Method to transport and operate a small footprint tower to reduce environmental impact
A method to construct and transport a modular drilling rig comprising drilling equipment in the form of a transfigurable container begins by transporting transfigurable shipping containers comprising drilling equipment to a drilling location. The method continues by unfolding the transfigurable shipping containers and the drilling equipment at the drilling location, and connecting two or more of the unfolded transfigurable shipping containers to form operable drilling equipment. The operable drilling equipment is erected into a drilling rig, wherein the operable drilling equipment comprises a drill floor, a mast substructure; a mast; a control cabin, a drawworks; a blow out preventer; a choke and kill manifold; a blow out preventer (BOP) control unit (38), not shown. The method ends by connecting piping and cabling for communication and power cabling to the erected operable drilling equipment and, then, operating the drilling rig.
The present application claims priority to the co-pending Provisional Patent Application No. 60/567,660, entitled “Transfigurable Shipping Container for Drilling Equipment” and filed on May 3, 2004.
FIELDThe present embodiments relate generally to methods for a transfigurable standardized shipping container for drilling rigs.
BACKGROUNDA need exists for a system to provide a standardized transfigurable container system because shipping non-standard containers is expensive and difficult.
A need exists for a modular drilling rig system and method that provides a drilling rig that can be easily assembled or “unfolded” on-site in order to reduce labor need, time, and expense.
A need exists for a drilling rig that has less impact on the ground cover or foliage when being transported. A need also exists for less impact on the ground when the drilling rig is set up and in use.
A need also exists for a drilling rig that can be used as a land drilling rig and by assembling the components in a different manner can also be used as an offshore drilling rig.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSBefore explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present embodiments save the environment by reducing the number of vessels that are required to ship a drilling rig to different locations around the world. The embodied methods reduce the amount of environmental impact on the earth caused by truck, train, or other types of land transportation. The reduction is accomplished by reducing the space required to transport the standard sized devices.
The embodied methods save the environment by reducing the number of vessels that are required to ship a drilling rig to different locations around the world. This method also reduces the amount of environmental impact on the earth when being transported by truck, train or other land transportation device. The reduction is accomplished by reducing the space required to transport the standard sized devices. Once the rig has reached a drilling site the surface area that is needed to setup and operate the drill rig is less than a comparable drilling rig not using the method. The reduction in area that must be cleared of trees is approximately 1200 m2 versus approximately 2000 m2 on a comparable conventional drilling rig.
The amount of area that must be cleared on the path to the drilling site is considerably less with a comparable drilling rig. Since the individual weight of the transfigurable containers is less compared with a normal drilling rig the load on the road is less severe. This enables easier transportation across less developed roads and makes the drilling rig easier to be used in less developed countries.
Since the embodied methods reduce the number of vessels needed to transport a drilling rig, the methods provide a reduction of fuel usage; a benefit to both cost and the environment. For example, a common sized drilling rig can be transported with seventeen containers. Other drilling rigs of a comparable size often cannot be broken down into container sized packages of less than seventeen. Usually the drilling rigs of a comparable size require containers and shipping parts doubling and tripling the number used with the embodied methods.
An embodiment of the transfigurable container of drilling equipment allows for two or more two pieces of drilling equipment with associated load bearing devices to be attached together using connectors, preferably pivotable connectors. When pivotably connected together, the drilling equipment modules are transformable between an initial shipping container size and shape and a second size and shape. For example, the shipping container can be formed into a rectangular shape when transported and transformed into a non-rectangular shape when in operation. The ability to transform readily between these two sizes and shapes provides an operational drilling structure that can easily be transported and then erected on different locations and in different shapes depending on the operational demands.
With reference to the figures,
The transfigurable shipping containers are unfolded at the drilling location (Step 202). Two or more of the transfigurable shipping containers, now unfolded at the drilling site, are connected to one another to operable drilling equipment (Step 204). The method can also include a step of forming a mast or derrick from the standardized transfigurable container.
After connecting the containers, the operable drilling equipment is erected into a drilling rig (Step 206). Erecting the drilling rig can include setting up the drill floor; a mast substructure; a mast; a control cabin, a drawworks; a blow out preventer; a choke and kill manifold; and a blow out preventer (BOP) control unit. The method can include the step of coupling the drilling equipment to the load bearing supports or load bearing bottom with a moveable coupling selected from the group of, a rotatable coupling between the drilling equipment, a rotatable coupling between load supports, a rotatable coupling between one load bearing support and a load bearing bottom, a device for elevating the drilling equipment above one load bearing support or a load bearing bottom, and a container connector that removably connects the standardized transfigurable shipping containers together.
Piping and cabling for communication and power cabling are then installed on the drilling rig (Step 208). The drilling rig is then in condition to begin operations (Step 210).
The transfigurable container (10) can be a component of a modular drilling rig. The transfigurable container (10) can include a first and second load support (14 and 16) and a load bearing bottom (18). The first and second load bearing supports (14 and 16) can be positioned to form a mast or a derrick. The load bearing bottom (18) is located between the first and second load bearing supports (14 and 16), thereby forming a space (20). The load bearing bottom (18) can have a lattice construction or be a load-bearing plate.
