Drilling Rig Mast Roller Substructure for Efficient Erection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rig assembly methods face challenges such as lack of clear paths for vehicle access, inability to connect mast sections at normal truck height, and obstructions like well heads, leading to complex and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a substructure with roller boxes that allow mast sections to be moved onto and off a mover using winches and roller apparatuses, enabling efficient transfer and erection by pivoting rollers for transport and operation, and using winches to lift mast sections onto upper and lower rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crane is used to raise rig components, then the components can be positioned on the drill floor, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming due to the need to transport and assemble the crane at the drilling site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mast section from the traditional crane-lifting process and enables direct transport to the substructure at normal truck height. The mast section is unloaded directly onto the substructure using the mover apparatus, eliminating the need for crane assembly and operation at the drilling site.
Solution Approach 2:
The substructure is pre-configured with roller boxes and receiving structures that prepare the mast section for direct loading. The roller boxes are positioned in advance to receive the mast section, and the receiving structures are pre-installed to facilitate the transfer process, eliminating the need for complex on-site crane operations.
2Productivity
If there is no clear path for vehicle access through the substructure, then mast sections cannot be transported directly, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure is segmented into multiple roller boxes (first roller box, second roller box, third roller box, fourth roller box) positioned at different locations. This segmentation creates multiple access points and pathways for the mast section, allowing the mover to transport the mast section through the substructure without requiring a single clear path, thereby simplifying the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller boxes serve as intermediary structures that facilitate the transfer of the mast section from the mover to the substructure. The roller boxes provide a controlled interface that enables the mast section to be loaded and positioned without requiring direct vehicle access through the entire substructure, simplifying the transport pathway.
3Ease of operation
If the mast cannot be brought to the substructure at normal truck height, then direct connection is impossible, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure is pre-configured with roller boxes and receiving structures at appropriate heights and positions. The roller boxes are positioned in advance to receive the mast section at normal truck height, and the receiving structures are pre-installed to facilitate direct connection, eliminating the need for time-consuming height adjustment and complex positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller boxes act as intermediary structures that enable the mast section to be transferred at normal truck height. The roller boxes provide a height-matched interface between the mover and the substructure, allowing direct connection without requiring the mast to be raised or lowered to incompatible heights, thereby reducing assembly time.
4Productivity
If obstructions like well heads block the path through the substructure, then vehicle access is prevented, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure path is segmented into multiple sections with roller boxes positioned at different locations around the well head obstruction. This segmentation allows the mast section to be transported through multiple smaller openings or pathways created by the roller boxes, avoiding the need to clear the entire path through the well head obstruction, thereby increasing erection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller boxes serve as intermediary structures that create accessible pathways around the well head obstruction. The roller boxes are positioned to receive the mast section and facilitate its transfer through or around the obstruction, providing a controlled interface that avoids the need for complex path clearance operations and increases overall productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient and clear mast section transfer and erection by providing a clear path and stable support, reducing complexity and time required for rig assembly.
Implementation Method 1
each upper box having an upper roller or rollers and each lower box having a lower roller or rollers
Implementation Method 2
pivoting rollers for transport and operation
Implementation Method 3
connecting a winch line of a winch apparatus to the mast section; winching with the winch apparatus the mast section rearward
Implementation Method 4
winching with the winch apparatus the mast section rearward on rollers
Implementation Method 5
raising with upper box raising apparatus the upper boxes so that the upper rollers contact the mast section
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.