Abstract: A walking substructure device having a drilling rig substructure. A plurality of lifting jacks is provided, each lifting jack having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end connected to the drilling rig substructure. A plurality of roller assemblies is provided, each roller assembly connected to the lower end of one of the jacks, each roller assembly pivotal radially about an axis of the lifting jack. A plurality of jack pads is provided, with each jack pad having a center beam wherein one of the roller assemblies engages the center beam and rolls thereon. A push-pull mechanism extends between each jack pad and each roller assembly in order to move the shoe assemblies in relation to the drilling substructure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and treating hydrocarbon-contaminated drill cuttings suspended in drilling mud so that the cuttings are made environmentally acceptable while the hydrocarbon contaminants are contemporaneously captured and returned for use in said drilling mud is disclosed. Using one or more shakers to make a first separation of the cuttings from the mud, a mud stream and a first slurry containing cuttings are produced. The mud stream is fed into a mud pit, while the first slurry is fed into a classifier/grit dewatering unit to separate the cuttings from the slurry to obtain a drill solids discharge. The drill solids discharge is passed into a rotating, heat-jacketed trundle for a time and at a temperature sufficient to vaporize the hydrocarbon contaminants to obtain processed solids and hydrocarbon vapors. The hydrocarbon vapors are captured and condensed to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon, which is delivered to the mud pit for admixture with the mud stream.

Abstract: The crown block has two parallel clusters of sheaves. In one use the crown block is positioned such that the center of the derrick passes through the axle of one of the clusters and a power cable is threaded through the first cluster of the crown block and the cluster of the traveling block. When one wants to double the mechanical advantage, the crown block unit is shifted so that the center line of the derrick passes midway between the axle of the first cluster and the second cluster of the crown block. For this second use a modified traveling block is used which also has two parallel clusters of sheaves which corresponds to the two parallel clusters of sheaves of the crown block. The power cable is then threaded between the first clusters of the crown block and the traveling block and then through the second sheave cluster of the crown block and the second sheave cluster of the traveling block. The load is connected to a cross member between the two axles of the clusters of the traveling block.

Abstract: Maximum rate of drill bit penetration in high speed coring is achieved by precise control of bit weight and bit speed. The automatic drilling system of this invention makes it possible to quickly reach and maintain this optimum combination or "sweet-point" each time the core bit is started. The required speed and weight is input into the system by the operator. A controller electronically senses the bit weight and provides instantaneous feedback to a hydraulically driven drawworks which is capable of maintaining a precise weight on the bit throughout varying penetration modes. The drilling system uses a combination of equipment that includes a hydraulic system for the control of the drawworks; a solid-state strain gauge load cell apparatus built into the swivel assembly for continuously weighing the drill string; an electronic load control circuitry for determining the bit weight, drill string weight, and for maintaining the bit weight control; and, a top drive system for high speed rotation of the string.

Abstract: The crown block has two parallel clusters of sheaves. In one use the crown block is positioned such that the center of the derrick passes through the axle of one of the clusters and a power cable is threaded through the first cluster of the crown block and the cluster of the travelling block. When one wants to double the mechanical advantage, the crown block unit is shifted so that the center line of the derrick passes midway between the axle of the first cluster and the second cluster of the crown block. For this second use a modified traveling block is used which also has two parallel clusters of sheaves which corresponds to the two parallel cluster of sheaves of the crown block. The power cable is then threaded between the first clusters of the crown block and the traveling block and then through the second sheave cluster of the crown block and the second sheave cluster of the traveling block. The load is connected to a cross member between the two axles of the clusters of the traveling block.

