Rig Mobilization & Rig Move Procedures – Onshore Drilling Rigs

Planning, Execution, Safety, and Compliance Guide

Key Questions Answered in This Article

What is rig mobilization, and why is it critical to well delivery?
How do you plan and execute a safe and efficient onshore rig move?
What tasks and decisions make up the mobilization workflow?
What safety, regulatory, and communication protocols must be in place?
What are common pitfalls and lessons learned in rig move execution?

1. Introduction to Rig Mobilization

Rig mobilization is the structured process of transferring a drilling rig and all its integrated support systems from one drilling pad to another. It involves rigging down, transporting, positioning, and preparing the rig for subsequent rig-up operations. This phase is far more than a simple logistics exercise; it directly impacts safety performance, schedule adherence, cost control, and regulatory compliance. A successful rig move is executed in the correct sequence, with minimal rehandling, equipment damage, or delays.

2. Purpose of Rig Move Planning

Rig move planning aims to:

Move the rig and support equipment safely and efficiently.
Minimize non-productive time (NPT) and avoid schedule slippage.
Ensure equipment arrives ready for rig-up without unnecessary rehandling.
Maintain compliance with all road, weight, and safety regulations.
Reduce risk of equipment damage and safety incidents.

Poor planning is a leading cause of rig move delays, cost overruns, and safety incidents.

3. Rig Move Planning Philosophy

Effective rig move planning is based on several core principles:

One-Touch Movement: Each item should be moved only once and placed in its rig-up position whenever feasible.
Purpose-Driven Trucking: Every truck movement and crew action must have a clearly defined operational purpose.
Backward Planning: Sequencing starts with the final rig-up arrangement and then works backward to define the transport and loading order.

Planning focuses on final placement rather than simple point-to-point transportation.

4. Pre-Mobilization Planning

Pre-mobilization planning determines whether the rig can be moved safely and legally, without rehandling or delay. All technical, logistical, and safety constraints must be identified and resolved before any equipment is released for transport. Incomplete planning at this stage is the most common root cause of rig-move disruptions.

4.1 Route Survey and Transport Feasibility

A detailed physical route survey is conducted to confirm that the selected transport route can safely accommodate the planned loads from the origin site to the destination pad. The survey verifies both structural and operational constraints that directly affect load configuration and transport sequencing.

The route survey evaluates:

Road geometry and condition, including width, surface integrity, gradients, and turning radii.
Bridge and culvert load-bearing capacity, confirming allowable axle loads and gross vehicle weights.
Obstructions, such as power lines, pipelines, signage, and tree canopies, with measured clearances.
Terrain limitations, including soft ground, steep grades, tight approaches, and seasonal accessibility.
Ground bearing capacity at temporary pull-outs, turning points, and staging areas.

Survey findings are reviewed against the preliminary load list and may require:

Reconfiguration or splitting of loads.
Selection of alternate routes.
Use of escort vehicles or traffic control.
Temporary civil works such as road strengthening, matting, or obstruction removal.

No rig move proceeds without a completed, reviewed, and approved route survey.

4.2 Site Verification

The destination site is verified to confirm it can safely receive, position, and assemble the rig without rehandling or congestion. Site readiness must align with the planned delivery and rig-up sequence.

Site verification confirms:

Pad compaction and load capacity for cranes, trailers, and rig modules.
Pad leveling and drainage, ensuring stable foundations for substructure and heavy equipment.
Environmental protections, including berms, liners, and access controls, are installed and intact.
Clearances and working envelopes for cranes, mast erection, and module placement.
Defined traffic flow, access points, and exclusion zones to support safe unloading.

Any deficiencies are corrected before mobilization begins.

4.3 Safety and Pre-Move Meetings

Pre-move safety meetings align all personnel on hazards, responsibilities, and communication protocols. These meetings ensure that the entire move is executed under a shared understanding of risks and controls.

Safety planning includes:

Review of the rig-move execution plan and sequence.
Identification of critical lifts, traffic hazards, and fatigue risks.
Confirmation of communication channels between drivers, escorts, logistics, and site supervision.
Reinforcement of stop-work authority and escalation paths.
Alignment on emergency response and incident reporting procedures.

