Bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast

摘要

Disclosed herein is a bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast system that includes a drilling rig mast having a bi-directional mast erection connection, a first erection connection positioned proximate a first side of a rig substructure, and a second erection connection positioned proximate a second side of the rig substructure, the second side being at an opposite side of the rig substructure from the first side. The system further includes at least one mast erection apparatus having an upper end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the bi-directional mast erection connection and a lower end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the first erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the first side of the substructure, the lower end being further adapted to be pivotably attached to the second erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the second side of the substructure.

主权项

1. A bi-directional drilling rig mast connection system, comprising:
a first mast section having first and second spaced-apart sides and comprising a first bi-directional connection apparatus positioned at an upper end thereof; and a second mast section having first and second spaced-apart sides and comprising a second bi-directional connection apparatus positioned at a lower end thereof, wherein said second bi-directional connection apparatus is adapted to engage said first bi-directional connection apparatus so as to removably attach said second mast section to said first mast section when said first and second mast sections are in a substantially horizontal orientation and said respective first sides of said first and second mast sections are oriented in a substantially upward direction, said second bi-directional connection apparatus being further adapted to engage said first bi-directional connection apparatus so as to removably attach said second mast section to said first mast section when said first and second mast sections are in a substantially horizontal orientation and said respective second sides of said first and second mast sections are oriented in said substantially upward direction.