Patent Grant
10662717
This application is a National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/IB2014/065176, filed 9 Oct. 2014, which claims benefit of Ser. No. TO2013A000850, filed 18 Oct. 2013 in Italy and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
The present invention relates to a mast for telescopic drilling and to a drilling rig for oil wells provided with a telescopic mast, preferably an oil-pressure one with double pistons.
The drilling rig according to the present invention is a high-mobility and electro-hydraulic drilling rig comprising a telescopic mast and an automatic drill pipe stowing and handling system for greater efficiency and operating safety.
The mast according to the present invention is a double-piston and double-effect telescopic mast to extend or retract the mast, thus increasing or decreasing its longitudinal extension.
The great demand for energy and the increasing depletion of producing oil fields has progressively pushed the search for oil to deeper and deeper areas that get more and more challenging. This new situation leads operators to drill geological formations that are more complex and hostile.
At the same time, the need has arisen to improve health and environmental safety quality standards, also known to a skilled person as health, safety, environmental and quality (HSEQ), as well as the operating performances of drilling rigs.
From the point of view of HSEQ improvement, of a reduction of drilling times and, above all, of a reduction of non-productive times, also known to a skilled person with the acronym “NPT”, the different operators working in this field have focused their technological innovation on drilling rigs with a high degree of automation, for the purpose of optimizing the entire well drilling process.
As a person skilled in the art knows, the drilling process can be divided into three macro-step: a first preparation step, during which, for example, the drilling rig is transported; a second step, during which the drilling rig is assembled or disassembled at the drilling site, also known as rig up and rig down; and a third actual drilling step, during which operators add or remove one or more drill pipes, which are connected to one another in series and define the drilling length, wherein drilling length means, as a skilled person knows, one or more drill pipes connected to one another in series.
The market mostly requires drilling rigs that can be easily moved, namely that can be moved to different drilling sites, and that feature high performances from the point of view of the actual drilling, namely that use series of drill pipes joined to one another and inserted into the well with great drilling lengths, for example starting from 27 m. Furthermore, drilling rigs are requested to have drill pipes or series of drill pipes that can be quickly inserted and removed, also fulfilling high HSEQ standards, so as to obtain a high degree of automation.
The technical features required for the drilling, in order to reduce the trip-in time and the trip-out time of a drilling system, lead the constructors of said drilling rigs to manufacture drilling rigs that allow users to use a drill string that is as long as possible. Conventional ground rigs for deep drilling use drilling lengths, also known to a skilled person as stands, starting from 27 m. Normally, this technical feature forces constructors to manufacture drilling rigs with large dimensions.
This manufacturing feature generates a technical problem concerning the transportation of a structure with remarkable dimensions, both in terms of weight and size and in terms of ability to actually maneuver the vehicle on which the mast and the other elements of the drilling rigs are arranged.
The European patent no. EP0548900 describes a mobile drilling rig comprising a telescopic mast, which can be extended by means of a central hydraulic cylinder.
Furthermore, small and medium sized drilling rigs are known, which comprise a telescopic mast and in which, during transportation, said mast is closed and arranged horizontally, for example, on a transportation vehicle.
Drilling rigs with a telescopic mast have a mast with a longitudinal extension that, in an extended operating configuration, is significantly smaller compared to fixed masts. Normally, the longitudinal extension of these masts is directly connected to the stroke that the moving system applied can perform.
The technological limit to the extension of the stroke that can be performed by the telescopic mast—and, therefore, to its maximum longitudinal extension—is strictly connected to the limitations and to the features of the oil-pressure actuator commonly used to move to the mast to during drilling operations.
Prior art hydraulic systems for ground drilling activities, in order to speed up rig up and rig down times, reduce the height of the mast, thus leading to drawbacks in terms of drilling speed and operating safety, since series of drill pipes with a reduced drilling length (13.5 or 18 m) can be used without stopping the drilling mud pumping system to add a further length.
