Fast Moving Drilling Rig Assembly Using Hydraulic Positioning Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of land-based drilling rigs for oil and gas operations is complex, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, requiring significant 'rig up' time and transportation costs, which are becoming increasingly undesirable for oil companies.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig design that utilizes specialized positioning pads, a unique structural connector, and a guide bar system to facilitate faster and safer assembly, eliminating the need for cranes and reducing the number of pins required, thereby streamlining the transportation and assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional piece-by-piece assembly method is used, then the drilling rig can be transported in sections, but the assembly time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drill floor sections are pre-assembled into complete modules at the manufacturing site before transportation. The substructure components including side boxes and elevating frames are pre-configured in their final operational positions. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site piece-by-piece construction while maintaining the ability to transport sections separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling rig components are designed with nested transport configurations where the drill floor sections can be positioned within or alongside substructure components during transportation. The elevating frames and support structures are configured to accommodate and support the nested arrangement, allowing multiple rig sections to be transported in a compact, space-efficient manner.
2Strength
If traditional pin alignment and pinning method is used, then the drill floor and substructure can be connected, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical pin alignment and pinning system is replaced with a hydraulic connection system. Hydraulic cylinders and locking mechanisms are used to connect the drill floor sections to the substructure, eliminating the need for manual pin alignment and hammering. This substitution maintains structural connection strength while dramatically reducing assembly time and eliminating safety hazards associated with manual pinning operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mast is assembled and positioned at the drill site, then the drilling rig can be fully operational, but the task becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is pre-assembled as a complete, integrated structure at the manufacturing site before transportation to the drill site. All mast components including sections, bracing, and connection points are configured in their final operational positions. This preliminary assembly simplifies on-site installation to a single positioning and locking operation, eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple mast sections in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized positioning dolly with adjustable support mechanisms serves as an intermediary device to facilitate mast positioning. The dolly provides temporary support and precise positioning capabilities during the transition from transport to operational configuration, making the positioning process simpler and more controlled without requiring complex assembly procedures at the drill site.
4Shape
If gin pole assemblies are used to raise drill floor, then the drill floor can be elevated, but additional weight must be transported and pinned at elevated height
Solution Approach 1:
The gin pole assemblies are completely removed from the system and replaced with an integrated hydraulic elevating system. The elevating frames and hydraulic cylinders are built into the substructure as permanent, fixed components rather than temporary, removable assemblies. This extraction eliminates the need to transport and install separate gin poles while providing the same drill floor elevation function through a more efficient, built-in mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transporting and assembling a drilling rig is disclosed. The drilling rig of a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes specialized positioning pads integral to the side boxes of the drilling rig to facilitate the connection of the center drill floor of the drilling rig to the side boxes of the rig. A preferred embodiment of the present invention may also utilize a specialized positioning dolly and an adjustable fifth-wheel truck connection for transporting the mast to the drill site, assembling the mast sections together, and positioning the mast for connection to the drill floor of the rig. The result is a unique drilling rig design and sequence for assembly that significantly reduces the time required to transport the rig from location to location and to assemble the rig at the drill site.