US20150135607A1 - Well drilling apparatus and assembling and disassembling method - Google Patents

Well drilling apparatus and assembling and disassembling method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150135607A1
US20150135607A1 US14/399,847 US201314399847A US2015135607A1 US 20150135607 A1 US20150135607 A1 US 20150135607A1 US 201314399847 A US201314399847 A US 201314399847A US 2015135607 A1 US2015135607 A1 US 2015135607A1
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Prior art keywords
mast
sub
operating configuration
drill floor
section
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US14/399,847
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English (en)
Inventor
Stefano Ferrari
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Drillmec SpA
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Drillmec SpA
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Publication of US20150135607A1 publication Critical patent/US20150135607A1/en
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/34Arrangements for erecting or lowering towers, masts, poles, chimney stacks, or the like
    • E04H12/345Arrangements for tilting up whole structures or sections thereof
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/35Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block
    • E04B1/355Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block characterised by the tilting up of whole buildings or sections thereof, e.g. walls, portal frames
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B15/00Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts

Definitions

  • the present invention is relative to a drilling apparatus or land rig, which can be moved, and is relative to the relative assembling method.
  • the present invention is relative to a well drilling apparatus for the search and the extraction of fossil fuels, such as oil and fuel gases.
  • Said drilling apparatus assumes an assembly operating configuration, in which it is completely assembled in a horizontal position, at the level of the ground, and, when it is raised in a vertical position, it assumes a use operating configuration for the drilling, all of this in one single operation.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention is modular and can be easily assembled and disassembled, thus allowing said apparatus to be moved from a drilling spot to the next one in a quick manner, hence reducing the amount of time needed to disassemble and re-assemble it.
  • Projecting masts which are comprised in said drilling apparatuses or structures, are widely used in ground drilling operations.
  • the drilling structure or apparatus comprises a sub-structure.
  • said sub-structure comprises sub bases, which lay on the ground.
  • the sub-structure is adapted to support a drill floor. Said drill floor and the mast, which is arranged in a vertical position, are raised at a predetermined height from the ground.
  • the drill floor comprises different devices, such as: at least one pair of power tongs, a rotary table, and a draw-works, which are typically used during the drilling phases.
  • devices such as: at least one pair of power tongs, a rotary table, and a draw-works, which are typically used during the drilling phases.
  • the mode of operation and the features of the above-mentioned devices comprised in the drill floor are known to a skilled person.
  • the processes needed by the apparatus to shift from an assembly operating configuration to a use operating configuration comprises a first step in which the mast is raised in a vertical position, substantially keeping the drill floor at the level of the ground. Subsequently, the drill floor is raised at the desired height, positioning the rotary table above the drilling well, aligned with said well.
  • the sub-structure, the drill floor and the mast are assembled at the level of the ground and connected to one another.
  • the fast line of the draw-works is inserted into the fast line shave, which is arranged at the top pf the mast, and through the travelling block, thus becoming the drilling line.
  • Said line is fixed, in correspondence to a first deadline of its, to the corresponding deadline anchor.
  • Said step of raising the mast is performed by using said draw-works, which exerts the necessary raising force.
  • said draw-works which exerts the necessary raising force.
  • the drill floor supporting the mast in the vertical position is raised up to the desired height above the drilling well, thus obtaining two movements that are distinct from one another and mutually independent.
  • a so-called A-frame is used.
  • the raising or tilting movement of the mast is performed by connecting the travelling block to a line tie, which, in the rear part, extends around sheaves that are supported by said A-frame and, in the front part, is anchored to the mast.
  • the travelling block and the line tie raise the mast and tilt it in a vertical position against said A-frame.
  • the line system used to raise the mast is usually replaced by a direct raising movement by means of hydraulic actuators.
  • hydraulic actuators allows users to reduce rig-up times, since one does not need any longer to install an A-frame for the sheaves and sling lines for the raising movement.
  • the use of hydraulic actuators allows users to raise the mast only by means of a low-power hydraulic control unit, if necessary with a diesel motor. Therefore, the generators of the work site do not need to be started and the the draw-works does not need to be supplied with power.
  • hydraulic actuators allows users to eliminate the A-frame and, therefore, to save the time needed for its installation and removal.
