MXPA06009171A

MXPA06009171A - Portable drilling mast structure.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06009171A
Application number: MXPA06009171A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jaroslav Belik
Original assignee: Nat Oilwell Lp
Priority date: 2005-08-11
Filing date: 2006-08-11
Publication date: 2007-03-01
Also published as: EP1752608A3; US20070074460A1; BRPI0603337A; EP1752608A2; NO20063627L; CA2555858A1

Abstract

A portable drilling mast structure comprising a lower drilling mast having a lower end pivotally coupled to a base. A hinge is coupled to an upper end of the lower drilling mast and a lower end of an upper drilling mast. The drilling mast structure has a first position wherein the lower drilling mast is parallel to the base and the upper drilling mast is disposed between the lower drilling mast and the base. The drilling mast structure has a second position wherein the lower drilling mast is perpendicular to the base and the upper drilling mast is aligned with the lower drilling mast.

Description

PORTABLE MASTING STRUCTURE FOR DRILLING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application. No. 60 / 707,351, filed on August 11, 2005 and entitled "Portable Masts Structure", which is incorporated herein by reference.

DECLARATION IN RELATION TO RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT WITH FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to mast structures used to drill wells. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable structure of masts used to drill wells.

In land-based drilling operations, it is often desirable to be able to transport a drilling rig to a site where drilling operations will take place and then be able to move the rig to the next site once they have been completed. completed the operations. Drilling rigs comprise a series of systems that must all interconnect and assemble to support drilling activities. The process of disassembling, transporting and reassembling a drilling rig is complex and time consuming.

The components and systems that make up a drilling rig are generally transported in trailers between drilling sites. Once it is on site, the components have to be unloaded and assembled. Drilling can not begin until all rigging has been unloaded and assembled. In many cases, drilling rig operators only charge their rental fees when the rigs are involved in drilling operations. It is therefore preferable to minimize the time and expense involved in transporting and assembling a drilling rig. In many cases auxiliary equipment, such as a crane and / or a forklift, is required to assemble the drilling rig. This auxiliary equipment must also be transported between the drilling sites, increasing the complexity and cost of moving a rig.

Therefore, there remains a need in the technology for systems and methods for transporting and assembling portable drilling rigs that overcomes some of the foregoing difficulties while providing more advantageous results in total.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention include a portable structure for piercing masts comprising a lower piercing mast having a lower end pivotally coupled to a base. There is a hinge coupled to an upper end of the lower drill mast and to a lower end of the upper drill mast. The drilling mast structure has a first position where the lower drilling mast is parallel to the base and the upper drilling mast is placed between the lower drilling mast and the base. The drill mast structure has a second position where the lower drilling mast is perpendicular to the base and the upper drilling mast is aligned with the lower drilling mast.

Thus, the embodiments of the present invention comprise a combination of features and advantages that allow a substantial improvement of the transport and assembly of the drill rig. These and other various features and advantages of the present invention will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention and referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation view of an armed piercing mast constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the drill mast of Figure 1 folded for transport; Figure 3 illustrates the drilling mast of Figure 1 folded and placed in a drilling site; Figure 4 illustrates the drilling mast of Figure 1 in a vertical position with the upper drilling mast bent; Figure 5 illustrates the drilling mast of Figure 1 as the upper drilling mast is rotated relative to the lower drilling mast; Figure 6 illustrates the drilling mast of Figure 1 in a horizontal position with the upper drilling mast aligned with the lower drilling mast; Figure 7 illustrates a collapsible drilling mast configured to be used with a raised substructure; Figure 8 illustrates the collapsible drilling mast of Figure 7 connected to the substructure; Y Figure 9 illustrates the drill mast of Figure 7 in an operational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring now to Figure 1, the drilling rig (100) comprises the collapsible drilling mast (200), the power center of the system (300), the upper drive (310), the drilling assistance device made of iron (320), mud pumps (340), hydraulic power unit (350), hydraulic control unit (360), and compressor (370). The collapsible drilling mast (200), the system's power center (300), the hydraulic power unit (350), the hydraulic control unit (360), and the compressor (370) are mounted on the trailer (110 ), which is positioned on the ramp (112). The upper drive (310) and the perforation assist device made of iron (320) are mounted on the foldable drill mast (200). The upper drive (310) is coupled to the cable (304), which runs on the pulleys (302) at the top of the collapsible drilling mast (200) to the power center of the system (300). The mud pumps (340) are mounted on the slides (342) having an upper surface (344).

The collapsible drilling mast (200) comprises the lower drilling mast (202) and the upper drilling mast (204) connected by the hinge (206). The lower piercing mast (202) is rotatably coupled to the trailer (110) by the pivot (208). The main hydraulic cylinder (210) is coupled to the trailer (110) and the lower drilling mast (202). The support structure (212) couples the lower piercing mast (202) to the ramp (112) once the collapsible piercing mast (200) is fully assembled. The pulleys (302) are mounted on the top of the upper drilling mast (204).