Abstract: The crown block has two parallel clusters of sheaves. In one use the crown block is positioned such that the center of the derrick passes through the axle of one of the clusters and a power cable is threaded through the first cluster of the crown block and the cluster of the traveling block. When one wants to double the mechanical advantage, the crown block unit is shifted so that the center line of the derrick passes midway between the axle of the first cluster and the second cluster of the crown block. For this second use a modified traveling block is used which also has two parallel clusters of sheaves which corresponds to the two parallel cluster of sheaves of the crown block. The power cable is then threaded between the first clusters of the crown block and the traveling block and then through the second sheave cluster of the crown block and the second sheave cluster of the traveling block. The load is connected to a cross member between the two axles of the clusters of the traveling block.

Abstract: A jacking crane supported by four telescoping hydraulically powered legs is used to erect a two spaced apart parallel column drilling derrick. Each column is composed of a number of identical column sections which are assembled on site using the jacking crane which is supported in the space between the columns. The two parallel columns are erected by the jacking crane lifting sections one on top of the other. As soon as these newly added sections are secured to the previous sections, the legs of the jack which are supported from column sections are actuated to move the platform of the jack upwardly where it is attached to an upper portion of the partially completed columns and the legs are then released and then raised to a higher point where they are again attached. The crane lifts additional sections and is "walked-up" by stages between the two partially completed columns until the columns reach the desired height.

Abstract: A drilling rig which may have a beta mast is used for drilling holes in the earth. The mast has four quadrants. On one side there is located the drawworks. On a side 90.degree. therefrom is the side having the V door through which drilling pipe can be raised and lowered by the traveling block. In the quadrant 180.degree. from the V-door is a pipe racking board. The racking board is outside the normal work area within the derrick. Thus, one can obtain entry of the drill pipe through the V door without the pipe stored in the racking board interferring therewith. With this design there is no limitation to the amount of pipe that can be stored.

Abstract: A helicopter transportable traveling block having means for ready assembly and disassembly into component portions of preselected maximum weight, the traveling block being formed into two sub-assemblies, each having an inner and outer plate with a shaft therebetween and a plurality of sheaves rotatably supported on the shaft between the inner and outer plates. The lower portions of both the inner and outer plates of each sub-assembly has perpendicularly extending clevis support and bracket members with aligned openings therebetween, the clevis support members also having lower openings. Bolts are positioned in the aligned openings of the clevis support and bracket members for each sub-assembly to retain the lower end of the sub-assembly together. A U-shaped clevis is secured to the clevis support members of each of the sub-assemblies to thereby retain the sub-assemblies together at the lower end.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for drilling deep boreholes in the earth, comprising a sub-base structure, a drawworks platform supported on four legs hinged both to the sub-base structure and to the drawworks platform and when in lowered position extends away from a first end of the sub-base: A mast hinged to the sub-base structure by two legs and in the lowered position extends away from the second end of the sub-base; a pulling means has a sheave through which a slingline cable is passed, and the two ends of the cable are separately connected between the mast at a selected point, and a pulley mounted on the drawworks platform so that in one continuous pulling motion of the pulling means, the drawworks platform is first raised into vertical position, and then the mast is lifted until both parts are fully erected on the sub-base.

Abstract: A heavy duty drilling mast or derrick made of a plurality of elements which telescope one into another so that the derrick can be raised from a collapsed position to an extended position with vertical axis by means of a plurality of four cables--one in each corner of the derrick. Each element is a rectangular box with open top and bottom, and each element can be locked to its upper and lower neighbors in the extended position so as to provide a strong, rigid derrick for drilling deep wells. Each element can be removed from the assembly and carried by helicopter from one location to another.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for drilling deep boreholes in the earth, comprising a subbase structure, a drawworks platform supported on four legs hinged both to the subbase structure and to the drawworks platform and when in lowered position extends away from a first end of the subbase: A mast hinged to the sub-base structure by two legs and in the lowered position extends away from the second end of the sub-base; a pulling means has a sheave through which a slingline cable is passed, and the two ends of the cable are separately connected between the mast at a selected point, and a pulley mounted on the drawworks platform so that in one continuous pulling motion of the pulling means, the drawworks platform is first raised into vertical position, and then the mast is lifted until both parts are fully erected on the subbase.