Field of the Invention

[001] The present application is generally directed to drilling rig assemblies.

Particularly, the present application relates to a drilling rig sidecar configured for holding drilling equipment during drill operations, transporting drilling equipment between wells on a drill pad, and transporting drilling equipment between drilling sites. Still more particularly, the application relates to a sidecar that is configurable between a side configuration and a towing configuration.

Background of the Invention

[002] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[003] In some drilling operations a plurality of relatively closely spaced wellbores may be drilled at a given oilfield drilling site. This type of drilling operation is commonly referred to as "pad" drilling. In pad drilling, the distance between adjacent wellbores may be as little as 20-30 feet or less in some applications. The plurality of wellbores are often arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern, such that rows and columns of wellbores may be disposed along lines running substantially parallel to an x- axis and a y-axis, respectively. In such pad drilling applications, after drilling has been completed at one wellbore, the drilling rig may be moved to an adjacent wellbore. Often, after drilling operations have been completed at the pad site, the drilling rig may be relocated to a different drill site, which may also be a pad site.

[004] Drilling rigs that are situated on tires are frequently used for pad drilling applications because the rigs can be pulled, towed, or driven from one wellbore to an adjacent wellbore with relative ease. Drilling rigs situated on tires are also well suited for longer distance moves, for example between separate drilling pad locations, as the rig is already transportable on its tires. [005] When a drilling rig is moved from one wellbore to an adjacent wellbore on a drilling pad, equipment may need to be disconnected and/or disassembled from the drilling rig before the move. For example, a drilling fluid system, commonly referred to as a "mud system," may in some cases be located separate from the drilling rig itself, on a skid for example. In order for the mud system to move from one wellbore to an adjacent wellbore that the drilling rig is being moved to, the mud system may be disconnected from the drilling rig. The mud system is often then pulled or towed by use of a truck, crane, or other vehicle to the next wellbore, separate from the drilling rig move. Once both are repositioned, the mud system can be reconnected to the drilling rig in preparation for the next drilling operation.

[006] Due to the need to disconnect and/or remove equipment from the drilling rig, and to pull or tow equipment independent of the drilling rig, considerable time may be lost between wellbores. In addition to preparing the drilling rig itself for the move and moving the drilling rig, the processes of disconnecting and/or disassembling equipment at one wellbore, moving the equipment to an adjacent wellbore, and reconnecting and/or replacing the equipment at the adjacent wellbore greatly extends the length of the time needed to move from one wellbore to another in a pad drilling application.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[007] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.

[008] The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig sidecar having a frame configured for supporting drilling equipment, a connector for connecting the frame to a drilling rig, and a wheel set arranged about the frame to support the frame. The sidecar may be configured to transport the drilling equipment in coupled relation to the drilling rig when the rig moves between wellbores during a pad drilling operation. The sidecar may have a side configuration, wherein the wheel set is a first wheel set and the sidecar further comprises a second wheel set, the first and second wheel sets located on an outboard side of the sidecar. The sidecar may be converted to a towing configuration in some embodiments, wherein one of the first and second wheel sets is relocated to an inboard side of the sidecar. The wheel sets may be readily removable. In some embodiments, the drilling equipment may place a load on the sidecar and a majority of the equipment load may be located at or near a centerpoint between the two wheel sets. The drilling rig sidecar may further comprise a towing coupler. The drilling equipment may include mud system equipment. In some embodiments, the drilling rig sidecar may also have one or more jacks for raising and lowering the sidecar.

[009] Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig sidecar configurable for being pulled by a drilling rig in coupled relation with the drilling rig and for being towed by a towing vehicle. The drilling rig sidecar may have a side configuration having a wheel set on an outboard side of the sidecar and a drilling rig connector on an inboard side of the sidecar for coupling the sidecar to the drilling rig. The sidecar may have a towing configuration having a wheel set on a rear end of the sidecar and a towing coupler on a front end of the sidecar for coupling the sidecar to a towing vehicle. The drilling rig sidecar may further have one or more jacks for raising and lowering the sidecar. The wheel set of the drilling rig sidecar may be readily removable. The drilling rig sidecar may further have a skid configuration wherein the wheel set is removed. The drilling rig sidecar may also have drilling equipment having a load. The load may be located at or near a centerpoint between the first and second wheel set connectors, in some embodiments. The drilling equipment may include mud system equipment.