The drilling equipment is preferably located within the space between the first and second load bearing supports. The drilling equipment can be attached together and movable from the space to create an operational position outside of the transfigurable container.
Transfigurable containers for the drilling equipment are transformed to form a portion of an operable drilling rig or standardized shipping containers. The transfigurable containers can be compliant with ISO standards.
Typical sizes for standardized shipping containers include overall lengths ranging from about 8 feet to about 64 feet, overall widths ranging from about 2 feet to about 15 feet, and overall heights ranging from about 2 feet to about 15 feet. An example dimension for a transfigurable container is an overall width of 8 feet, an overall height of 9.5 feet, and an overall length of 45 feet, 40 feet, or 20 feet.
Another embodiment is a modular transfigurable drilling rig. The drilling rig can be configured as an offshore oil or natural gas drilling rig or as a land-based oil or natural gas drilling rig. The drilling rigs can be configured for use on a semisubmersible, a tension leg platform, a jack up platform, or another floating vessel. The drilling rigs can be configured for use on a fixed offshore platform, such as a gravity based platform, compliant tower or any other offshore platform that is standing on the seafloor. The modular transfigurable drilling rig can be made from numerous transfigurable containers for drilling equipment.
The standardized transfigurable containers can be stacked on skid beams to present a small footprint. Alternatively, the transfigurable containers can be stacked on top of each other to present a very small footprint. The small footprint is useful for offshore platforms and jungle pads.
The transfigurable containers (11), after being unfolded, are connected to form an operational modular drilling rig. In another embodiment, the drilling rig can be partially formed from the transfigurable containers and other drilling equipment.
The container connectors can be a load bearing device or a non-load bearing device. Examples of the container connectors used as a load bearing device include pins, hydraulic clamps, mechanical clamps, threaded connectors, male receptacles, female receptacles, and combinations thereof. Examples of the container connectors used as a non-load bearing device include threaded connectors, plugs, hydraulic clamps, mechanical clamps, pins, male and female receptacles, and combinations thereof.
Piping can be used to connect the drilling equipment together. Cabling can be used with the drilling rig provides communication and/or electrical power between the drilling equipment. A power source is typically connected to the drilling equipment to provide power to the drilling equipment.
The embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the embodiments, especially to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A method to construct and transport a modular drilling rig, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- a. transporting a transfigurable container comprising drilling equipment to a drilling location;
- b. unfolding the transfigurable container to the drilling location, thereby forming unfolded transfigurable container;
- c. connecting at least two unfolded transfigurable containers and the drilling equipment to form the module drilling rig;
- d. erecting the modular drilling rig at the drilling location;
- e. connecting piping and cabling for communication and power cabling to drilling equipment on the modular drilling rig; and
- f. operating the modular drilling rig.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of stacking two or more transfigurable containers on skid beams to present a small footprint for the modular drilling rig.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of stacking two or more transfigurable containers on top of one another to present a small footprint for the modular drilling rig.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of erecting the modular drilling rig is performed by using a crane.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the crane is remotely controlled.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the crane folds inside a second transfigurable container.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfigurable container is compliant with ISO standards.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adapting a containerized straddle carrier to fold inside the transfigurable container.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching the drilling equipment to either a load bearing support or a load bearing bottom with a telescoping, rotatable connector.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching the drilling equipment to either a load bearing support or a load bearing bottom with a pivotable, rotatable connector.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of coupling the drilling equipment to a load bearing support or a load bearing bottom with a moveable coupling, wherein the moveable coupling is selected from the group consisting of:
- a. a rotatable coupling between the drilling equipment;
- b. a rotatable coupling between two or more load supports;
- c. a device for elevating the drilling equipment above the load bearing support or the load bearing bottom; and
- d. a container connector that removably connects at least two transfigurable shipping containers together.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a mast from the transfigurable shipping container.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a derrick from the transfigurable container.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the drilling equipment comprises: a winch, a crown block, a top drive, a rotary table, a pump, solids control equipment, a power source, a hydraulic power unit, a tank, electrical control equipment, a pipe rack, pipe handling equipment, a crane, a traveling block, a blow out preventer and combinations thereof.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfigurable container is lifted on an offshore platform using a crane that is available on the offshore platform.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the offshore platform is a selected from the group consisting of a semi-submersible, a tension leg platform, a jack up platform, a floating vessel and combinations thereof.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the offshore platform is a selected from the group consisting of a gravity based platform, a compliant tower, and a platform connected to the seafloor.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the modular drilling rig is adapted to be deployed on land or offshore.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfigurable shipping container further comprises a blow out preventer contains and a portion of a drill floor.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a crane to lift the drilling equipment into an operational position.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 29, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 3, 2005
Inventors: Christopher Beato (Missouri City, TX), Joop Roodenburg (Delft)
Application Number: 11/117,958