  • well drilling apparatuses In the technical field, well drilling apparatuses often need to be moved; in particular they have to be moved from one well to the next one together with all the complementary equipments needed for the operation of a drilling plant.
  • the drilling apparatus In the prior art, in order to move a drilling apparatus or land rig, the drilling apparatus has to be disassembled. In order to do so, the drilling apparatus has to be disconnected from the auxiliary devices, the mast has to be lowered from a vertical position to a horizontal position, the whole drilling plant has to be moved towards the next well to perform the drilling operation and, finally, the entire system has to be re-assembled and the auxiliary structures have to be re-connected.
  • drilling plants are produced which are able to develop a power up to 3000 HP or 2300 kW and feature a height of the drill floor from the ground of approximately 17 ft or 11 meters, a maximum total height of 156 ft or 47.5 m, 1,500,000 pounds or 681 tons for the hook load, 1,300,000 pounds or 590 tons for the rotary load, and 1,000,000 pounds or 454 tons for the setback load.
  • Some constructors of drilling structures mainly develop land rigs with 2000 hp, which can easily be moved and are produced as the type called box substructure.
  • This type of structure is characterized by the presence of hydraulic raising devices with plates of large dimensions.
  • a top drive is used as well.
  • the top drive normally is a rotary device provided with an electric or hydraulic motor, which is suspended and connected to the mast. Said top drive is able to move along a vertical axis inside the mast strong back.
  • the top drive and the mast are separate during the transportation phases and are coupled to one another during the assembling phases or even, in some cases, when the mast is already in the vertical position, thus causing the operations to be very complicated, besides requiring a larger amount of time to perform the operations aimed at installing the structure.
  • the top drive is associated with a portion of the mast already during the assembling phase. This solution allows users to facilitate the transportation and to reduce the assembling times.
  • a mast is known, to which a top drive is directly fixed, so as to cause the two of them to be integral, so that the top drive is always fitted to the mast, even when the land rig is disassembled to be transported.
  • the top drive always remains coupled to the mast, even during the rig up phases or during the ring down phases or when it is transported towards the next drilling well.
  • the mast is advantageously provided with the top drive already arranged inside the mast strong back.
  • the object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks mentioned above by providing a drilling apparatus in which, in a first assembly operating configuration, the different components are assembled in a horizontal position, substantially at the level of the ground, and, subsequently, said apparatus is raised so as to reach a second use operating configuration, in which the mast is vertical.
  • All the steps and the operations needed to raise and/or lower the well drilling apparatus according to the present invention and, in particular, the mast and the sub-structure, are performed by means of a hydraulic actuating device, which pushes said apparatus.
  • the drilling apparatus when shifting from one operating configuration to the other, is pushed by said hydraulic actuating device and performs a continuous movement in time, without interruptions or intermediate positions.
  • said drilling apparatus is modular and can be quickly assembled and disassembled, so as to be transported from one drilling well to the next one.
  • the transportation of the apparatus according to the present invention takes place in a quick manner, with no need for complicated disassembling procedures, which also require a lot of time.
  • One aspect of the present invention is relative to a drilling apparatus having the features set forth in appended claim 1 .
  • a further aspect of the present invention is relative to the drilling apparatus assembling method according to claim 11 .
  • FIG. 1 shows the positioning of the sub-structure and of the actuating device of the drilling apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows the positioning of the draw-works on said sub-structure and of the actuating stands in the spots suited for the assembly of the mast;
  • FIG. 3 shows the positioning of the mast base sections on the right and on the left, directly on the sub base, and of the draw-works
  • FIG. 4 shows the positioning of the set-back drill floor on suitable stands, the set-back drill floor being coupled to the mast base sections by means of connecting rods;
  • FIG. 5 shows the positioning, on suitable trunnions, of the mast starter section, in a horizontal position, and the addition of the mast bottom section provided with boards, which are connected to the set-back, as well as the fixing of the second portion of the drill floor to said bottom section;
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show the positioning and the fixing of the mast strong back to the bottom section and the fixing of the actuating device to the mast strong back; in particular, FIG. 6A shows the fixing of the mast strong back and FIG. 6B shows a detail of the fixing of the actuating device to the mast strong back;
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B show the assembling operations of the intermediate section of the mast, in a horizontal position, which is assembled on said actuating stands;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B show the assembling operations of the top section of the mast, in a horizontal position, which is assembled on said actuating stands, and the fixing to said intermediate section of the mast itself;
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B show, in sequence, the images of the movement actuated by the actuating stands along the vertical and longitudinal axes in order to connect the end sections of the mast to the mast strong back;
  • FIG. 10 shows a freeze-frame of the drilling apparatus during the passage between the two operating configurations, the movement being performed in a continuous manner in time
  • FIG. 11 shows the lower part of the drilling apparatus in the use operating configuration
  • FIG. 12 shows the release of the actuating device from the mast
  • FIG. 13 shows an overall view of the drilling apparatus in the use operating configuration.
