Drilling rig system

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a drilling rig system, particularly a land-based oil-well drilling system. The system comprises a rig module (1) which is adapted to perform drilling operations, and a setback module (2) which is adapted to hold stands (3) of drill pipe and/or drill collars to be used during the drilling operations. The disclosure further relates to a setback module (2) for use in connection with a rig module (1) in a drilling rig system, as well as a method for operating a drilling rig system.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for operating a drilling rig system, the drilling rig system comprising a rig module adapted to perform drilling operations and a separate setback module adapted to hold stands of drill pipe and/or drill collars to be used during the drilling operations, the method comprising:
 placing drill stands from the rig module in the setback module;   moving the setback module away from the rig module, while the setback module is holding the drill stands;   lowering the mast of the rig module when the setback module is moved away from the rig module;   relocating the setback module to a new drilling site, while the setback module is holding the drill stands;   unloading the drill stands from the setback module at the new drilling site.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the placing the drill stands in the setback module is performed by means of a grabber system of the setback module. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the grabber system is adapted to transfer the stands held in the setback module to the rig module when a distance between the rig module and the setback module is between 1 m and 50 m, preferably between 2 m and 40 m, more preferred between 3 m and 30 m, more preferred between 4 m and 20 m, most preferred between 5 m and 10 m. 
     
     
         22 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the moving the setback module away from the rig module is performed by means of a rig walking system of the setback module. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the relocating the setback module to the new drilling site is performed by means of a setback moving dolly. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the relocating the setback module to the new drilling site comprises raising the setback module by means of setback raising cylinders, placing a setback moving dolly under the raised setback module, and retracting the setback raising cylinders. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising relocating the rig module to the new drilling site, wherein the drill stands are unloaded from the setback module to the rig module, the method further comprising using the drill stands during drilling operations. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising securing the drill stands on the setback module. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein drill stands are secured to at least one fingerboard of the setback module. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the setback module is adapted to hold at least 10 stands, preferably at least 50 stands, more preferred at least 100 stands, and most preferred at least 500 stands. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the setback module is adapted to hold stands with at least two joints per stand, preferably at least three joints per stand.