[010] Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a method for transporting drilling equipment. The method may include the steps of towing the equipment in fully assembled and disconnected condition to a drilling site on a drilling rig sidecar, wherein the drilling rig sidecar is configured in a trailer configuration having two wheel sets at a rear end of the sidecar, converting the sidecar to a side configuration by moving one wheel set to a front end of the sidecar, coupling the sidecar to a drilling rig, and moving the drilling rig sidecar and drilling rig as a unit during pad drilling operations. The method may also include converting the drilling rig sidecar to a skid configuration by lowering the sidecar and removing the wheel sets. Lowering the sidecar may include using one or more jacks, which may be hydraulic jacks in some embodiments. The drilling equipment may include mud system equipment.

[011] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:

[013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a pad drilling operation with a drilling rig and a drilling rig sidecar, according to one or more embodiments.

[014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a sidecar frame in a side configuration and a portion of a drilling rig, according to one or more embodiments.

[015] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a sidecar frame in a trailer configuration and a portion of a drilling rig, according to one or more embodiments.

[016] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a sidecar frame in a skid configuration and a portion of a drilling rig, according to one or more embodiments.

[017] FIG. 3 is a top view of a sidecar frame in a side configuration and a drilling rig frame, according to one or more embodiments.

[018] FIG. 4 is an end view of a sidecar in a side configuration and a portion of a drilling rig, according to one or more embodiments.

[019] FIG. 5 is an end view of a drilling rig and sidecar, both lowered to ground level, according to one or more embodiments. [020] FIG. 6 is a side view of a sidecar frame lowered to ground level, according to one or more embodiments.

[021] FIG. 7A is a top view of a sidecar frame in a side configuration and a drilling rig frame, according to one or more embodiments.

[022] FIG. 7B is a top view of a sidecar frame in a trailer configuration and a drilling rig frame, according to one or more embodiments.

[023] FIG. 8 is a top view of a sidecar in a trailer configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[024] FIG. 9 is a side view of a sidecar in a trailer configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[025] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a sidecar in a trailer configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

Detailed Description

[026] The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig sidecar for transporting drilling equipment. The sidecar may carry such equipment as a degasser, shale shakers, catch tanks, trip tanks, pressure pumps, choke manifold skids, or other mud system equipment and/or other drilling equipment. The sidecar may connect to a drilling rig and may be located such that equipment on the sidecar may directly connect to the drilling rig where such connections are suitable. The sidecar may be configured to move on wheels, and may be transportable in coupled relation with the drilling rig over short distances, such as between adjacent wellbores on a drilling pad. Where long distances are traveled, such as between pad sites, the sidecar may be reconfigured as a trailer decoupled from the drilling rig and transported. The tires of the sidecar may be movable, such that the sidecar may be configured in a side configuration for short distance moves alongside a drilling rig, or a trailer configuration for long distance moves, for example on open desert or on a highway.

[027] A drilling rig operation 100 at a drilling pad is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, a drilling rig sidecar 1 10 may carry equipment alongside a drilling rig 120. The drilling rig 120 and sidecar 1 10 may be adjacent to one another during a drilling operation at one of several wellbores 130. As shown, the sidecar 1 10 may be configured to be positioned and travel to one side of the drilling rig 120, such that as the drilling rig passes over a wellbore 130, the sidecar may be parallel with the drilling rig and wellbore. The sidecar 1 10 may generally be configured to be positioned at and travel at either side of the drilling rig 120. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may be configured to be positioned at and travel in front of or behind the drilling rig 120, such that the sidecar is in line with the drilling rig as it passes over a wellbore 130, for example. After a drilling operation is completed at one wellbore 130, both the drilling rig 120 and sidecar 1 10 may move together in coupled relation to a next wellbore 130. The sidecar 1 10 may carry various drilling equipment both during drilling operations and between drilling operations. For example, the sidecar 1 10 may carry a degasser, shale shakers, catch tanks, trip tanks, pressure pumps, choke manifold skids, or other drilling fluid system ("mud system") equipment in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may additionally or alternatively carry other drilling equipment. Equipment on the sidecar 100 may remain on the sidecar while it is in use during a drilling operation and during moves to adjacent wellbores within the pad. Fluid and flow lines and other connections may connect the drilling rig 120 directly to equipment on the sidecar 1 10 during a drilling operation. Furthermore, when the drilling rig 120 and sidecar 1 10 move between wellbores 130, the mud system or other equipment on the sidecar may remain connected to the drilling rig. In this way, the drilling operation may move among wellbores 130 on a drilling pad without the need to disconnect and/or disassemble and reconnect and/or reassemble a particular mud system or other equipment.