  • well drilling apparatus 2 is adapted to shift from a first assembly operating configuration to a second use operating configuration and vice versa.
  • Said apparatus 2 comprises a sub-structure 21 , which lies on ground “S” and supports said apparatus 2 , a mast 23 , which comprises pivoting points 23 a and fixing points 23 a ′ and is pivoted to said sub-structure 21 by means of said pivoting points 23 a , around which it rotates so as to shift from said assembly operating configuration, which is substantially horizontal, to said use operating configuration, which is vertical, and vice versa.
  • the apparatus comprises, furthermore, a drill floor 22 , which can be raised and is connected to the mast, and an actuating device 3 , which is adapted to allow the drilling apparatus to shift from an assembly configuration to a use configuration.
  • Said actuating device 3 is a hydraulic device, which is directly connected to mast 23 , preferably by means of a pivot hinge, is adapted to push said mast in order to raise it, and is adapted to hold said mast 23 during the lowering movement with a continuous movement, as shown in FIG. 10 .
  • Said actuating device 3 is permanently connected to the apparatus and, in particular, to mast 23 during the passage between the two operating configurations. Indeed, during the passage between the two operating configurations, the connection point between actuating device 3 and apparatus 2 remains unchanged.
  • Said drill floor 22 comprises a first portion 22 a , which is pivoted to said mast 23 and projects with respect to said mast 23 , and a second portion 22 b , which is constrained to said mast 23 and rotates with it.
  • Said first portion 22 a which is always kept parallel to ground “S” during the raising or rig up and/or the lowering or rig down of drilling apparatus 2 , comprises a rotary table 56 and a driller cabin 24 , which, during the apparatus assembling steps, can be directly installed on drill floor 22 without causing problems in the following assembling steps, since said portion is always parallel to ground “S”, as shown in FIGS. 4 , 5 , 10 and 11 .
  • the second portion 22 b which in the use operating configuration mainly serves as walkway for the operators during the drilling phases, is directly fixed to mast 23 perpendicular to ground “S”, as shown in FIGS. 4 , 5 , 10 and 11 .
  • the first portion 22 a of drill floor 22 comprises, besides rotary table 56 shown in FIG. 7B and driller cabin 24 , a dead line anchor and a pair of power tongs, which are known to a skilled person.
  • said drill floor 21 in order to help the automation of the entire drilling apparatus according to the present invention, besides a well center, where the drilling takes place along a first axis parallel to a vertical axis “Z”, comprises a secondary well or mouse hole, not shown, where the drill rods are temporary arranged and which defines a second axis, parallel to said first axis, and a secondary clamp or mouse hole clamp, not shown, which is adapted to hold the drill rods when they are arranged in the mouse hole.
  • Said mast 23 which extends along a longitudinal axis “A”, is modular and comprises a starter section 231 , which is adapted to be constrained to sub-structure 21 , a bottom section 232 , which is constrained to said starter section 231 and to which the first portion 22 a of said drill floor 22 is pivoted and the second portion 22 b is constrained; a strong back, to which actuating device 3 is connected and which is pivoted to said starter section 231 .
  • Said strong back comprises suited attachment housings 233 a , where actuating device 3 is pivoted.
  • Said mast strong back is connected to at least one further section ( 234 , 235 ), on which a top drive 51 is fixed in a sliding manner, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and which is constrained to said mast strong back.
  • mast 23 comprises an intermediate section 234 , which is constrained to said mast strong back, and a top section 235 , which is constrained to said intermediate section 234 .
  • said top section 235 there are arranged the top drive, a travelling block 50 and a crown block, as one single assembly, as well as a powered drill line spooler 54 , so as to keep the line on the respective pulleys of the crown block and of travelling block 50 , thus saving time both in the ring-up phase and in the rig-down phase.
