#160' ATfar-ney
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Oct. 8, 1968
VA. GHEORGHE ET AL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULLING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
Filed Dec. 20, 1963
5 Sheets-Sheet l
4
Inventors: Gheorghe ALDEA,|OQYI NICOLAU _
Leon DOGARU, Ion DUMITRU
bx
#160‘ ATfar-ney
Oct. 8, 1968 >
Filed Dec.
A_ GHEORGHE ETAL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUS LY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULL ING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
20,
1963
>
__
5 Sheets-Sheet‘ 2
.Z'rzrem‘ors: Gheor‘s he A LDEA’ loan NICOLAU Leon DOGARU, Ion DUMITRU by
Mel" Afforney
Oct. 8, 1968
A. GHEORGHE ET AL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULLING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
Filed Dec. 20, 1965‘
5 Sheets-Sheet 5
fnverrtoks:
United States Patent 0 r'ce 1 .
3,404,741 Patented Oct. 8, 1968 2
dividual pipes in the rig area: one pipe is being trans ferred from or to the storage rack, the second pipe is being made up or broken out (joined or dismantled), and
3 404 741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULL ING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
the third pipe which was made up or broken out before,
Aldea Gheorghe, Nicolau Ioan, Dogaru Leon, and Dumitru Ion, Campina, Rumania, assignors to
is being run in or pulled out, as part of the string which is being tripped in or out in a continuous motion, at con
Ministerul Industriei Petrolului si Chimiei, Bucha rest, Rumania Filed Dec. 20,1963, Ser. No. 332,310
stant speed, throughout the operation. The disadvantage of these automated rigs lies in that they require the delivery of the pipes to take place above
Claims priority, application Rumania, Dec 28, 1962, 45,942 5 Claims. (Cl. 175—85)
10 the upper lift, using for this purpose separate means to
The present invention relates to an automated system
and a drilling rig for continuously performing round trips in oil or gas wells while drilling or producing. Run 15
ning and pulling the drill-pipe string, casing, tubing or
sucker rod strings in oil and gas wells in the conventional way is known to be time consuming. Trip operations re
raise the pipe received from the storage rack to the up per half of the derrick, and separate means to bring it in the stabbing position, and separate means to transfer, while in motion, vthe delivered pipe to the upper lift.
Due to the required special con?guration of the pipe delivery means, these rigs have the disadvantage of using derricks of a height exceeding the length of two pipes, as two end-to-end pipes must be permanently available in the derrick: one pipe is being made up in the drill string and the other one is being transferred to the up per lift, in addition a third pipe already made up in the
quire much time particularly in deep drilling, where round trips for changing the bit are more frequent. The total drilling time in the case of deep wells is thereby considerably increased, resulting in a higher cost. In these conditions crew fatigue may become excessive and
drill-string, is going into the hole. These automated rigs have further the disadvantage that owing to the fact that the pipes are being delivered
accidents are likely to occur.
To reduce the trip time and labor, conventional drill 15 in this way, both lifts must be ?tted with slips for sup— ing rigs are known to be equipped with fully mechani porting the drill-string which causes the slip wedges to im cal devices which perform all the steps involved in the press twice their marks upon the pipes each time they trip operations. In addition there are rigs provided with are tripped in or out. automatic means for automatically performing some of A further disadvantage of these known automated rigs the steps involved in running or pulling the drill-string. lies in that the pipe transfer from the storage rack to the These rigs are operated discontinuously and they are gen central area of the derrick or back to the storage, which erally designed to handle stands of pipes, which are occurs above the upper lift, must involve a number of added or removed while the drill string is supported by synchronized translating vertical and horizontal-move slips or an elevator. These known rigs are provided with ments, as well as rotating movements. a single hoisting device for the drill string and the der 35 It is a general object of the present invention to provide rick is relatively high. Separate mechanisms are used for a drilling rig in which the aforedescribed disadvantages the delivery, transfer and positioning of the pipe stands are substantially eliminated. in the central area of the derrick, and the displacement The system-according to the present invention elimi of the pipe stand from the storage rack to the derrick nates the above mentioned disadvantages in that, for center includes several kinds of correlated movements: 40 achieving trip-time reductions similar to those attained vertical and horizontal translating motions and swinging by the automated rigs now in use, the drill-string is auto or rotating motions. In these known rigs, the cycle for matically run and pulled in a continuous motion by means running or pulling a pipe stand requires that a complete of two lifts. On the trip-in operation the pipes are deliv operating cycle be effectuated by the rig. ered successively in horizontal position, to the lower part The main disadvantages of these fully mechanical or of the upper lift approximately mid-way up the derrick, partially automated rigs consist in the following: their where the upper lift moving upwards grips one end of elaborate design; the requirement of a high derrick; and the pipe while the other end is horizontally displaced, their discontinuous operation, which does not permit the whereby the pipe is rotated and positioned in the central trip time to be reduced by more than 30% as compared area of the derrick and is then being made up in the with the conventional rigs using no mechanical or auto 50 drill-string in motion at the level of the lower lift which matic means.
is moving downwards while supporting the drill-string. When the drill-string is tripped out, the steps involved in
Fully automated rigs are also known, which allow all the steps of the trip operation to be automatically per formed. The operation of these rigs is continuous and
they use pipe singles for assembling the drill-string in stead of pipe stands. The pipes are being added or re moved while the drill-string is in continuous motion, at constant speed, which makes possible for the trip opera tions to be performed at a faster rate, 8-10 times that of the conventional rigs. The tripping operations can be per formed at this constant speed owing to the use of two lifts whose movements are synchronized, which support
the operation mentioned above are reversed. 55
The drilling rig according to this invention uses on the trip-in operation a tray conveyor for picking up the pipe horizontally from the storage rack, which is located near the derrick, thereafter said pipe is transferred to guiding track means mounted mid-way up the derrick. An upper lift, which transfers the pipe from said guiding track means to the central area of the derrick, carries out the trans
fer by means of a trolley device which is provided with a hydraulically pivotable arm. This trolley device moves successively the weight of the drill-pipe string, and the along the guiding track means and the upper lift carries single pipe to be added or removed is handled above the power swivel means equipped with an elevator, said power upper lift. , The ‘automated rigs now in use, differ essentially in the 65 swivel means and elevator rotate 90°, so that the ends of the pipe raised from the storage rack are supported design of the means used for transferring the pipes from the pipe storage rack for positioning the pipe for stab throughout its rotation until positioned in the central area
bing. With these rigs, a complete trip-in or trip-out cycle of the derrick by said elevator in conjunction with said to run or pull the pipe requires three operating cycles trolley device, which after centering the pipe in the der 70 of‘the rig. Thus, the predetermined sequence of opera rick changes its function by releasing its clamp jaws, the tive steps requires the simultaneous handling of three in pipe now being positioned for stabbing. The make-up
3
.
