BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conventional drilling derricks are four-sided structures built to withstand the rigors of heavy winds and seas. Drilling derricks are often erected on site because of the costs and logistics associated with transporting derricks.
Drilling contractors often drill a group of wells from a single platform and then move on to drill a group of wells on a different nearby platform. When the drilling rig which includes a drilling derrick, supporting structure; drilling machinery, etc. is used to drill a well bore for each well, the entire assembly may be moved from platform to platform.
The conventional approach used by many drilling contractors is to erect the drilling derrick in a piece-by-piece method that enables the platform owner to achieve the desired drilling derrick structure of a rigid and serviceable drilling derrick.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides for a telescoping derrick. The telescoping derrick may include a top section, the top section adapted to support a crown block; one or more middle sections, at least one middle section adapted to couple to and support the top section, at least one middle section adapted to be moved into a space defined within the bottom section; a bottom section, the bottom section adapted to support and couple to at least one of the one or more middle sections; and at least one pulley coupled to at least one of the one or more middle sections, the pulley adapted to pass a scoping cable coupled to the bottom section, the scoping cable adapted to, when put under tension, raise the at least one of the one or more middle sections.
The present disclosure also provides for a method of erecting a telescoping derrick. The method may include: providing a bottom section, one or more middle sections, and a top section, the top section having a crown block positioned atop the top section and a travelling block operatively coupled to the crown block by a hoisting cable; positioning the bottom section on a surface; positioning one or more middle sections within the bottom section, one of the one or more middle sections defining a first middle section; coupling the top section to the bottom section or the first middle section; coupling the first middle section to at least one first pulley; coupling a scoping cable between the travelling block and the bottom section, the scoping cable passing through the first pulley; elevating the first middle section by raising the travelling block; coupling the first middle section to the top section; coupling the first middle section to the bottom section.
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 reduced for clarity of discussion.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a drilling rig having an assembled telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a top section of a telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a top-middle section of the telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a bottom-middle section of the telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a bottom section of the telescoping derrick of consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10
a is depiction of an upper locking dog mechanism consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10
b is a depiction of a lower locking dog mechanism consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a side view of a partially erected telescoping derrick consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a latch consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a side view of a scoping cart consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
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. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.
Telescoping derricks consistent with the present disclosure may be formed of modular sections that are adapted to be assembled on the drilling site using, for instance, traditional platform cranes. These telescoping derricks, once assembled may be sturdy enough to function as a traditional derrick, but may be typically assembled more quickly than a traditional derrick.
FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a drilling rig including one embodiment of an assembled telescoping derrick of the present disclosure. Telescoping derrick 20 may be positioned substantially over rig floor 2 of drilling rig 1. Telescoping derrick 20 may include bottom section 30, one or more middle sections such as bottom-mid section 34, top-mid section 36, and top section 38. Crown 90 may be positioned atop top section 38.
While FIG. 1 depicts bottom-midsection 34, top-mid section 36 and top section 38, one of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, will recognize that additional sections including additional middle sections may be added, depending on the desired height of telescoping derrick 20. Further, in some embodiments, bottom-mid section 34 or top-mid section 36 may be omitted from telescoping derrick 20.
FIG. 2 depicts a side view of top section 38. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, top section 38 may be generally box shaped. In some embodiments, top section 38 may be tapered. In such embodiments, top section upper strut 42 may be of lesser width than top section lower strut 41. Top section side struts 44 are shown in FIG. 2 as at an angle. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, top section upper strut 42 and top section lower strut 41 may be of approximately equal length. In some embodiments, top section upper strut 42 of top section 38 is adapted to couple to crown 90 and top section lower strut is 41 adapted to couple to top-mid section 36 as depicted in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the top of top section side struts 44 may be adapted to couple to crown 90, and the bottom of top section side struts 44 may be adapted to couple to top-mid section 36 as depicted in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, top section 38 may include supports 55 that may, for example, provide mechanical stability to top section 38. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the shapes defined by support members 55 are not limited to those indicated in FIG. 2. Any suitable configuration of support members 55 may be used without departing from the principle of this disclosure.