[028] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show the sidecar 1 10 in various configurations with respect to a portion of the drilling rig 120. FIG. 2A illustrate the sidecar 1 10 in a side configuration, wherein the sidecar may have wheels or tires on an outboard side of the sidecar, furthest from the drilling rig. In this configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may connect to the drilling rig 120, and the sidecar and drilling rig may move together, as a single unit, for example between wellbores on a drilling pad. FIG. 2B illustrates the sidecar 1 10 in a trailer configuration, wherein the sidecar may have wheels or tires on end, such as a rear end of the sidecar. In this configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may be disconnected from the drilling rig 120, and may be connected instead to a truck, tractor, or other towing vehicle such that the sidecar may be pulled by the towing vehicle like a trailer. FIG. 2C illustrates the sidecar 1 10 in a skid configuration, wherein the wheels or tires of the sidecar 1 10 may be removed. In this configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may sit flat on the ground surface in some embodiments. In the skid configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may be connected or disconnected from the drilling rig 120. The sidecar 1 10 may be in the skid configuration during a drilling operation, for example. The sidecar 1 10 may additionally or alternatively be in the skid configuration while tires or wheels are moved between the side configuration and trailer configuration.

[029] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the sidecar 1 10 may generally have a frame 210, one or more singular or sets of wheels or tracks 220, and one or more jacks, feet, stabilizers, or levelers 230. While the sidecar 1 10 may have wheels or tires in some embodiments, in other embodiments, the sidecar may be equipped with walking feet or a different moving mechanism. In some embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may be equipped with the same moving mechanism as the drilling rig 120 to which it will be attached. For example, where the drilling rig 120 moves via wheels or tires, the sidecar 1 10 may also move via wheels or tires.

[030] The frame 210 may be configured to support and distribute a load. The frame 210 may support a platform, for example, on top of which may be equipment including drilling equipment such as mud system equipment, for example. In some embodiments, the frame 210 may be configured to support equipment loads or other loads weighing up to 100,000 pounds in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the frame 210 may be configured to support equipment or other loads weighing more or less than 100,000 pounds. The frame 210 may generally be composed of steel or any other metal or suitable material. The frame 210 may extend to a length of between approximately 20-60 feet, and a width of approximately 10-40 feet in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the frame 210 may have any suitable length and width. The frame 210 may have one or more connectors 240 for connecting the frame to the side of the drilling rig 120. The connectors 240 may be located on an inboard side of the sidecar 1 10, nearest the drilling rig 120, and may couple to the drilling rig using a connector bar 245 and/or stabilizing pins, hooks, clamps, or any other suitable connection device. The connector bar 245 may have one or more lifting hooks in some embodiments. The frame 210 may additionally have a towing coupler 250 at one end such as a front end of the sidecar 1 10, as shown in FIG. 2B. The towing coupler 250 may be configured to connect to a hitch such as a ball hitch, pintle hook, fifth wheel hitch, or other towing device. The towing coupler 250 may be removable in some embodiments. The frame 210 may additionally have one or more axle mounts 260. In some embodiments, for example, the sidecar 1 10 may have three axle mounts 260, such that two mounts may be located on an end of the sidecar, such as a rear end opposite the front end having the towing coupler 250, and a third axle mount may be located on a front end of the sidecar on an outboard side, furthest from the drilling rig 120. In this way, the axle mounts 260 may be arranged such that two axle mounts are on the side of the sidecar 1 10, and two axle mounts are on an end, such as the rear end opposite the towing coupler 250, of the side car. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may have, for example, one, two, or four axle mounts 260, or any suitable number of axle mounts arranged in any suitable configuration. Each axle mount 260 may be configured for coupling to an axle.

[031] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the sidecar 1 10 may have one or more singular or wheel sets 220, and in some embodiments may have two singular or wheel sets. In some embodiments, each wheel set 220 may include two wheels or tires. In other embodiments, each wheel set 220 may include one, four, or any suitable number of wheels or tires. Each wheel set 220 may attach to an axle 270 using any suitable attachment mechanism. Each axle 270 may be configured to attach to an axle mount 260 using any suitable attachment mechanism such as for example a pin and link connection. In some embodiments, the connection between the axles 270 and axle mounts 260 may allow the axles to be readily removed. In this way, an axle 270 may be moved from one axle mount 260 to a different axle mount, so as to change the location of a wheel set 220. In various embodiments, one or more wheel sets 220 may be removable, all the wheel sets may be removable, or the wheel sets may be fixed. Additionally or alternatively, individual wheels may be attached to the axles 270 using a readily removable connection mechanism. In this way, one or more wheels of a wheel set 220 may be removed from one axle 270 at an axle mount 260 and moved to a different axle at a different axle mount, so as to change the location of the wheel or wheels. Thus in some embodiments, the axles 270 may be permanently or semi-permanently coupled to the axle mounts 260. In some embodiments, one or more axles 270 or axle mounts 260 may have a trunnion- type suspension, such as a pivot point at one or more wheel sets 220. Such a suspension may allow both a wheel set 220 and the frame 210 to pivot about a common point at the axle 260 or axle mount 270 of the wheel set. In this way, the frame 210 may pivot about one or more wheel sets 220, which may allow the sidecar 1 10 to articulate different positions and/or configurations.