All personnel must be briefed before participating in mobilization activities.

5. Defining the Rig Move Scope

The rig move scope defines how the rig will be relocated and establishes the planning basis for all subsequent activities. The scope is confirmed early and remains fixed unless formally revised.

The move scope typically falls into one of two categories:

Full disassembly and truck transport are used for long-distance moves or where public infrastructure is involved.
Skidding or walking moves are used for short relocations within a pad or between adjacent pads.

The selected scope directly determines:

The total number of loads.
The type and capacity of transport and lifting equipment.
The duration of the move.
The level of permitting, regulatory oversight, and traffic control required.

A clear scope definition prevents late changes that disrupt sequencing and schedules.

6. Development of the Load List

The load list is the core planning document for rig mobilization. It defines every physical movement required to relocate the rig and establishes the technical basis for transport planning, permitting, sequencing, and execution. A well-developed load list directly influences safety, cost, and rig move efficiency.

Each rig component is cataloged with:

Verified weight and center of gravity, confirmed against manufacturer data or field verification.
Transport dimensions, including overall height, width, and length in the planned transport orientation.
Assigned trailer type and axle configuration, selected to meet load distribution and regulatory limits.
Special handling requirements, such as certified lifting points, orientation constraints, fragile components, or weather protection needs.

Beyond simple inventory tracking, the load list also serves as a load-optimization tool. Industry best practice is to question whether every item at the active drilling location must be moved with the rig. Many rigs accumulate auxiliary equipment, spare systems, or contingency items that may be required later in the campaign but are not needed immediately at the next well.

As part of load list development:

Equipment that is not required for immediate rig-up or early drilling operations is identified.
Non-critical items are backloaded to the yard or centralized storage while the current well is in progress.
Only equipment essential for the next well’s rig-up, commissioning, and initial drilling phase is retained for the rig move.

This approach:

Reduces the total number of loads during mobilization.
Simplifies sequencing and congestion management at the destination.
Lowers crane time, handling exposure, and transport risk.
Improves rig move efficiency without compromising operational readiness.

The load list is reviewed and refined iteratively as:

Route survey results are finalized, and transport constraints are confirmed.
Permitting requirements define allowable load dimensions and weights.
Transport, crane, and handling capacities are validated.
Equipment criticality is reassessed against the upcoming well program.

An accurate and actively optimized load list ensures legal compliance, safe lifting, correct sequencing, and a lean rig move focused on what is operationally necessary

7. Estimating Truck and Equipment Requirements

Truck and equipment requirements are developed directly from the finalized load list. Each load is matched to suitable transport and handling equipment.

Assignments consider:

Component weight, dimensions, and stability.
Legal highway limits and route-specific restrictions.
Required trailers, prime movers, cranes, forklifts, and support equipment.

While reducing truck count can lower costs, excessive consolidation increases risk. Overloaded or poorly configured loads lead to:

Road and infrastructure damage.
Equipment damage during transport or unloading.
Increased unloading time and safety exposure.

The objective is operational efficiency, not minimum truck count. Truck count should be reduced by optimizing the number of loads by proper planning, as explained in the previous section, not by excessive consolidation or overloading.

8. Permitting and Regulatory Coordination

All regulatory approvals are secured before transport begins. Permitting defines when, where, and how loads can move.

Permitting requirements include:

Oversized and overweight permits for all applicable jurisdictions.
Time-of-day and travel-day restrictions.
Escort vehicle and traffic control requirements.
Approved routes and prohibited segments.

Permit conditions are embedded into the mobilization schedule to prevent unplanned stoppages or enforcement actions.

9. Loading Operations at the Origin Site

Loading operations prepare each load for safe transport and correct placement at the destination. Execution discipline at this stage prevents downstream delays.

Before loading:

All components are inspected and verified against the load list.
Weight distribution and lifting points are confirmed.
Tie-down and securing methods are validated.
The load documentation is completed.

Drivers are briefed on:

Load characteristics and handling limitations.
Approved routes and permit conditions.
Unloading sequence and final placement requirements.

10. Load Sequencing and Delivery Order

Load sequencing is designed to support uninterrupted rig-up at the destination. Load sequencing is based on the rig-up sequence at the destination, not on the order in which equipment is dismantled. This requires careful coordination between the rig-down crew and the logistics team.

