System and Method for Erecting a Drilling Rig

Abstract

A system and method for erecting a drilling rig is disclosed herein. A system for erecting a drilling rig can comprise a substructure comprising a base platform. Additionally, the rig can comprise a modular rig mast comprising a plurality of sections, the plurality of sections comprising a first section, and the rig mast mountable to the substructure. Lastly, the rig can comprise a first one or more lifting means, the one or more lifting means each having a first end connected to the rig mast and a second end connected to the structure, the lifting means capable of lifting the rig mast from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

1 . A self-erecting land rig comprising
 a substructure comprising a base platform;   a modular rig mast comprising a plurality of sections, said plurality comprising a first section, said rig mast mountable to said substructure; and   a first one or more lifting means, said one or more lifting means each having a first end connected to said rig mast and a second end connected to said structure, said lifting means capable of lifting said rig mast from a horizontal position to a vertical position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of rig mast sections connect using one or more locking mechanisms. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one of said locking mechanism comprises a splice hook. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base platform comprises a slot, said mast platform insertable into said slot of said base platform. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said rig ramp comprises a track system across which said plurality of rig mast sections can travel across, said first rig mast section comprising track wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a winch system comprising one or more winches and a plurality of cables, said cables attachable to said first section of said rig mast, said first section of said rig mast moveable by said winch system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said winch system further comprises one or more winch support frames that support said one or more winches. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a second one or more lifting means capable of lifting said winch system 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said lifting means are hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base platform comprises base lifters beneath said base platform, said base lifters capable of elevating said base platform with said assembled mast platform. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first section of said rig mast comprises a plurality of legs, two or more of said legs comprising wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a rig ramp extending from the outermost surface of said substructure, said rig ramp comprising a plurality of beams capable of transporting a first section of said rig mast onto said base platform, said first section of said rig mast capable of sliding up said rig ramp. 
     
     
         13 . A method for erecting a drilling rig comprising the steps connecting a first section of a rig mast to a substructure using a first locking mechanism, to form at least a portion of said rig mast, said rig mast in a substantially horizontal position;
 connecting a second section of said rig mast to a first section using a second locking mechanism, to form at least a portion of said rig mast; and   raising said assembled rig mast from said substantially horizontal position to substantially vertical position, using a lifting means.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step connecting a third section of said rig mast on to said second rig mast using a third locking mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said second locking mechanism comprises a splice hook. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising elevating said rig mast platform by a plurality of said base lifters underneath said rig mast platform, said base lifters. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the preceding step of wheeling said first section of said rig mast up a rig ramp. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said first section of said rig mast is wheeled up said rig ramp is accomplished in part by pulling said first section of said rig mast using a winch system.