[032] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the sidecar 1 10 may additionally have one or more jacks 230. In some embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may have one, two, three, or four jacks 230. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may have any suitable number of jacks 230. Each jack 230 may be a hydraulic or manual jack or other type of lifting device. Each jack 230 may be attached to the frame 210 or another portion of the sidecar 1 10 and may extend downward toward the ground surface by way of the hydraulic, manual, or other device. The jacks 230 may be affixed to the frame 210 in a permanent or semi-permanent manner in some embodiments, and thus may remain affixed to the frame when not in use. In other embodiments, the jacks 230 may be readily removable from the frame 210. Each jack 230 may additionally have an attached bearing pad in some embodiments. In embodiments, the jacks 230 may function to raise and/or lower the sidecar 1 10. For example, the jacks 230 may be used to raise the sidecar 1 10 up and off of wheels sets 220, such that the wheel sets 220 may be removed. The jacks 230 may then be used to lower the sidecar 1 10 to or close to the ground such that the frame 210 is at or near the ground surface, thus placing the sidecar in the skid configuration.

[033] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the drilling rig 120 coupled to the sidecar 1 10 with connectors 240 and a connector bar 245 while the sidecar is in the side configuration. In the side configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may have one or more wheel sets 220 located on the outboard side of the sidecar, furthest from the drilling rig 120. In the side configuration, the drilling rig 120 and sidecar 1 10 may move together, as a single unit, for example from one wellbore to a next wellbore on a drilling pad. The side configuration and connection to the drilling rig 120 may generally be suitable for short distance moves such as, for example 20-30 foot distances, or approximately the distance between adjacent wellbores. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10, while in a side configuration and connected to the drilling rig 120, may be suitable for shorter or longer distance moves. As shown in FIG. 4, the sidecar 1 10 including the frame 210 may be slightly tilted horizontally away from the drilling rig 120 when the sidecar is coupled to the drilling rig, such that the outboard side of the sidecar may be lower to the ground than the inboard side of the sidecar. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may travel in a more level position when connected to the drilling rig 120. Furthermore, while the sidecar 1 10 is shown with wheel sets 220 only on the outboard side of the sidecar, it may additionally have wheel sets 220 on the inboard side of the sidecar. Additionally or alternatively, the sidecar 1 10 may have one or more wheels or wheel sets 220 nearer to a center of the sidecar or a centerpoint of the load of the sidecar, so as to limit loading applied to the drilling rig 120 from the sidecar.

[034] Generally, when the drilling rig 120 and attached sidecar 1 10 reach a wellbore, the wheels or tires may be removed from the drilling rig, as well as the wheel sets 220 removed from the sidecar. As shown in FIG. 5, the sidecar 1 10 and drilling rig 120 may each sit flat on the ground surface, or in some embodiments near the ground surface, during a drilling operation. In order to remove the wheel sets 220 from the sidecar 1 10, the jacks 230 may be used to raise the sidecar off of its wheel sets 220, such that the wheel sets can be removed, and then lower the sidecar frame 210 to the skid configuration, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the axle mounts 260 may be connected to the frame 210 by hinges 610 or another pivoting device. In other embodiments, other devices that provide the wheel sets 220 with a range of motion may be used. As such, when the weight of the sidecar 1 10 is transferred to one or more jacks 230, the axle mounts 260 may be free to pivot in one or more directions by removing a pin, disengaging a catch or bearing, or otherwise freeing up the axle mounts. For example, the axle mounts 260 may pivot upward, away from the frame 210. By pivoting one or more axle mounts 260, one or more wheel sets 220 may be removed. For example, where the sidecar 1 10 begins in the trailer configuration, one wheel set 220 may be removed from the rear and inboard side of the sidecar and placed at the front and outboard side of the sidecar to alternate to the side configuration. Similarly, where for example the sidecar 1 10 begins in a side configuration, one wheel set 220 may be removed from the front and outboard side of the sidecar and placed at the rear and inboard side of the sidecar to alternate to the trailer configuration. This change is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 7A and 7B, where a first wheel set 220a was located at a front and outboard side of the sidecar 1 10 in FIG. 7A, the wheel set was moved to a rear and inboard side of the sidecar in FIG. 7B so as to transition from the side configuration to the trailer configuration. In some embodiments, one or more wheel sets 220 may be removed or relocated while the sidecar 1 10 weight is transferred to the jacks 230. Additionally or alternatively, one or more wheel sets 220 may be removed or relocated while the frame 210 is on the ground surface, such that the weight of the sidecar 1 10 is transferred to the ground. After the sidecar 1 10 is changed to a different configuration, the one or more jacks 230 may operate to lift the sidecar frame 210 back onto the wheels, such that the weight of the sidecar transfers back onto the wheel sets 220.