A prejudice of the prior art establishes that, in order to use longer series of drill pipes, one needs to increase the dimensions and the weight of the mast, so as to obtain a mast with a greater longitudinal extension, thus jeopardizing, though, rig up and rig down times and the transportation of the drilling rigs.
Another problem arising from the increase in the dimensions and, in particular, in the weight of the drilling rig and, in particular, of the mast relates to the forces acting upon the mast. As a matter of fact, structures with large dimensions produce an increase in the compression force acting upon the mast, which is transferred, through the drill floor, to the base section.
A further technological restriction establishes that the structure of the mast, which is adapted to control the movements of the carriage comprising the drilling head, must be able to counter the torsion transmitted to the drill string by the drilling head itself. Furthermore, the great length of the mast can cause a bending moment, which is generated by the lack of symmetry of the compression forces relative to the longitudinal axis of the mast.
In order to solve these technical problems and avoid damages to the structure of the mast, constructors increase the dimensions of the mast even more, so as to strengthen the structure of the mast itself. The greater sturdiness of the mast, though, worsens the technical problem concerning the increase in the mass of the drilling rig.
The increase in the overall mass and dimensions of the drilling rig leads to an increase in the costs for the installation and the removal of the drilling rig itself.
The need to have drilling rigs able to reach greater drilling lengths without loosing safety and quick handling features requires a technological improvement concerning the increase in the length of the drill pipes or drill strings to be inserted into the well, for example from 13.5 m to 27 m, which can be handled by a telescopic mast.
The increase in the length of the drill pipes or drill strings leads to an increase in the length of the mast itself and, thus, to an increase in the stroke performed by the mast moving system.
Patent applications are known, for example patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,600, in which telescopic masts are described, which comprise more than one actuator adapted to extend and reduce the longitudinal extension of the mast.
All prior art documents, in order to increase the length of the mast so as to be able to use drill strings with a length up to 27 meters, use very complex and bulky moving systems, which reduce the rig up and rig down speed of the drilling rig, thus also jeopardizing the transportation thereof.
Furthermore, patent application Ser. No. GB2270100 discloses a moving system for a travelling block, which comprises, in an embodiment, two opposite coaxial pistons. Said travelling block moving system can be implemented only in masts with a predetermined length and not in telescopic masts. This document does not provide any technical teach that is able to suggest the use of double pistons to extend or retract the longitudinal extension of the mast.
The object of the present invention is to solve the technical problems mentioned above by providing a telescopic mast for drilling rigs, which has relatively small dimensions and, hence, takes up a reduced amount of space, thus ensuring a high degree of mobility of the drilling rig and permitting, at the same time, the use of drill pipes or drill strings with greater lengths, for example 27 m, for the purpose of increasing drilling performances.
The mast according to the present invention can be applied to drilling rigs, thus remarkably reducing rig up and rig down times, significantly increasing drilling performances compared to drilling rigs with traditional telescopic masts, and ensuring a high mobility.
An aspect of the present invention relates to a telescopic mast which comprises a moving system with a double actuating device to move the mast and cause it to extend and retract its longitudinal extension.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a drilling rig comprising a mast.
The features and advantages of the telescopic mast according to the present invention and of the drilling rig associated therewith will be best understood upon perusal of the following description of non-limiting explanatory embodiments and of the accompanying drawings, which respectively show what follows:
With reference to the figures mentioned above, telescopic mast 3 is of the telescopic type.
Mast 3 comprises: at least one first structure 31, each comprising, in turn, a fixing portion 312, adapted to be fixed to a drill floor 21; at least one second structure 33, mobile relative to said at least one first structure 31, so as to obtain a telescopic mast 3; and a moving system 5, adapted to at least extend and retract a longitudinal extension “L” of said telescopic mast 3, in particular by moving said at least one second structure 33. Preferably, said moving system 5 is able to move said at least one second structure 33 along a vertical direction “Z”, especially when mast 3 is arranged on said drill floor 21 in a vertical position.
