Mobile rig to well securement system and method

Abstract

A mobile well rig can include a mast, an anchor that connects to a flange of a wellhead assembly, and a tensile member that transfers tensile loads between the wellhead assembly and the mast. A method of securing a mobile well rig to a wellhead assembly can include connecting an anchor to the wellhead assembly, connecting a tensile member to the anchor, and connecting the tensile member to a mast of the mobile well rig. A securement system can include an anchor secured to a wellhead assembly, a tensile member that transfers a tensile load between the wellhead assembly and a mast of a mobile well rig, and a strut that transfers a compressive load between the wellhead assembly and the mast.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile well rig for use with a subterranean well, the mobile well rig comprising:
 a mast;   an anchor configured for connection to a flange of a wellhead assembly; and   a tensile member configured to transfer tensile loads between the wellhead assembly and the mast.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which the tensile member is selected from the group consisting of a cable, a chain, a rod and a brace. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which the tensile member is connected to the anchor and to a platform that extends laterally outward from the mast. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile well rig of  claim 3 , in which the platform is positioned adjacent a stripping blowout preventer stack connected above a lubricator. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which the tensile member is pivotably connected to the anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which the anchor is configured to connect between a lubricator and a blowout preventer of the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which the flange is formed on a blowout preventer of the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , in which a strut is connected between the anchor and the mast. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile well rig of  claim 8 , in which the strut is pivotably connected to a laterally extending beam. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile well rig of  claim 1 , further comprising a strut configured to transfer a compressive load between the mast and the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a mobile well rig to a wellhead assembly, the method comprising:
 connecting an anchor to the wellhead assembly;   connecting a tensile member to the anchor; and   connecting the tensile member to a mast of the mobile well rig.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the step of connecting the anchor comprises connecting the anchor between a lubricator and a blowout preventer stack. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the step of connecting the anchor comprises connecting the anchor between a flange of a lubricator and a flange of a blowout preventer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  in which the step of connecting the tensile member to the anchor comprises pivotably connecting the tensile member to the anchor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the step of connecting the tensile member to the anchor comprises connecting the tensile member to a laterally outward extending post of the anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the step of connecting the tensile member to the mast comprises connecting the tensile member to a platform on the mast. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the platform extends at least partially about a stripping blowout preventer stack. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the tensile member is selected from the group consisting of a cable, a chain, a rod and a brace. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising connecting a strut between the mast and the anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the strut transferring a compressive load between the mast and the anchor. 
     
     
         21 . A system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:
 an anchor secured to a wellhead assembly;   a tensile member that transfers a tensile load between the wellhead assembly and a mast of a mobile well rig; and   a strut that transfers a compressive load between the wellhead assembly and the mast.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the tensile member is selected from the group consisting of a cable, a chain, a rod and a brace. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the tensile member is connected to a platform that extends laterally outward from the mast. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , in which the platform is positioned adjacent a stripping blowout preventer stack connected above a lubricator. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the tensile member is pivotably connected to the anchor. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the anchor is connected between a lubricator and a blowout preventer of the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the anchor is connected to a flange of the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , in which the flange is formed on a blowout preventer of the wellhead assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , in which the strut is pivotably connected to a laterally extending beam.