Mechanically extendable drilling stand and method of use

Abstract

A mechanically extendable drilling stand configured to be installed on an in-ground drilling casing in conjunction with typical elements of the drilling stack and then extended using a height adjustment assembly to mate with a rotating head or flow nipple line at the drilling sub floor. The mechanically extendable drilling stand having an upper cylindrical conductor section configured to telescopically engage with a lower cylindrical conductor section and a sealing assembly formed between the conductor sections.

1 . An extendable drilling stand comprising;
 a cylindrical bottom conductor section having,
 a lower flange section, 
 a top section, 
   a cylindrical top conductor section having,
 an upper flange section, 
 a bottom section 
   the top section of the bottom conductor section and the bottom section of the top conductor section configured to be telescopically coupled,   a seal assembly between the bottom conductor section and the top conductor section, and,   height adjustment assembly configured to mechanically extend and retract the top conductor section from the bottom conductor section.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling stand of  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment mechanism is hydraulic. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling stand of  claim 2  wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes one of one and two hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling stand of  claim 3  including a plurality of guide rods axially aligned with the length of the drilling conductor stand. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling stand of  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment mechanism is three or more hydraulic rams extending axially between the bottom conductor section and the top conductor section and arranged in a radial pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling stand of  claim 2  including a hydraulic power pack configured as standalone skid. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling stand of  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment mechanism is a screw jack assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling stand of  claim 7  wherein the screw jack assembly including,
 a gear box assembly fixedly attached to the bottom conductor section,
 the gear box assembly configured to turn a jacking rod, 
 
 a threaded jacking nut fixedly attached to the upper conductor section, and, 
 the jacking rod extending from the gear box assembly through the jacking nut. 
 
     
     
         9 . The drilling stand of  claim 7  wherein the screw jack assembly including,
 a gearbox assembly fixedly attached to the top conductor section,
 the gearbox assembly configured to turn a jacking gear, 
 
 a threaded jacking rod fixedly attached to the bottom conductor section, and, 
 the jacking rod extending from the bottom conductor section and through the jacking gear. 
 
     
     
         10 . An extendable drilling stand comprising;
 a cylindrical bottom conductor section having,
 a lower flange section, 
 a top section,
 the top section configured as an annular ram, 
 
   a cylindrical top conductor section having,
 an upper flange section, 
 a bottom section,
 the bottom section having an annual high pressure reservoir configured to receive the annular ram of the bottom conductor section, 
 
   the top section of the bottom conductor section and the bottom section of the top conductor section configured to be telescopically coupled,   a seal assembly between the bottom conductor section and the top conductor section, and,   a hydraulic power pack in communication with the high pressure reservoir of the top conductor section.   
     
     
         11 . A method of using a mechanically extendable drilling stand including,
 providing an extendable drilling stand comprising,
 an upper conductor section having,
 a first top end fitted with a flange, 
 a second end, 
 
 a lower conductor section having,
 a first bottom end fitted with a flange, 
 a second end, 
 
 the second end of the upper conductor and the second end of the bottom conductor configured to telescopically engage, 
 a seal assembly configured between the upper conductor section and the bottom conductor section, 
 a mechanical height adjustment mechanism configured to telescopically extend or contract the extendable drilling stand, 
   providing an in-ground drilling casing,   fitting the drilling casing with a flange compatible with the flange fitted on the first bottom end of the lower conductor section,   bolting the flange fitted on the first bottom end of the lower conductor section to the flange fitted on the drilling casing, and,   adjusting the extendable drilling stand to a desired height.