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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mat for collecting fluid from one or more oilfield tubulars and preventing said fluid from spreading on a rig floor comprising:
 a) an impermeable plastic base member defining a top surface;   b) a first plurality of impermeable plastic support arms secured to said top surface of said base member along a first side and having a second side spaced from the first side; and   c) a second plurality of impermeable support arms intersecting at least one of said first plurality of support arms to define a plurality of openings to allow flow of said fluid from said tubulars through said plurality of openings to said base member, thereby causing said fluid to collect and preventing said fluid from spreading on said rig floor.   
     
     
         2 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of support arms are substantially parallel to a first side of said base member, and wherein the second plurality of support arms are substantially parallel to a second side of said base member. 
     
     
         3 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein said second plurality of support arms intersect said first plurality of support arms in a substantially perpendicular relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein said second plurality of support arms intersect said first plurality of support arms to provide at least one of said 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 said base member comprises a bounded region extending beyond said first plurality of support arms and said second plurality of support arms, wherein said bounded region comprises an open top adapted to facilitate removal of fluid from said bounded region. 
     
     
         6 . The mat of  claim 5 , wherein said support arms are at least partially constructed of non-abrasive material. 
     
     
         7 . A mat for collecting fluid from one or more oilfield tubulars and preventing said fluid from spreading on a rig floor comprising:
 a) a substantially planar impermeable base member comprising a first side having a length, a second side having a length, a third side having a length and a top surface;   b) a first impermeable side member disposed on said top surface of said base member along substantially the entire length of said first side;   c) a second impermeable side member disposed on said top surface of said base member along substantially the entire length of said second side;   d) a third impermeable side member disposed on said top surface of said base member along substantially the entire length of said third side and oriented substantially parallel to said second side member;   e) a first plurality of impermeable support arms secured to said top surface of said base member and oriented substantially parallel to said first side member; and   f) a second plurality of impermeable support arms intersecting at least one of said first plurality of support arms defining a plurality of openings to allow flow of said fluid from said tubulars through said plurality of openings to said base member.   
     
     
         8 . The mat of  claim 7 , wherein said second plurality of impermeable support arms are spaced apart from said impermeable base member to define a space adapted to permit fluid to drain from at least one oilfield tubular to contact the impermeable plastic base member disposed beneath said openings and to occupy the space. 
     
     
         9 . The mat of  claim 7 , wherein said base member comprises a bounded region extending beyond said first plurality of support arms and said second plurality of support arms, wherein said bounded region comprises an open top adapted to facilitate removal of fluid from said bounded region. 
     
     
         10 . The mat of  claim 7 , wherein said support arms are at least partially constructed of non-abrasive material.