Early deliveries typically include:

Substructure components and foundations.
Rig mats and ground support systems.
Mud tanks and pipe racks.

These components form the physical foundation for rig-up and must arrive first. Critical drilling systems such as drawworks, pumps, and generators. Ancillary drilling systems, utilities, and tubulars follow once foundations and support structures are in place. Proper sequencing eliminates waiting time, rehandling, and congestion.

11. Transport Execution and Convoy Management

During transport, execution discipline ensures schedule adherence and safety across the entire route.

Key controls include:

Continuous monitoring of truck movements against the plan.
Active communication between drivers, escorts, logistics coordinators, and site supervision.
Management of convoy speed, spacing, and stopping points.
Real-time adjustments for weather, road conditions, or mechanical issues.

Convoy management is especially critical for multi-load or long-distance moves.

12. Arrival, Positioning, and Unloading

Arrival at the destination is controlled to prevent congestion and unsafe interactions between trucks, cranes, and personnel.

Upon arrival:

Truck movements are sequenced and marshalled.
Loads are placed directly into their final rig-up positions whenever possible.
Temporary staging is minimized and used only when space constraints require it.
Exclusion zones and crane swing paths are enforced.

Using cranes and heavy equipment, modules are placed according to the layout plan to allow safe assembly.

Crane operations
Substructure positioning
Mast raising plans
Exclusion zones and safety controls

Direct placement reduces rehandling, crane time, and exposure hours.

13. Command Structure and Communication

Clear command and control prevent conflicting instructions and unsafe decisions during the rig move.

The structure includes:

A designated rig move supervisor with overall authority.
Defined roles and responsibilities for logistics, transport, crane, and HSE personnel.
Clear communication protocols and escalation paths.
Explicit stop-work authority for all personnel.

All crews must understand who directs activities and how decisions are made.

14. Safety Management

Rig mobilization involves heavy lifts, vehicle movements, and extended work hours, which increase the risk.

Effective safety management includes:

Pre-shift toolbox talks focused on the day’s activities.
Enforcement of exclusion zones, traffic controls, and lifting procedures.
Continuous monitoring of work practices and site conditions.
Fatigue management and task rotation.
Integration of human-factor considerations to reduce error and improve situational awareness.

Safety controls are actively managed, not assumed.

15. Contingency and Adaptability

Unexpected conditions are anticipated and planned for in advance. Contingency planning enables a rapid, controlled response without disrupting overall execution.

Contingency plans address:

Adverse weather conditions.
Equipment or vehicle failures.
Route obstructions or infrastructure issues.
Permitting or regulatory delays.

All contingency measures are communicated to key personnel before mobilization.

16. Completion and Handover

Mobilization is complete when:

All loads are delivered and verified.
All components are accounted for and undamaged.
Equipment is positioned to allow continuous rig-up without rehandling.

At this point, responsibility formally transfers to the rig-up and drilling teams.

17. Professional Perspective & Continuous Improvement

Rig mobilization is often invisible when executed well, but highly visible when it is not. It is a discipline grounded in planning, communication, and execution excellence. New professionals benefit from understanding the logic behind each procedural step. Experienced practitioners should continuously refine procedures through reviews and lessons learned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What differentiates route surveys from transport planning?

Route surveys assess physical and regulatory constraints along the planned path, while transport planning integrates those findings into schedules, permits, and equipment assignments.

Q2: Can a rig move occur without permits?

No. Oversized and overweight loads require permits in all jurisdictions crossed. These permits often include restrictions on travel times and the requirement of escorts.

Q3: What is the role of convoy escorts?

Escort vehicles ensure safety on public roads, help manage traffic impacts, and assist in navigating obstacles such as narrow bridges or tight turns.

References

Onshore Rig Move Plan industry guidelines, SAYMA Oil and Gas Engineering & Services.
Rig Move Standards and Onshore Moving Plan, DrillingforGas.com.
How Rig Moves Are Scheduled (OilServeMap).
IADC Rig Moving Night Operations Guidelines.
Integrating Human Factors Into Rig Moving Enhances Safety (SPE Journal summary).