls (four-way or five-way pulls). This advantageously enables the so-called setback area to be reduced in size. A reduction in the setback area is particularly advantageous in a narrow mast shaft. Longer drill string trains are also advantageous for the so-called trip speed. What is essential, however, is that for the first time in an underground drilling rig it is possible to forego a mast to absorb the forces acting on the crown bearing. For this purpose, the crown bearing is, for example, fixed in the mast shaft itself, namely basically at the same height as when using a drill mast, and reference is made to the above explanations with regard to the necessary distance between the crown bearing and the drill floor (height of the crown bearing above the drill floor). The derivation of the forces acting on the crown bearing takes place with such an attachment in the mast shaft into the mast shaft wall and the surrounding rock; the mast shaft functions as a kind of mast. Another possibility is to hang the crown bearing in the mast shaft. Then the forces acting on the crown bearing are absorbed by the bearing's suspension. The suspension (at least a steel cable or the like) extends from the crown bearing to the upper surface (above ground) and the suspension can, for example, lead through a ventilation shaft or the like extending from the mast shaft. Above ground, for example, the suspension ends in a foundation there. Alternatively, the crown bearing can also be hung from the ceiling of the mast shaft. Each of the two outlined variants (fixation of the crown bearing in the mast shaft to divert the forces into the mast shaft wall; suspension of the crown bearing in the mast shaft and absorption of the forces through the suspension of the crown bearing) belongs - as a fundamentally optional partial aspect - to the innovation proposed here. Both variants can also be combined and such a combination - as a fundamentally optional partial aspect - is part of the innovation proposed here.

In the above-outlined method for setting up a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) proposed here, the focus is on attaching the crown bearing at the necessary height, i.e. at a necessary distance from the drill floor of an existing or, if applicable, later constructed substructure of the drilling rig. Due to the possibilities of attaching the crown bearing also outlined above without a drilling mast, the possible erection of a drilling mast takes a back seat and the erection of a drilling mast is only optional. In the case of the erection of a drill mast, this is preferably done together with the lifting of the crown bearing in the mast shaft or as a subsequent process section after the crown bearing in the mast shaft has been raised.

In the proposed method, the crown bearing is lifted from the production tunnel into the mast shaft. When the necessary height is reached (necessary distance from the drill floor as described above), the crown bearing is fixed in the mast shaft. The fixation is at least a vertical fixation (fixation in the direction of the vertical axis of the mast shaft). The vertical fixation takes place at a distance from a ceiling of the production tunnel. This distance corresponds to at least the length of at least one drill rod of the drilling rig.

The distance related to the ceiling of the production tunnel, i.e. the height of the crown bearing in the mast shaft related to the ceiling of the production tunnel, is a definition of the height without reference to the drill floor of the drilling rig that may arise later. The level of the drill floor in the production tunnel will be between the bottom of the production tunnel and its ceiling. When installing and removing the drill string, at least one drill rod is moved, that is, connected to the drill string or detached from the drill string, both with a vertical orientation of the at least one drill rod. Even with a drill floor well below the ceiling of the production tunnel, the definition of the distance between the crown bearing and the ceiling of the production tunnel (the height of the crown bearing above the ceiling of the production tunnel) with reference to the length of at least one drill rod of the drilling rig is correct, namely the height corresponds at least to the length of at least one drill rod. According to the definition, the height can also be greater than the length of exactly one drill rod, for example when so-called doubles (two drill rods; a drill rod assembly comprising two drill rods) or triples (three drill rods; a drill rod assembly comprising three drill rods) etc. ( Bohrge rod trains with more than three drill rods) is provided. However, the height can also be greater than the length of at least one boring bar for the reason that there is room for a pulley system and, for example, a topdrive. This required additional vertical height of the crown bearing beyond the height required due to the length of the at least one drill rod is taken into account by defining the distance from the ceiling of the production tunnel (height of the crown bearing above the ceiling of the production tunnel) with the word "at least" - "At least the length [...] of a boring bar". An exact definition of the required height of the crown bearing (either above the ceiling of the production tunnel or above the level of the drill floor) is not possible for any variant of an underground drilling rig and the specific height depends, for example, on whether the drill string is to be turned topdrive or another drill string drive unit is used, what is the minimum distance between the upper block (crown bearing / crown block) and the lower block (traveling block) of the pulley system, on which, for example, the topdrive is suspended, and so on. The crown bearing in the mast shaft can be raised, for example, with ropes guided in the mast shaft and in a ventilation shaft connected to the mast shaft and a hoist or another pulling or lifting unit placed above ground. Alternative, basically optional possibilities for lifting the crown bearing in the mast shaft are described below.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that before the method step of lifting the crown bearing in the mast shaft, it also includes the step of erecting an erecting structure in the production tunnel and below the mast shaft. The crown bearing is then raised starting from the erecting structure and into the mast shaft. The erection construction creates defined and safe conditions for the positioning of the crown bearing before lifting and when lifting.

The advantage of the proposed innovation is the basic possibility of building a drilling rig underground and the simple possibility of building such a drilling rig by placing the crown bearing of the drilling rig in the vertical mast shaft going out from the production tunnel. Following the lifting and fixing of the crown bearing in the mast shaft proposed here, the construction of the drilling rig is continued with process steps essentially known per se (from land drilling rigs or offshore drilling rigs).

It was pointed out above that a pulley system in a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) is only one way of raising and lowering the drill string. Another variant of the proposed method for setting up a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) relates to a drilling rig in which the drill string is raised and lowered without lifting and pulley systems. A drive device for rotating the drill string (drill string drive unit), that is to say for example a top drive, then becomes vertical by means of a drive device and / or a lifting device emotional. As a drive device for the vertical movement of the drill string drive unit, for example, a rack drive or an electromagnetic linear drive can be considered. A hydraulic cylinder, in particular a telescopic hydraulic cylinder, can be considered as the lifting device for the vertical movement of the drill string drive unit. Such drive or lifting devices as well as the movement sequences resulting from the drilling operation during the vertical movement of the respective drill string drive unit are known per se, so that no further explanation is necessary here and reference is made to the prior art.