operation is performed while the drill-string is in motion, by means of a make-and-break device mounted upon the lower lift, which is running into the ‘drill-string in a con tinuous motion at constant speed while the drill-string is
being supported by a supporting device. To remove the pipe in the trip-out operation, the same devices are used to transfer the pipe to the storage rack, but the sequence of steps of the operation is reversed. In addition thereto the rig uses a lateral transfer unit for
laterally transferring the pipe from the guiding track means mounted mid-way up the derrick, to the tray con
veyor which deposits the pipe in the storage rack. In the accompanying drawings there is shown ‘for pur poses of illustration one example of a rig according to this invention in which:
~
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the rig; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rig; and
FIG. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the operating cycle of the rig. FIGURES l and 2 illustrate the rig action while the rig is performing the steps of the operation indicated in the operative cycle diagram of FIG. 3. According to the invention, the rig uses a U-shaped derrick 1, the height of which is equal to about two
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rick 1, are horizontally stored at the ground level on the storage rack 11, wherefrom each pipe can be delivered or received by means of tilting loading forks 12 which are arranged so that the pipe can roll by gravity ether from or towards the tray conveyor 13. The latter is pro vided with double strands of chain 14 and trays 15, or other types of known design, for raising the pipe from the storage rack 11 mid-way up the derrick 1, or for re
moving the pipe from mid-way up the derrick and lower ing it to the storage rack 11. The pipe raised in horizontal position by the tray con veyor 13v mid-way up the. derrick 1, is rotated 90° in order to be positioned in the central area of derrick 1, one end of said pipe being latched in the elevator mem ber 5 and raised in the upper half of derrick 1, while the
other end of the pipe is displaced horizontally by a trolley device 16, which is arranged to move horizontally at a level about mid-way up the derrick 1. The horizontal dis placement of trolley 16 is elfectuated by a transfer unit 17 which uses cable, chains or other known means along the guiding track 19 mounted on a supporting frame 18.
While the pipe is being horizontally transferred, one end thereof is gripped from above by the clamp jaws 21 of the
trolley arm 20 which rotates 90° while guiding said end lengths of drill pipe. In order to achieve the guided 25 of the pipe to the center of derrick 1. Partial release of the clamp jaws 21 of the trolley arm 20 permits the pipe raising and lowering of the drill-string and of the pipe to be positioned for stabbing, while the pipe is supported which is being delivered, an upper hydraulic lift 2 is used in the upper half of derrick 1. The upper lift 2 is actuated
by hydraulic telescoping cylinders 3 of known design: a
at its other end by the upper lift2. In the trip-out opera tion a lateral transfer unit 22 is used to transfer the pulled
hydraulically or otherwise actuated power swivel 4 is 30 pipe, which has been placed on the guiding track 19, to the tray conveyor 13, which lowers the pipe to the storage mounted on the upper lift 2. This arrangement enables rack 11. the power swivel 4 to travel vertically in the upper half A safety device 23, comprising slips or other means of the derrick 1. The power swivel 4 can be made to of known design, is mounted on the lower level of der swing 90° to a horizontal position by means of a well rick 1. The safety device 23 is used in the case a mal known mechanism consisting of a hydraulic cylinder slid function of the rig should occur. ably connected at one end to the upper lift 2, and at the The rig operation cycle for tripping in the drill-string, other end to the power swivel 4. The maximum hydraulic in the rig illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is carried out ac cylinder stroke causes the power swivel 4 to be in a ver causes the power swivel 4 to rotate 90° to the horizontal
cording to the cycle diagram illustrated in FIG. 3, where in the main steps of a complete operating cycle of the
position. The power swivel 4 carries a hydraulically or
rig in the order from a . . . i are illustrated; in the trip
otherwise actuated elevator member 5, which is axially
out operation the sequence of steps of the operation is re
mounted on the power swivel 4 in order to ensure rota
versed, becoming i . . . a. The main steps involved in the
tical position, and the shortest hydraulic cylinder stroke
tion of its two halves. The elevator member 5 is suspended on both sides thereof so as to centrally support the
drill-string weight. The elevator member 5 can be made to swing 90° together with the power swivel 4 so that it
trip-in operation, illustrated in FIG. 3 relate to the three pipes which are being simultaneously handled in the der rick: pipe A1 which is being transferred from the storage rack 11 to the guiding track 19; pipe A2 which is being
can be latched or unlatched around one end of the hori
transferred from the guiding track 19 to the center area
zontal pipe positioned mid-way up the derrick 1. In order
of derrick 1 to be made up in the drill-string, and pipe A3 already made up in the drill-string which moves into
to add a new pipe to the drill-string while drilling, a hy- ,
draulically or otherwise actuated make-up unit 6 is used, which can be mounted on the power swivel 4 in place of
the hole in a continuous motion. The main components described and denoted according to FIG. 1 and 2 per
form the following steps forming the operation cycle of
the elevator member 5, and the pipe is then made up directly by means of power swivel 4. The make-up unit 6 is a well known powered jaw tool, the jaws of which are
the rig:
hydraulically actuated for engaging the pipe. Rotation of
and the elevator member 5 continue their descending
the make-up unit 6 for making up an additional pipe is performed by the power swivel 4 upon which the unit 6 rests instead of the elevator member 5. A lower lift 7, ‘actuated by the lower hydraulically ac
in; the lower lift 7 with the make-and-break device 9 and the supporting device 10 descend, their movements
tuated telescopic cylinders 8 of known design, guides the lowering and elevating of the drill-string in the lower half of derrick 1. There is mounted a make-and-break unit 9 on the lower lift 7. The unit 9 is hydraulically or other wise actuated and is of known design. It is positioned at all times axially in derrick 1 and serves to “make up” or “break out” the pipe to be added or removed, while the lifts 2 and 7 travel up and down in synchronized move ments. There is secured on the lower lift 7 a supporting
device 10 using slips or other means, of known design. The device 10 is disposed under the make and break unit 9 and serves to support the drill-string while said drill string is lowered or raised in the lower half of derrick 1 by means of the lower lift 7. The drill pipes which are to be delivered into the der
'
Step (a).—The upper lift 2 with thepower swivel 4
motion, supporting the drill-string, whereby pipe A3 is run being synchronized to correspond to the upper lift2, and the weight of the drill-string is transferred, while in mo tion, to the supporting, device.10;,the trolley device 16 with its arm 20 remain for ‘the time being stationary; the tray conveyor 13 moves the pipe A2 to the. guiding track 19 located mid-way up the derrick 1.
