Subsea drilling rig walking system and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a submarine drilling rig walking system and method, which relates to the technical field of drilling equipment, including: a loading platform, a connecting column, a pontoon and a power device; the loading platform and the pontoon are connected by a connecting column, and the loading platform is used to load the submarine drilling rig drilling equipment; the pontoon includes a filling and drainage device, which is used to drain water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig walking system rise, or to absorb water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig walking system descend; the power device is loaded on the connecting column, and is used to push the submarine drilling rig walking system to move when the submarine drilling rig walking system is in a floating state, so as to reach the target area. The present invention has the advantages of flexible movement, high precision, relatively convenient operation, stronger applicability, wider practical scope and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of drilling equipment, and in particular to a submarine drilling rig traveling system and method. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of offshore oil in deep water and the development of other new energy sources such as methane hydrate, submarine drilling rigs have shown their unique application prospects. Traditional submarine drilling rigs are fixed structures operating on the seabed and cannot be moved.

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned defect of the traditional submarine drilling rig that cannot be moved, some solutions have been proposed. For example, the submarine drilling rig is transported to the target area by a tugboat, and then the submarine drilling rig is lifted and slowly sent to the target area by using a floating crane. This places particularly high demands on the staff who control the floating crane, and there are also relatively large errors and high costs. After the work is completed, it needs to be disassembled and then lifted away by the floating crane and transported to the next target area by a tugboat. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is that the seabed drilling rig in the prior art is not convenient to move.

[0005] To this end, a submarine drilling rig walking system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a loading platform, a connecting column, a buoyancy box and a power device;

[0006] The loading platform is connected to the pontoon through a connecting column, and the loading platform is used to load the seabed drilling rig drilling equipment;

[0007] The pontoon includes a filling and drainage device, which is used to drain water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig travel system rise, or to absorb water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig travel system descend;

[0008] The power device is loaded on the connecting column, and is used to push the subsea drilling rig traveling system to move when the subsea drilling rig traveling system is in a floating state, so as to reach the target area.

[0009] Preferably, the buoyancy tank comprises at least two small buoyancy tanks working independently.

[0010] Preferably, the power device comprises a propeller device.

[0011] Preferably, the propeller device comprises a forward propeller device, a backward propeller device, a left propeller device and a right propeller device;

[0012] The forward propulsion propeller device, the backward propulsion propeller device, the left propulsion propeller device and the right propulsion propeller device are respectively installed on different outer side surfaces of the connecting column. The forward propulsion propeller device is used for forward propulsion motion control, the backward propulsion propeller device is used for backward propulsion motion control, the left propulsion propeller device is used for left propulsion motion control, and the right propulsion propeller device is used for right propulsion motion control.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes: a supporting foot;

[0014] The support legs are connected to the bottom of the pontoon and are used to raise the pontoon and place it on the seabed.

[0015] Preferably, the support legs and the buoyancy box are connected in a manner capable of relative movement.

[0016] Preferably, the supporting leg comprises a telescopic device for adjusting the length of the supporting leg.

[0017] Preferably, it also includes: a positioning device for real-time positioning of the seabed drilling rig traveling system.

[0018] A method for traveling a submarine drilling rig according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0019] The buoyancy box absorbs water, causing the submarine drilling rig's walking system to descend;

[0020] The power device drives the submarine drilling rig walking system to perform rough adjustment and large displacement movement while descending;

[0021] Determine whether the submarine drilling rig walking system has reached the preset area;

[0022] When the submarine drilling rig travel system reaches the preset area, the buoy stops absorbing and discharging water, so that the submarine drilling rig travel system stops descending;

[0023] The power device drives the submarine drilling rig walking system to perform fine-tuning and small-displacement movement;

[0024] Determine whether the submarine drilling rig travel system has reached the target area, and the target area is within the preset area;

[0025] When the submarine drilling rig walking system reaches the target area, the power device stops pushing, so that the submarine drilling rig walking system stops moving;

[0026] The buoyancy box absorbs water, causing the submarine drilling rig walking system to descend so that it sits on the seabed.

[0027] Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0028] The buoyancy box is drained to raise the submarine drilling rig's traveling system;

[0029] The power unit drives the seabed drilling rig walking system to move while rising to reach the top of the next target area.