Because such a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) without a pulley system does not require a crown bearing, the method for setting up such a drilling rig underground cannot be defined with reference to a crown bearing. In such a drilling rig intended for sinking deep boreholes of the type mentioned above, the method for their construction in a tunnel driven into a rock, which comprises a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel and a production section, of which a vertical section acts as a mast shaft Section proceeds from the fact that by means of an erecting construction in the production tunnel and starting from the production tunnel a mast structure (drilling mast structure) is erected in the mast shaft and from the production tunnel into the mast shaft (so to a certain extent "from bottom to top") and that the mast structure is a plurality by means of the erecting construction successively erectable / erected mast segments. The erecting construction is located in the production tunnel and is erected there - in an introductory process step that is optionally part of the method proposed here - for example on the bottom of the production tunnel. The mast structure comprises the plurality of mast segments as mast segments that are connected to one another or that can be connected to one another. In the case of interconnected mast segments, these are already connected when the mast structure is erected connected, for example articulated together. In the case of mast segments that can be connected to one another, they are connected to one another at the latest after the mast structure has been erected. The mast structure acts as a guide and as a torque support for a drill string drive unit, e.g. for a topdrive.

The mast structure can support a crown bearing in a basically optional manner. The crown bearing, the crown block there as well as the so-called traveling block and the pulley system formed with it then function as a fleece device for the respective drill string drive unit. In a corresponding, basically optional, advantageous embodiment of a method for setting up a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) with such a mast structure and by means of an erecting construction, it is provided that, as part of the process, on the one hand, the lifting of the crown bearing in the mast shaft and the vertical fixing of the Kronenlager and, on the other hand, the erection of the mast structure in the mast shaft. The crown bearing can be raised in the course of the erection of the mast structure and by means of the mast structure in such a way that the mast structure carries the crown bearing and when the mast structure is raised into the mast shaft, the crown bearing is also raised. The lifting of the crown camp and the lifting of the mast structure in the mast shaft can also be done independently. Then the crown bearing is first lifted in the mast shaft and fixed vertically there and then the mast structure is lifted into the mast shaft. The crown bearing and the mast structure can then be connected to one another. If the crown bearing is raised by means of the mast structure and is correspondingly connected to the mast structure from the start or if the crown bearing is raised in the mast shaft independently of the mast structure and the crown bearing is connected to the mast structure only after the mast structure has been erected, the Connection of the crown bearing and mast structure in any case that the mast structure absorbs at least part of the forces later acting on the crown bearing during drilling. In addition, the mast structure functions as a guide and / or as a torque support for the respective drill string drive unit. The crown bearing and the The mast structure can also remain independent of one another, so that - as described above - the forces acting on the crown bearing during drilling operations are diverted, for example, into the mast shaft wall. The mast structure then essentially only functions as a guide and / or as a torque support for the respective drill string drive unit.

Here, too, the advantage of the proposed innovation lies in the basic possibility of erecting a drilling rig underground and the simple possibility of erecting such a drilling rig by erecting a mast structure comprising several mast segments in the vertical mast shaft extending from the production tunnel. Here, too, following the erection of the mast structure in the mast shaft proposed here, the erection of the drilling rig is continued with essentially known method steps (from land drilling rigs or offshore drilling rigs).

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. References used here point to the further development of the subject matter of the main claim through the features of the respective sub-claim. They are not to be understood as a waiver of the achievement of an independent, objective protection for the combinations of features of the related dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to an interpretation of the claims in a more detailed specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it must be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims. Finally, it should be noted that the method specified here can also be developed in accordance with the dependent device claims and vice versa.

Since the subjects of the subclaims with regard to the state of the art can form their own and independent inventions on the priority date, the notifying party reserves the right to make them the subject of independent claims or declarations of division. You can also continue to make independent inventions contain, which have a design independent of the subject matter of the preceding dependent claims.

In a special embodiment of a method for erecting a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) underground, which also includes the erection of a mast structure, it is provided that the erecting structure on an entrance side of the erecting structure are successively fed mast segments in a horizontal orientation that by means of of the erecting structure in the area of an exit side of the erecting structure, at least one mast segment is erected in a vertical orientation into the mast shaft or at least pointing into the mast shaft and that when further mast segments are fed in on the aisle side, the or each already vertically erected mast segment is raised into the mast shaft on the output side becomes.

The number of mast segments successively fed in at the entrance side naturally depends on the desired height of the mast structure, and if the mast structure is for a drilling rig, the erecting structure is gradually fed with six mast segments, and if the mast structure is in a height for another drilling rig Eight or nine mast segments, for example, are fed to the erecting construction. The numerical values mentioned are expressly to be understood only as examples.

A first mast segment fed to the erecting structure is erected by means of the erecting structure and initially remains in the erect orientation in / on the erecting structure. A second mast segment fed to the erecting construction comes into contact with the first, already erected mast segment at the latest when erecting, and to a certain extent displaces it from its previous position. This displacement leads to the fact that the first, already vertically erected mast segment is raised into the mast shaft. This is repeated when further mast segments are successively fed in and in the course of their erection by means of the erecting construction. In a first variant of this embodiment of the method, a mast segment newly supplied to the erecting structure pushes all the mast segments previously supplied to the erecting structure in front of it in the erecting structure and causes them - if they are already erected - to be lifted into the mast shaft. For this purpose, a drive device is provided, which temporarily engages that mast segment which pushes all of the mast segments previously supplied to the erecting structure in front of it. The erecting construction acts as a guide for the or each mast segment or for the or each mast segment and functions for the mast segments like a rail system or in the manner of a rail system. The process is repeated until all mast segments are lifted into the mast shaft.

The drive device can act to push itself and is then implemented, for example, in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. Implementation with a rack and pinion drive or the like can also be considered. The drive device can alternatively have a pulling effect. Even then, a realization of the drive device in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a rack drive, a pulley system or the like comes into consideration.

In a second variant of this embodiment of the method, the or each mast segment already erected by means of the erecting construction is raised by means of a lifting device. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, a rack drive, a pulley system or the like, for example, functions as the weaving device. The fleece device engages the mast segment erected by means of the erecting construction or the last mast segment erected by means of the erecting construction. In the first case, the fleece device lifts this mast segment. In the latter case, the weaving device lifts a plurality of mast segments, namely all mast segments erected by means of the erecting construction. The lifting by means of the lifting device takes place until there is space below the or each mast segment raised in this way for the erection of a further mast segment by means of the erecting construction. Then the newly erected mast segment is fixed in the erection structure. This connects directly to the or each previously raised mast segment and supports it in the fixed configuration and by means of the erecting construction. Then the lifting device can be disengaged from the or each previously raised mast segment and, for example, brought into a starting position. Alternatively, the or each previously raised mast segment is lowered by means of the lifting device onto the mast segment fixed in the erecting structure, so that in the course of lowering a load is transferred to the mast segment fixed in the erecting structure and the erecting structure. Even then, the lifting device can be brought out of engagement with the or each previously raised and then lowered mast segment and, for example, brought into a starting position.

The newly erected mast segment can then be raised by means of the Hebeeinrich device together with the or each previously raised mast segment and the process is repeated until all mast segments are raised into the mast shaft. Here, too, the erecting construction functions as a guide for the or each mast segment or for the or each mast segment and like a rail system or in the manner of a rail system.

The mast structure erected in this way (first variant or second variant) is fixed in the mast shaft and functions at least as a torque support and / or as a guide for the respective drill string drive unit, for example a top drive. The fixation in the mast shaft takes place in the direction of the vertical axis of the mast shaft and transversely to the vertical axis of the mast shaft. Optionally, this mast structure also carries the crown bearing of the drilling rig, whereby - as already mentioned - the crown bearing can be raised by means of the mast structure or independently of the erection of the mast structure in the mast shaft. In a particular embodiment of a method for erecting a drilling rig (underground drilling rig), which also includes the erection of a mast structure, it is provided that the erecting structure includes two devices that are spaced apart and parallel to one another and each carry a guide profile. The devices included in the erecting construction, arranged parallel to one another, are used to erect at least one mast segment for a “two-legged” mast structure or an at least “two-legged” (“three”, four or “multi-legged”) mast structure and are defined below appropriately referred to as lifting stands. In the case of a two-legged or at least two-legged mast structure as described above, this comprises two continuous, parallel vertical sections serving for load absorption / load transfer. Between these there is a strut which ensures the static stability of the mast structure and the spacing between the vertical sections. In such a mast structure, each mast segment provided for this purpose likewise has two parallel sections which later become part of the vertical sections of the mast structure. Each mast segment also has struts between these parallel sections, which represent the struts of the later mast structure. Each erecting frame of the erecting construction takes one of these parallel sections of the mast segments.

The guide profile of each erecting trestle allows a mast segment fed to the erecting construction to move along the guide profiles and causes such a mast segment to be guided transversely to a longitudinal extension of the respective guide profile. For example, a U-profile or the like that is connected to the erecting stand or formed in the erecting stand and is open at the top or side functions as the guide profile.

In the case of a U-profile as a guide profile, it is preferably provided that its bottom has a friction-reducing layer, for example in the form of sliding plates (sliding pads) made of plastic or metal. Instead of a U-profile, basically any other is used for guidance transversely to a longitudinal extension of the respective guide profile suitable profile into consideration, so for example an I-profile, an L-profile, a T-profile and so on. In the case of such profiles, too, a friction-reducing layer of the above-mentioned type is preferably provided in the area in which the mast segment moved along the guide profile comes into contact with the profile.

A first section of the guide profiles is located at a first end of the stand. This is aligned horizontally there. This first end of the erecting stands acts as the entry side of the erecting structure. A second section of the guide profiles is located at a second end of the erecting stands opposite the first end. This is aligned vertically there. The vertical sections of the guide profiles below the mast shaft point into the mast shaft. At least the second end of the erecting trestles of the erecting structure erected in the production tunnel is therefore located below the mast shaft. This second end of the erecting frame acts as the output side of the erecting structure.

The two sections of the guide profiles are connected to one another along the erecting trestles so that a continuous guide profile or at least one continuous guide profile for the sections of the mast segments to be guided by means of the guide profiles results. When erecting the mast structure into the mast shaft, the erecting structure is given a mast segment in the area of the first section of the guide profile (input side). The transferred mast segment is moved along the guide profiles and erected in the area of the second sections of the guide profiles there (output side) by means of the second sections of the guide profiles.

The guide profiles of the two trestles act like a rail system for the mast segments as they move from the entry side to the exit side. They ensure the guidance of each individual mast segment when moving along the guide profiles - for example by means of a pulling or pushing drive device or by means of a lifting device as described above. They also ensure correct alignment and positioning of successive mast segments to one another.

In summary, the erection of the mast structure in the mast shaft and, accordingly, this aspect of the method for erecting a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) can also be briefly described as follows: The mast structure is erected in the mast shaft by means of the erecting construction by placing at least one mast segment on each an input side of the erecting construction in the erecting construction is pulled or pushed in the horizontal direction and / or is raised (pushed up / pushed up) in the vertical direction on an output side of the erecting construction in or on the erecting construction.

The method proposed here for setting up a drilling rig (underground drilling rig) and individual embodiments of the method do not define or define the complete erection of the drilling rig. In addition to the method steps proposed here, building a drilling rig includes many other individual method steps which are known per se and which do not contribute to the present invention. The process steps proposed here are, however, carried out for setting up a drilling rig or - in another formulation - when setting up a drilling rig of the type proposed here. Correspondingly, with every phrase “method for building a drilling rig” the phrase “method for building a drilling rig” should also be read, whereby a “method for building a drilling rig” is a part of a “method for building a drilling rig”.

For the further description, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, features and details that are described in connection with the method in question and possible configurations, of course, also in connection with and with regard to an implementation of the method certain and established device and vice versa apply. Accordingly, the method can also be developed by means of individual or several method features which relate to procedural steps carried out by such a device, and such a device can likewise be further developed by means for carrying out method steps carried out within the scope of the method. As a result, features and details that are described in connection with the present method and possible configurations naturally also apply in connection with and with regard to a device intended for its implementation and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is or can always be referred to alternately.

In this respect, the innovation proposed here is also, for example, the device already mentioned and referred to as the erecting construction for erecting a drilling rig of the aforementioned type underground, namely a device for erecting a mast structure of the drilling rig comprising a plurality of interconnected or interconnectable mast segments. At least one mast segment can be fed to the erecting structure in a horizontal orientation on an entry side. A mast segment fed to the erecting structure on its input side is moved - for example by means of a corresponding drive device - through the erecting structure or along the erecting structure to an exit side of the erecting structure and guided by means of the erecting structure and is correspondingly through the erecting structure or along the erecting structure up to one exit page there. In the area of the exit side, a mast segment guided there can be erected and is brought into a vertical orientation that is aligned with the vertical axis of the mast shaft. Furthermore, the innovation proposed here is, for example, a mast structure of a drilling rig for sinking deep boreholes underground, namely a drilling rig with a mast structure, the mast structure comprising a plurality of interconnected or interconnectable mast segments and the mast structure is erected underground by at least one mast segment being erected in a vertical orientation into the mast shaft or at least pointing into the mast shaft and the or each already erected mast segment is raised into the mast shaft by means of further mast segments. The result is an underground mast structure made up of several mast segments “from below” - namely starting from the production tunnel into a mast shaft. The totality of the mast segments essentially determines the height of the mast structure.

The patent claims filed with the application presented here are formulation proposals without prejudice for achieving further patent protection. Since the subjects of the subclaims with regard to the state of the art can form their own and independent inventions on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to add these or other combinations of features, previously only disclosed in the description and / or drawing, to the subject of independent claims or To make declarations of division. They can also contain independent inventions that have a design that is independent of the objects of the preceding subclaims.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Objects or elements that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures and - insofar as this is possible with regard to the clarity of the representations - are also designated in all figures with the respective reference symbols.

The or each embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention. Rather, changes are quite possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those that are, for example, by combining or modifying individual features described in connection with the general or special part of the description and contained in the claims and / or the drawing for the person skilled in the art In terms of the solution can be taken from the task and, through combinable features, lead to a new object or to new process steps or process step sequences.

Show it

Fig. 1 in a highly schematically simplified form different variants of egg ner execution of a drilling rig under lays (underground drilling rig), Fig. 2 a tunnel in a mountain with a horizontal section (production tunnel) and a vertical shaft extending therefrom (mast shaft), wherein the construction of the underground drilling rig in the production tunnel and at least partially into the mast shaft will take place,

Fig. 3 and

4 different views / partial views of an underground drilling rig erected in the production tunnel with a mast structure reaching into the mast shaft,

5 snapshots during the installation of an erecting construction intended for erecting the mast structure in the mast shaft, FIG. 6 snapshots during the erection of the mast structure into the mast shaft by means of the erecting construction and FIG. 7 an enlarged view of an upper mast segment of the mast structure.

The illustration in Fig. 1 (Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, Fig. 1C) shows in a greatly simplified schematic form a drilling rig 10 under was (underground drilling rig 10).

The drilling rig 10 is erected underground in a horizontal tunnel designated here and below as production tunnel 12, from which a vertical shaft, referred to as the mast shaft 14, goes off. From the mast shaft 14, in a basically optional manner, at least one ventilation shaft 16 extends up to the surface above ground.

In the production tunnel 12, which has a circular or at least substantially circular cross-sectional contour, is at least in the area that to Establishment of the drilling rig 10 is intended, a floor 18 of the production tunnel 12 is formed in order to obtain a flat or at least substantially flat installation surface, for example by pouring up excavated material and / or attaching a standing surface which functions as a floor 18 and which, if necessary, rests on poured excavated material.

In the schematically greatly simplified representation of the drilling rig 10, a mast structure 20 (FIG. 1 A) and a crown bearing 22 (FIG. 1 B, FIG. 1 C) are shown. At the upper end of the mast structure 20 there can be a crown bearing 22 connected to the mast structure 20 or above the mast structure 20 a crown bearing 22 that is independent of the mast structure 20 or connected to the mast structure 20, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C.

The representations in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1 B and FIG. 1 C illustrate, by means of the respective arrows, the derivation of the forces acting during drilling operation, in particular due to the weight of the drill string 24 (or so-called casing pipes). In the situation in FIG. 1A, the forces are directed into the ground due to the mast structure 20 standing directly or indirectly on the bottom 18 of the production tunnel 22. In the situation in FIG. 1 B and FIG. 1 C, the crown bearing 22 is suspended in the mast shaft 14 at a distance from the production tunnel 12. In the situation in FIG. 1B, the crown bearing 22 is fixed in the mast shaft 14 by means of struts 26 extending from the crown bearing 22 and extending to the wall of the mast shaft 14 (mast shaft wall) along its axis of the floch and transversely to its vertical axis. In the situation in Figure 1C, the crown bearing 22 (in a configuration connected to a mast structure 20 or individually and without a connection to a mast structure 20) is by means of a suspension extending from the surface, through the ventilation shaft 16 and to the crown bearing 22 28 fixed in the mast shaft 14 at least along its vertical axis. An additional fixation transversely to its vertical axis can be provided according to FIG. 1B. FIG. 2 shows an isometric illustration of a section of the production tunnel 12 and the mast shaft 14 extending from the production tunnel 12 in the vertical direction.

The representations in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B) show - from different viewing directions - a drilling rig 10 erected in a production tunnel 12 and a drilling rig 10 extending therefrom into the mast shaft 14. The representation in FIG. 4 shows this drilling rig 10 in the area of the production tunnel 12 and of a section of the mast shaft 14 directly adjacent to the production tunnel 12 in a view when looking along the longitudinal axis of the production tunnel 12.

The illustrations in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 show the drilling rig 10 with further details in comparison to the illustrations in FIG. Thereafter, the drilling rig 10 comprises, in addition to the mast structure 20 and the crown bearing 22, a substructure 30 with the so-called drill floor 32 as the upper end of the substructure 30. In the embodiment shown, the mast structure 20 of the drilling rig 10 is a “two-legged” mast structure 20. On the drill floor 32 A plurality of drill rod elements 34 are placed next to the mast structure 20. These are held in a basically known manner by means of at least one holding structure extending from the mast structure 20, in particular a holding structure in the form of or in the manner of a so-called finger platform 36. When removing the drill string 24 from the borehole underground, the drill string 24 is removed Drill rod elements 34 are parked there next to the mast structure 20 in a manner known per se. When installing the drill string 24, drill string elements 34 are received there in a manner known per se and connected to the drill string 24. In the embodiment shown, the drill rod elements 24 placed next to the mast structure 20 are each drill rod elements 24 (quintuple stands) combined from five individual drill rods. Drill rod elements 24 with more or less than five individual drill rods are also conceivable and usable, especially in the case of a drilling rig 10 with a correspondingly adapted height of the mast structure 20 and / or a correspondingly adapted tical position of at least one of the mast structure 20 starting holding structure.

The movement of drill pipe elements 34 from and to the position above the borehole underground as well as from and to the position next to the mast structure 20 takes place in the drill rig 10 shown by way of example by means of a drill string drive unit, in particular a so-called top drive 38 that functions as a drill string drive unit and is basically known per se. The drill string drive unit, that is to say the top drive 38 in the situation shown, is vertically movable along the mast structure 20 in a manner known per se. By means of the drill string drive unit, the drill string 24 is rotated in a basically known manner during the drilling operation. The vertical movement of the drill string drive unit takes place in a manner known per se by means of a lifting gear 40 (FIG. 4) and a pulley system that includes the crown bearing 22 as the top bottle and is basically known per se.

In order to feed drill pipe elements 34 to the drill floor 32, a machine, which is basically known per se for this purpose, is arranged in the production tunnel 12 and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the production tunnel 12. As an example of such a machine, a so-called catwalk machine 42 is shown in the representations in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

A so-called blow-out preventer 44 (BOP) is located below the drilling rig 10 above the borehole in a manner known in principle. To accommodate it, the production gallery 12 is widened (deepened) in a cellar-like manner below the drilling rig 10 and in the region of the borehole. Similar to the way in which a section extending from the production tunnel 12 and extending beyond the edge contour of the production tunnel is provided for the blow-out preventer 44, there is - as the illustration in FIG. 4 shows - a lateral space for the elevator 40 optionally leaving the production tunnel 12 intended. The arrangement of the elevator 40 shown here is only an example and can also assume alternative positions. The representations in FIG. 5 (FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 5D) show a section of the production tunnel 12 and a section of the mast shaft 14 extending therefrom as well as a shaft 14 intended here and in for erecting the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14 The mast structure erecting construction referred to briefly as the erecting structure (erecting unit) 50 below. The representations in Figure 5 also illustrate a method for erecting this erecting structure 50, which can also be referred to as an erecting device.

In the embodiment shown, the erecting construction 50 comprises two erecting trestles 52 aligned side by side and parallel to one another (see FIG. 5D). Each erecting trestle 52 includes a guide for segments of the mast structure 20 to be erected by means of the erecting frames 52 and guide profiles 54 as a guide.

The guide and the guide profiles 54 there are subdivided into at least three adjoining sections that function as a continuous guide. With reference to the representations in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D and the direction of view there of the erecting trestle 52 or the erecting trestles 52, these are a horizontal section 56, preferably one with a longitudinal axis of the production tunnel 12 - viewed from approximately bottom left to approximately top right aligned horizontal section 56, an adjoining circular arc-shaped section and a vertical section 58 adjoining it in turn. The vertical section 58 extends into the mast shaft 14 and with its total height above the ceiling of the production shaft 12. The vertical section 58 is therefore erected into the mast shaft 14. This is shown by the representations in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

The illustration in FIG. 5A shows a snapshot of a stand 52 with an initially still lowered (horizontally oriented) vertical section 58. Only part of the vertical section 58 to be erected is located under the mast shaft 14. The illustration in FIG. 5B shows a snapshot of the erection trestle 52 from FIG. 5A with a partially erected vertical section 58. The erection takes place, for example, by means of a hydraulic cylinder engaging on the one hand on the erection trestle 52 and on the other hand on a hydraulic cylinder extending from the vertical section 58 or the same or by means of a separate lifting device. When erecting the vertical section 58 and together with the erection, the erection trestle 52 is moved further under the mast shaft 14 (when comparing the representations in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B it can be seen that the erection trestle “to the right”, i.e. further under the mast shaft 14, has been moved).

The illustration in FIG. 5C shows a snapshot of the erection trestle 52 from FIG. 5B with an erected vertical section 58. The vertical section 58 adjoins the circular arc-shaped section of the guide and the result is a continuous guide with an input-side horizontal section 56, one on it adjoining circular arc-shaped section and a vertical section 58 on the output side, which in turn adjoins it.

At the end of the erection of the vertical section 58, the erecting trestle 52 is moved further under the mast shaft 14. In the situation shown in FIG. 5C, it can be seen that the erection trestle 52 has already been partially moved beyond the area with the mast shaft 14. The vertical section 58 protrudes into the mast shaft 14 and a longitudinal axis of the vertical section 58 is aligned with a vertical axis of the mast shaft 14. When comparing the representations in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, it can be seen that the erection trestle 52 “further to the right” has been moved again further under the mast shaft 14 and partly beyond the area with the mast shaft 14.

The illustration in FIG. 5D shows two erecting trestles 52 placed side by side, each with erect vertical sections 58 as in FIG. 5C. The illustration in FIG. 5D also shows a basically optional extension of the horizontal sections 56 in front of the erecting trestles 52 and in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the production tunnel 12. The illustration in FIG. 5D (but also other illustrations) also shows in an area above the horizon Tal sections 56 in front of the erecting trestles 52 still have an optional crane system. This is attached to the ceiling of the production gallery 12, for example. Means Such or a similar crane system can, for example, be placed on the horizontal sections 56 in front of the erecting trestles 52 in the production gallery 12 by means of a vehicle traveling there or the like. Such a or a similar crane system can optionally be used in addition or as an alternative, for example for lowering the BOP 44 into the area of the production tunnel 12, which is recessed in the manner of a basement.

The designation of the individual sections 56, 58 of the guide as input side and output side relates to a direction of movement of segments of the mast structure 20 when the mast structure 20 is erected along the guide and thus overall in the erecting construction 50. The erection of the mast structure is shown in FIG shown.

The representations in Figure 6 (Figure 6A, Figure 6B, Figure 6C etc.) show momentary recordings when erecting the mast structure 20 of a drilling rig 10 according to Figure 3 and Figure 4. The mast structure 20 is a "two-legged" mast structure 20 and is made of individual, interconnected or interconnectable mast segments 60 formed. The “two-legged” mast structure 20 is selected here only by way of example and can also have other embodiments; in particular, a multi-legged mast structure 20 with three or more legs comes into consideration, in which two adjacent legs form a support surface for placement in the erecting construction 50.

The illustration in FIG. 6A shows a snapshot with a first mast segment 60 placed in the erecting structure 50. The mast segment 60 is placed in the area of the horizontal section 56 of the guide profiles 54 of the erecting trestles 52 (entrance side of the erecting structure 50), here even in the area of the extension as an example in front of the horizontal sections 56 on the guide profiles 54 there.

In the example shown, the mast segment 60 placed on the guide profiles 54 includes the crown bearing 22. This mast segment 60 is later the top segment of the mast structure 20 in the erected mast structure 20, so that the crown bearing 22 is raised together with the erection of the mast structure 20. The mast structure 20 is erected into the mast shaft 14 and with this erection the crown bearing 22 is also raised into the mast shaft 14. Thus, after the mast structure 20 has been erected, the crown bearing 22 is located at the top of the mast structure 20, that is to say in the region of the highest point of the mast structure 20.

It should be pointed out that a crown bearing 22 connected to a mast segment 60 is only an option and that the erection of the mast structure 20 does not depend on whether a crown bearing 22 is connected to one of the mast segments 60. For the further description of the erection of the mast structure 20, the crown bearing 22 is therefore no longer considered. A crown bearing 22 connected to a mast segment 60, in particular a crown bearing 22 connected to the first mast segment 60 placed on the erecting structure 50, and a crown bearing 22 raised with the erection of the mast structure 20 are nevertheless always to be read in the further description.

The representation in Figure 6B shows a snapshot with a compared to the situation in Figure 6A along the erecting structure 50 and the guide profiles 54 of the erecting trestles 52 further moved mast segment 60, namely in the direction of the arcuate sections adjoining the horizontal sections 56 further moved mast segment 60. This movement takes place automatically or semi-automatically by means of a drive device not shown in the illustrations. Such a drive device engages - as described above - for example pulling or pushing on the mast segment 60 and causes the movement along the guide profiles 54 of the erecting trestles 52 and thus overall along the erecting structure 50. Devices such as those exemplified also come into consideration as a drive device are mentioned above.

The illustration in Figure 6C shows the erecting structure 50 and its erecting blocks 52 as in Figure 6A and Figure 6B, now on the guide profiles 54 of the erecting frames 52 (and here partly on the guide profiles 54 of the Extension in front of the erecting trestles 52) two further mast segments 60 are placed. The drive device mentioned before in the description of the illustration in Figure 6B engages one of these new mast segments 60, in particular the last new mast segment 60, and causes it to move along the guide profiles 54 in the direction of the vertical sections 58 the drive device moved mast segment 60 each mast segment 60 located in front of this mast segment 60 in the direction of movement in front of him. In the snapshot shown in FIG. 6C, this caused the mast segment 60, which was first placed in the erecting structure 50, to be moved into the area of the vertical sections 58 (exit side of the erecting structure 50) and there erected from the originally horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation has been.

It should be noted that the illustration in FIG. 6C is a snapshot of the erection of the mast structure 20 and that the number of exactly two further mast segments 60 shown there in comparison to the situation in FIG. 6B is not a determining factor for the method for erecting the mast structure 20 represents. It is therefore not necessary that exactly two new mast segments 60 are always fed to the erecting structure 50. The number of new mast segments 60 can be larger or smaller. Which new mast segment 60 or which new mast segments 60 in the case of a plurality of new mast segments 60 is or are moved by means of the drive device along the erecting structure 50 depends on the position of the drive device relative to the erecting structure 50 and, for example, also depends on whether the mast segments 60 or at least the new mast segments 60 are connected to one another, for example, as shown, are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

The drive device, which engages in each case a mast segment 60 placed in the area of the entrance side of the erecting structure 50, preferably works clocked and moves, for example, in the area of the entrance side, i.e. in the area of the horizontal sections 56, alternately by a predetermined distance back and forth , in particular a route whose length is at least slightly greater than the length of a mast segment 60. Each mast segment 60, the comes into the effective area of the drive device by being placed in the erecting construction 50, is detected by the drive device, for example by a driver moved by the drive device, and then moved in the direction of the vertical sections 58.

The illustration in Figure 6D shows a further snapshot when erecting the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14. Now, by means of the vertical sections 58 of the guide profiles 54 of the erecting stands 52, another mast segment 60 is erected and in a vertical orientation aligned with the axis of the mast shaft 14 brought. On the first, previously erected mast segment 60, struts 26 extending from the mast segment 60 can be seen which support the mast segment 60 and thus the mast structure 20 as a whole against the mast shaft 14. These struts 26 have the effect that the mast structure 20 remains upright when the mast structure 20 is further erected in the mast shaft 14 and does not incline against the side wall of the mast shaft 14. In the case of a “two-legged” mast structure 20, as shown, an undesired inclination of the mast structure 20 against the side wall of the mast shaft 14 only threatens transversely to the plane defined by the mast structure 20. In such a configuration, two struts 26 (or two struts 26 each at the same height of the mast structure 20) are sufficient to support the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14, and these struts 26 are each oriented transversely to the plane defined by the mast structure 20. There is no need to restrict it to exactly two struts 26 and more than two struts 26, for example two or more struts 26 on each side of the mast structure 20, are also conceivable. Supporting the mast structure 20 by means of precisely two struts 26 is therefore only one of several possible options. The struts 26 support the mast structure 20 during its erection and / or during the later drilling operation. During the later drilling operation, the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14 can additionally or alternatively be supported by bracing the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14 with steel cables or the like or by means of further struts (not shown) along the mast structure 20. With such further struts along the mast structure 20, there is, for example, a group of struts (two or more starting from the mast structure 20 and up to the mast shaft wall) in different vertical positions reaching striving) into consideration. Such a group of struts can extend from each mast segment 60 of the mast structure 20 or from every second or every third or every fourth mast segment 60 of the mast structure 20. As an alternative to such a group formation, it is also possible, for example, for individual mast segments 60, in particular successive mast segments 60, to each have struts pointing in different radial directions along the mast structure.

In the illustration in FIG. 6D, the struts 26 are shown as rigid struts 26 starting radially from a vertical axis of the mast structure 20 and reaching to a section of the side wall of the mast shaft 14, at whose free ends intended for contact with the mast shaft 14 each have a roller or the same is located. Rigid struts 26 (in the area of the crown bearing 22 and / or along the entire mast structure 20) with rollers or the like at their ends come into consideration for a cylindrical or at least essentially cylindrical mast shaft 14, at least for a mast shaft 14, its geometry and its dimensions are known and do not change significantly along its vertical axis. The length of each strut 26 is then matched to the respective distance from the starting point of the strut 26 on the mast segment 60 to the mast shaft wall. The length is of course determined in the direction of the intended orientation of the strut 26. A role or the same at the end of a strut 26 dimensioned in this way is preferably resiliently or elastically mounted in some other suitable manner for the purpose of tolerance compensation. It is also conceivable to dispense with the struts 26 (in the area of the crown bearing 22 and / or along the entire mast structure 20). For this purpose, the mast structure 20 is designed as free-standing in the mast shaft 14. An underground drilling rig 10 with a free-standing mast structure 20 is to be regarded as included in the description presented here, and whenever a mast structure 20 erected in the mast shaft 14 is mentioned, one is supported by struts 26 or the like in the mast shaft 14 and / or by means of a bracing or the like fixed in the mast shaft 14 and / or a mast structure 20 standing freely in the mast shaft can also be read. In a particular embodiment, the struts 26 - struts 26 in the area of the crown bearing and / or struts 26 along the entire mast structure 20 - can be automatically telescoped along their longitudinal axis. The automatic telescoping takes place, for example, by means of a control which processes a signal from an inclination sensor (not shown) on the mast structure 20, in particular an inclination sensor on that mast segment 60 from which the respective strut 26 starts.

Automatic telescoping is advantageous if the surface of the mast shaft wall is assumed to be irregular. When such a strut 26 comes into contact with its free end with an inwardly bulging section of the mast shaft, the strut 26 with its current length pushes the mast structure 20 to the side, so to speak, so that it is inclined relative to the vertical. This inclination can be detected by means of the inclination sensor and a sensor signal encoding the resulting inclination can be used for automatic adjustment of the length of the strut 26. In the event of contact with an inwardly bulging section of the mast shaft wall, this regulation leads to a shortening of the length of the strut 26. The lateral pressure on the mast structure 20 due to the previously too long strut 26 for this section of the mast shaft 14 disappears.

For an outwardly arching section of the mast shaft wall or following a previously inwardly arching section of the mast shaft wall, the same applies in reverse. If the strut 26 loses contact with the mast shaft wall with such a curvature and this leads to an inclination of the mast structure 20, this inclination can also be detected by means of the inclination sensor and a corresponding signal can also be used here to adjust the length of the strut 26. Here, this regulation leads to an increase in the length of the strut 26. As soon as the strut 26, which was previously too short for this section of the mast shaft 14, is again in contact with the mast shaft wall, the strut 26 again takes on the support function for the mast structure 20. Optionally, such a regulation can also be superimposed with an automatic detection of a continuously existing contact of the free end of each strut 26 with the mast shaft wall. For this purpose, a roller which is, for example, resiliently mounted at the end of a strut 26, is connected to a sensor, for example a button, placed along the spring path. As long as the strut 26 with its roller is in contact with the mast shaft wall, the roller is slightly compressed and the sensor delivers a signal which encodes the contact of the roller with the mast shaft wall. As soon as the roller loses contact with the mast shaft wall, it springs outwards and the sensor signal disappears. When the sensor signal disappears, a telescoping of the strut 26 is automatically triggered to obtain a greater length of the strut 26 until the roller comes into contact with the mast shaft wall again and the sensor signal reappears.

The representations in FIG. 6E, FIG. 6F and FIG. 6G show further snapshots during the erection of the mast structure 20 by means of the erecting construction 50 and into the mast shaft 14. The illustration in FIG. 6G shows a mast structure 20 with a height suitable for the drilling operation (a height adapted to the length of the drill rod elements 34 provided for use during the drilling operation). This height is achieved in that when the mast structure 20 is erected by means of the erecting construction 50, mast segments 60 are fed to it on its input side, which previously fed mast segments 60 push forward in the erecting construction 50, so that originally horizontally fed mast segments 60 by means of the erecting construction 50 be erected in the area of the exit side (brought into alignment with the vertical axis of the mast shaft s14 orientation) and there leave the erecting construction 50 and erected mast segments 60 are raised into the mast shaft 14.

In the illustration in FIG. 6G, a top drive 38 is already shown in the mast structure 20. This hangs in a manner known per se on the pulley system emanating from the crown bearing 22 and is guided by the mast structure 20 (function of the mast structure 20 as a torque support and function of the mast structure 20 for guiding and centering the topdrive 38 over the Borehole). For this, the mast structure 20 is designed, for example, with opposing and facing profiles, for example U-profiles. Rollers and / or sliding shoes or the like running from the topdrive 38 run in such profiles. The topdrive 38 can thus be moved vertically along the mast structure 20 and in the profiles there (in a manner which is basically known per se).

Specifically in the illustration in FIG. 6G (but also already in the illustrations in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 6F), an upper end of the mast shaft 14 is shown as a disk. This disk represents - schematically simplified - a closure of the mast shaft 14 to the surface (a closure of the mast shaft to the area above ground). This disk is shown with an opening. This opening represents - also schematically simplified - a ventilation shaft 16 (not designated in the figures mentioned; see, for example, FIG. 1). With reference to the mast shaft 14 which is closed or at least essentially closed to the area above ground, it is clear that what is proposed here An underground drilling rig 10 or the respective components of the underground drilling rig 10 are erected starting from a horizontal tunnel functioning as a production gallery 12 into the (vertical) mast shaft 14, ie “from bottom to top”.

The illustration in FIG. 7 shows in an enlargement the upper end of a mast structure 20 erected by means of the erecting construction 50 and according to the method as described above. A mast segment 60, here a mast segment 60 with the crown bearing 22, forms the upper end of the mast structure 20. Here a configuration with exactly three struts 26 is shown to support the mast structure 20 in the mast shaft 14 (during drilling operations and previously when erecting the mast structure 20). One of these struts 26 is oriented transversely to this plane on one side of the plane defined by the mast structure 20. On the opposite side of the plane defined by the mast structure 20 are two struts 26. These each enclose an angle with an imaginary plane which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the mast structure 20 along the axis of the mast structure 20. Both angles are the same or at least substantially the same and the distance measured from the starting point of the struts 26 from the mast segment 60 up to this plane is also the same or the same for both struts 26 at least essentially the same. This results in a radial or at least essentially radial orientation of the struts 26 (this applies to the individual struts 26 as well as to the two struts 26) and with such a radial orientation there is also a configuration with further struts 26, for example on both sides two struts 26, three struts 26 on each side, one or two struts 26 on one side, three struts 26, etc. on the other side.

Individual aspects of the description submitted here that are in the foreground can thus be briefly summarized as follows: The invention relates to an underground drilling rig 10 (drilling rig 10 for deep boreholes) and a method for its construction. During construction, in one embodiment of the method, a crown bearing 22 of the drilling rig 10 is lifted into a vertical shaft (mast shaft 14) extending from the installation site (production gallery 12) (raised from the production gallery 12 into mast shaft 14; that is, "from bottom to top "). This lifting takes place either alone, in that only the crown bearing 22 is raised in the mast shaft 14, or in that the crown bearing 22 is raised by means of the mast structure 20 when a mast structure 20 of the drilling installation is being erected. To erect the mast structure 20, in one embodiment of the method an erecting construction 50 is provided which takes into account the fact that the mast structure 20 cannot be brought upright to the erection site of the drilling rig 10 in the production gallery 12 and rather is only assembled on site (underground) must become. The mast structure 20 is erected starting from the production tunnel 12 into the vertical mast shaft 14, that is to say “from bottom to top”. In this respect, the invention also relates to this erection construction 50, a method for its operation, i.e. a method for erecting a mast structure 20 of a drilling rig 10 into a vertical mast shaft 14 extending from the production tunnel 12 at the location on the drilling rig 10, and a vertical mast shaft 14 according to the method erected mast structure 20 and a drilling rig 10 (underground drilling rig 10) with such a mast structure 20. The mast structure 20 can carry a crown bearing 22 and / or raise. A drilling rig 10 with such a mast structure 20 and without a crown bearing 22 is also possible. List of reference symbols

10 Underground drilling rig, drilling rig 12 Production tunnel 14 Mast shaft 16 Ventilation shaft 18 Floor (production tunnel)

20 mast structure 22 crown bearing 24 drill string 26 strut

28 suspension (in mast shaft)

30 Substructure 32 drill floor 34 Drill rod element 36 Finger platform 38 Topdrive 40 Elevator 42 Catwalk machine 44 Blow-out preventer 50 Stand construction 52 Stand 54 Guide profile

56 horizontal section (of the guide profile / the upright) 58 vertical section (of the guide profile / the upright)

60 mast segment

Claims

1. A method for building a drilling rig (10) for sinking bores on hydrocarbon deposits or for developing geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes, in a tunnel driven into a mountain range, softer a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel (12) and production line comprises, from which a vertical section goes off as a mast shaft (14), characterized by the following process steps:

Lifting a crown bearing (22) of the drilling rig (10) from the production gallery (12) into the mast shaft (14) and vertically fixing the crown bearing (22) in the mast shaft (14) at a distance from a ceiling of the production gallery (12), wherein the distance corresponds to at least the length of at least one drill rod of the drilling rig (10).

2. A method for setting up a drilling rig (10) for sinking boreholes on hydrocarbon deposits or for developing geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes in a tunnel driven into a mountain range, which comprises a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel (12) and a production line , from which a vertical section branches off as a mast shaft (14), in particular the method according to claim 1, characterized by the following method steps:

Erecting a mast structure (20) in the mast shaft (14) by means of an erecting construction (50) in the production tunnel (12), the mast structure (20) comprising a plurality of interconnected or interconnectable mast segments (60).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the erecting structure (50) on an input side of the erecting Construction (50) successive mast segments (60) are fed in a horizontal or at least substantially horizontal orientation, with at least one mast segment (60) on an output side of the erecting construction (50) in a vertical or at least one by means of the erecting structure (50) at least substantially vertical alignment into the mast shaft (14) or at least into the mast shaft (14) is erected and with the addition of further mast segments (60) on the input side of the erecting structure (50) the or each on the output side of the erecting structure ( 50) already vertically erected mast segment (60) is raised into the mast shaft (14).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the erecting structure (50) comprises two spaced apart and parallel to each other erecting trestles (52) and wherein each erecting trestle (52) carries a guide profile (54) for mast segments (60), a first Section (56) of the guide profiles (54) at a first end of the erecting trestles (52) is aligned horizontally or at least substantially horizontally, with a second section (58) of the guide profiles (54) being aligned at a second end of the erecting trestles opposite the first end ( 52) is oriented vertically or at least substantially vertically, the vertical or at least substantially vertical sections (58) of the guide profiles (54) pointing below the mast shaft (14) into the mast shaft (14), with one mast segment (60) each of the Aufrichtekonstruktion (50) in the Be rich there first sections (56) of the guide profiles (54) and passed in the guide profiles (54) is un d wherein the transferred mast segment (60) is moved along the guide profiles (54) and is erected in the region of the second sections (58) there of the guide profiles (54) by means of the second sections (58) of the guide profiles (54).

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the mast segments (60) are articulated to one another.

6. The method according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the erection of the mast structure (20) in the mast shaft (14) by means of the erecting structure (50) takes place by at least one mast segment (60) in the erecting structure (50) in a horizontal or at least substantially horizontal direction is pulled or pushed and / or is raised in the vertical or at least substantially vertical direction.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the crown bearing (22) is raised by means of the mast structure (20) in the mast shaft (14).

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the crown bearing (22) is raised by means of a lifting device in the mast shaft (14).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the crown bearing (22) is fixed in the mast shaft (14) transversely to a vertical axis of the mast shaft (14) in the mast shaft (14) and this fixing by means of at least one strut acting as a crown bearing fixing strut (26 ) takes place, which extends from the crown bearing (22) to the wall of the mast shaft (14).

10. Device for setting up a drilling rig (10) for sinking boreholes on hydrocarbon deposits or for developing geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes in a tunnel driven into a mountain, which comprises a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel (12) and production line , from which a vertical section goes off as a mast shaft (14), the device functioning as an erecting construction (50) for a mast structure (20) of the drilling rig (10), wherein the mast structure (20) comprises a plurality of interconnected or interconnectable mast segments (60), the erecting structure (50) at an entrance side at least one mast segment (60) can be fed in a horizontal orientation, one of the erecting structure (50) The mast segment (60) supplied to the input side can be guided through the erecting structure (50) or along the erecting structure (50) to an exit side of the erecting structure (50) and the mast segment (60) can be erected in the area of the exit side and in a vertical orientation is brought.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a mast segment (60) guided through the erecting structure (50) or along the erecting structure (50) of each of the erecting structure (50) previously fed mast segment (60) through the erecting structure (50) or along the erecting structure ( 50) pushes in front of him.

12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each mast segment (60) already erected with the erecting structure (50) can be raised into the mast shaft (14) by means of a mast segment (60) erected by means of the erecting structure (50).

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the erecting construction (50) comprises two erecting trestles (52) arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another, and wherein each erecting trestle (52) carries a guide profile (54), a first section (56) of the guide profile (54) is aligned horizontally or at least substantially horizontally at a first end of the erecting trestles (52), with a second section (58) of the guide profile (54) at a second end of the erecting trestles (52) opposite the first end ) is oriented vertically or at least substantially vertically, the vertical or at least substantially vertical sections (58) of the guide profiles (54) below the mast shaft (14) into the mast shaft (14).

14. Mast structure (20) of a drilling rig (10) for sinking boreholes on hydrocarbon deposits or for the development of geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes in a tunnel driven into a mountain, which functions as a production tunnel (12) and production line horizontal Includes section from which a vertical section goes off as a mast shaft (14), the mast structure (20) being erected by means of a method according to one of claims 2 to 9 and / or being erected by means of a device according to one of claims 10 to 13.

15. Drilling rig (10) for sinking bores on hydrocarbon storage sites or for the development of geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes in a tunnel driven into a mountain, which comprises a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel (12) and production line, from which a vertical section goes off as a mast shaft (14), and with a mast structure (20) according to claim 14.

16. Drilling rig (10) for drilling bores on hydrocarbon storage sites or for developing geothermal energy or other valuable materials or for research purposes in a tunnel driven into a mountain, which comprises a horizontal section functioning as a production tunnel (12) and production line, from which a vertical section goes off as a mast shaft (14), and with a crown bearing (22) which is raised from the production tunnel (12) into the mast shaft (14) and at a distance from a ceiling of the production tunnel (12) in the mast shaft (14) , wherein the distance corresponds to at least the length of at least one drill rod of the drilling rig (10).