SCOPING RACKING BOARD

Abstract

A racking board for supporting drill pipe comprises first and second frames, the second frame mounted on the first and movable between an open position and a closed position and having at least a first pivotably fingerboard mounted thereon. The first fingerboard pivots between a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position. The racking board may also include a movable third frame mounted on the first frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. The second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than in the closed position. The first and second fingerboards each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots and fingers on one fingerboard interleave with fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Racking boards are structures of drilling rigs used to store drill pipe or pipe stands on the drilling rig. Positioned above the standoff, racking boards include a plurality of fingerboards to allow pipe stands to be stored vertically on the drilling rig, for example, during a tripping out or tripping in operation. The racking boards are typically sized with respect to the anticipated number of pipe stands to be used in drilling the wellbore. However, because the drilling rig components including the racking board need to be transportable, larger racking boards may need to be disassembled or may require transport as an oversized load.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a racking board for supporting drill pipe comprises a first frame and a second frame mounted thereon, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame, and at least a first fingerboard mounted on the second frame. The first fingerboard may be pivotably mounted on the second frame and may have a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position. The first orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially not parallel to the second frame.

The racking board may further include a third frame mounted on the first frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. Like the second frame, the third frame may be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame. The second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position.

The first and second fingerboards may each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and the fingers on each fingerboard may align with the slots on the other fingerboard. The fingers on each fingerboard may interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

In some embodiments, a drilling system may comprise a mast and a telescoping racking board pivotably mounted on the mast, the racking board comprising a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame; and a first fingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, wherein the first fingerboard pivots between a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position. The first orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially not parallel to the second frame.

The system may further include a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. The third frame may be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame and the second and third frames may be farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position. The first and second fingerboards may each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The fingers on each fingerboard may align with the slots on the other fingerboard and may interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

In other embodiments, a method comprises the steps of a) providing a telescoping racking board at a desired location, the racking board having closed and open configurations and being provided in the closed configuration, b) opening the racking board from the closed configuration to the open configuration, c) storing at least one tubular in the racking board, d) removing the tubular from the racking board, and e) closing the racking board from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The racking board may include a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame, and at least a first fingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, and the first fingerboard may pivot between a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position. The first orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard may be substantially not parallel to the second frame.

The racking board may further include a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon. The third frame may be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame. The second and third frames may be farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position. The the first and second fingerboards may each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The fingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the other fingerboard and may interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 depicts a partial side view of a mast of a drilling rig including a scoping racking board consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a scoping racking board consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a scoping racking board consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure in an open position.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 3 in a closed position.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 3 in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the scoping racking board of FIG. 4 in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 depicts a scoping racking board 100 coupled to the mast 10 of a drilling rig. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may be pivotably coupled to mast 10. In some such embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include one or more mast couplers 101 which may, in some embodiments, be flanges positioned to receive pin 103 to couple to a corresponding flange on mast 10. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may be adapted to pivot relative to mast 10 between a deployed position as depicted in FIG. 1 and a folded, transport position. In some embodiments, folding cylinder 105 may be used to move scoping racking board 100 between the deployed position and the transport position.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 2-6, scoping racking board 100 may include a fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, mast couplers 101 may be mechanically coupled to or formed as part of fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include a first scoping frame 109a and a second scoping frame 109b. First and second scoping frames 109a, 109b may be mechanically coupled to fixed racking board frame 107 such that they are slidable horizontally relative to fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include one or more hydraulic cylinders 111a, 111b positioned to cause translation of first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b respectively between the open position as depicted in FIGS. 3, 5 and the closed position as depicted in FIG. 4, 6. In other embodiments, hydraulic cylinders may be replaced by other scoping mechanisms. In some embodiments, by drawing first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b inward to the closed position as depicted in FIGS. 4, 6, the overall width of scoping racking board 100 may be reduced. In some embodiments, the width of scoping racking board 100 may be reduced sufficiently that it is transportable by road without incurring additional fees or requiring additional permits. In some embodiments, for example and without limitation, the width of scoping racking board 100 in the closed position may be 14 feet or less. The scoping capability of the racking board, also referred to as telescoping, may allow scoping racking board 100 to be transported while coupled to mast 10 of a drilling rig.