[0030] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0031] 1. The submarine drilling rig walking system provided by the embodiment of the present invention drains water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig rise, moves the submarine drilling rig to the target area through the power device, and then absorbs water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig descend and land in the target area, so as to achieve walking under the seabed. The walking device can reach the target area more accurately and move to the next work site by itself. It has flexible movement, high precision, convenient operation, stronger applicability, and a wider range of practical applications. At the same time, it saves the cost required for the disassembly and assembly of traditional submarine drilling rigs and the lifting of floating cranes, which can greatly reduce costs.

[0032] 2. The method for moving an offshore drilling rig provided by an embodiment of the present invention improves the speed and efficiency of self-movement and the movement accuracy by combining the filling and drainage of the buoyancy box with the coarse adjustment of large displacement movement and the fine adjustment of small displacement movement control of the power device, and can reach the target area more accurately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific implementation modes of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the specific implementation modes will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation modes of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific example of the submarine drilling rig traveling system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of another specific example of the submarine drilling rig traveling system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a specific example of the method for traveling an offshore drilling rig in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0037] Figure markings: 1-loading platform, 2-connecting column, 3-floating box, 4-supporting foot, 5-power device, 51-forward propulsion propeller device, 52-backward propulsion propeller device, 53-left propulsion propeller device, 54-right propulsion propeller device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" used herein are intended to include plural forms. When using terms such as "including" and / or "comprising", it is intended to illustrate the existence of the feature, integer, step, operation, element and / or component, without excluding the existence or increase of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or other combinations. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. The orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. The terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal connection of two components; it can be a wireless connection or a wired connection. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0040] Although the exemplary embodiment is described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary process can also be performed by one or more modules. In addition, it is understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor. The memory is configured as a storage module, and the processor is specifically configured to execute the process stored in the above storage module, thereby performing one or more processes.

[0041] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This embodiment provides a subsea drilling rig walking system, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes: a loading platform 1, a connecting column 2, a pontoon 3, a supporting foot 4, a power device 5 and a positioning device.

[0044] The loading platform 1 is connected to the pontoon 3 by connecting columns 2. The loading platform 1 is used to load the drilling equipment of the seabed drilling rig. The connecting columns 2 are selected in appropriate number according to the size of the loading platform 1 to achieve a stable connection. Preferably, the number is 4 or more. Figure 1 As shown, there are four connecting posts 2 , which are respectively connected to the four corners of the rectangle of the loading platform 1 .

[0045] The pontoon 3 includes a water filling and drainage device, which is used to drain water through the pontoon 3 to make the seabed drilling rig travel system rise, or to absorb water through the pontoon 3 to make the seabed drilling rig travel system descend. The pontoon 3 can be an integral pontoon, which is used to fill and drain water. Preferably, the pontoon 3 includes at least two independently working small pontoons, each of which can independently fill and drain water, so that the loading platform 1 can move with a slight tilt, avoid obstacles, or correct the tilt of the seabed drilling rig travel system caused by the complex marine environment such as ocean currents. Figure 1 As shown, the pontoon 3 includes two independently working small pontoons, which are respectively located on the left and right sides below the loading platform 1, and each small pontoon is connected to the loading platform 1 by two connecting columns 2. By controlling the suction and discharge volume, the seabed drilling rig can be controlled to slowly descend and ascend, thereby improving the movement accuracy.

[0046] The power device 5 is mounted on the connecting column 2 and is used to push the submarine drilling rig traveling system to move when the submarine drilling rig traveling system is in a floating state to reach the target area. The movement here refers to the movement in the front, back, left and right directions (such as Figure 1 The movement is caused by the driving force in the positive and negative x-axis and y-axis directions (as shown in the figure), as well as the movement caused by the driving force in the front, rear, left and right directions and the filling and drainage of the pontoon.