FIG. 3 is side view of top-mid section 36. In some embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be a rectangular prism in shape. Top-mid section side struts 54 may be substantially vertical. In other embodiments, top-mid section side struts 54 may be at an angle to vertical. In some embodiments, top-mid section top strut 52 may be adapted to couple to top section 38, while top-section bottom strut 51 may be designed to couple to bottom-mid section 34. In some embodiments, the top of top-mid section side struts 54 may be adapted to couple to top section 38, and the bottom of top-mid section side struts 54 may be adapted to couple to bottom-mid section 34. In some embodiments, top-mid section 36 may include support members 55 that act to provide mechanical stability to top-mid section 36. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the shapes defined by support members 55 are not limited to those indicated in FIG. 3. Any suitable configuration of support members 55 may be used without departing from this disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a side view of bottom-mid section 34. Bottom-mid section 34 may be a rectangular prism in shape. Bottom-mid section side struts 64 may be substantially vertical. In some embodiments, bottom-mid section strut 62 may be adapted to couple to top-mid section 36, and bottom-mid section strut 61 may be adapted to couple to bottom section 32. In some embodiments, the top of bottom-mid section side struts 64 may be adapted to couple to top-mid section 36, and the bottom of bottom-mid section side struts 64 may be adapted to couple to bottom section 32. In some embodiments, bottom-mid section 34 may include support members 55 that act to provide mechanical stability to bottom-mid section 34. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the shapes defined by support members 55 are not limited to those indicated in FIG. 4. Any suitable configuration of support members 55 may be used without departing from the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a fully assembled bottom section 30. In some embodiments, bottom section 30 is made up of split bottom sections 70 and 71. Also shown is bottom section left strut 72, bottom section right strut 73 and formed top strut sections 74 and 75. When assembled, bottom sections 70 and 71 may be bolted together to form bottom section 30. In some embodiments, bottom section 30 may be a single unit. In some embodiments, bottom section 30 may include doors 96, 98. In some embodiments, doors 96 and 98 may form one side of bottom section 30. As depicted in FIG. 12, doors 96, 98 may be pivotably coupled to bottom section left strut 72 and bottom section right strut 73. Doors 96, 98 may be positioned to allow one or more mid sections (top-mid section 36 or bottom-mid section 34) to be placed within bottom section 30. For example, bottom mid-section 34 may be placed into bottom section 30 through, for example and without limitation, rollers. In some embodiments, doors 96 and 98 may be triangular. In other embodiments, doors 96 and 98 may be rectangular.
In some embodiments, the middle section to be placed under lower section 30 may be placed therein using a scoping cart. As depicted in FIG. 14, scoping cart 101 may be a generally rectangular frame. Scoping cart 101 may be adapted to support a middle section such as top-mid section 36 or bottom mid-section 34. In some embodiments, scoping cart 101 may include one or more wheels or rollers positioned to allow scoping cart 101 to roll or slide underneath bottom section 30. In other embodiments, the rig floor beneath scoping cart 101 and bottom section 30 may include a series of rollers adapted to allow scoping cart 101 to roll underneath bottom section 30.
In some embodiments, scoping cart 101 may include one or more pulleys 103. Pulleys 103 may be adapted to allow a scoping cable (not shown) to be coupled to bottom section 30, travel through pulleys 103, and then be coupled to travelling block 105 as depicted in FIG. 1. As understood in the art, travelling block 105 may be coupled to crown 90 by a cable such that when the cable is retracted by a drawworks (not shown), travelling block 105 moves upward within telescoping derrick 20. When the cable is extended, travelling block 105 moves downward within telescoping derrick 20. When pulleys 103 of scoping cart 101 are coupled via the scoping cable between travelling block 105 and bottom section 30, as travelling block moves upward, scoping cart 101, as well as any equipment disposed thereon, is adapted to move upward. In other embodiments, one or more pulleys may be positioned on each of the mid sections such as top-mid section 36 and bottom-mid section 34 to allow each section to be similarly raised without the need of scoping cart 101.
Although depicted as being of the same dimensions, top-mid section 36 and bottom-mid section 34 may have, for example, different heights or may taper differently. In some embodiments, each subsection (bottom section 30, bottom-mid section 34, top-mid section 36, and top section 38) may couple by, for example, bolting, screwing, or other suitable fastening system. In some embodiments, support members 55 on adjacent subsections may be coupleable to, for example, increase rigidity of telescoping derrick 20.