Said mast 3 is able to at least assume an extended operating configuration, in which mast 3 is completely extended and has its maximum longitudinal length “L”, and a retracted operating configuration, in which mast 3 is completely retracted and has its minimum longitudinal extension “L”.
The mast according to the present invention can be applied to a drilling rig 2 comprising: a drill floor 21, on which said at least one first structure 31 is fixed; a drilling head 25, which, in use, is adapted to slide along at least part of the longitudinal extension of said mast 3. Said drilling head 25 is preferably mounted on travelling block 23, adapted to slide along guides provided on said mast 3.
A hoisting wire rope handling system, here represented by an indicating an non-limiting embodiment with a plurality of pulleys 26, is assembled on said at least one second mobile structure 33 of mast 3, for example at an end thereof.
Said plurality of pulleys 26 allow hoisting wire ropes 24 to slide so as to move said travelling block 23 as well as the drilling head 25 connected thereto.
Said fixing portion 312 is arranged at an end, in particular the lower one, of the first structure 31 of telescopic mast 3. The same fixing portion 312 represents at least one portion of the base of mast 3.
In general, said at least one first structure 31 is fixed, namely fixed in a rigid manner to said drill floor 21 by means of said fixing portion 312, whereas said second structure 33 is adapted to slide relative to said at least one first structure 31 by means of guides.
Said at least one first structure 31 and said at least one second structure 33 of mast 3 can be manufactured, in the explanatory and non-limiting embodiment shown in the figures, with trestle structures or with box-shaped profiles. Any other constructing and manufacturing solution is to be considered as covered by the present description.
In general, mast 3 according to the present invention can comprise a pull-down mechanism, which is known to a person skilled in the art, in different building configurations and as a function of the technical features of the project.
Preferably, mast 3 comprises one single first structure 31 and one single second structure 33.
Embodiments comprising more first and/or second structures, which are not shown, for example a first structure and at least two second structures arranged in a telescopic manner relative to one another, should be considered as part of the scope of protection of the present invention.
Said first structure 31 is fixed and fitted to drill floor 21 by means of said fixing portion 312; whereas said second structure 33 is adapted to slide inside the first structure 31 by means of guides, which are not shown in detail.
In general, said moving system 5 is arranged inside mast 3, in particular inside said first structure 31 and said second structure 33.
Moving system 5 comprises a plurality of guide elements 7, for example rotary elements, which are adapted to guide the movement of the moving system during its extensions or retractions known to a person skilled in the art.
Said moving system 5 can also be used to move said drilling head 25 by moving said plurality of pulleys 26. Said pulleys 26, during their movement along the vertical direction “Z”, are able to release or recover said hoisting wire ropes 24, thus moving said drilling head 25.
In general, said moving system 5 comprises at least one first actuator device 51 and at least one second actuator device 53, and at least one supply chamber 55.
Said at least one first actuator device 51, at its first end 512, is fixed to said first structure 31 or to said drill floor 21.
Said at least one second actuator device 53, at its first end 532, is fixed to said second structure 33.
Said at least one supply chamber 55 is adapted to supply at least said first actuator device 51 and at least said second actuator 53.
For example, said at least one supply chamber 55 is adapted to supply, during the extension of said telescopic mast 3, thanks to a fluid coming from said at least one first actuator device 51, said at least one second actuator device 53.
Said at least one first actuator device 51 and said at least one second actuator device 53 are aligned along a single direction, for example along the vertical direction “Z”.
Said at least one first actuator device 51 and said at least one second actuator device 53 act in directions that are opposite to one another.
