Mud saver mat for rig floors and other areas

Abstract

Mats, pipe stands, and/or other structures, and methods for receiving fluid drained from one or more oilfield tubulars are described. Usable mats can include a base member at least partially impermeable to fluid from the oilfield tubulars, a first plurality of support arms secured to the top surface of the base member, and a second plurality of support arms intersecting the first plurality of support arms. The intersection between the pluralities of support arms defines openings through which fluid from oilfield tubulars supported on top of the support members or within the openings can drain, such that fluid from the tubulars does not spread on a rig floor or other surface beneath the base member. The base member and/or support arms are provided with a height and/or thickness adapted to support the weight of one or more oilfield tubulars placed thereon.

1 . A mat for preventing fluid from one or more oilfield tubulars from spreading on a rig floor, the mat comprising:
 a base member at least partially impermeable to fluid from the tubulars;   a first plurality of support arms secured to the top surface of the base member along a first side and having a second side spaced from the first side; and   a second plurality of support arms intersecting at least one of the first plurality of support arms to define a plurality of openings to allow movement of fluid from the tubulars through the plurality of openings to the base member, thereby preventing the fluid from spreading on the rig floor.   
     
     
         2 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of support arms are generally parallel to a first side of the base member, and wherein the second plurality of support arms are generally parallel to a second side of the base member. 
     
     
         3 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of support arms intersect the first plurality of support arms in a generally perpendicular relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of support arms intersect the first plurality of support arms to provide at least one of the plurality of openings with a square shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a round shape, a honeycomb shape, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a bounded region extending beyond the first plurality of support arms and the second plurality of support arms, wherein the bounded region comprises an open top for facilitating removal of fluid therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . A method for receiving fluid from one or more oilfield tubulars, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing at least one oilfield tubular containing fluid on a mat adapted to receive the fluid, wherein the mat is disposed over the rig floor, and wherein the mat supports a weight of said at least one oilfield tubular;   orienting said at least one oilfield tubular in a position such that the fluid from said at least one oilfield tubular flows toward the mat; and   permitting the fluid to pass through openings of the mat, wherein the mat prevents the fluid from spreading on the rig floor.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of placing said at least one oilfield tubular containing fluid on the mat comprises placing said at least one oilfield tubular on a plurality of support arms of the mat spaced apart from a base member of the mat, and wherein fluid that passes through the openings of the mat contacts the base member and is prevented from spreading on the rig floor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of placing said at least one oilfield tubular containing fluid on the mat comprises placing an end of said at least one oilfield tubular within at least one of the openings, wherein fluid that flows toward the mat contacts a base member of the mat and is prevented from spreading on the rig floor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of orienting said at least one oilfield tubular in a position such that the fluid from said at least one oilfield tubular will flow in a downward direction comprises placing said at least one oilfield tubular in a generally vertical orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of permitting the fluid to pass through the openings of the mat comprises permitting the fluid to drain from said at least one oilfield tubular to contact a base member disposed beneath the openings of the mat, wherein the base member comprises a material at least partially impermeable to the fluid and prevents the fluid from spreading on the rig floor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of moving the fluid to a bounded region of the mat comprising an open top and removing the fluid through the open top of the bounded region. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of placing the mat within a depression in the rig floor such that a top surface of the mat is generally flush with the rig floor. 
     
     
         13 . A mat for receiving fluid one or more oilfield tubulars supported thereon while at least partially supporting a weight of said oilfield tubulars, the mat comprising:
 a base member having a top surface comprising a material at least partially impermeable to the fluid from said oilfield tubulars;   a plurality of first structural arms secured to the top surface of the base member, wherein the first plurality of support members comprise a first height adapted to support the weight of said oilfield tubulars, and wherein the first plurality of support members each comprise a plurality of notches formed therein;   a second plurality of structural arms secured to the plurality of first structural arms, wherein the second plurality of support arms comprise a second height adapted to support the weight of said oilfield tubulars, wherein the second plurality of structural arms are disposed within the plurality of notches of the first plurality of structural arms, and wherein the second plurality of structural arms are secured in a generally perpendicular relationship with respect to the first plurality of structural arms, thereby defining a plurality of openings for permitting passage of fluid from said oilfield tubulars through the plurality of openings to contact the base member, thereby preventing the fluid from spreading on the rig floor.   
     
     
         14 . The mat of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one side opening for facilitating emptying of the mat. 
     
     
         15 . The mat of  claim 13 , wherein the base member comprises a bounded region extending beyond the first plurality of support arms and the second plurality of support arms, wherein the bounded region comprises an open top for facilitating removal of fluid therefrom.