Patent ID: 7624831
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A mobile drilling system which includes a plurality of modules capable of coordinated movement between well or other drilling sites, comprising: (a) a plurality of drilling system modules positioned in a drilling formation with respect to each other during drilling of a first oil or gas well; (b) each of said drilling system modules having wheel assemblies mounted therewith which are steerable in order to guide each of said modules during said movement from said initial well to subsequent drilling sites; (c) each of said drilling system modules having a propulsion system mounted therewith in order to drive said wheel assemblies of each of said modules at directed velocities during said movement between said well or other drilling sites; (d) each of said drilling system modules having a steering system in operative engagement with said propulsion system and said wheel assemblies of each of said modules such that each module has a propulsion and steering system for moving said module between said well or other drilling sites; and, (e) a position feedback system mounted with each drilling system module, each of said position feedback systems including sensors for detecting the relative position of each module with respect to the other modules during movement from said initial well to subsequent drilling sites, said feedback system of at least one of said modules providing feedback to said propulsion and/or steering systems of said other modules in order to adjust the position of said modules with respect to each other in order to substantially maintain the initial drilling formation of said drilling system modules during movement from said initial well to other drilling sites.