Preferably, said at least one first actuator device 51 and said at least one second actuator device 53 are aligned with one another and are opposed to one another, since they act along directions that are opposite to one another. If necessary, said at least one first actuator device 51 and said at least one second actuator device 53 are independent of one another.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term “aligned actuator devices” means that these actuator devices lie along a common direction, preferably along the same straight line, along which they act.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term “opposed actuator devices” means that the actions of at least two actuator devices have directions that are substantially opposite to one another, since they act in opposition to one another, but preferably not in contrast with one another, as shown for example in
Preferably, each actuator device 51, 53 comprised in moving system 5 comprises its own guide elements 7, which are such as to allow it to move correctly. Preferably, supply chamber 55 itself comprises its own guide elements 7, as you can see, by way of example, in
In general, said moving system 5 comprises at least one first actuator device 51 and at least one second actuator device 53, and at least one supply chamber 55. Preferably, a supply chamber 55 is fixed to a second end 514 of a first actuator device 51 and to a second end 534 of a second actuator device 53, thus being arranged between two actuator devices 51, 53 and moving with them in an integral manner.
In general, each supply chamber 55 causes two actuator devices 51, 53 to communicate with one another. This configuration allows at least one of said actuator devices to be uncoupled during the disassembly operations of mast 3 and of drilling rig 2 and during their subsequent transportation to another drilling site.
Said supply chamber 55 supplies at least one first chamber 510 of at least one first actuator device 51 and at least one second chamber 530 of at least one second actuator device 53, as shown, by way of example, in
Supply chamber 55 and actuator devices 51, 53 connected thereto are shaped, for example, in such a way that the stroke performed by said actuator devices, after their activation, is substantially the same for all the actuator devices, as shown for example in
In the embodiments shown in the figures by way of example, moving system 5 comprises one single first actuator device 51 and one single second actuator device 53, as well as one single supply chamber 55. Said supply chamber 55 is fixed to the second end 514 of the first actuator device 51 and to the second end 534 of the second actuator device 53, thus being arranged between the two actuator devices 51, 53 and moving with them in an integral manner.
As shown, for example, in
Embodiments, not shown, comprising more first and/or second actuator devices, for example opposed to one another two by two along a single direction, should be considered as part of the scope of protection of the present invention.
Preferably, said at least one first actuator device 51 and/or said at least one second actuator device 53 are pistons or oil-pressure cylinders and said at least one supply chamber 55 is oil-pressure, as shown by way of example in
In alternative embodiments, which are not shown, the moving system is a hybrid system in which at least one actuator device can be a piston or an oil-pressure cylinder of the telescopic type.
Each one of said actuator devices 51, 53 comprises a rod 511, 531 and a relative body 513, 533; said rods 511, 531 slide inside the respective bodies 513, 533 along a vertical direction “Z” that is the same for all the actuator devices. Preferably, the direction in which the rods slide is opposite between said at least one first actuator device 51 and said at least one second actuator device 53.
As shown by way of example in
Said first rod 511, in correspondence to the first end 512 of the first actuator device 51, is fixed to said drill floor 21 of drilling rig 2, for example in correspondence to fixing portion 312 of the first structure 31 of mast 3.
The first body 513 of the first actuator device 51, by moving vertically along said vertical direction “Z”, causes the movement of supply chamber 55, which is fixed to the first body 513 of the first actuator device 51, in particular supply chamber 55 is fixed to the second end 514 of the first actuator device 51.
As shown by way of example in
Said second rod 531, in correspondence to the first end 532 of the second actuator device 53, is fixed to said second structure 33 of mast 3. In particular, said second end 532 is fixed to the upper end of the second structure 33 of mast 3.
Said second rod 531 can be at least partially hollow on the inside, as a function of the technical features of the project on the rigidity, mass and speed with which the second rod 531 slides out of the second body 533, as shown in
Said pulleys 26 are assembled in correspondence to the upper end of the second structure 33 of mast 3.
Said pulleys 26 can be assembled so as to be fixed directly to said first end 532 of the second actuator device 53 or to said second structure 33, which, in turn, is fixed to the second actuator device 53. In particular, said plurality of pulleys 26 is preferably fixed to the second rod 531 of the second actuator device 53.