Referring now to Figure 2, the collapsible drilling mast (200) can be bent and transported on the trailer (110) by the truck (114). The upper drive (310) and the perforation assist device made of iron (320) can remain installed on the collapsible drilling mast (200) during transportation and installation. When bent for transport, the upper piercing mast (202) is stored below and hooked with the lower piercing mast (204). The upper piercing mast (202) remains attached to the lower piercing mast (204) in the hinge (206). The lower piercing mast (204) is coupled to the trailer (110) in the pivot (208).

Once in the drilling site, the trailer (110) is raised over the ramp (112) and fixed in place, as shown in Figure 3. The mud pumps (340) are also placed adjacent to the ramp (112) so that its upper surfaces (344) are aligned with the surface (116) of the trailer (112). The collapsible drilling mast (200) is raised by extending the hydraulic cylinder (210) so as to rotate the drill mast around the pivot (208). The piercing mast (200) is rotated until it is in a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 4. Once it is in the upright position, the upper piercing mast (204) disengages from the drill mast lower (202) releasing the connection (214).

Once the upper drilling mast (204) has disengaged, the hydraulic cylinder (210) retracts so that the lower drilling mast (202) moves back toward a horizontal position. As the lower piercing mast (202) rotates, the force of gravity will cause the upper piercing mast (204) to rotate around the hinge (206). As the upper drilling mast (204) rotates, the upper cylinder (216) and the pivot arm (218) engage the upper drilling mast. As the lower piercing mast (202) lowers the upper piercing mast (204) it will come into contact with the upper surfaces (114) and (344). The pivoting arm (218) acts to control the speed at which the upper piercing mast (204) rotates and ensures that the upper piercing mast rotates beyond the vertical as it comes into contact with the upper surfaces (114). ) and (344).

As the lower piercing mast (202) moves towards the horizontal, the upper piercing mast (204) slides along the upper surfaces (114) and (344) until both masts the upper and lower , are aligned in a substantially horizontal position as shown in Figure 6. Once they are aligned, the upper piercing mast (204) is connected so as to be attached to the lower piercing mast (202) and the drill mast Folding (200) can be configured for drilling operations. Once the upper piercing mast (204) is fixedly connected to the lower piercing mast (202), the hydraulic cylinder (210) can be extended, which will rotate the collapsible piercing mast (200) to the position vertical as shown in Figure 1. Once it is fully vertical, the support structure (212) can be connected to the drill mast (200) so as to reinforce the drill mast during the drilling operations.

The collapsible drilling mast (200) is bent for storage and transport basically doing the installation procedure described above upside down. The supporting structure (212) is removed and the cylinder (210) is retracted until the collapsible drilling mast (200) is lowered to the horizontal position of Figure 6. Once the upper drilling mast is horizontal, it is partially disconnected of the lower piercing mast (202) so that it can rotate about the hinge (206). The hydraulic cylinder (210) then extends to raise the lower drilling mast (202) back to the vertical position. As the lower piercing mast (202) rises, the upper piercing mast (204) will rotate around the hinge (206) as shown in Figure 5.

As the lower piercing mast (202) becomes vertical, as shown in Figure 4, the upper piercing mast (204) will be placed adjacent to the lower piercing mast. The connector (214) is then engaged so that the position of the upper piercing mast (204) relative to the lower piercing mast (202) is maintained as the hydraulic cylinder (210) retracts. The retraction of the hydraulic cylinder (210) lowers the drilling mast (200) back into the horizontal position where it is fully bent and ready to be transported as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 7-9 illustrate a collapsible drilling mast (400) installed on the substructure (500). The collapsible drilling mast (400) is transported to a drilling site via the trailer (410). The collapsible drilling mast (400) comprises the lower drilling mast (402) and the upper drilling mast (404) which are coupled to the hinge (408) so that they can rotate. The substructure (500) comprises the platform (502), the hydraulic cylinder (504), and the legs (506). The connections (508) and (510) extend from the top of the platform (502).

Referring now to Figure 7, the collapsible drilling mast (400) moves to a position adjacent to the substructure (500). The base of the collapsible piercing mast (400) is carried on the platform (502) so that the lower piercing mast (402) engages the connection (508) so that it can rotate, as shown in Figure 8 The lifting arm (406) extends from the lower piercing mast (402) and is connected to the cable (512). The collapsible drilling mast (400) is raised using substantially the same process described in reference to Figures 3-6. As the hydraulic cylinder (504) extends, the platform (502) will rise and the cable (512) will pull on the arm (406) so that the drill mast (400) will rotate around the connection (508). Once the drill mast (400) is fully vertical, as shown in Figure 9, the lower drill mast (402) is attached to the connection (510) and the drill mast is fixed for drilling operations .