In some embodiments, scoping racking board 100 may include a first fingerboard assembly 113a and second fingerboard assembly 113b. In some embodiments, first fingerboard assembly 113a may be pivotably coupled to first scoping frame 109a by first hinge assembly 115a positioned at or near the end of first scoping frame 109a farthest from fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, second fingerboard assembly 113b may be pivotably coupled to second scoping frame 109b by second hinge assembly 115b positioned at or near the end of second scoping frame 109b farthest from fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, first fingerboard assembly 113a may include first fingerboard end rail 117a and one or more pipe fingers 119a that extend from first fingerboard end rail 117a toward fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, second fingerboard assembly 113b may include second fingerboard end rail 117b and one or more pipe fingers 119b that extend from second fingerboard end rail 117b toward fixed racking board frame 107. In some embodiments, pipe fingers 119a may be positioned such that they are aligned with the spaces between pipe fingers 119b.

In some embodiments, as scoping racking board 100 is moved, or telescoped, from the open position depicted in FIG. 5 to the closed position depicted in FIG. 6, first and second fingerboard assemblies 113a, 113b may pivot upward relative to first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b respectively at first and second hinge assemblies 115a, 115b. Because pipe fingers 119a are positioned such that they are aligned with spaces between pipe fingers 119b, as first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b are retracted, pipe fingers 119a, 119b may interleave as depicted in FIG. 6, allowing first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b to fully retract into the closed position.

Similarly, as scoping racking board 100 is moved, or telescoped, from the closed position depicted in FIG. 6 to the open position depicted in FIG. 5, first and second fingerboard assemblies 113a, 113b may pivot downward relative to first and second scoping frames 109a, 109b respectively at first and second hinge assemblies 115a, 115b and pipe fingers 119a, 119b move apart. While telescoping racking board 100 in its open position, it can be used to store lengths of pipe, or tubulars, for use in a drilling process. When the drilling process is complete, the telescoping racking board 100 can be shifted to its closed position and may then be transported by any desired means, such as on a truck.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A racking board for supporting drill pipe; comprising: a first frame and a second frame mounted thereon, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame; andat least a first fingerboard mounted on the second frame.

2. The racking board of claim 1 wherein the first fingerboard is pivotably mounted on the second frame and has a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position.

3. The racking board of claim 1 wherein the first orientation of the first fingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard is not substantially parallel to the second frame.

4. The racking board of claim 1, further including a third frame mounted on the first frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon, wherein the third frame is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame.

5. The racking board of claim 4 wherein the second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position.

6. The racking board of claim 4 wherein the first and second fingerboards each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and wherein the fingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the other fingerboard.

7. The racking board of claim 6 wherein the fingers on each fingerboard interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

8. A drilling system, comprising: a mast;a telescoping racking board pivotably mounted on the mast, the racking board comprising:a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame; anda first fingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, wherein the first fingerboard has a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first orientation of the first fingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard is not substantially parallel to the second frame.

10. The system of claim 8, further including a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon, wherein the third frame is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the first and second fingerboards each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and wherein the fingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the other fingerboard.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the fingers on each fingerboard interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.

14. A method, comprising the steps of: a) providing a telescoping racking board at a desired location, the racking board having closed and open configurations and being provided in the closed configuration;b) opening the racking board from the closed configuration to the open configuration;c) storing at least one tubular in the racking board;d) removing the tubular from the racking board; ande) closing the racking board from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the racking board includes a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame, and at least a first fingerboard pivotably mounted on the second frame, and wherein the first fingerboard pivots between a first orientation when the second frame is in the open position and a second orientation when the second frame is in the closed position.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first orientation of the first fingerboard is substantially parallel to the second frame and the second orientation of the first fingerboard is not substantially parallel to the second frame.

17. The method of claim 14, further including a third frame and a second fingerboard pivotably mounted thereon, wherein the third frame is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first frame.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second and third frames are farther apart in the open position than they are in the closed position.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second fingerboards each include a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of slots therebetween and wherein the fingers on each fingerboard align with the slots on the other fingerboard.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the fingers on each fingerboard interleave with the fingers on the other fingerboard when the frames are in the closed position.