Pivotable Drilling Rig Mast and Substructure for Wellhead Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Land-based drilling rigs face challenges in navigating around existing wellheads and efficiently raising and lowering equipment due to mast placement, which can interfere with operations and equipment positioning.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig design featuring a right and left substructure with pivotably coupled struts and hydraulic cylinders, allowing for the mast and drill rig floor to be mechanically coupled and raised or lowered, enabling the rig to be transported and assembled at a wellsite with minimal interference, using a hydraulic cylinder skid for mast and floor positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the mast is placed on land-based drilling rigs in traditional positions, then the rig structure is simplified, but the mast interferes with existing wellheads and equipment positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is made dynamically positionable through hydraulic cylinders that enable it to be raised, lowered, and tilted between horizontal and vertical orientations. This dynamic capability allows the mast to be positioned clear of existing wellheads during transportation and then erected vertically for drilling operations, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast transitions from a fixed ground-level position to a vertically elevated position through dimensional change. By raising the mast vertically above the drill floor, the system eliminates interference with existing wellheads and ground equipment while maintaining structural simplicity through the substructure design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drilling rig is transported to different locations, then multiple wells can be drilled, but the rig must navigate around existing wellheads which complicates transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The mast's ability to be lowered to a horizontal position and repositioned via hydraulic systems allows the rig to navigate around existing wellheads during transportation. The dynamic adjustability of mast position enables the rig to adapt its configuration for safe passage while maintaining versatility to drill multiple wells at different locations.
3Productivity
If the mast and drill floor are raised and lowered for operations, then equipment can be efficiently positioned, but traditional mechanisms are complex and interfere with existing wellheads
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinders serve dual functions by simultaneously supporting the mast and enabling drill floor elevation. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining efficient equipment positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder system performs multiple functions including mast support, mast positioning, and drill floor elevation. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function while maintaining high productivity in equipment positioning.
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
Enables efficient transportation and assembly of the drilling rig around existing wellheads, allowing for safe and effective operation by minimizing interference and optimizing equipment placement and movement.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic cylinder pivotably coupled to the first lower box... The first and second hydraulic cylinders are adapted to raise or lower the drill floor and the mast
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig may include a right substructure, left substructure, and a drill floor. The drill floor may be pivotably coupled to lower boxes of the left and right substructure by struts. The substructures may include hydraulic cylinders positioned to raise the drill floor and a mast coupled to the drill floor into a raised position.