  • Said devices are preferably constrained to top section 235 of the mast by means of pins.
  • top drive 51 is engaged/locked in top section 235 of mast 23 for the entire duration of the transportation.
  • top section 235 comprises a locking device, not shown, which is adapted to lock top drive 51 to the top section itself, for example at least one pin that is inserted in a suited housing and, when it is inserted, prevents top drive 51 from moving in top section 235 .
  • Said intermediate section 234 and said top section 235 are assembled and fixed to one another in a horizontal position at the level of the ground, so as to help operators perform these operations, thus causing the operations to be carried out more quickly.
  • Said intermediate section 234 comprises a first shoulder 234 a and a second shoulder 234 b , on which a back 234 c is hinged.
  • Said back 234 c after having been arranged perpendicular to said second shoulder 234 b , is fixed to the first shoulder 234 a assuming the shape of a truncated cone with a “U”-shaped section, so as to be fixed to said mast strong back 233 .
  • Top section 235 also has the shape of a truncated cone with a “U”-shaped section, so as to be able to be fixed to intermediate section 234 .
  • Said top section 235 comprises two shoulders 235 a , which are hinged to an end of the top of top section 235 , where travelling block 50 and the crown block are comprises, and a back 235 b , which is arranged between said two shoulders 235 a .
  • Said back 235 b is adapted to reduce its longitudinal extension in a telescopic manner, preferably by means of telescopic crosspieces, so as to reduce the transverse extension of entire top section 235 , as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B ; indeed, in FIG.
  • top section 235 assume the shape of a truncated cone as mentioned above.
  • the reduction of the transverse extension of upper part 245 facilitates the transportation of said section, especially in case of transportation on wheel, when national and international roads have to be used.
  • Said shoulders ( 234 a , 234 b , 235 a ) and said back ( 234 c , 235 b ) are connected to one another by means of four stringers, two front stringers and two rear stringers.
  • Said rear stringers delimit the back ( 234 c , 235 b ) of said mast 23 , thus causing it to assume the typical shape of a truncated cone with a square base.
  • the different sections of the mast are connected to one another by means of suitable pins, which are inserted into suitable connection hinges.
  • suitable pins which are inserted into suitable connection hinges.
  • a guide 511 On said back ( 234 c , 235 b ) of mast 23 there is arranged a guide 511 , which is adapted to allow top drive 51 to slide along said longitudinal axis “A” in the use operating configuration.
  • Said guide 511 is assembled during the assembly of sections ( 231 , 234 , 235 ) of mast 23 , which comprise a respective portion of guide 511 .
  • said top drive 51 comprises a pantograph mechanism, not shown, which is adapted to allow the top drive to move from the well center to a drawing point identified in the mouse hole, thus moving from a first axis of the well center to said second axis of the mouse hole.
  • intermediate portion 234 and of upper portion 235 is subsequently fixed to mast strong back 233 , which, in turn, is fixed to starter section 231 .
  • said sub-structure 21 comprises at least two sub-bases 210 , which are arranged parallel to one another and are adapted to support entire apparatus 2 , and two base sections 214 , each one constrained to a sub-base 210 .
  • mast 23 is pivoted on said base sections 214 .
  • the sub-structure comprises, furthermore, the boards and stairs, the dog house and the grass hopper, which are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 but will not be described in detail, since they are known to a skilled person.
  • Said sub-structure 21 supports, preferably on sub-bases 210 of sub-structure 21 , preferably in the rear part of the sub-bases themselves, a draw-works 58 , which is provided with a support structure, parapets and accessories. Said draw-works 58 , during the passage from the assembly operating configuration to the user operating configuration of apparatus 2 and vice versa, remains in a low position, arranged on sub-bases 210 of sub-structure 21 .
  • Actuating device 3 is adapted to cause drilling apparatus 2 to be subject to a rig-up step and to a rig-down step.
  • Said actuating device 3 in its preferred embodiment, comprises a pair of telescopic hydraulic raising cylinders 31 , each of which is connected to mast 23 .
  • said pair of cylinders 31 is connected to the arms of mast strong back 233 , for example they are pivoted in the suited attachment housings 233 a mentioned above.