[0047] Preferably, the power device 5 includes but is not limited to a propeller device. Figure 2 As shown, the propeller device includes a forward propeller device 51, a backward propeller device 52, a left propeller device 53 and a right propeller device 54. The forward propeller device 51, the backward propeller device 52, the left propeller device 53 and the right propeller device 54 are respectively installed on different outer sides of the connecting column 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 2As shown, four propeller devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are all installed on the outer side of the connecting column 2, so that the water flow is not blocked during propulsion, thereby improving the propulsion efficiency. Two forward propulsion propeller devices 51 are respectively installed on the left side and right side of the left front and right front connecting columns 2 for forward propulsion motion control, two backward propulsion propeller devices 52 are respectively installed on the left side and right side of the left rear and right rear connecting columns 2 for backward propulsion motion control, two left propulsion propeller devices 53 are respectively installed on the front side and rear side of the left front and left rear connecting columns 2 for left propulsion motion control, and two right propulsion propeller devices 54 are respectively installed on the front side and rear side of the right front and right rear connecting columns 2 for right propulsion motion control. By setting two propeller devices per group, it can not only ensure the stable progress of translation propulsion, but also realize the angled turning movement control, thereby improving the flexibility of the propulsion motion of the power device. Preferably, the travel control of the power device and the positioning of the positioning device are adopted, and there are two movement modes: coarse adjustment and fine adjustment. Coarse adjustment is to realize large displacement travel of the seabed drilling rig by controlling the propeller device and move it to the target drilling area; then fine adjustment is to control the propeller device to move slightly, so that the seabed drilling rig can find the drilling well position accurately.

[0048] The support legs 4 are connected to the bottom of the pontoon 3 and are used to lift the pontoon 3 and place it on the seabed. Figure 1 As shown, four supporting legs 4 are connected to the bottom of the pontoon to support the working platform and reduce the contact with the seabed mud. In this way, when the pontoon is drained and rises, the friction generated by the contact between the mud and the bottom pontoon can be effectively reduced, solving the problem of adhesion between the pontoon and the seabed mud.

[0049] Preferably, the support legs 4 and the pontoon 3 are connected in a manner that allows relative movement. The support legs 4 and the pontoon 3 can move relative to each other to adapt to different seabed conditions, and the relative movement can be achieved by means of gear racks or hydraulics.

[0050] Preferably, the support leg 4 includes a telescopic device for adjusting the length of the support leg 4 to adapt to the uneven seabed surface and keep the loading platform level.

[0051] The positioning device is used to perform real-time positioning of the submarine drilling rig travel system. The positioning device is sealed and loaded on the loading platform 1, preferably, installed near the edge of the wellhead device.

[0052] The above-mentioned submarine drilling rig walking system drains water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig rise, moves the submarine drilling rig to the target area through the power device, and then absorbs water through the pontoon to make the submarine drilling rig descend and sit in the target area to achieve walking under the seabed. The walking device can reach the target area more accurately and move to the next work site by itself. It has flexible movement, high precision, convenient operation, stronger applicability, and a wider range of practical applications. At the same time, it saves the cost required for the traditional submarine drilling rig disassembly and assembly and floating crane lifting process, which can greatly reduce costs.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] This embodiment provides a subsea drilling rig walking method, which is applied to the subsea drilling rig walking system of embodiment 1, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0055] S1 and the buoyancy box 3 absorb water, causing the submarine drilling rig walking system to descend.

[0056] S2. The power device 5 drives the subsea drilling rig traveling system to perform rough adjustment and large displacement movement while descending. For example, the method of rough adjustment and large displacement movement is that the propeller device uses a larger rotation speed to generate a larger thrust to control the subsea drilling rig traveling system to move, and according to the real-time coordinate position and the preset route collected by the positioning device, the water absorption speed of the eight propeller devices and the pontoon is adjusted to move the subsea drilling rig according to the preset route.

[0057] S3, judging whether the submarine drilling rig walking system has reached the preset area, the preset area surrounds the target area, and is generally set within a radius of several meters. When the submarine drilling rig walking system reaches the preset area, enter S4; when the submarine drilling rig walking system does not reach the preset area, keep moving.

[0058] S4, the buoy 3 stops absorbing and discharging water, so that the submarine drilling rig travel system stops descending, so that the submarine drilling rig floats at a stable height, so as to facilitate the subsequent translational fine-tuning control of the submarine drilling rig and improve the movement control accuracy.

[0059] S5, the power device 5 drives the seabed drilling rig walking system to perform fine-tuning small displacement movement. The method of fine-tuning small displacement movement is to determine whether the change in the positioning position of the seabed drilling rig is less than or equal to the preset change. The preset change can be set according to the actual sea conditions; when the change in the positioning position of the seabed drilling rig is less than or equal to the preset change, the seabed drilling rig is deemed to be in a stable floating state. According to the distance between the current position of the seabed drilling rig and the target area, the moving distance is calculated and decomposed into the movement in the x-axis and y-axis directions; the eight propeller devices are controlled respectively to move the seabed drilling rig in the x-axis and y-axis directions to reach above the target area, thereby improving the movement accuracy.