A.
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,
‘Step (b).——The upper left 2 'with the power'swivel, 4 and the elevator member 5 descend,‘ their movements
being ‘synchronized to correspond to that of the. lower lift 7, at the same time. the elevator member 5 is_being un
latched; the lower lift3_,7 descends together. with‘the make, and-break unit 9 and the supportjng'ldevice 10.which sup ports and lowers the drill-string together withvtpipe-Aa; the trolley arm 20 grips pipe A2 whichv has beenr'raisednmida way up the derrick 1; the tray conveyor 13 starts .lifting
the next pipe A1 picked up from the storage rack 11.
. 3,404,741
Step (c) .—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and elevator member 5 are stationary and the power swivel 4 together with elevator member 5 rotate 90° and there after latch elevator member 5 around pipe A2 which has been delivered to the guiding track 19; the lower lift 7 descends further together with the make-and-break device 9 and the supporting device 10 which still supports the
drill-string, lowering said drill-string together with pipe
6 to the tray conveyor 13. The lateral transfer unit remains
stationary throughout the trip in operation. The storage rack 11 which was delivering pipes to the derrick for the
tripping-in operation, changes now to receive the pulled pipes, by setting the tilting loading forks 12 so that the pipe A1 which is being removed, can roll by gravity through the storage rack 11.
‘
t
For drilling, the drill-string is made up in the power A3; the transfer unit 17 is stationary together with the swivel 4 which moves together with the upper lift 2 in the trolley 16 whose arm 20‘ grips pipe A2 which has been upper half of the derrick, while the lower lift 7 is sta~ raised mid-way up the derrick 1; the tray conveyor 13 10 tionary. In the case of bottom power drilling the power goes on lifting the next pipe A1. swivel is used as a conventional swivel. Step (d).--The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and Adding of a new pipe while drilling, is accomplished elevator member 5 rise rapidly, the elevator member 5 by means of the power swivel 4 eliminating thus the need gripping one end of pipe A2 which is being elevated in 15 for the “kelly,” which is generally required for the con the upper half of the derrick 1; the lower lift 7 continues ventional rotary tables. The power swivel 4 serves to make descending together with the make-and-break device 9’ and up directly the pipes to be added in its tool-joint, thus no the supporting device 10 which still supports the drill separate make up device is necessary. However, the eleva string, lowering it together with pipe A3; the transfer unit tor member 5 must be replaced by the make up device 6 17 displaces the trolley 16, the arm 20 of which is gripping 20 before adding a new pipe. The bit is made up either sepa~ one end of pipe A2; the tray conveyor 13 continues rately on the storage rack 11 or in the derrick 1, at the raising the next pipe A1. . level of the lower lift 7. Step (e).—-The upper lift 2 continues to rise rapidly Casing running operations are similar to those per
with power swivel 4 and elevator member 5 which sup formed to run in the drill string. " ports one end of pipe A2; on arriving at the top of its 25 In order to perform “?shing” jobs, the automated oper stroke, the upper lift 2 reverses motion and begins to ation of the rig is switched off and the upper lift 2 can be descend, the movement of said upper lift 2 being synchro independently controlled, so that the “fishing” job can nized to correspond to that of the lower lift 7, which con be conducted in the conventional way. tinues its descent, together with the supporting device 10 To perform the steps sequence of the rig operation ac
which still supports the drill-string thereby lowering said 30 cording to the cycle-diagram of FIG. 3, the operation drill string together with pipe A3; the transfer unit 17 of each device of the rig is automatically programmed. In stops the trolley 16, and the trolley arm 20 which has special cases, for example: the malfunction of the auto been rotating 90", by releasing its clamp jaws 21 posi mated devices of the rig or when “?shing” jobs or remedial
tions pipe A2 in the central area of derrick 1 while said
works are necessary, the component devices of the rig can
pipe A2 is being lowered to be stabbed in pipe A3; the 35 be controlled independently. As the component parts of the tray conveyor 13 is raising now the next pipe A1. automatic drilling rig are hydraulically actuated, their Step (f).--The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and being placed in operation or being stopped requires han elevator 5 descend simultaneously with the lower lift 7, dling, in a well-known manner, of inlet and outlet valves to run pipe A3, the drill-string being supported by the controlling the pressure ?uid that actuates them. The inlet supporting device 10; meanwhile the make-and-break de 40 and outlet valves are controlled either hydraulically or vice 9 after wiping and greasing the tool-joint thread electrically, according to the automatic programmer type makes up pipe A2 (as indicated by the curved arrows) in use. Switching on and off of each component part, the clamp jaws 21 of the trolley arm 20 are now com necessary for the drilling rig automatic control, occurs pletely released and the trolley 16 with its arm 20 is according to the operation cyclogram of the automatic moved back to its original position; the tray conveyor 45 drilling rig. All the inlet and outlet valves are thus opened 13 is raising the next pipe A1. or closed from the automatic programmer. In the case of Step (g).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and electrically actuated valves, the automatic programmer elevator member 5 descend simultaneously with the lower will be a well-known multiswitch mechanism, and in case lift 7, but the weight of the drill string is transferred to of hydraulically actuated valves the automatic program elevator member 5 by disengaging the supporting device mer will also be a well-known multidistributor mecha 10; the lower lift 7 continues to descend simultaneously with the upper lift 2 while the supporting device 10 re leases the drill-string; the trolley 16 with its arm 20‘ are moved to their original position by means of the transfer unit 17; the tray conveyor 13 continues raising the next
nism. For individually handling the drilling rig devices, each inlet and outlet valve can be controlled independent ly, as required without using the automatic programmer. The advantages of the method and rig, according to the
pipe A1.
present invention, are as follows:
above is reversed, abeing per-formed in the order i . . . a.