In correspondence to the upper end of the second structure 33 of telescopic mast 3 there is also connected a moving mechanism for hoisting wire ropes 24, which is not shown in detail. Said moving mechanism is able to move said plurality of pulleys 26. In an explanatory and non-limiting embodiment, the moving mechanism for the travelling bock is made up of at least one pulley, on which a hoisting rope is wound, as shown in
The second body 533 of the second actuator device 53, in correspondence to the second end 534 of the second actuator device 53, is constrained to said supply chamber 55.
In the explanatory but non-limiting embodiment shown in
In an embodiment of said actuator devices, the actuator devices themselves are oil-pressure devices; in a non-limiting embodiment, said supply chamber 55 supplies the chambers of all said actuator devices 51, 53.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment of
In the retracted operating configuration of mast 3, in which mast 3 is completely retracted, as shown by way of example in
In the extended operating configuration of mast 3, in which mast 3 is completely extended, as shown by way of example in
In the extended operating configuration of mast 3, supply chamber 55 common to the two actuator devices 51, 53 reaches the maximum possible height relative to drill floor 21. This height is equal to the length of the first body 513 plus the stroke of the first rod 511 of the first actuator device 51.
In the extended operating configuration of mast 3, the plurality of pulleys 26 perform the entire stroke allowed and, as a consequence, travelling block 23 is moved.
In general, moving system 5 of mast 3 according to the present invention, comprises at least one pressurization chamber 57 to supply moving system 5, which is preferably arranged in correspondence to fixing portion 312 of said at least one first structure 31. More preferably, said pressurization chamber 57 is arranged in correspondence to the first end 512 of the first actuator device 51.
The extension or retraction of mast 3 according to the present invention is due to the flowing, from and to said pressurization chamber 57, of at least one pressurized fluid flow f1, f2, P, for example oil.
Said pressurization chamber 57 comprises at least one first duct 572, adapted to be supplied for the extension of mast 3 and through which a first fluid flow “f1” flows. Pressurization chamber 57 also comprises a second duct 573, adapted to be supplied, by means of a third fluid flow “P”, for the retraction of mast 3, so as to allow a second fluid flow “f2” to flow, in particular through said first duct 572 with a direction that is opposite to said first fluid flow “f1”.
Said at least one first duct 572 is connected, according to the principles of fluid dynamics: to a first channel 515 comprised in said first actuator device 51; to said supply chamber 55; and to a second chamber 530 of the second actuator device 53, thus creating a first path for a first fluid flow “f1”. If necessary, said first path for a fluid flow comprises a further section, which is created by means of a third channel 535, which is obtained in the second rod 531 of the second actuator device 53. Said third channel 535 is, for example, a chamber, which is shaped so as to make said second rod 531 of the second actuator device 53 at least partially hollow, as shown, by way of example, in
Said first channel 515 of the first actuator device 51, said supply chamber 55 and said second chamber 530 of the second actuator device 53 are connected, according to the principles of fluid dynamics, in a train-like manner relative to the direction of the first fluid flow “f1”, as shown by way of example in
Said at least one second duct 573 is connected, according to the principles of fluid dynamics: to a second channel 516 comprised in the first actuator device 51, to a first compartment 517 of the first rod 513, to a pressurization circuit 59, and to a second compartment 537 of the second rod 531 of the second actuator device 53, so as to allow a second fluid flow “f2” to flow, in particular through said first duct 572 with a direction that is opposite to said first fluid flow “f1”.
Said first channel 515 and said second channel 516 are obtained in at least one portion of the first rod 511 of the first actuator device 51. Said first channel 515 and said second channel 516 are connected to pressurization chamber 57 close to the first end 512.
Said first compartment 517 of the first actuator device 51 is obtained between the first body 513 and the first rod 511 of the first actuator device 51.
Said second compartment 537 of the second actuator device 53 is obtained between the second body 533 and the second rod 531 of the second actuator device 53.