  • Actuating device 3 and, in particular, cylinders 31 are fixed to the mast, preferably by means of a pivot hinge, each cylinder in one single point, during the passage from one operating configuration to the other.
  • each cylinder of said pair 31 is pivoted to sub-structure 21 , in particular to sub-bases 210 , and, at the opposite end, is pivoted to mast strong back 233 , in corresponding attachment housing 233 a .
  • the point of mast 23 in which single cylinder 31 is pivoted remains unchanged during the passage from one operating configuration to the other.
  • the present solution does not require, for the passage from one operating configuration to the other, a change of the fixing point in which actuating device 3 is fixed to apparatus 2 .
  • said pair of cylinders 31 are telescopic with three sections.
  • a further aspect of the present invention is the assembling method for a drilling apparatus 2 .
  • Said assembling method comprises the following steps:
  • the step of fixing actuating device 3 is performed prior to the step of pivoting starter section 231 of mast 3 .
  • the step of positioning sub-structure 21 in the desired site is carried out by positioning the right and left sub-bases 210 and by connecting them to beams 211 , as shown on FIG. 1 .
  • the relative position of sub-bases 210 with respect to the given well center has to be controlled.
  • Each sub-base 210 houses, in a suited cradle 212 , a hydraulic cylinder 31 of actuating device 3 , which is adapted to move apparatus 2 from one operating configuration to the other.
  • Hydraulic cylinders 31 during the transportation from one well to the next one, are held in said cradles 212 and then they are set free and tilted towards the well center during the steps of the assembling method, preferably during the step of positioning sub-structure 21 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the support structure of draw-works 58 is installed in the rear part of sub-bases 210 , together with its parapets and accessories, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the beams needed for the installation of the blow out preventer also known as BOP, not shown, are laid on the ground, in the central area.
  • the step of assembling drill floor 22 is performed.
  • two stands are provided, on which the beams of the first portion or set-back 22 a of the drill floor, coupled to the lateral board, are laid, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the beams of the first portion or set-back 22 a are coupled to mast base section 214 by means of trestle connecting rods 22 c.
  • the raising beams of the BOP are connected under the beams of the first set-back portion 22 a by means of the fixing pins provided.
  • the support beams of rotary table 56 are coupled to the beams of the first set-back section 22 a , thus temporarily projecting.
  • the step of pivoting starter section 231 of the mast is performed by positioning said starter section 231 on pivoting points 23 a for the connection of mast 23 in a horizontal position with respect to ground “S”.
  • a further mast bottom section 232 is coupled to said starter section 231 .
  • the two steps of assembling drill floor 22 and pivoting mast starter section 231 are performed at the same time; in fact, the second section 22 b , together with the board support, is fixed, in turn, to the second section 22 b.
  • Said first portion 22 a and said second portion 22 b together, make up drill floor 22 .
  • driller cabin 24 is laid on the first portion or set-back 22 a and, at the same time, the rear board is installed on the second portion 22 b of drill floor 22 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • mast strong back 233 is placed and fixed, for example by means of pivots, to mast starter section 231 .
  • This strong back comprises, as mentioned above, suited attachment housings 233 a , where actuating device 3 is pivoted.
  • step of fixing actuating device 3 is performed, during which actuating device 3 is fixed to mast 23 .
  • actuating device 3 and, in particular, raising cylinders 31 are pivoted to said mast strong back 233 in the suited attachment housings 233 a .
  • the respective pivots are inserted into the suited holes comprised in attachment housings 233 a for cylinders 31 , as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B .
  • Said mast strong back 233 is in a horizontal position, parallel to ground “S”, at a predetermined height “Z2” from the ground, at which mast 23 will be fixed.
  • the next step of raising apparatus 2 can be performed.
  • an assembling step is provided to assemble mast 23 , during which different sections 234 , 235 of mast 23 are prepared and assembled.
  • actuating stands 6 comprising hydraulic raising devices are positioned in front of sub-bases 210 , in the spots suited for the assembly of mast 23 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • a front stand 61 is positioned close to intermediate section 234 , for example at the end of the extension of sub-bases 210 , and a rear stand 63 is positioned at a distance from said front stand 61 that is smaller than the maximum extension of mast 23 , preferably substantially equal to the longitudinal extension of mast 23 from the center of intermediate section 234 to the center of top section 235 .