being supported at both ends throughout its delivery; Many modi?cations and adaptions will become readily
The rig described in the present invention allows the Step (h).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and trip time to be reduced by an amount similar to that elevator member 5 continue to descend supporting now achieved by the known automated rigs, however it is the drill-string; the lower lift 7 together with the make up simpler than the latter because it has no separate trans and break out unit 9 and the supporting device 10- re verse their motion and rise rapidly the trolley 16 with its 60 fer devices to displace the pipe in the upper half of the derrick, no separate devices to center the pipe in the arm 20 remain stationary in their original position; the derrick, no separate devices for transferring the delivered tray conveyor 13 continues raising the next pipe A1. pipe, while in motion, to the upper lift; Step (i).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and The rig uses a derrick of reduced height; elevator 5 descend and support the drill-string; the lower In tripping in or out the drill string, the slip wedges of lift 7 with the make-and-break device 9 and the support 65 the supporting device impress their marks at most only ing device 10 reverse their motion and descend rapidly once on each pipe; to move jointly with the upper lift 2. The trolley 16 with The number of movements involved in delivering the its arm 20 and the transfer unit 17 are stationary; the tray pipe from the storage rack to the center area of the derrick conveyor 13 raises pipe A1 and deposits it On the guiding 70 is reduced; track 19. ' Rig operation is shockless and vibrationless, each pipe On the trip-out operation the steps sequence described At the same time, Step a involves a lateral transfer unit
to persons skilled in the art and for that reason 22, serving to remove pipe A2 from the guiding track 19 75 itapparent is intended that this invention be limited only by the
3,404,741 7
8
tilting loading ‘forks a're'now set’ to permit the wpipe to roll by gravity to the storage rack. 4. A method of continuously and automatically run
appended claims as interpreted in the light of the prior art.
What is'claimed is:
1. System for'continuously and automatically perform ing round trip operations on oil and gas wells while drilling or in production, the drilling string consisting of
ning in or pulling out'a drill pipe string consisting of a plurality of connected "drill pipe‘ sections in oil'and gas wells, by means of a rig having two ‘separate lifts ‘the
pipes assembled by means of two lifts whose movements are synchronized, said system involving for the transfer of each pipe to be added to the drill-string successively, rais
movements of which are synchronized with respect to
ing of the pipe in horizontal position from the storage
each other, ‘comprising the stepsv'of' adding ,a‘drill'plp‘e section by raising said section in ‘a horizontal position 10 from a storage rack located at the‘foot of said rig to a level
substantially midway up said rig, pivoting said pipe section
rack to a mid-way station up the derrick, 90° swinging of the pipe to vertical position in the central area of the der
90° to a vertical position in the central area of said rig,
said pivoting movement being effectuated by gripping ‘one
rick, whereby one end of the said pipe is directly gripped
end of said pipe section with means connected to the upper lift of said two ‘separate lifts during the upward move ment thereof while gripping the other end of said pipe section and horizontally transferring it towards the cen
by the upper lift during its upward movement so as to raise said pipe end to the upper section of the derrick,
while the other end of said pipe is being horizontally translated, whereafter said pipe is lowered along the der rick axis at a speed such as to catch up with the drill-string
ter of said rig, thereafter lowering said pipe section by
which is continuously descending and thereafter synchro nization of said pipe speed with the constant descending speed of the drill-string, rotation of said pipe for its mak
means of said upper lift at a speed adapted to catch 20
ing up at the level of the lower lift, while both said pipe and drill-string are continuously descending, when com ing out of the hole the movements are reversed.
2. Rig for continuously and automatically performing the round trip operations on oil and gas wells while drill ing or in production, serving to apply the system set forth
in claim 1, said rig comprising for the trip-in operation, a tray conveyor which successively picks up the pipes from a storage-rack placed upon the ground near the derrick,
said storage-rack being equipped with tilting loading forks for continuously delivering pipes by gravity to said tray conveyor which deposits the horizontally raised pipe onto a guiding track positioned mid-way up the derrick, said guiding track supporting a trolley equipped with an arm
for the gripping and guiding in horizontal position one end of said pipe, the other end of said pipe being then gripped by the upper lift to swing said pipe 90° and bring
up with said pipe string which is continuously descending at constant speed and which is being lowered by the lower lift of said two separate lifts, thereafter synchronizing the speeds of said descending drill pipe string and said de
scending drill pipe section, and rotating said pipe section thereby joining it to the upper end of said drill pipe string while both said drill'pipe string and said pipe section are descending at equal speeds.
'
5. A drilling rig for continuously and automatically running in or pulling out a drill pipe string in oil and gas
wells, consisting of a plurality of drill pipe sections, com prising in'cornbination, a rig having upper and lower hy draulic lift means adapted to selectively support said drill pipe string and move in synchronized movements with respect to each other, conveyor means mounted adjacent to said rig and adapted to transport successively individual drill pipe sections in a horizontal position to a level with in the operative range of said upper hydraulic lift means, a hydraulic pipe section handling mechanism operatively
mounted in said upper hydraulic lift means for trans it into the central area of the derrick, said upper lift being equipped for this purpose with a power swivel and an ele 40 ferring said transported pipe section from a horizontal po sition to a vertical position in axial alignment with said vator, said power swivel and elevator being hydraulical
ly actuated to laterally swing 90°, while one end of the
pipe being delivered is supported and vertically moved along the derrick axis by said elevator mounted on said power swivel of said upper lift, and the other end of 45
rig, and pipe-section make-and-break means operatively
mounted in said lower hydraulic lift means for selectively joining or disjoining a pipe section to said drill pipe
string.
said pipe is horizontally moved along the guiding track by
References Cited
means of said arm of said trolley, in addition said arm
UNITED STATES PATENTS
by releasing its clamp jaws permits positioning of said delivered pipe for stabbing, the make up operation being
performed by means of a make-and-break device located 50 on the lower lift which runs continuously the drill string into the hole at constant speed, said drill string being sup
ported by a supporting device provided in the lower lift. 3. Rig as described in claim 2, comprising in addition
for the trip out operation a lateral transfer unit which 55
transfers laterally the pipe from the guiding track located approximately mid-way up the derrick to a tray conveyor which takes the pipe away to the storage rack, where the
,
2,848,196
5/1958
Simmonds _______ __ 175-——85 X
3,002,560
10/1961
Paget _____________ __ 175—85
3,095,048, 3,145,786 3,158,211 3,177,944 3,194,313
6/1963 8/1964 11/1964 4/1965 7/1965
O’Neill et al ______ __ 175—85 X O’Neill et al ________ __ 175—85 McCue .et al ________ __ 175—85 Knights ____ __'_____ 175—85 X Fanshawe _______ _._ 175—85 X
CHARLES E. O’CONNELL, Prim'ary Examiner. RICHARD E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner.
