Portable drilling rig apparatus and assembly method

Abstract

A portable drilling rig apparatus includes a rig floor having a pedestal structure thereon, the pedestal structure comprising a lower pivot point and a lower attachment point and wherein the pedestal structure is configured to be rotated to a vertical position about the lower pivot point. The drilling rig further includes a mast structure having a mast pivot point at a lower end of the mast structure wherein the mast pivot point is configured to be pinned to an upper pivot point of the pedestal structure.

1 . A portable drilling rig apparatus comprising:
 a rig floor having a pedestal structure thereon;   the pedestal structure comprising a lower pivot point and a lower attachment point;   wherein the pedestal structure is configured to be rotated to a vertical position about the lower pivot point;   a mast structure having a mast pivot point at a lower end of the mast structure;   wherein the mast pivot point is configured to be pinned to an upper pivot point of the pedestal structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to pivot the mast structure about the mast pivot point to erect the mast structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one end of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is configured to be removably attachable at multiple locations on the rig floor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rig floor is hydraulically actuated to be elevated to a specified height. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the mast structure further comprising at least one mast leg configured to secure the mast structure in a vertical position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mast structure further comprises telescoping mast sections. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a latch configured to restrict movement between an inner mast section and an outer mast section of the mast structure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the telescoping mast sections are hydraulically extended. 
     
     
         9 . A method to assemble a portable drilling rig, the method comprising:
 providing a pedestal structure on a rig floor;   the pedestal structure comprising a lower pivot point, a lower attachment point, and an upper pivot point;   aligning a mast structure and the pedestal structure;   pinning a mast pivot point located at a lower end of the mast structure to the upper pivot point of the pedestal structure;   pivoting the pedestal structure from a substantially horizontal position to a vertical position;   moving the mast structure in a horizontal direction toward a center of the rig floor;   securing the lower attachment point of the pedestal structure to a corresponding attachment point on the rig floor;   erecting the mast structure from a substantially horizontal position to a vertical position about a pivot point between the mast structure and the pedestal structure;   securing the mast structure in a vertical position.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising elevating the rig floor to a specified height. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising extending a mast leg from the mast structure to the rig floor to secure the mast structure in a vertical position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein erecting the mast structure comprises extending at least one hydraulic cylinder attached to the mast structure and the rig floor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising extending multiple telescoping mast sections of the mast structure to a final height. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising latching the multiple telescoping mast sections to prevent relative movement. 
     
     
         15 . A method to assemble a portable drilling rig, the method comprising:
 attaching a mast structure to a pedestal structure on a rig floor; and   pivoting the pedestal structure from a horizontal position to a vertical position about a lower pivot point and securing the pedestal structure to the rig floor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising erecting the mast structure to a vertical position about a pivot point of the pedestal structure. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus to restrict axial movement between an inner mast section and an outer mast section, the apparatus comprising:
 a latch mechanism pivotably connected to the inner mast section;   wherein the latch mechanism is configured to move between a collapsed position and an extended position;   a first cutout formed in an outer surface of the inner mast section;   wherein the latch mechanism sits flush with the outer surface of the inner mast section when the latch mechanism is in the collapsed position;   a second cutout formed in an inner surface of the outer mast section;   wherein the latch mechanism is configured to be extended radially and engage the second cutout in the inner surface of the outer mast section.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the latch mechanism into the extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a cable to move the latch between the collapsed position and the extended position. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the latch mechanism is configured to provide a path for load forces from the inner mast section to be transmitted to the outer mast section.