Fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig

A fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig which generally includes a portable housing container which includes a pump, a manifold, an air compressor and a pressure washer. The manifold will generally include three inlets, with a first inlet connected to a drilling rig, a second inlet connected to a first storage tank such as a water tank, and the third inlet connected to a second storage tank such as an invert tank. The pump is connected to the manifold to transfer mixed fluids back out the drilling rig. The air compressor is linked to the manifold flow blowing out the fluid conduits prior to transfer of the container or to prevent spillage. The pressure washer may be used to clean various components at the drilling site. The present invention is fully portable such that it may easily be packed up and transferred between multiple drilling sites for use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a transfer manifold housing and more specifically it relates to a fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig which may be efficiently packed up and moved between oil drilling sites.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent oil discoveries both domestically and internationally, coupled with the increasing demand for fossil fuels, have dramatically increased the drilling for oil throughout the world in recent years. For example, a recent large oil find in North Dakota has created an oil boom in the region, with a large number of oil drilling sites being established to harvest oil therefrom.

With the establishment of multiple oil drilling sites within a localized geographical region, it has become even more necessary to efficiently transfer equipment and materials therebetween to maximize oil production. In the past, permanent or semi-permanent structures have been constructed to aid in production of such oil. However, these structures have not been easily transportable between oil sites, thus requiring duplication of efforts or lost time drilling.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig which may be efficiently packed up and moved between oil drilling sites.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig which includes a portable housing container which includes a pump, a manifold, an air compressor and a pressure washer. The manifold will generally include three inlets, with a first inlet connected to a drilling rig, a second inlet connected to a first storage tank such as a water tank, and the third inlet connected to a second storage tank such as an invert tank. The pump is connected to the manifold to transfer mixed fluids back out the drilling rig. The air compressor is linked to the manifold flow blowing out the fluid conduits prior to transfer of the container or to prevent spillage. The pressure washer may be used to clean various components at the drilling site. The present invention is fully portable such that it may easily be packed up and transferred between multiple drilling sites for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 3illustrate a fluid transfer system for an oil drilling rig10, which comprises a portable housing container20which includes a pump30, a manifold40, an air compressor50and a pressure washer60. The manifold40will generally include three inlets41,43,45, with a first inlet41connected to a drilling rig13, a second inlet43connected to a first storage tank11such as a water tank, and the third inlet45connected to a second storage tank12such as an invert tank. The pump30is connected to the manifold40to transfer mixed fluids back out the drilling rig13. The air compressor50is linked to the manifold40flow blowing out the fluid conduits42,44,46prior to transfer of the container20or to prevent spillage. The pressure washer60may be used to clean various components at the drilling site. The present invention is fully portable such that it may easily be packed up and transferred between multiple drilling sites for use.

The present invention is adapted to be utilized on an oil drilling site. The drilling site will generally include a drilling rig13which may include a mud tank. The present invention is adapted for use on a wide range of types of drilling sites, and should not be construed as being limited for use on any particular type of drilling rig13. The drilling site will often include upright storage tanks11,12such as for storing fresh water, salt water and/or invert. While the figures illustrate only a pair of tanks11,12, it is appreciated that a large number of tanks11,12may be utilized in connection with the present invention. Accordingly, though the figures only show a first tank11and a second tank12, multiple tanks may be utilized for storing each type of fluid being used on site and with the present invention.

B. Housing Container

As best shown inFIG. 1, the present invention comprises a housing container20which stores the various components thereof. The housing container20may be comprised of various configurations, shapes and sizes. Thus, the configuration, shape and size of the housing container20should not be construed as being limited by the exemplary figures.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, the housing container20will be comprised of a standard rectangular shipping container which has been modified to suit the needs of the present invention. Preferably, the housing container20will be transportable, such as by truck, so as to be able to move the housing container20to different oil rigs for use. The housing container20may also be comprised of various trailer configurations. In some embodiments, the housing container20may include wheels and/or a trailer hitch, whereas in other configurations the housing container20may be adapted to rest on the bed of a truck or other vehicle for transport.

The housing container20will generally include at least one door22which leads to an inner chamber24which includes the various components of the present invention. The housing container20will generally include a front wall26and a rear wall28as shown in the figures. The housing container20will include air conditioning and/or heating to create a comfortable climate therein for operators of the present invention. The housing container20will also preferably be lighted so that it may be used both during day and night.