VA. GHEORGHE ET AL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULLING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
Filed Dec. 20, 1963
5 Sheets-Sheet l
4
Inventors: Gheorghe ALDEA,|OQYI NICOLAU _
Leon DOGARU, Ion DUMITRU
bx
#160‘ ATfar-ney
Oct. 8, 1968 >
Filed Dec.
A_ GHEORGHE ETAL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUS LY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULL ING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
20,
1963
>
__
5 Sheets-Sheet‘ 2
.Z'rzrem‘ors: Gheor‘s he A LDEA’ loan NICOLAU Leon DOGARU, Ion DUMITRU by
Mel" Afforney
Oct. 8, 1968
A. GHEORGHE ET AL
3,404,741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULLING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
Filed Dec. 20, 1965‘
5 Sheets-Sheet 5
fnverrtoks:
United States Patent 0 r'ce 1 .
3,404,741 Patented Oct. 8, 1968 2
dividual pipes in the rig area: one pipe is being trans ferred from or to the storage rack, the second pipe is being made up or broken out (joined or dismantled), and
3 404 741
AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND DRILLING RIG FOR CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY PULL ING AND RUNNING A DRILL-PIPE STRING
the third pipe which was made up or broken out before,
Aldea Gheorghe, Nicolau Ioan, Dogaru Leon, and Dumitru Ion, Campina, Rumania, assignors to
is being run in or pulled out, as part of the string which is being tripped in or out in a continuous motion, at con
Ministerul Industriei Petrolului si Chimiei, Bucha rest, Rumania Filed Dec. 20,1963, Ser. No. 332,310
stant speed, throughout the operation. The disadvantage of these automated rigs lies in that they require the delivery of the pipes to take place above
Claims priority, application Rumania, Dec 28, 1962, 45,942 5 Claims. (Cl. 175—85)
10 the upper lift, using for this purpose separate means to
The present invention relates to an automated system
and a drilling rig for continuously performing round trips in oil or gas wells while drilling or producing. Run 15
ning and pulling the drill-pipe string, casing, tubing or
sucker rod strings in oil and gas wells in the conventional way is known to be time consuming. Trip operations re
raise the pipe received from the storage rack to the up per half of the derrick, and separate means to bring it in the stabbing position, and separate means to transfer, while in motion, vthe delivered pipe to the upper lift.
Due to the required special con?guration of the pipe delivery means, these rigs have the disadvantage of using derricks of a height exceeding the length of two pipes, as two end-to-end pipes must be permanently available in the derrick: one pipe is being made up in the drill string and the other one is being transferred to the up per lift, in addition a third pipe already made up in the
quire much time particularly in deep drilling, where round trips for changing the bit are more frequent. The total drilling time in the case of deep wells is thereby considerably increased, resulting in a higher cost. In these conditions crew fatigue may become excessive and
drill-string, is going into the hole. These automated rigs have further the disadvantage that owing to the fact that the pipes are being delivered
accidents are likely to occur.
To reduce the trip time and labor, conventional drill 15 in this way, both lifts must be ?tted with slips for sup— ing rigs are known to be equipped with fully mechani porting the drill-string which causes the slip wedges to im cal devices which perform all the steps involved in the press twice their marks upon the pipes each time they trip operations. In addition there are rigs provided with are tripped in or out. automatic means for automatically performing some of A further disadvantage of these known automated rigs the steps involved in running or pulling the drill-string. lies in that the pipe transfer from the storage rack to the These rigs are operated discontinuously and they are gen central area of the derrick or back to the storage, which erally designed to handle stands of pipes, which are occurs above the upper lift, must involve a number of added or removed while the drill string is supported by synchronized translating vertical and horizontal-move slips or an elevator. These known rigs are provided with ments, as well as rotating movements. a single hoisting device for the drill string and the der 35 It is a general object of the present invention to provide rick is relatively high. Separate mechanisms are used for a drilling rig in which the aforedescribed disadvantages the delivery, transfer and positioning of the pipe stands are substantially eliminated. in the central area of the derrick, and the displacement The system-according to the present invention elimi of the pipe stand from the storage rack to the derrick nates the above mentioned disadvantages in that, for center includes several kinds of correlated movements: 40 achieving trip-time reductions similar to those attained vertical and horizontal translating motions and swinging by the automated rigs now in use, the drill-string is auto or rotating motions. In these known rigs, the cycle for matically run and pulled in a continuous motion by means running or pulling a pipe stand requires that a complete of two lifts. On the trip-in operation the pipes are deliv operating cycle be effectuated by the rig. ered successively in horizontal position, to the lower part The main disadvantages of these fully mechanical or of the upper lift approximately mid-way up the derrick, partially automated rigs consist in the following: their where the upper lift moving upwards grips one end of elaborate design; the requirement of a high derrick; and the pipe while the other end is horizontally displaced, their discontinuous operation, which does not permit the whereby the pipe is rotated and positioned in the central trip time to be reduced by more than 30% as compared area of the derrick and is then being made up in the with the conventional rigs using no mechanical or auto 50 drill-string in motion at the level of the lower lift which matic means.
is moving downwards while supporting the drill-string. When the drill-string is tripped out, the steps involved in
Fully automated rigs are also known, which allow all the steps of the trip operation to be automatically per formed. The operation of these rigs is continuous and
they use pipe singles for assembling the drill-string in stead of pipe stands. The pipes are being added or re moved while the drill-string is in continuous motion, at constant speed, which makes possible for the trip opera tions to be performed at a faster rate, 8-10 times that of the conventional rigs. The tripping operations can be per formed at this constant speed owing to the use of two lifts whose movements are synchronized, which support
the operation mentioned above are reversed. 55
The drilling rig according to this invention uses on the trip-in operation a tray conveyor for picking up the pipe horizontally from the storage rack, which is located near the derrick, thereafter said pipe is transferred to guiding track means mounted mid-way up the derrick. An upper lift, which transfers the pipe from said guiding track means to the central area of the derrick, carries out the trans
fer by means of a trolley device which is provided with a hydraulically pivotable arm. This trolley device moves successively the weight of the drill-pipe string, and the along the guiding track means and the upper lift carries single pipe to be added or removed is handled above the power swivel means equipped with an elevator, said power upper lift. , The ‘automated rigs now in use, differ essentially in the 65 swivel means and elevator rotate 90°, so that the ends of the pipe raised from the storage rack are supported design of the means used for transferring the pipes from the pipe storage rack for positioning the pipe for stab throughout its rotation until positioned in the central area
bing. With these rigs, a complete trip-in or trip-out cycle of the derrick by said elevator in conjunction with said to run or pull the pipe requires three operating cycles trolley device, which after centering the pipe in the der 70 of‘the rig. Thus, the predetermined sequence of opera rick changes its function by releasing its clamp jaws, the tive steps requires the simultaneous handling of three in pipe now being positioned for stabbing. The make-up
3
.
