Drilling Rig Mast Erection System Using Telescoping Substructure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of mobile drilling rigs for higher drilling load capabilities reduce their mobility, requiring cranes for assembly and disassembly, which increases costs and time, especially in pad drilling operations where rigs need to be moved between closely spaced wellbores.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig mast erection system with telescoping substructure boxes and a mast positioning apparatus allows for the assembly and movement of drilling rigs without cranes, using pivotable connections and substructure raising apparatuses to position and raise the mast, enabling skid movement between wellbores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the size and weight of mobile drilling rigs are increased to meet higher drilling load capabilities, then the drilling load capability is improved, but the mobility of the rig deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig is divided into multiple transportable sections that can be assembled and disassembled. The mast is segmented into multiple sections that can be transported separately and assembled at the drilling site, enabling the rig to handle larger loads while maintaining transportability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig incorporates dynamic assembly and disassembly mechanisms that allow the structure to be configured for both transport and operation modes. The telescoping substructure boxes and pivotable connections enable the rig to adapt its configuration, providing high load capability when assembled and ease of transport when disassembled.
2Ease of manufacture
If cranes are used for assembly and disassembly of large drilling rig components, then the assembly capability is improved, but the operational cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig incorporates self-erecting mechanisms including telescoping substructure boxes and pivotable connections that allow the mast and other components to be assembled and positioned without requiring external cranes. The substructure raising apparatus enables the rig to raise itself into operational position, eliminating the need for costly crane rentals and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping substructure boxes serve multiple functions: they provide structural support during operation, enable crane-free assembly through their telescoping mechanism, and facilitate transport when collapsed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate crane equipment while maintaining assembly capability.
3Weight of moving object
If cranes are required for rig assembly and disassembly, then the rig can handle larger components, but the logistical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rig components are segmented into transportable sections that can be moved by standard trucks without requiring crane assistance. The mast sections and substructure boxes can be transported separately and assembled at the site, reducing logistical complexity while maintaining the ability to handle large final assembly weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig employs dynamic assembly mechanisms that allow components to be lifted and positioned using the rig's own substructure raising apparatus rather than external cranes. This self-contained approach reduces logistical complexity by eliminating the need to coordinate crane rentals, positioning, and operations.
4Productivity
If the drilling rig is designed for pad drilling with closely spaced wellbores, then the drilling productivity is improved, but the rig movement between wellbores becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig is designed with modular, transportable sections that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. The mast and substructure can be segmented into transportable components that allow the rig to be efficiently moved between closely spaced wellbores in pad drilling operations without requiring heavy crane assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig incorporates dynamic assembly and disassembly capabilities that enable rapid configuration changes. The telescoping substructure boxes and pivotable connections allow the rig to be quickly assembled at each wellbore location and efficiently moved to the next location, maintaining high productivity in pad drilling while facilitating easy repositioning between closely spaced wellbores.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig mast erection system includes a mast support shoe that is fixedly attached to a drilling rig substructure and has a support shoe pinned connection. A bottom mast section has a first mast pinned connection that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the support shoe pinned connection. A mast positioning apparatus is adapted to pivotably position the bottom mast section so that the first mast pinned connection is positioned adjacent to the support shoe pinned connection. The mast positioning apparatus includes a bottom mast support spreader having a first end that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the bottom mast section at a first spreader end pinned connection and a mast erection apparatus having a first end that is adapted to be pivotably connected to the bottom mast support spreader at a first mast erection apparatus pinned connection.