Telescoping Support Arms for Drilling Rig Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Land-based drilling rigs face challenges in moving across existing well sites without interfering with wellheads and equipment, as mast placement can obstruct the location and operation of existing wellheads and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A land-based drilling rig design featuring a V-door drill rig floor with telescoping support arms and hydraulic walkers, allowing the rig to be raised and moved over wellheads while maintaining stability and minimizing interference with existing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drilling rig uses a fixed mast placement configuration, then the structural stability is maintained, but the rig cannot move across existing wellheads and equipment without interference
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig is divided into separable components including the mast assembly and the rig floor with telescoping support arms. The support arms can be independently extended and repositioned, allowing the rig to segment its support structure to navigate around wellheads while maintaining operational stability during drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig employs dynamically adjustable telescoping support arms that can extend and retract based on the terrain and wellhead positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the rig to adapt its support configuration for movement across the well site while maintaining structural stability when positioned for drilling operations.
2Ease of operation
If the rig floor is raised to move over wellheads, then the rig can clear obstacles, but the support structure must bear additional stress
Solution Approach 1:
The rig floor is elevated to a third dimension above the wellheads, allowing the rig to clear obstacles vertically rather than moving horizontally through them. The telescoping support arms provide the mechanical advantage needed to lift and position the rig floor at this elevated dimension, distributing the stress across multiple support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping support arms act as intermediary mechanical elements between the rig floor and the ground. These arms provide the necessary strength and mechanical advantage to raise the rig floor over wellheads while distributing the load, protecting the main support structure from excessive stress during relocation operations.
3Productivity
If the rig uses traditional fixed support legs, then the structure is simple, but the rig cannot reposition without dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from fixed to dynamic with telescoping arms that can extend and retract. This dynamic capability allows the rig to reposition efficiently by adjusting support arm lengths rather than dismantling the entire structure, improving relocation productivity while accepting increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping support arms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support during drilling operations, enable the rig floor to be raised for relocation, and allow repositioning across varying terrain and wellhead positions. This multi-functionality improves relocation efficiency while the modular design manages the complexity through standardized components.
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 relocation of the drilling rig within a well site without breaking down, allowing for safe passage under wellheads and flexible movement across multiple wells without disrupting existing operations.
Implementation Method 1
raising the drill rig floor from the lowered position to a raised position using the telescoping support arms
Data Source
AI summary
A land-based drilling rig includes a drill rig floor, the drill rig floor including a V-door, a side of the drill rig floor having the V-door defining a V-door side of the drill rig floor and an opposite V-door side of the drill rig floor opposite the V-door side of the drill rig floor. The land-based drilling rig also includes a mast, the mast mechanically coupled to the drill rig floor. Further, the land-based drilling rig includes at least four support bases, each support base coupled to the drill rig floor by a telescoping support arm, the support base and telescoping arm forming a support, wherein the support bases are square or cylindrical.