Below we will briefly describe the path of the first fluid flow “f1” such as to permit the extension of mast 3.
As shown by way of example in
In the preferred but non-limiting embodiment, since the pressure of the fluid astride of the supply chamber 55 is the same and since the pushing area of the two actuator devices 51, 53 is identical, the stroke performed by the rods 511, 531 inside the respective bodies 513, 533 is identical.
During the shortening step to retract telescopic mast 3, the second duct 573 of the pressurization chamber 57 is supplied by a third pressurized fluid flow “P”, as shown for example in
As shown by way of example in
The steps aimed at retracting telescopic mast 3 require a very careful control of the operations, as a person skilled in the art knows. These operating steps are controlled thanks to the pressurization of the second duct 573 of pressurization chamber 57, which is shown for example in
As shown by way of example in
The proper pressurization of the second duct 573 of pressurization chamber 57, for example through the third fluid flow “P”, allows the outflow of the fluid “f2” from the chambers 510, 530 of the bodies 513, 533 of the actuator devices 51, 53 to be controlled during the retraction of telescopic mast 3.
The double-piston and double-effect mechanism made up of the first actuator device 51 and the second actuator device 53 and suited to move a telescopic mast 3 for oil drilling rigs, which is described and explained by way of non-limiting example in the present description, can perform drilling operations with drill strings consisting of two drill pipes of the type “range 3”, which are known to a person skilled in the art. The drilling length deriving from the string of drill pipes also comprises tool joints, as a person skilled in the art knows.
The double-actuator and double-effect moving mechanism, for example with two pistons, suited to move a telescopic mast 3 for oil drilling rigs, which is described and explained by way of non-limiting example, can reach a moving speed of travelling block 23, in particular along a vertical direction, of 1 m/s, so as to move drilling head 25.
The double-actuator and double-effect moving mechanism, for example with two oil-pressure pistons, suited to move a telescopic mast 3 for oil drilling rigs, which is described and explained by way of non-limiting example, can reach pulling forces up to 600 metric tones.
Drilling rig 2 according to the present invention comprises a mast 3, which comprises, in turn, a pantograph mechanism to move said drilling head 25, so as to move one or more drill pipes from a mouse hole to a center well and vice versa, as shown by way of example in
Drilling rig 2 according to the present invention can comprise, according to its technical features, a pull-down mechanism, as a person skilled in the art knows.
The drilling rig according to the present invention comprises an oil-pressure telescopic mast 3 with two pistons to drill oil wells having the features described above.
The present invention uses, as a starting point, drilling rigs that can be quickly assembled (rig up) and disassembled (rig down), also known as fast moving rigs, preferably of the hydraulic type, for example adapted to create small- and medium-depth wells and characterized by the fact that they can be quickly moved form one site to the other. The present invention preserves these features, though increasing the drilling length from 13.5 m to 27 m.
This allows the drilling rigs according to the present invention to drill medium- and large-depth wells and to create extended reach wells, thus reducing the number of interruptions for the addition or removal of drill strings, or drilling length, with clear operating, economic and safety advantages resulting therefrom.
The present invention does not change the relatively small dimensions and spaces of known drilling rigs comprising telescopic masts and, at the same time, increases the drilling length, thus increasing the longitudinal extension “L” of mast 3.
Possible embodiments of the drilling rig and of the mast that are not shown in the drawings but can be deduced by a person skilled in the art should be considered as part of the scope of protection of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| TO2013A0850 | Oct 2013 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2014/065176 | 10/9/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/056132 | 4/23/2015 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3814194 | Reich | Jun 1974 | A |
| 4249600 | Bailey | Feb 1981 | A |
| 20050191050 | Chapman | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20090314547 | Stoetzer | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0548900 | Jun 1993 | EP |
| 1881151 | Jan 2008 | EP |
| 2270100 | Mar 1994 | GB |
| 2008125110 | Oct 2008 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/IB2014/065176, dated Jan. 21, 2015. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160251906 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |
