Abstract: A system includes hoisting cables for raising or lowering an oil rig mast, a support, and hoisting sheaves rotatably mounted on the support. The hoisting cables are wound at least in part about the hoisting sheaves during a process of raising or lowering the mast. Also included are measurement devices which measure angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves during a process of raising or lowering the mast with the hoisting cables. Further included is a signaling device which produces a signal if the measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves does not correspond to one or more reference values. A related method includes measuring angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves; comparing measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves with one or more reference values; and producing a signal if the measured angular displacement of the hoisting sheaves does not correspond to the one or more reference values.

Abstract: A shock stand absorber includes a resilient layer disposed on a planar frame structure and a plurality of vertical supports positioned to support the planar frame structure from below. Each of the vertical supports includes a resilient member between a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member in a telescoping arrangement. The resilient member is deformable in response to a telescoping movement between the first vertical support member and the second vertical support member. A plurality of connecting webs are formed between the vertical supports. The plurality of vertical supports are longitudinally aligned with a plurality of points on one or more paths defined on the bottom side of the planar frame structure.

Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a mast that includes one or more front legs, one or more rear legs positioned opposite the one or more front legs, and a crown block at the top of the mast. The system also includes a raising line coupled to the crown block or the one or more rear legs and configured to apply a first force to the mast. The first force acts in a direction opposing a second force generated by the weight of the mast as the mast pivots between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. The system also includes a drawworks assembly coupled to the raising line and configured to pull the raising line to generate the first force, and a telescoping spring assembly coupled to the one or more front legs. The telescoping spring assembly is configured to apply a third force to the mast that acts in the direction opposing the second force.

Abstract: An elongatable beam extends between two points on the derrick. The elongatable beam is configured to produce a strain stream responsive to a change in a length of the elongatable beam. The length of the elongatable beam is configured to change responsive to flexing of the derrick due to a derrick load. A controller is operatively coupled to the elongatable beam. The controller configured to receive the strain stream from the elongatable beam and determine a derrick load responsive to the received strain stream.

Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a drilling rig that includes a mast, a pair of hydraulic pistons coupled to a pair of front legs of the mast and configured to apply a first force to the mast, the first force acting in a direction opposing a force generated by a weight of the mast, a plurality of raising lines coupled to a crown block of the mast and to a pair of rear legs of the mast opposite the front legs and configured to apply a second force to the mast, the second force acting in a direction opposing the force generated by the weight of the mast, and a drawworks assembly coupled to the plurality of raising lines and configured to apply a force acting away from the crown block of the mast to at least one of the plurality of raising lines to generate the second force.

Abstract: A shock stand absorber includes a resilient layer disposed on a planar frame structure and a plurality of vertical supports positioned to support the planar frame structure from below. Each of the vertical supports includes a resilient member between a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member in a telescoping arrangement. The resilient member is deformable in response to a telescoping movement between the first vertical support member and the second vertical support member. A plurality of connecting webs are formed between the vertical supports. The plurality of vertical supports are longitudinally aligned with a plurality of points on one or more paths defined on the bottom side of the planar frame structure.

Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a drilling rig that includes a mast, a pair of hydraulic pistons coupled to a pair of front legs of the mast and configured to apply a first force to the mast, the first force acting in a direction opposing a force generated by a weight of the mast, a plurality of raising lines coupled to a crown block of the mast and to a pair of rear legs of the mast opposite the front legs and configured to apply a second force to the mast, the second force acting in a direction opposing the force generated by the weight of the mast, and a drawworks assembly coupled to the plurality of raising lines and configured to apply a force acting away from the crown block of the mast to at least one of the plurality of raising lines to generate the second force.

Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a drilling rig that includes a mast, a pair of hydraulic pistons coupled to a pair of front legs of the mast and configured to apply a first force to the mast, the first force acting in a direction opposing a force generated by a weight of the mast, a plurality of raising lines coupled to a crown block of the mast and to a pair of rear legs of the mast opposite the front legs and configured to apply a second force to the mast, the second force acting in a direction opposing the force generated by the weight of the mast, and a drawworks assembly coupled to the plurality of raising lines and configured to apply a force acting away from the crown block of the mast to at least one of the plurality of raising lines to generate the second force.

Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a drilling rig that includes a mast, a pair of hydraulic pistons coupled to a pair of front legs of the mast and configured to apply a first force to the mast, the first force acting in a direction opposing a force generated by a weight of the mast, a plurality of raising lines coupled to a crown block of the mast and to a pair of rear legs of the mast opposite the front legs and configured to apply a second force to the mast, the second force acting in a direction opposing the force generated by the weight of the mast, and a drawworks assembly coupled to the plurality of raising lines and configured to apply a force acting away from the crown block of the mast to at least one of the plurality of raising lines to generate the second force.