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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

[0019] FIG. 1, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand having hydraulic cylinders,

[0020] FIG. 2, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand with guide rods,

[0021] FIG. 3, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand having a screw jack height adjustment,

[0022] FIG. 4, is a second embodiment of a mechanically extendable drilling stand having a screw jack height adjustment,

[0023] FIG. 5, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand installed in a typical drilling stack, and,

[0024] FIG. 6, is mechanically extendable drilling stand having integral hydraulic ram.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the present invention or mechanically extendable drilling stand 100, including an extendable conductor stand having an upper conductor section 110 having a first inside diameter, a lower conductor section 120 having a second outside diameter configured to fit inside of the upper section 110. A seal assembly 150 configured to prevent drilling fluid, water, or gases from escaping at the extension junction. The upper conductor section 110 including a high pressure flange 131 compatible with a flange typical to a rotating head or spool piece, the lower conductor section 120 including a high pressure flange 132 configured to adapt to a reciprocal flange welded on a ground conductor section or drilling casing installed in the well cellar or to a blowout preventer (BOP). The conductor stand is extendable using one or more hydraulic cylinders 200 having a base end 220 and a rod end 210. The hydraulic cylinders 200 connected to the conductor 100 section with an upper mounting bracket 221 and a lower mounting bracket 222.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention or mechanically extendable drilling stand 100 is shown in FIG. 2, including a guide rod assembly 300 having a plurality of brackets 321, 322 and 323. The upper guide rods 321 and 322 including a bushing assembly 330 to allow guide rod 300 to slide through in a direction parallel with the extension of the drilling stand section 100. It is understood than in order for the drilling stand to mechanically extend without binding, three or more hydraulic cylinders 200 or a combination of hydraulic cylinders 200 in conjunction with guide rods 300 in groups of three or more must be used. In this embodiment, it is recognized that a jacking rod assembly 400, as shown in FIG. 3, or a rack and pinion gear assembly can be used in lieu of the hydraulic cylinders 200.

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 are embodiments of the present invention having a screw jack assembly 400. In FIG. 3, the screw jack assembly 400 includes, the jacking screw 410, a lower bracket 420, having a threaded nut 425, a upper guide bracket 421 and a drive gear box 450 including an electric motor 451. The gearbox 450 is configured to turn the jacking screw 410, which will thread through threaded nut 425 and force the drilling stand 100 to extend or contract depending upon the direction of rotation of jacking screw 410. In FIG. 4, the jacking screw 410 is fixed to bottom bracket 460 and gearbox 450 includes a threaded gear (not shown) that when turned, will allow the gearbox 450 to climb or descend the length of jacking screw 410. It is contemplated the each embodiment of the FIGS. 3 and 4 can be equally accomplished using a rack and pinion gear arrangement.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention or mechanically extendable drilling stand 100 installed in a typical drilling arrangement including, a rotating head 610, an extension spool piece 620, a BOP 630, and a diverter spool 640 all mounted on a drilling ground casing. The embodiment depicted includes hydraulic cylinders 200 which are connected to a hydraulic power pack 500.

[0029] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention or mechanically extendable drilling stand 100 where the upper conductor section 110 is configured as a hydraulic base having an annular pressure reservoir section 153 and the lower conductor section 120 is configured as a hydraulic rod having an annular high pressure acting face 152. A sealing section 151 is adapted to isolated hydraulic fluid to the pressure reservoir section 153. A wiper assembly 155 is configured near the base end of the upper conductor section 110 to align the lower conductor section 120 within the annular pressure reservoir section 153 and to keep the mating surfaces between the upper and lower conductor sections clean. A tool ramp 154 may be formed within the diameter of the upper conductor section 110 for ease of passing drilling tools through the drilling stand 100. The drilling stand 100 is operated using a hydraulic power pack 500 attached at generic hydraulic quick fitting or fittings 501. When a volume of hydraulic fluid is pumped into the pressure reservoir section 153, force is applied to the acting face 152 of the lower conductor section 120 and the conductor sections will telescopically extend. In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that hydraulic fluid communication can be established in the void between seal assembly 151 and the bottom section of the upper conductor 110 and the wiper seal assembly 155 may be replaced with a pressure seal assembly causing the mechanically extendable drilling stand 100 to function as a double acting hydraulic cylinder.

[0030] It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.