Drilling rig having rig operation loads supported on pressure control equipment

Abstract

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for using the pressure control equipment positioned at a wellbore location to support loads generated during rig operations. One illustrative system disclosed herein includes at least one first pressure control device positioned proximate a first wellbore location, the at least one first pressure control device being adapted to retain wellbore pressure at the first wellbore location. The system also includes a first machine positioned proximate the at least one first pressure control device, the first machine being adapted to perform a first rig operation on the first wellbore location. Furthermore, the disclosed system includes a first structural support that is adapted to transfer loads generated by the first machine during the first rig operation to the at least one first pressure control device, wherein the at least one first pressure control device is adapted to support the loads.

1 .- 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A system, comprising:
 at least one first pressure control device positioned proximate a first wellbore location, said at least one first pressure control device being adapted to retain wellbore pressure at said first wellbore location;   a first machine positioned proximate said at least one first pressure control device, said first machine being adapted to perform a first rig operation on said first wellbore location; and   a first structural support that is adapted to transfer loads generated by said first machine during said first rig operation to said at least one first pressure control device, wherein said at least one first pressure control device is adapted to support said loads.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said first structural support is attached to said at least one first pressure control device and said first machine is adapted to be removably coupled to said first structural support. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said first machine is a drilling machine and said loads are drilling loads. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said first structural support comprises a frame structure, said frame structure being attached to said at least one first pressure control device. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein said frame structure is adapted to support said loads. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein said first machine is adapted to be removably coupled to said frame structure. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising a rig structure, wherein said first machine is operatively coupled to said rig structure. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising a tubular erector apparatus positioned proximate said first wellbore location, wherein said tubular erector apparatus is adapted to handle tubulars during said first rig operation. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said at least one first pressure control device comprises at least one of a wellhead, a blowout preventer apparatus, a flowline apparatus and a diverter apparatus. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 at least one second pressure control device positioned proximate a second wellbore location, said at least one second pressure control device being adapted to retain wellbore pressure at said second wellbore location;   a second machine positioned proximate said at least one second pressure control device, said second machine being adapted to perform a second rig operation on said second wellbore location; and   a second structural support that is adapted to transfer loads generated by said second machine during said second rig operation to said at least one second pressure control device, wherein said at least one second pressure control device is adapted to support said loads generated during said second rig operation.   
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein said second machine is one of a drilling machine, a tripping machine, a casing machine, a cementing machine, and a coiled tubing machine. 
     
     
         70 . A system, comprising:
 at least one pressure control device positioned proximate a wellbore location, said at least one pressure control device being adapted to retain wellbore pressure at said wellbore location;   a frame structure supported by said at least one pressure control device; and   a drilling machine positioned proximate said wellbore location, wherein said drilling machine is adapted to perform a drilling operation on said wellbore location, and wherein said frame structure is adapted to support drilling loads generated by said drilling machine during said drilling operation.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein said drilling machine is adapted to be removably coupled to said frame structure. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein said at least one pressure control device comprises a wellhead and a blowout preventer apparatus, and wherein said frame structure is a blowout preventer frame structure. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein said at least one pressure control device is positioned over said wellbore location and said drilling machine is positioned over said at least one pressure control device. 
     
     
         74 . A system, comprising:
 a drilling machine positioned proximate a wellbore location, said drilling machine being adapted to perform a drilling operation on said wellbore location;   a wellhead positioned above said wellbore location, said wellhead being adapted to retain wellbore pressure at said wellbore location and to support drilling loads generated by said drilling machine during said drilling operation; and   a blowout preventer apparatus positioned above said wellhead, said blowout preventer apparatus being adapted retain said wellbore pressure, to support said drilling loads, and to transfer said drilling loads to said wellhead.   
     
     
         75 . A method, comprising:
 positioning at least one pressure control device proximate a wellbore location;   positioning a machine proximate said at least one pressure control device;   performing a rig operation on said wellbore location with said machine; and   supporting loads generated by said machine during said rig operation with said at least one pressure control device.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein positioning said machine proximate said at least one pressure control device comprises removably coupling said machine to said at least one pressure control device. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising attaching a frame structure to said at least one pressure control device and supporting said loads with said frame structure. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising removably coupling said machine to said frame structure during said rig operation. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising positioning a rig structure proximate said wellbore location and operatively coupling said machine to said rig structure during said rig operation. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein positioning said at least one pressure control device comprises positioning a blowout preventer apparatus above a wellhead, wherein positioning said machine comprises positioning a drilling machine above said blowout preventer apparatus, and wherein supporting said loads comprises supporting drilling loads generated by said drilling machine during a drilling operation with a blowout preventer frame structure that is attached at least to said wellhead. 
     
     
         81 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a wellhead above a wellbore location;   positioning a blowout preventer apparatus above said wellhead;   positioning a drilling machine proximate said wellbore location;   performing a drilling operation on said wellbore location with said drilling machine;   supporting loads generated by said drilling machine during said drilling operation with said wellhead, wherein supporting said loads comprises transferring said loads from said drilling machine to said blowout preventer apparatus; and   transferring said loads from said blowout preventer apparatus to said wellhead.