Patent ID: 6343662
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A drilling or service rig comprising:(a) a rig substructure comprising a drill floor having a central drill opening and a pipe storage area comprising a fingerboard for storing lengths of pipe; (b) at least three structural towers fixedly mounted to the rig substructure and projecting vertically above the drill floor, said towers being in spaced relationship to each other and encircling the drill opening; (c) a plurality of hydraulically-actuated, telescoping lifting rams corresponding in number to the number of towers, said lifting rams being fixedly mounted at their lower ends to the rig substructure and projecting vertically above the drill floor, and each lifting ram being in proximal association with one of the towers; (d) lateral supports associated with the towers for providing lateral support to the lifting rams throughout their range of telescoping operation; (e) hydraulic power means for actuating the lifting rams such that the lifting rams may operate substantially in unison; (f) a roof platform affixed to and supported by the upper ends of the lifting rams; (g) a drilling hook suspended from the roof platform, for vertically supporting a drill string plus accessory components and pipe-handling tools or service equipment; (h) a crane, slidably mounted to the rig below the roof platform for moving lengths of pipe laterally within the rig substructure and centrally towards the axis of the drill opening; (i) a pipe trough disposed substantially beneath the drill floor and moveable between a vertical position and an inclined position wherein the pipe trough may receive a vertical length of pipe and incline such that a top end of the pipe is inclined towards the drill opening axis while the bottom end is inclined away from the drill opening axis; and (j) a lateral ram for inclining the pipe trough.