Although preferred embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, a person skilled in the art can make modifications thereto without deviating from the scope or teaching of this invention. The modalities described here are illustrative only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the system and the apparatuses are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the protection is not limited to the modalities described herein, if not limited only by the following claims, the scope of which will include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.

Claims

1. A portable structure of drill masts which includes: a lower piercing mast having a lower end pivotally coupled to the base; a hinge coupled to an upper end of said lower drilling mast; and an upper piercing mast having a lower end coupled to said hinge, wherein the structures of the piercing mast have a first position where said lower piercing mast is parallel to the base and said upper piercing mast is placed between said mast of lower perforation and said base and a second position where said lower drilling mast is perpendicular to said base and said lower drilling mast is aligned with said lower drilling mast.

2. The portable drill pole structure of claim 1 further comprising a latch that fixedly couples said upper drill mast to said lower drill mast when the drill mast structure is in the first position.

3. The portable drilling masts system of claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic cylinder coupled between said lower drilling mast and the base, wherein the extension of said hydraulic cylinder pivots said lower drilling mast relative to the base.

4. The portable drill pole system of claim 3 wherein said base is a portable trailer.

5. The portable drilling masts system of claim 4 further comprising a hydraulic power unit mounted on the trailer, wherein said hydraulic power unit provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic cylinder.

6. The portable drilling masts system of claim 1 further comprising: a center of energy of the system coupled to the base; a pulley mounted on the upper end of said upper drilling mast; and a cable extending from said energy center of the system and on said pulley.

7. The portable drilling masts system of claim 6 further comprising a top drive coupled to said cable.

8. The portable drilling masts system of claim 6 further comprising a drilling assist device made of iron disposed in said lower drilling mast.

9. The portable drilling masts system of claim 1 further comprising a support structure coupled to said lower drilling mast and to the base when said lower drilling mast is perpendicular to the base.

10. A portable drilling rig comprising: one base; a collapsible piercing mast comprising a lower piercing mast pivotally coupled to said base and an upper piercing mast coupled to the lower piercing mast by a hinge, wherein the collapsible piercing mast has a first position where said lower piercing mast is parallel to the base and said upper drilling mast is placed between said lower drilling mast and said base, and a second position where said lower drilling mast is perpendicular to said base and said upper drilling mast is aligned with said drill mast lower; a center of energy of the system coupled to the base; a pulley mounted on the upper end of said upper drilling mast; a cable that extends from said center of energy of the system and on said pulley; and a top drive positioned within said collapsible drilling mast and coupled to said cable.

11. The portable drilling rig of claim 10 further comprising a bolt that fixedly couples said upper drilling mast to said lower drilling mast when the drill mast structure is in the first position.

12. The portable drilling rig of claim 10 further comprising a hydraulic cylinder coupled between said lower drilling mast and the base, wherein the extension of said hydraulic cylinder pivots said lower drilling mast relative to the base.

13. The portable drilling rig of claim 12 wherein said base is a portable trailer.

14. The portable drilling rig of claim 13 further comprising a hydraulic power unit mounted on the trailer, wherein said hydraulic power unit provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic cylinder.

15. The portable drilling rig of claim 10 further comprising a drilling assist device made of iron disposed in said lower drilling mast.

16. The portable drilling rig of claim 10 further comprising a support structure coupled to said lower drilling mast and to the base when said lower drilling mast is perpendicular to the base.

17. A method to lift a drill mast which comprises: pivotally coupling a lower drilling mast to a base, where a top drilling mast is attached to the lower drilling mast by a hinge, where the lower drilling mast is parallel to the base and the upper drilling mast is placed between the mast lower drilling and base; connect the upper drilling mast to the lower drilling mast in order to prevent rotation around the hinge; pivot the upper drilling mast and the lower drilling mast to an elevated position; disconnect the upper drilling mast from the lower drilling mast so as to allow rotation around the hinge; pivoting the lower drilling mast towards the horizontal so that the upper drilling mast rotates around the hinge until the upper drilling mast is aligned with the lower drilling mast in a horizontal position; connect the upper drilling mast and the lower drilling mast in order to prevent rotation around the hinge and pivot the upper and lower drilling masts aligned to a vertical position.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising stably coupling the lower piercing mast to the base once the aligned upper and lower piercing masts are in the vertical position.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the upper and lower drilling masts pivot in relation to the base by a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the base and lower drilling mast.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein a latch fixedly couples the upper piercing mast to the lower piercing mast so as to prevent rotation around the hinge.