In order to clarify the workings of telescoping derrick 20, an exemplary building-up operation will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be substantially the same size as bottom section 30 or otherwise be too large to fit between doors 96, 98 of bottom section 30 if bottom section 30 were fully assembled. In such an embodiment, top-mid section 36 may be positioned to rest on surface 80. In some embodiments, surface 80 may be a foundation on the ground, a truck bed, a deck, an offshore platform, an upper section of another well mast structure, or any other suitable substructure known to those in the art of drilling wells. In some embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be placed on a scoping cart (not shown).
Split bottom sections 70 and 71 of bottom section 30 may be positioned around top-mid section 36. In some embodiments, each of split bottom sections 70, 71 may be pinned to surface 80 such that they are able to pivot into the fully assembled position about top-mid section 36 as depicted in FIGS. 6, 7. In this “clamshell fashion”, top-mid section 36 may be positioned within bottom section 30 even when top-mid section 36 is too large to fit between doors 96, 98. In order to fully encompass top-mid section 46, bottom section struts 72 may be longer than top-mid section struts 54. Further, the combined length of top strut sections 74 and 75 may be longer than top-mid section upper strut 52 and top-mid section lower strut 51. In this way, top-mid section 36 may be fully encompassed by bottom section 30 when bottom section 30 is fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 7. In other embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be small enough to be inserted into bottom section 30 through doors 96, 98. In such an embodiment, bottom section 30 may be fully assembled, and top-mid section 36 slid or rolled into bottom section 30 when doors 96, 98 are opened.
As shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, top section 38 may be raised and placed on top-mid section 36. Top section 38 may be placed on top-mid section 36 by use of a platform crane or any other device/method as will be understood by those of skill in the art. Crown 90 may then be raised and placed on top of top section 38. Crown 90, top section 38, and top-mid section 36 are connected so as to form a single, interconnected subassembly of telescoping derrick 20. This connection may be by bolts, rivets, welding or any other method understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to affix metal to metal.
In other embodiments, top section 38 may be placed atop bottom section 30. In such an embodiment, top-mid section 36 may be inserted into bottom section 30 after bottom section 30 is fully assembled as previously discussed. Top-mid section 36 may then be hoisted into position as discussed with respect to bottom-mid section 34 discussed herein below.
As shown further in FIG. 8, travelling block 92 may be coupled to crown block 91 of crown 90 by one or more hoisting cables 93. As understood in the art, hoisting cables 93 may be coupled to drawworks 95. Drawworks 95 may be positioned to extend or retract hoisting cable 93 as previously discussed. Travelling block 92 may be coupled to scoping cables 97. Scoping cables 97 may pass through scoping pulleys 103 (positioned on a scoping cart (not shown) or coupled to top-mid section 36) and couple to bottom section 30. In this arrangement, as travelling block 92 is raised by drawworks 95, tension on scoping cables 97 cause top-mid section 36 and to be raised relative to bottom section 30. Thus, crown 90, top section 38, and top-mid section 36 may be raised to the position shown in FIG. 9, which is height 94 above surface 80.
In some embodiments, once top-mid section 36 is raised as previously discussed, doors 96 and 98 of bottom section 30 may be opened to allow bottom-mid section 34 to be placed therein as depicted in FIG. 12. In some embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be lowered onto the top of bottom-mid section by lowering travelling block (not shown). Top-mid section 36 may then be joined to bottom-mid section 34 so as to add to the subassembly of telescoping derrick 20. This connection may be by bolts, rivets, welding or any other method understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to affix metal to metal. Scoping cables (not shown) and the travelling block may be used to raise the subassembly as previously discussed. In some embodiments, scoping pulleys (not shown) may be coupled directly to bottom-mid section 34.