[035] Once in the trailer configuration, the sidecar 1 10 may be coupled to a truck, tractor, or other towing vehicle with a towing hitch by way of the towing coupler 250 at the front end of the sidecar. In other embodiments, other towing mechanisms may be used to connect the sidecar 1 10 to a towing vehicle. The sidecar 1 10 may then be towed or pulled behind such a vehicle. While in the trailer configuration, even while connected to a towing vehicle, the sidecar 1 10 may by slightly tilted horizontally toward the front of the sidecar, and away from the wheel sets 220, such that the front end of the sidecar may be lower to the ground than the rear end of the sidecar. In other embodiments, the sidecar 1 10 may be in a more level position or tipped rearwardly when in the trailer configuration. When in the trailer configuration, the connectors 240 may be positioned closer to the ground surface than the corresponding connection location on the drilling rig 220 and may be clear of the connector bar 245, such that the sidecar can be towed away without disturbing the drilling rig 120.

[036] The towing configuration may generally be suitable for longer distance moves such as, for example towing the sidecar 1 10 from one pad drilling site to a different pad drilling site in a different location. The sidecar 1 10 may generally be configured for road travel. That is, the sidecar 1 10 may be configured to meet particular size and/or weight restrictions for vehicles towed or driven on highways or other roads. The sidecar 1 10 may also have tires or wheels suitable for being driven or towed on a highway or other road. The sidecar 1 10 may similarly be configured for high speed travel so as to travel on highways or open desert, for example.

[037] In operation, the sidecar 1 10 may be towed to a drilling location such as a pad drilling site, behind a truck or other vehicle capable of towing the sidecar. For towing, the sidecar 110 may be configured in the trailer configuration with the towing coupler 250 attached to a towing hitch of the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle may tow the sidecar 1 10 into position adjacent a drilling rig 120. Once the sidecar 1 10 is close enough to the drilling rig 120 to be connected thereto, the towing coupler 250 may be disengaged from the towing hitch of the towing vehicle. One or more jacks 230 may be used to assist with disengaging the towing coupler 250 from the towing hitch of a towing vehicle. For example, one or more jacks 230 at a front end of the sidecar 1 10, nearest the towing coupler 250 may be lowered to raise and/or support the front end of the sidecar. When the sidecar 1 10 is disengaged from the towing vehicle, the jacks 230 may be used to lift the sidecar off of the wheel sets 220, such that it may be lowered onto the frame 210 in the skid configuration. The sidecar 1 10 may either remain in the skid configuration for a drilling operation, or alternatively may be transitioned to the side configuration in order to travel with the drilling rig 120. The wheel sets 220 may be removed in order to prepare for drilling operations, if the drilling rig 120 is already over a wellbore, for example. Alternatively, the sidecar 1 10 may be transitioned to the side configuration by removing one wheel set 220 from a rear and inboard side of the sidecar and placing it at the front and outboard side of the sidecar. The jacks 230 may be used to raise the frame 210 such that the weight of the sidecar 1 10 transfers back to the wheel sets 220 for the side configuration. The sidecar 1 10 may be connected to the drilling rig via the connectors 240 and connector bar 245 from the trailer, side, or skid configuration in different embodiments. One or more jacks 230 may be used to assist with the connection to the drilling rig 120. For example, one or more jacks 230 on an inboard side of the sidecar 1 10, nearest the drilling rig may be lowered to raise and/or support the inboard side of the sidecar. Once in a side configuration and attached to the drilling rig 120, the sidecar 1 10 and drilling rig may move together as a unit. While the sidecar 1 10 is connected to the drilling rig 120, equipment on the sidecar such as mud system equipment may be connected to the drilling rig 120. The sidecar 1 10 and drilling rig 120 may continue to move as a unit while equipment on the sidecar is still connected to the drilling rig. When the sidecar 1 10 and drilling rig 120 reach a wellbore for drilling, the sidecar may be raised off of its wheel sets 220 and lowered to the skid configuration for drilling. When drilling at a wellbore is complete, the sidecar 1 10 may be raised from the skid configuration back into the side configuration, so that it can once again travel alongside the drilling rig 120.