operation is performed while the drill-string is in motion, by means of a make-and-break device mounted upon the lower lift, which is running into the ‘drill-string in a con tinuous motion at constant speed while the drill-string is
being supported by a supporting device. To remove the pipe in the trip-out operation, the same devices are used to transfer the pipe to the storage rack, but the sequence of steps of the operation is reversed. In addition thereto the rig uses a lateral transfer unit for
laterally transferring the pipe from the guiding track means mounted mid-way up the derrick, to the tray con
veyor which deposits the pipe in the storage rack. In the accompanying drawings there is shown ‘for pur poses of illustration one example of a rig according to this invention in which:
~
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the rig; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rig; and
FIG. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the operating cycle of the rig. FIGURES l and 2 illustrate the rig action while the rig is performing the steps of the operation indicated in the operative cycle diagram of FIG. 3. According to the invention, the rig uses a U-shaped derrick 1, the height of which is equal to about two
>14?
4i
,.i
'
;
—~
+
rick 1, are horizontally stored at the ground level on the storage rack 11, wherefrom each pipe can be delivered or received by means of tilting loading forks 12 which are arranged so that the pipe can roll by gravity ether from or towards the tray conveyor 13. The latter is pro vided with double strands of chain 14 and trays 15, or other types of known design, for raising the pipe from the storage rack 11 mid-way up the derrick 1, or for re
moving the pipe from mid-way up the derrick and lower ing it to the storage rack 11. The pipe raised in horizontal position by the tray con veyor 13v mid-way up the. derrick 1, is rotated 90° in order to be positioned in the central area of derrick 1, one end of said pipe being latched in the elevator mem ber 5 and raised in the upper half of derrick 1, while the
other end of the pipe is displaced horizontally by a trolley device 16, which is arranged to move horizontally at a level about mid-way up the derrick 1. The horizontal dis placement of trolley 16 is elfectuated by a transfer unit 17 which uses cable, chains or other known means along the guiding track 19 mounted on a supporting frame 18.
While the pipe is being horizontally transferred, one end thereof is gripped from above by the clamp jaws 21 of the
trolley arm 20 which rotates 90° while guiding said end lengths of drill pipe. In order to achieve the guided 25 of the pipe to the center of derrick 1. Partial release of the clamp jaws 21 of the trolley arm 20 permits the pipe raising and lowering of the drill-string and of the pipe to be positioned for stabbing, while the pipe is supported which is being delivered, an upper hydraulic lift 2 is used in the upper half of derrick 1. The upper lift 2 is actuated
by hydraulic telescoping cylinders 3 of known design: a
at its other end by the upper lift2. In the trip-out opera tion a lateral transfer unit 22 is used to transfer the pulled
hydraulically or otherwise actuated power swivel 4 is 30 pipe, which has been placed on the guiding track 19, to the tray conveyor 13, which lowers the pipe to the storage mounted on the upper lift 2. This arrangement enables rack 11. the power swivel 4 to travel vertically in the upper half A safety device 23, comprising slips or other means of the derrick 1. The power swivel 4 can be made to of known design, is mounted on the lower level of der swing 90° to a horizontal position by means of a well rick 1. The safety device 23 is used in the case a mal known mechanism consisting of a hydraulic cylinder slid function of the rig should occur. ably connected at one end to the upper lift 2, and at the The rig operation cycle for tripping in the drill-string, other end to the power swivel 4. The maximum hydraulic in the rig illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is carried out ac cylinder stroke causes the power swivel 4 to be in a ver causes the power swivel 4 to rotate 90° to the horizontal
cording to the cycle diagram illustrated in FIG. 3, where in the main steps of a complete operating cycle of the
position. The power swivel 4 carries a hydraulically or
rig in the order from a . . . i are illustrated; in the trip
otherwise actuated elevator member 5, which is axially
out operation the sequence of steps of the operation is re
mounted on the power swivel 4 in order to ensure rota
versed, becoming i . . . a. The main steps involved in the
tical position, and the shortest hydraulic cylinder stroke
tion of its two halves. The elevator member 5 is suspended on both sides thereof so as to centrally support the
drill-string weight. The elevator member 5 can be made to swing 90° together with the power swivel 4 so that it
trip-in operation, illustrated in FIG. 3 relate to the three pipes which are being simultaneously handled in the der rick: pipe A1 which is being transferred from the storage rack 11 to the guiding track 19; pipe A2 which is being
can be latched or unlatched around one end of the hori
transferred from the guiding track 19 to the center area
zontal pipe positioned mid-way up the derrick 1. In order
of derrick 1 to be made up in the drill-string, and pipe A3 already made up in the drill-string which moves into
to add a new pipe to the drill-string while drilling, a hy- ,
draulically or otherwise actuated make-up unit 6 is used, which can be mounted on the power swivel 4 in place of
the hole in a continuous motion. The main components described and denoted according to FIG. 1 and 2 per
form the following steps forming the operation cycle of
the elevator member 5, and the pipe is then made up directly by means of power swivel 4. The make-up unit 6 is a well known powered jaw tool, the jaws of which are
the rig:
hydraulically actuated for engaging the pipe. Rotation of
and the elevator member 5 continue their descending
the make-up unit 6 for making up an additional pipe is performed by the power swivel 4 upon which the unit 6 rests instead of the elevator member 5. A lower lift 7, ‘actuated by the lower hydraulically ac
in; the lower lift 7 with the make-and-break device 9 and the supporting device 10 descend, their movements
tuated telescopic cylinders 8 of known design, guides the lowering and elevating of the drill-string in the lower half of derrick 1. There is mounted a make-and-break unit 9 on the lower lift 7. The unit 9 is hydraulically or other wise actuated and is of known design. It is positioned at all times axially in derrick 1 and serves to “make up” or “break out” the pipe to be added or removed, while the lifts 2 and 7 travel up and down in synchronized move ments. There is secured on the lower lift 7 a supporting
device 10 using slips or other means, of known design. The device 10 is disposed under the make and break unit 9 and serves to support the drill-string while said drill string is lowered or raised in the lower half of derrick 1 by means of the lower lift 7. The drill pipes which are to be delivered into the der
'
Step (a).—The upper lift 2 with thepower swivel 4
motion, supporting the drill-string, whereby pipe A3 is run being synchronized to correspond to the upper lift2, and the weight of the drill-string is transferred, while in mo tion, to the supporting, device.10;,the trolley device 16 with its arm 20 remain for ‘the time being stationary; the tray conveyor 13 moves the pipe A2 to the. guiding track 19 located mid-way up the derrick 1.
