Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus are described for moving heavy objects while providing for precise movements and alignments along any desired path, making the apparatus ideally suited for moving heavy equipment including tunnel boring equipment or structures, such as land drilling rigs. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may include at least two load bearing subassemblies. Each load bearing subassembly can include a support structure configured to support a load, a bearing mat; and a plurality of linear actuators coupled between the support structure and the bearing mat. The plurality of linear actuators may be configured to raise, shift, and lower the load relative to the bearing mat or reference base to move the load.

Abstract: A land drilling rig and associated methods are described that facilitate fast rig up of the drilling rig for drilling a well. In some embodiments, the drilling rig may include a rear trunk, a center trunk, and an alignment frame. The alignment frame may be coupled to an edge of the rear trunk and to an edge of the center trunk during unloading of one of the rear trunk and the center trunk from a trailer to align them during unloading. The drilling rig may be formed form a plurality of components, some of which may be dual purpose structures that store equipment during transit, testing, and rig up and that form a part of the support structure of the drilling rig. Further, base boxes may include moveable feet that can be controlled to walk the base boxes and the drilling rig to a selected location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus are described for moving heavy objects while providing for precise movements and alignments along any desired path, making the apparatus ideally suited for moving heavy equipment including tunnel boring equipment or structures, such as land drilling rigs. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may include at least two load bearing subassemblies. Each load bearing subassembly can include a support structure configured to support a load, a bearing mat; and a plurality of linear actuators coupled between the support structure and the bearing mat. The plurality of linear actuators may be configured to raise, shift, and lower the load relative to the bearing mat or reference base to move the load.

Abstract: A land drilling rig and associated methods are described that facilitate fast rig up of the drilling rig for drilling a well. In some embodiments, the drilling rig may include a rear trunk, a center trunk, and an alignment frame. The alignment frame may be coupled to an edge of the rear trunk and to an edge of the center trunk during unloading of one of the rear trunk and the center trunk from a trailer to align them during unloading. The drilling rig may be formed form a plurality of components, some of which may be dual purpose structures that store equipment during transit, testing, and rig up and that form a part of the support structure of the drilling rig. Further, base boxes may include moveable feet that can be controlled to walk the base boxes and the drilling rig to a selected location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a drilling system can include a top drive and one or more pressure intensifiers coupled between a mud pump and the top drive to increase fluid pressure of drilling fluid driven down into a hole. In some aspects, the one or more pressure intensifiers may be coupled to a traveling block ahead of a top drive or may be coupled to at least one of a drill floor, a mast, a crown, a setback, and an offset of a drilling rig. Further, in some aspects, the drilling system may include a mud pump coupled to a mud tank and configured to pump the drilling fluid through a low pressure conduit to the one or more pressure intensifiers.

Abstract: A substructure of a drill rig includes, among other things, a base and an intermediate section that is adapted to be raised above the base, wherein the intermediate section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a first lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the intermediate section above the base. The substructure further includes a rig floor section that is adapted to be raised above the intermediate section, wherein the rig floor section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a second lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the rig floor section above the intermediate section, the second lateral direction being opposite to the first lateral direction.

Abstract: A sub-basement assembly for transportable, mobile drill rigs for supporting the drill rig floor has a low ‘stack’ height for transit but due to the configuration of its linkages, but may be quickly and easily raised as the drill rig is erected. The height & size of the present invention's ‘floor’ is very compact in shipment, yet provides for the full load carrying capacity and full size of conventional ‘floors’ during drilling operations.