  • an intermediate stand 6 ′ is positioned between said front stand 61 and said rear stand 63 , substantially in the point of junction between intermediate section 234 and top section 235 of mast 23 .
  • said intermediate stand 6 ′ is not an actuating stand, but is only fulfills the function of supporting mast 23 during its assembly.
  • the actuation of the assembling step, during which the connection of sections ( 234 , 235 ) of the mast is performed, is carried out by the operators at a first height “Z1” from ground “S”, which is lower than height “Z2” mentioned above, thus horizontally building mast 23 , parallel to ground “S”.
  • the assembly of mast 23 at height “Z1” allows the personnel responsible for the assembly to work more easily on said mast 23 .
  • mast 23 For the purposes of the present invention, the expression “horizontally building mast 23 ” means that mast 23 , by means of said stands 6 , is built parallel to ground “S” where said drilling apparatus 2 is assembled.
  • said first height “Z1” from ground “S” is equal, for example, to 1.5 m.
  • the assembling step for assembling mast 23 is preferably carried out as follows; belly board 71 and racking board 70 are laid on the ground in the suitable areas, in order to be subsequently coupled to mast 23 , as shown in FIG. 7A .
  • first shoulder 234 a of intermediate section 234 is positioned, for example by means of the crane of the work site. Said first shoulder 234 a is placed between front stand 61 and an intermediate stand 6 ′.
  • the second shoulder 234 b of intermediate section 23 of mast 23 is positioned, for example by means of the crane of the work site.
  • Said second shoulder 234 is deposited on stands ( 61 , 6 ′), as well.
  • Said second shoulder 234 b also comprises back 234 c .
  • Said back 234 c is hinged to said second shoulder 234 b .
  • said back 234 c is raised by means of hydraulic cylinders and coupled to the first shoulder 234 a , thus creating intermediate section 234 with a pyramid frustum structure with a U shape facing downwards, as shown in FIG. 7B .
  • Said back 234 c during the transportation from one drilling well to the next one, is arranged parallel to the second shoulder 234 b , to which it is hinged.
  • mast top section 235 is positioned, inside which there are locked the crown block, travelling block 50 , top drive 51 and powered drill line spooler 54 .
  • Top section 235 is deposited on one single rear stand 63 , in the closed configuration, so as to minimize the width. In said configuration, the two shoulders 235 a are parallel to one another, as shown in FIG. 8A .
  • powered drill line spooler 54 is detached and arranged at the base of mast 23 .
  • the hydraulic cylinders comprised in said actuating stands 6 are used so as to open the shoulders, spacing them apart, keeping top section 235 suspended by means of raising straps.
  • the telescopic crosspieces of back 235 b which are not shown in detail, are fixed.
  • mast top section 235 which is always kept suspended, is brought into contact with mast intermediate section 234 , the attachment hinges between one section and the other are caused to coincide and the pins are inserted into the respective hinges.
  • Rear stand 63 which is arranged in correspondence to the top of top section 235 , where the crown block and travelling block 50 are arranged, is suited to level mast 23 and facilitate the insertion of the pins to connect sections ( 234 , 235 ) of mast 23 , as shown in FIG. 8B .
  • Intermediate section 234 and top section 235 of the mast lie on three stands: front stand 61 , intermediate stand 6 ′ and the rear stand, as shown in FIG. 8B .
  • top drive 51 is dragged towards the base of the mast, so as to reduce the overall tilting moment of must 23 , sliding along partially assembled guide 511 .
  • racking board 71 and belly board 70 are coupled to respective sections ( 234 , 235 ) of the mast, which are so connected.
  • a moving step is provided, during which at least part of mast 23 is moved by means of actuating stands 6 , so as to allow the actuation of the following steps of the method and, in particular, of the step of pivoting mast 23 and of the subsequent rig-up step.
  • intermediate section 234 and top section 235 of mast 23 which have been so assembled, are raised, in a leveled manner, by means of front stand 61 and of rear stand 63 until they reach predetermined height “Z2” from ground “S”, so that the heights of the hinges between intermediate section 234 and mast strong back 233 coincide.
  • Said height “Z2” is approximately 4 meters from ground “S”.
  • FIGS. 9 A ⁇ 9 B These two steps are shown in FIGS. 9 A ⁇ 9 B.
