Rig storage system

Abstract

A system for storing cuttings including a drilling rig having a deck and at least two support structures, and at least one cuttings storage vessel disposed in at least one of the at least two support structures is disclosed. A method of storing cuttings on a drilling rig including transferring materials from a deck of the drilling rig to a pressurized vessel dispose din a support structure of the drilling rig is also disclosed.

1 . A system for storing cuttings comprising:
 a drilling rig having a deck and at least two support structures; and   at least one cuttings storage vessel disposed in at least one of the at least two support structures.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cuttings storage vessel comprises a pressurized vessel. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a pneumatic transfer device operatively connected to the at least one cuttings storage vessel. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid supply line in fluid communication with the at least one cuttings storage vessel. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of cuttings storage vessels disposed in at least one of the two support structures is arranged in a circular configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a discharge line operatively connected to an outlet the at least one cuttings storage vessel and configured to allow for the transfer of cuttings from the cuttings storage vessel to an offsite location. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the offsite location comprises a transport vehicle. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cuttings storage vessel is disposed above sea level. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cuttings storage vessel is disposed proximate sea level. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cuttings storage vessel comprises an angled lower section. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the angled lower section of the at least one cuttings storage vessel comprises a plurality of angled structures. 
   
   
       12 . A system for storing cuttings comprising:
 a drilling rig having a deck and at least two support structures; and   at least one pressurized vessel disposed in at least one of the at least two support structures, wherein the at least one pressurized vessel is configured to store a material.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the material comprises one of a group consisting of a non-free flowing material, a free flowing material, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the non-free flowing material comprises cuttings. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a pneumatic transfer device operatively connected to the at least one pressurized vessel. 
   
   
       16 . A method of storing cuttings on a drilling rig comprising:
 transferring materials from a deck of the drilling rig to a pressurized vessel disposed in a support structure of the drilling rig.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transferring comprises actuating a pneumatic transfer device to provide a flow of the materials from the pneumatic transfer device to the pressurized vessel. 
   
   
       18 . A method of preparing a drilling rig for cuttings storage comprising:
 disposing at least one cuttings storage vessel in at least one support structure of the drilling rig.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising cutting an opening in the at least one support structure of the drilling rig for installation of a cuttings storage vessel therein. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising closing a removed section of the at least one support structure to seal the cuttings storage vessel within the at least one support structure.