A.
.> _,
,
‘Step (b).——The upper left 2 'with the power'swivel, 4 and the elevator member 5 descend,‘ their movements
being ‘synchronized to correspond to that of the. lower lift 7, at the same time. the elevator member 5 is_being un
latched; the lower lift3_,7 descends together. with‘the make, and-break unit 9 and the supportjng'ldevice 10.which sup ports and lowers the drill-string together withvtpipe-Aa; the trolley arm 20 grips pipe A2 whichv has beenr'raisednmida way up the derrick 1; the tray conveyor 13 starts .lifting
the next pipe A1 picked up from the storage rack 11.
. 3,404,741
Step (c) .—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and elevator member 5 are stationary and the power swivel 4 together with elevator member 5 rotate 90° and there after latch elevator member 5 around pipe A2 which has been delivered to the guiding track 19; the lower lift 7 descends further together with the make-and-break device 9 and the supporting device 10 which still supports the
drill-string, lowering said drill-string together with pipe
6 to the tray conveyor 13. The lateral transfer unit remains
stationary throughout the trip in operation. The storage rack 11 which was delivering pipes to the derrick for the
tripping-in operation, changes now to receive the pulled pipes, by setting the tilting loading forks 12 so that the pipe A1 which is being removed, can roll by gravity through the storage rack 11.
‘
t
For drilling, the drill-string is made up in the power A3; the transfer unit 17 is stationary together with the swivel 4 which moves together with the upper lift 2 in the trolley 16 whose arm 20‘ grips pipe A2 which has been upper half of the derrick, while the lower lift 7 is sta~ raised mid-way up the derrick 1; the tray conveyor 13 10 tionary. In the case of bottom power drilling the power goes on lifting the next pipe A1. swivel is used as a conventional swivel. Step (d).--The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and Adding of a new pipe while drilling, is accomplished elevator member 5 rise rapidly, the elevator member 5 by means of the power swivel 4 eliminating thus the need gripping one end of pipe A2 which is being elevated in 15 for the “kelly,” which is generally required for the con the upper half of the derrick 1; the lower lift 7 continues ventional rotary tables. The power swivel 4 serves to make descending together with the make-and-break device 9’ and up directly the pipes to be added in its tool-joint, thus no the supporting device 10 which still supports the drill separate make up device is necessary. However, the eleva string, lowering it together with pipe A3; the transfer unit tor member 5 must be replaced by the make up device 6 17 displaces the trolley 16, the arm 20 of which is gripping 20 before adding a new pipe. The bit is made up either sepa~ one end of pipe A2; the tray conveyor 13 continues rately on the storage rack 11 or in the derrick 1, at the raising the next pipe A1. . level of the lower lift 7. Step (e).—-The upper lift 2 continues to rise rapidly Casing running operations are similar to those per
with power swivel 4 and elevator member 5 which sup formed to run in the drill string. " ports one end of pipe A2; on arriving at the top of its 25 In order to perform “?shing” jobs, the automated oper stroke, the upper lift 2 reverses motion and begins to ation of the rig is switched off and the upper lift 2 can be descend, the movement of said upper lift 2 being synchro independently controlled, so that the “fishing” job can nized to correspond to that of the lower lift 7, which con be conducted in the conventional way. tinues its descent, together with the supporting device 10 To perform the steps sequence of the rig operation ac
which still supports the drill-string thereby lowering said 30 cording to the cycle-diagram of FIG. 3, the operation drill string together with pipe A3; the transfer unit 17 of each device of the rig is automatically programmed. In stops the trolley 16, and the trolley arm 20 which has special cases, for example: the malfunction of the auto been rotating 90", by releasing its clamp jaws 21 posi mated devices of the rig or when “?shing” jobs or remedial
tions pipe A2 in the central area of derrick 1 while said
works are necessary, the component devices of the rig can
pipe A2 is being lowered to be stabbed in pipe A3; the 35 be controlled independently. As the component parts of the tray conveyor 13 is raising now the next pipe A1. automatic drilling rig are hydraulically actuated, their Step (f).--The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and being placed in operation or being stopped requires han elevator 5 descend simultaneously with the lower lift 7, dling, in a well-known manner, of inlet and outlet valves to run pipe A3, the drill-string being supported by the controlling the pressure ?uid that actuates them. The inlet supporting device 10; meanwhile the make-and-break de 40 and outlet valves are controlled either hydraulically or vice 9 after wiping and greasing the tool-joint thread electrically, according to the automatic programmer type makes up pipe A2 (as indicated by the curved arrows) in use. Switching on and off of each component part, the clamp jaws 21 of the trolley arm 20 are now com necessary for the drilling rig automatic control, occurs pletely released and the trolley 16 with its arm 20 is according to the operation cyclogram of the automatic moved back to its original position; the tray conveyor 45 drilling rig. All the inlet and outlet valves are thus opened 13 is raising the next pipe A1. or closed from the automatic programmer. In the case of Step (g).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and electrically actuated valves, the automatic programmer elevator member 5 descend simultaneously with the lower will be a well-known multiswitch mechanism, and in case lift 7, but the weight of the drill string is transferred to of hydraulically actuated valves the automatic program elevator member 5 by disengaging the supporting device mer will also be a well-known multidistributor mecha 10; the lower lift 7 continues to descend simultaneously with the upper lift 2 while the supporting device 10 re leases the drill-string; the trolley 16 with its arm 20‘ are moved to their original position by means of the transfer unit 17; the tray conveyor 13 continues raising the next
nism. For individually handling the drilling rig devices, each inlet and outlet valve can be controlled independent ly, as required without using the automatic programmer. The advantages of the method and rig, according to the
pipe A1.
present invention, are as follows:
above is reversed, abeing per-formed in the order i . . . a.