In other embodiments, top-mid section 36 may be retained in the position depicted in FIG. 9. As described below, in some embodiments, an upper locking mechanism may be used to retain top-mid section 36 in this position. Bottom-mid section 34 may then be placed into bottom section 30 through doors 96 and 98. Bottom-mid section 34 may then be raised using scoping cables (not shown) and scoping pulleys (not shown) or a scoping cart (not shown). In some embodiments in which top-mid section 36 is raised with a scoping cart, the scoping cart may be lowered to surface 80, at which time bottom-mid section 34 may be placed thereon. As previously described, the scoping cart may be used to slide or roll bottom-mid section 34 into bottom section 30. Scoping pulleys on the scoping cart may then be used with the scoping cables to raise bottom-mid section 34 up to the bottom of the suspended top-mid section 36. Bottom-mid section 34 may then be joined to bottom-mid section 34 so as to add to the subassembly of telescoping derrick 20. This connection may be by bolts, rivets, welding or any other method understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to affix metal to metal.
In some embodiments, in order to hold top-mid section 36 at the position depicted in FIG. 9, one or more locking mechanisms may be utilized. In some embodiments, hydraulic cylinder and plate mechanisms 100, 200 (as depicted in FIGS. 10a, 10b) may be affixed to bottom section 30. The term “hydraulic cylinder and plate mechanism” is used interchangeably herein with the term “locking dog mechanism,” and further described below. In some embodiments, four or more locking dog mechanisms 100, 200 may be positioned on bottom section 30 as described below. One having ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that other configurations may be used without deviating from the scope of this disclosure.
As depicted in FIG. 10a, upper locking dog mechanism 100 may include hydraulic cylinder 110 and plate 120. As depicted in FIG. 10b, lower locking dog mechanism may include dual plates 130 instead of a single plate 120.
As installed, one upper locking dog mechanism 100 and one lower locking dog mechanism 200 may be affixed to bottom section strut 72 of bottom section 30 as shown in FIG. 11. Although bottom section strut 72 is described as including two locking dog mechanisms 100, 200, one having ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that other arrangements may be used without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. Referring now to FIG. 10a, when upper locking dog mechanism 100 is not in use, such as during scoping of a section such as top-mid section 36, hydraulic cylinder 110 may be retracted, thereby retracting plate 120 such that plate 120 does not interfere with the section being raised. When in use, such as when holding top-mid section 36 in place, hydraulic cylinder 110 may be extended, extending plate 120 to interfere with the raised section and thereby hold top-mid section 36 in place as in FIG. 9. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bottom strut of the section, such as top-mid section bottom strut 51, may rest on plate 120.
In some embodiments, when raising a section of the telescoping derrick, such as top-mid section 36, it may be desirable to hold top-mid section at a higher elevation temporarily so that a second section, such as bottom-mid section 34 can be placed. Upper locking dog mechanism 100 with single plate 120 may be located so as to hold top-mid section 36 in place while bottom-mid section 34 is placed.
In other embodiments, latch 300 as depicted in FIG. 13 may be utilized instead of locking dog mechanisms 100, 200. As shown in FIG. 13, latch 300 may include upright member 81 that is hingedly attached to shoulder 82. Lever 84 is operatively coupled to shoulder 82. A user may actuate lever 84 from latch-open position 86 to latch-closed position 88 as shown in FIG. 13. In latch-closed position 88, at least a portion of shoulder 82 is perpendicular to top-mid section struts 54 of top-mid section 36. Therefore, shoulder 82 is in a position to be able to support the load of top section 38 and top-mid section 36. Referring to FIG. 9, once travelling block 92 raises the entire interconnected structure of crown 90, top section 38 and top-mid section 36 to height 94, the latches (not shown, but an alternative to locking dog mechanisms 100, 200) on top-mid section may be moved to the closed position.
Once bottom-mid section 34 and top-mid section 36 (as well as any other desired middle sections) are joined, the entire subassembly may be raised within bottom section 30. Bottom-mid section 34 may then be joined to bottom section 30. This connection may be by bolts, rivets, welding or any other method understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to affix metal to metal. In other embodiments, bottom locking mechanism 200 as previously discussed may be used to support bottom-mid section 34 as well as top-mid section (as well as any other desired middle sections) and top section 38. At this point, telescoping derrick 20, as shown in FIG. 1, is fully scoped or extended and may be used to carry out drilling and/or rigging activities in manners known to those of skill in the art.
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.
The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.
Patent Application
20140259987