  • sections ( 234 , 235 ) of the mast are arranged in such a way that the connectors comprised in intermediate section 234 of the mast are spaced apart from the corresponding connectors of mast strong back 233 by a predetermined distance “X1”.
  • the extension of top section 235 , the raising step and the step of bringing sections ( 234 , 235 ) closer, as mentioned above, are performed thanks to the help of said stands 6 ; said stands 6 , indeed, are adapted to extend the top section and to raise the sections of the mast as well as to bring them closer to mast strong back 233 .
  • Said stands 6 comprise a plurality of actuators, which are adapted to move mast 23 in a predetermined manner within the orthogonal space defined by axes “X”, “Y” and “Z”, which are orthogonal to one another.
  • Said actuators which are comprised in each stand 6 , preferably are hydraulic pistons, which are preferably arranged in such a way that at least one of them operates along “X” axis, at least one of them operates along “Y” axis and at least one of them operates along “Z” axis.
  • the step of pivoting mast 23 is performed.
  • top drive 51 After the backward movement of mast 23 and the connection to the mast strong back, guide 511 in which top drive 51 slides has further extended, thus allowing top drive 51 to further slide in correspondence to mast strong back 233 , part of mast 23 and on drill floor 22 .
  • step 2 during which structure 2 is raised and which comprises, in particular, raising the mast, bringing it to the use operating configuration, and raising drill floor 22 .
  • This step is carried out in a continuous manner, without interruptions when shifting from one operating configuration to the other, by simultaneously raising mast 23 and drill floor 22 by means of a thrust, which is actuated by actuating device 3 of the hydraulic type and is directly applied to mast 23 .
  • draw-works 58 remains in a low position, arranged on sub-bases 210 of sub-structure 21 .
  • This solution allows the use of one single actuating device 3 , thus simplifying the step of raising apparatus 2 and quickening the passage from the assembly operating configuration to the use operating configuration and vice versa.
  • This solution furthermore, allows the structure of drill floor 22 to be simplified, since it does not have to support the weight of draw-works 58 . This allows the movements of the drill floor to be simplified, thus simplifying the structure that has to support the drill floor itself.
  • draw-works 58 on sub-bases 210 allows an easier maintenance of the draw-back itself, thus facilitating the electric connection to the motors that move the draw-works.
  • the beams of the first portion or set-back 22 a and the lateral boards associated therewith detach from their support stands, remaining substantially horizontal and parallel to ground “S”, due to the action of the pantograph mechanism, for example a parallelogram-shaped pantograph mechanism, which is built by trestle connecting rods 22 c.
  • the pantograph mechanism for example a parallelogram-shaped pantograph mechanism, which is built by trestle connecting rods 22 c.
  • a next step can be performed, during which apparatus 2 is fixed in the use operating configuration, as shown in FIG. 11 .
  • the constraining pins are inserted at the base of mast 23 , in particular in fixing points 23 a ′ and the beams of rotary table 56 are leveled off at mast starter section 231 .
  • the assembling method according to the present invention comprises further steps to make apparatus 2 operative.
  • a dog-house 57 is provided on the ground, close to a side of mast 23 , for example the left side.
  • driller cabin 24 is moved in correspondence to rotary table 56 , which is arranged in correspondence to the well center.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention comprises, furthermore, at least one jib crane 8 , preferably on the left side of mast 23 . Said jib crane 8 is used, with the help of an equalizer beam and of four ropes, to raise dog-house 57 from the ground to drill floor 22 .
  • Dog-house 57 is laid on and constrained to two foldable beams, not shown, which belong to drill floor 22 .
  • the raising/drill lines or drill line reeving system are installed.
  • the drill line is wound around the reel of draw-works 58 with nine loops. Subsequently, the drill line is let out by powered drill line spooler 54 and the dead line is wound on the dead line anchor and finally fixed with the clamps.
  • Raising cylinders 31 after the step of fixing apparatus 2 , are decoupled from mast 23 and preferably closed, so as to protect the telescopic stems of cylinders 31 themselves, as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • Said cylinders 31 are kept under drill floor 22 with the same inclination assumed at the end of the step of raising apparatus 2 , so at to be immediately ready to be extracted again and constrained to mast 23 in order to perform the steps of the disassembling or rig-down method of apparatus 2 .
