Telescopic Mini-Rig Hydraulic Expansion for Rapid Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling rigs are large, immobile, and require extensive setup time, while portable mini-rigs lack the capability to handle larger tubulars and often require separate snubbing units, increasing setup time and equipment volume.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic mini-rig system with a derrick system that hydraulically expands and retracts, incorporating a casing jack platform with a crane winch and multiple hydraulic rams for lifting and rotating tubulars, and a rotary floor for handling large tubulars, combining the versatility of conventional rigs with the portability of mini-rigs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional drilling rigs are used, then the capability to handle large tubulars is improved, but the setup time increases to 48-72 hours and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The derrick is divided into multiple nested substructures (first substructure, second substructure, third substructure) that can be independently assembled and hydraulically extended. This segmentation allows the rig to be transported in compact sections and quickly assembled on-site, reducing setup time from 48-72 hours to approximately 20-36 hours while maintaining the capability to handle large tubulars when fully extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The derrick substructures are designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable through hydraulic systems. The substructures can be extended to provide the necessary height and capacity for handling large tubulars during operations, then retracted for efficient transport. This dynamic configuration allows the rig to adapt between compact transport mode and full operational mode.
2Loss of time
If portable mini-rigs are used, then setup time is reduced, but the capability to handle larger tubulars and the need for separate snubbing units increases equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of a portable mini-rig with snubbing unit capabilities into a single integrated telescopic derrick system. The derrick includes a casing jack platform with a traveling spider and stationary spider, enabling snubbing operations without requiring a separate unit. This combination maintains quick setup characteristics of portable rigs while adding the versatility to handle larger tubulars and perform snubbing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic derrick system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can handle various tubular sizes, perform drilling operations, and conduct snubbing operations. The presence of both traveling and stationary spiders, along with the extendable derrick structure, provides universal capability to handle different wellbore intervention scenarios, eliminating the need for specialized separate equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate snubbing units are added to conventional rigs, then the capability to perform wellbore interventions is improved, but the equipment volume and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The derrick substructures are nested within each other in a telescopic configuration, with the third substructure nested in the second, and the second nested in the first. This nesting allows the entire derrick system to be compacted to a fraction of its operational height for transport, significantly reducing the equipment volume and mass during transit while providing full operational capability when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are usable as a telescoping, small-scale oil rig, having the ability to rotate tubulars in a wellbore, pull tubulars from the wellbore, and insert tubulars into the wellbore. The system comprises a telescopic derrick section, a casing jack platform, and a base section. The telescopic derrick comprises U-shaped substructure frames that can be nested together, and is connected to an adjacent substructure through hydraulic cylinders. When pressurized, the cylinders extend to separate each substructure and raise the telescopic derrick. The casing jack platform comprises a traveling casing jack and spider for holding, inserting and removing tubulars. The base section supports the telescopic derrick and comprises a rotary floor and another spider for holding, inserting and removing tubulars into and from the wellbore. The combination of the traveling spider and stationary spider can be used for inserting tubulars into the wellbore when the well is under pressure.