[0060] S6, judging whether the submarine drilling rig walking system has reached the target area, and the target area is within the preset area. When the submarine drilling rig walking system has reached the target area, entering S7; when the submarine drilling rig walking system has not reached the target area, keeping moving.

[0061] S7, the power device 5 stops pushing, so that the submarine drilling rig traveling system stops moving.

[0062] S8. The buoy 3 absorbs water, so that the submarine drilling rig travel system descends to sit on the seabed surface, that is, the target area.

[0063] Preferably, the subsea drilling rig walking method further comprises the following steps:

[0064] S9. The buoy 3 is drained to make the submarine drilling rig traveling system rise.

[0065] S10, the power device 5 pushes the submarine drilling rig traveling system to move while ascending to reach the top of the next target area. Preferably, the moving method can adopt the above-mentioned coarse adjustment large displacement movement and fine adjustment small displacement movement, but the water absorption action is replaced by the drainage action, and then the power device 5 stops pushing, so that the submarine drilling rig traveling system stops moving. Then the buoy 3 absorbs water, so that the submarine drilling rig traveling system descends to sit on the seabed surface, that is, the next target area.

[0066] The above-mentioned method for moving the submarine drilling rig improves the speed and efficiency of self-movement and the movement accuracy by combining the filling and drainage of the buoyancy box and the coarse adjustment of large displacement movement and the fine adjustment of small displacement movement control of the power device, and can reach the target area more accurately.

[0067] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A submarine drilling rig traveling system, characterized in that: include: A loading platform (1), a connecting column (2), a buoyancy box (3), a power device (5), a positioning device, and a supporting foot (4); The loading platform (1) and the pontoon (3) are connected via a connecting column (2), and the loading platform (1) is used to load a submarine drilling rig drilling device; The buoy (3) comprises a filling and drainage device, which is used to drain water through the buoy (3) to make the submarine drilling rig travel system rise, or to absorb water through the buoy (3) to make the submarine drilling rig travel system descend; The power device (5) is mounted on the connecting column (2) and is used to push the submarine drilling rig traveling system to move when the submarine drilling rig traveling system is in a floating state, so as to reach the target area; The buoyancy box (3) comprises at least two small buoyancy boxes that work independently; The power device (5) comprises a propeller device; The propeller device comprises a forward propeller device (51), a backward propeller device (52), a leftward propeller device (53) and a rightward propeller device (54); The forward propulsion propeller device (51), the backward propulsion propeller device (52), the left propulsion propeller device (53) and the right propulsion propeller device (54) are respectively mounted on different outer sides of the connecting column (2); the two forward propulsion propeller devices are respectively mounted on the left side and right side of the left front and right front connecting columns; the two backward propulsion propeller devices are respectively mounted on the left side and right side of the left rear and right rear connecting columns; the two left propulsion propeller devices (53) are respectively mounted on the front side and rear side of the left front and left rear connecting columns (2); the two right propulsion propeller devices are respectively mounted on the front side and rear side of the right front and right rear connecting columns; the forward propulsion propeller device (51) is used for forward propulsion motion control; the backward propulsion propeller device (52) is used for backward propulsion motion control; the left propulsion propeller device (53) is used for left propulsion motion control; and the right propulsion propeller device (54) is used for right propulsion motion control; The support legs (4) are connected to the bottom of the buoyancy box (3) and are used to lift the buoyancy box (3) and place it on the seabed; The support legs (4) and the buoyancy box (3) are connected in a manner capable of relative movement; The supporting foot (4) comprises a telescopic device for adjusting the length of the supporting foot (4); The positioning device is used to perform real-time positioning of the submarine drilling rig travel system; The power device (5) drives the submarine drilling rig walking system to perform fine-tuning small displacement movement. The method for fine-tuning small displacement movement is to determine whether the change amount of the submarine drilling rig positioning position is less than or equal to the preset change amount, and the preset change amount is set according to the actual sea conditions; when the change amount of the submarine drilling rig positioning position is less than or equal to the preset change amount, the submarine drilling rig is considered to be in a stable floating state, and according to the distance between the current position of the submarine drilling rig and the target area, the moving distance is calculated and decomposed into the movement amount in the x-axis and y-axis directions; two forward propulsion propeller devices (51), two backward propulsion propeller devices (52), two left propulsion propeller devices (53), and two right propulsion propeller devices (54) are respectively controlled to move the submarine drilling rig in the x-axis and y-axis directions to reach above the target area, thereby improving the movement accuracy.

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