  • the disassembling or rig-down method for a drilling apparatus 2 comprises the following steps:
  • the disassembling method substantially comprises the steps of the assembling method in a reverse order, with the aim of shifting from the use operating configuration to the assembly operating configuration, so as to allow the apparatus to be disassembled and transported towards another drilling site.
  • Well drilling apparatus 2 can be installed on moving or skidding beams that are properly arranged on the ground, so as to allow the entire plant or be translated from one well to an adjacent one. Furthermore, it can be provided with a translation system by means of “hydraulic feet” constrained to the ends of the sub-bases (Walker System).
  • the apparatus and the assembling and disassembling method according to the present invention allow the installation of a drilling plant to be quicker, thus significantly reducing the time and the costs needed for the installation and the subsequent disassembling operations.
  • actuating devices 3 which push mast 3 to raise it and hold mast 23 during its downward movement, allow the apparatus raising and lowering steps to be simplified, thus increasing the safety in performing these steps.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
US14/399,847 2012-05-09 2013-05-03 Well drilling apparatus and assembling and disassembling method Abandoned US20150135607A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000414A ITTO20120414A1 (it) 2012-05-09 2012-05-09 Apparato di trivellazione e metodo di assemblaggio e disassemblaggio.
ITTO2012A000414 2012-05-09
PCT/IB2013/053529 WO2013168064A2 (en) 2012-05-09 2013-05-03 Well drilling apparatus and assembling and disassembling method

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EP (1) EP2847414A2 (zh)
CN (1) CN104520524A (zh)
BR (1) BR112014027825A2 (zh)
CA (1) CA2872646A1 (zh)
IT (1) ITTO20120414A1 (zh)
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WO2018204428A1 (en) * 2017-05-02 2018-11-08 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Manipulator for a mast and substructure raising cylinder
IT201700112182A1 (it) * 2017-10-06 2019-04-06 Drillmec Inc Apparato di trivellazione mobile per un sito di trivellazione con pozzi raggruppati e metodo di assemblaggio e movimentazione.
WO2019079899A1 (en) * 2017-10-25 2019-05-02 Caron Technologies International Inc. ELECTRICALLY POWERED DRILLING INSTALLATION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
US11042865B2 (en) 2014-03-31 2021-06-22 Truist Bank Web page action guidance system
US11111734B2 (en) * 2016-11-07 2021-09-07 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side-saddle cantilever mast
US11230855B2 (en) 2016-06-07 2022-01-25 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side saddle slingshot drilling rig
US11371291B2 (en) 2018-07-19 2022-06-28 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side saddle slingshot continuous motion rig
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US11620627B2 (en) 2014-03-31 2023-04-04 Truist Bank Web page action guidance system
US11443294B2 (en) 2014-03-31 2022-09-13 Truist Bank Web page action guidance system
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WO2019069264A1 (en) * 2017-10-06 2019-04-11 Drillmec Inc. MOBILE DRILLING APPARATUS FOR A DRILLING SITE COMPRISING A WELL GROUP AND ITS METHOD OF ASSEMBLY AND DISPLACEMENT
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WO2019079899A1 (en) * 2017-10-25 2019-05-02 Caron Technologies International Inc. ELECTRICALLY POWERED DRILLING INSTALLATION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
AU2018354469B2 (en) * 2017-10-25 2023-01-05 Caron Technologies International Inc. Electrically-powered drilling rig and method for operating thereof
US11371291B2 (en) 2018-07-19 2022-06-28 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side saddle slingshot continuous motion rig
US11572687B2 (en) * 2018-07-19 2023-02-07 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Mast assembly for drilling rig
US20220243456A1 (en) * 2018-07-19 2022-08-04 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Mast assembly for drilling rig
US11873685B2 (en) 2020-09-01 2024-01-16 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side saddle traversable drilling rig
US12054993B2 (en) 2021-03-16 2024-08-06 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Side saddle rig design with retractable top drive

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RU2014144645A (ru) 2016-07-10
ITTO20120414A1 (it) 2013-11-10
WO2013168064A3 (en) 2014-05-22
WO2013168064A2 (en) 2013-11-14
BR112014027825A2 (pt) 2017-06-27
CN104520524A (zh) 2015-04-15
EP2847414A2 (en) 2015-03-18
CA2872646A1 (en) 2013-11-14

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