[038] When the sidecar 1 10 is to be removed from a site, for example when an entire pad drilling operation is completed, the sidecar may be disconnected from the drilling rig 120, changed to a trailer configuration, and recoupled to a towing hitch on a towing vehicle. Once all equipment on the sidecar 1 10 is disconnected from the drilling rig 120, the towing vehicle may drive away with the sidecar.

[039] With reference now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, in some embodiments, a sidecar

800 of the present disclosure may be configured in a stationary trailer configuration. For example, the sidecar 800 may have a frame 810, two wheel sets 820, and two axle mounts 860. The sidecar 800 may have one or more connectors 840 for connecting to the drilling rig, and a towing coupler 850 for connecting to a towing vehicle such as a truck, tractor, or other vehicle capable of towing the sidecar. Each wheel set 820 may include an axle 870 and one or more wheels or tires. In some embodiments, each wheel set 820 may include two wheels or tires. In other embodiments, each wheel set 820 may include any suitable number of wheels or tires. One or more wheel sets 820 may be removable in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the wheel sets 820 may be fixed. The sidecar 800 may further have one or more jacks 830 in some embodiments. Each jack 830 may be a hydraulic or manual jack or other type of lifting device. Each jack 830 may be attached to the frame 810 or another portion of the sidecar 800 and may extend downward toward the ground surface by way of the hydraulic, manual, or other device. Each jack 830 may additionally have an attached bearing pad in some embodiments. In embodiments, the jacks 830 may function to raise and/or lower the sidecar 800. For example, the jacks 830 may be used to raise the sidecar 800 up and off of wheels sets 820, such that the wheel sets 820 may be removed. The jacks 830 may then be used to lower the sidecar 800 to or close to the ground such that the frame 810 is at or near the ground surface. In some embodiments, the one or more jacks 830 may operate to keep the sidecar 800 level while it is on the wheel sets 820 and not connected to a towing vehicle or other vehicle, as shown in FIG. 9.

[040] Due to its general versatility, a sidecar of the present disclosure may be configured for and/or used in conjunction with existing drilling rigs. For various reasons, particular equipment such as mud system equipment for example may be located and/or moved independent from some existing drilling rigs. For example, on some existing drilling rigs on tires or wheels, the tires or wheels may not be designed to carry the weight of particular equipment such as mud system equipment. A sidecar of the present disclosure may be used to carry such equipment alongside the drilling rig in order to make a drilling operation such as a pad drilling operation more efficient. A sidecar of the present disclosure may save considerable time, because particular equipment may no longer need to be disconnected and individually transported to each wellbore. In some embodiments, a sidecar of the present disclosure may be designed such that, when in a side configuration, a majority or substantial portion of the load is centered over or near the outboard wheel sets. Additionally or alternatively, the sidecar may have one or more wheels or wheel sets nearer to a center of the sidecar or a centerpoint of the load of the sidecar. In either case, when in the side configuration and connected to a drilling rig, the load placed on the drilling rig from the sidecar may be reduced or minimized so as to reduce or minimize impact to the existing suspension capacity of the drilling rig.

[041] A drilling rig sidecar for holding and/or transporting particular drilling equipment has been disclosed. As disclosed, a sidecar of the present disclosure may have various configurations, such as a side configuration, a skid configuration, and a trailer configuration. The side configuration may be suitable for transporting drilling equipment alongside a drilling rig for particular moves such as between adjacent wellbores at a pad drilling site. The skid configuration may be suitable for drilling operations. The trailer configuration may be suitable for transporting drilling equipment for particular moves such as to or from a pad drilling location. A sidecar of the present disclosure may be used with existing drilling rigs without imparting substantial additional loading onto the drilling rig.

[042] As used herein, the terms "substantially" or "generally" refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is "substantially" or "generally" enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" or "generally" is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is "substantially free of or "generally free of an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is generally no measurable effect thereof.

[043] In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.