being supported at both ends throughout its delivery; Many modi?cations and adaptions will become readily
The rig described in the present invention allows the Step (h).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and trip time to be reduced by an amount similar to that elevator member 5 continue to descend supporting now achieved by the known automated rigs, however it is the drill-string; the lower lift 7 together with the make up simpler than the latter because it has no separate trans and break out unit 9 and the supporting device 10- re verse their motion and rise rapidly the trolley 16 with its 60 fer devices to displace the pipe in the upper half of the derrick, no separate devices to center the pipe in the arm 20 remain stationary in their original position; the derrick, no separate devices for transferring the delivered tray conveyor 13 continues raising the next pipe A1. pipe, while in motion, to the upper lift; Step (i).—The upper lift 2 with power swivel 4 and The rig uses a derrick of reduced height; elevator 5 descend and support the drill-string; the lower In tripping in or out the drill string, the slip wedges of lift 7 with the make-and-break device 9 and the support 65 the supporting device impress their marks at most only ing device 10 reverse their motion and descend rapidly once on each pipe; to move jointly with the upper lift 2. The trolley 16 with The number of movements involved in delivering the its arm 20 and the transfer unit 17 are stationary; the tray pipe from the storage rack to the center area of the derrick conveyor 13 raises pipe A1 and deposits it On the guiding 70 is reduced; track 19. ' Rig operation is shockless and vibrationless, each pipe On the trip-out operation the steps sequence described At the same time, Step a involves a lateral transfer unit
to persons skilled in the art and for that reason 22, serving to remove pipe A2 from the guiding track 19 75 itapparent is intended that this invention be limited only by the
3,404,741 7
8
tilting loading ‘forks a're'now set’ to permit the wpipe to roll by gravity to the storage rack. 4. A method of continuously and automatically run
appended claims as interpreted in the light of the prior art.
What is'claimed is:
1. System for'continuously and automatically perform ing round trip operations on oil and gas wells while drilling or in production, the drilling string consisting of
ning in or pulling out'a drill pipe string consisting of a plurality of connected "drill pipe‘ sections in oil'and gas wells, by means of a rig having two ‘separate lifts ‘the
pipes assembled by means of two lifts whose movements are synchronized, said system involving for the transfer of each pipe to be added to the drill-string successively, rais
movements of which are synchronized with respect to
ing of the pipe in horizontal position from the storage
each other, ‘comprising the stepsv'of' adding ,a‘drill'plp‘e section by raising said section in ‘a horizontal position 10 from a storage rack located at the‘foot of said rig to a level
substantially midway up said rig, pivoting said pipe section
rack to a mid-way station up the derrick, 90° swinging of the pipe to vertical position in the central area of the der
90° to a vertical position in the central area of said rig,
said pivoting movement being effectuated by gripping ‘one
rick, whereby one end of the said pipe is directly gripped
end of said pipe section with means connected to the upper lift of said two ‘separate lifts during the upward move ment thereof while gripping the other end of said pipe section and horizontally transferring it towards the cen
by the upper lift during its upward movement so as to raise said pipe end to the upper section of the derrick,
while the other end of said pipe is being horizontally translated, whereafter said pipe is lowered along the der rick axis at a speed such as to catch up with the drill-string
ter of said rig, thereafter lowering said pipe section by
which is continuously descending and thereafter synchro nization of said pipe speed with the constant descending speed of the drill-string, rotation of said pipe for its mak
means of said upper lift at a speed adapted to catch 20
ing up at the level of the lower lift, while both said pipe and drill-string are continuously descending, when com ing out of the hole the movements are reversed.
2. Rig for continuously and automatically performing the round trip operations on oil and gas wells while drill ing or in production, serving to apply the system set forth
in claim 1, said rig comprising for the trip-in operation, a tray conveyor which successively picks up the pipes from a storage-rack placed upon the ground near the derrick,
said storage-rack being equipped with tilting loading forks for continuously delivering pipes by gravity to said tray conveyor which deposits the horizontally raised pipe onto a guiding track positioned mid-way up the derrick, said guiding track supporting a trolley equipped with an arm
for the gripping and guiding in horizontal position one end of said pipe, the other end of said pipe being then gripped by the upper lift to swing said pipe 90° and bring
up with said pipe string which is continuously descending at constant speed and which is being lowered by the lower lift of said two separate lifts, thereafter synchronizing the speeds of said descending drill pipe string and said de
scending drill pipe section, and rotating said pipe section thereby joining it to the upper end of said drill pipe string while both said drill'pipe string and said pipe section are descending at equal speeds.
'
5. A drilling rig for continuously and automatically running in or pulling out a drill pipe string in oil and gas
wells, consisting of a plurality of drill pipe sections, com prising in'cornbination, a rig having upper and lower hy draulic lift means adapted to selectively support said drill pipe string and move in synchronized movements with respect to each other, conveyor means mounted adjacent to said rig and adapted to transport successively individual drill pipe sections in a horizontal position to a level with in the operative range of said upper hydraulic lift means, a hydraulic pipe section handling mechanism operatively
mounted in said upper hydraulic lift means for trans it into the central area of the derrick, said upper lift being equipped for this purpose with a power swivel and an ele 40 ferring said transported pipe section from a horizontal po sition to a vertical position in axial alignment with said vator, said power swivel and elevator being hydraulical
ly actuated to laterally swing 90°, while one end of the
pipe being delivered is supported and vertically moved along the derrick axis by said elevator mounted on said power swivel of said upper lift, and the other end of 45
rig, and pipe-section make-and-break means operatively
mounted in said lower hydraulic lift means for selectively joining or disjoining a pipe section to said drill pipe
string.
said pipe is horizontally moved along the guiding track by
References Cited
means of said arm of said trolley, in addition said arm
UNITED STATES PATENTS
by releasing its clamp jaws permits positioning of said delivered pipe for stabbing, the make up operation being
performed by means of a make-and-break device located 50 on the lower lift which runs continuously the drill string into the hole at constant speed, said drill string being sup
ported by a supporting device provided in the lower lift. 3. Rig as described in claim 2, comprising in addition
for the trip out operation a lateral transfer unit which 55
transfers laterally the pipe from the guiding track located approximately mid-way up the derrick to a tray conveyor which takes the pipe away to the storage rack, where the
,
2,848,196
5/1958
Simmonds _______ __ 175-——85 X
3,002,560
10/1961
Paget _____________ __ 175—85
3,095,048, 3,145,786 3,158,211 3,177,944 3,194,313
6/1963 8/1964 11/1964 4/1965 7/1965
O’Neill et al ______ __ 175—85 X O’Neill et al ________ __ 175—85 McCue .et al ________ __ 175—85 Knights ____ __'_____ 175—85 X Fanshawe _______ _._ 175—85 X
CHARLES E. O’CONNELL, Prim'ary Examiner. RICHARD E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner.