C. Inner Chamber

As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the inner chamber24of the housing container20includes a pump30and manifold40which act to transfer various fluids between one or more storage tanks11,12and a drilling rig13. The pump30may be comprised of various types of pumps and will include an outlet32which extends out through the container20to be connected to the drilling rig13(i.e. to a mud tank).

The pump30includes a manifold40connected thereto, with the manifold40being connected to one or more storage tanks11,12and/or a drilling rig13. The manifold40may be connected directly to the pump30or, in some embodiments, may be integrally formed therewith.

The manifold40is preferably positioned adjacent one of the walls26,28of the container20, such as the rear wall28as shown in the figures. However, placement of the manifold40may vary in different embodiments of the present invention. The manifold40, as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, includes a first inlet41, a second inlet43, and a third inlet45, each adapted to receive fluids therein.

The first inlet41will generally be connected via a first fluid conduit42to the drilling rig13to receive various fluids (such as invert or fresh/salt water) therefrom for mixing in the manifold40prior to being pumped back via the outlet32of the pump30. The second inlet43will generally be connected via a second fluid conduit44to a first storage tank11such as a fresh/salt water tank11as shown in the figures. The third inlet45will be connected via a third fluid conduit46to a second storage tank12such as an invert tank12as shown in the figures.

The fluid conduits42,44,46generally extend through openings formed in the rear wall28of the housing container20. Each of the fluid conduits42,44,46or inlets41,43,45preferably include valves47for manually shutting off flow to the manifold40when needed.

The manifold40also preferably includes an air line connector48to which an air compressor50may be connected via an air conduit52as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The air compressor50is linked with the fluid manifold40to blow out the fluid conduits42,44,46for cleaning, transport, or to prevent spills. The air conduit52preferably includes a check valve53to prevent backflow of any fluids from the manifold40into the air compressor50.

The inner chamber24of the housing container20may also include a pressure washer60. Various types of pressure washers60may be utilized. The pressure washer60includes a pressure washer outlet61which extends through the rear wall28of the container20via a hose and sprayer wand. The pressure washer60may be utilized to wash off various components standard to an oil drilling operation, such as shaker bins and screens. The pressure washer60will generally be run via diesel and thus may be connected to a diesel tank16exterior to the housing container20.

The present invention may also include a diesel transfer pump64similarly positioned within the housing chamber20. The diesel transfer pump64may include a diesel inlet65which is fluidly connected to the diesel tank16. A splitter66may be utilized on the line from the diesel tank16as it enters the housing container20so as to connect the tank16to both the pressure washer60and the diesel transfer pump64. A diesel outlet67extends from the diesel transfer pump64out through the housing container20which may be fluidly connected to the drilling rig13to provide diesel thereto as needed.

The outlet67may include a flow sensor68as shown inFIG. 3to display the flow rate of diesel being pumped via the diesel transfer pump64to the oil rig13. Various types of flow sensors68may be utilized. Preferably, the flow sensor68will include a display identifying gallons per minute of diesel being pumped. The diesel transfer pump64may also optionally include a variable frequency drive (not shown), which allows for the pump rate to be modified in response to the needs of the drilling rig13.

Electrical power for the housing container20and components therein may be routed through one or more electrical panels70positioned within the container20. A generator17is generally positioned adjacent the housing container20for providing electrical power thereto. In some embodiments, the electrical panels70may be connected directly to a power grid where a generator is not needed.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the housing container20may be transferred directly to a drilling site and then arranged for use. The transfer hoses14may be removed from the hose rack29and utilized to connect the manifold40to the storage tanks11,12and drilling rig13. The pressure washer60and diesel transfer pump64may be connected to a diesel tank16and the electrical panels70connected to a generator17to provide power to the present invention.

Fluids such as water and/or inert may be transferred through the fluid conduits42,44,46into the manifold40along with any fluids needed from the drilling rig13such as inert. These fluids may be mixed before pumping back to the drilling rig13via the pump30. The pressure washer60may be utilized for cleaning various oil field components and the diesel transfer pump64may be utilized to transfer diesel to the mud tanks of the drilling13.

When finished at a particular site, the present invention may be packed up for transfer to another site. The manifold40and fluid conduits42,44,46, including the transfer hoses14, may be blown out using the air compressor50. The transfer hoses14may be stored within the hose rack29for use at the next site. The housing container20may be transferred to another site, such as by being towed.