An underwater drill joint and method for ocean drilling

Abstract

The application discloses an underwater drill joint and a drill changing method for ocean drilling. The drill joint comprises an upper joint, a lower joint and a blocking ring. The upper joint is connected with a drill string at the top end and is provided with a limiting part I at the bottom end which is connected with the lower joint. The lower joint is connected with a drill bit at the bottom end and is provided with a limiting part II at the top end which is connected with the limiting part I of the upper joint. When the upper joint is connected with the lower joint, the blocking ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper joint to prevent the joint part of the upper joint and the lower joint from being separated. The drill joint is connected between the drill string and the drill bit. When the drill has to be pulled out to change the drill bit, the drill bit with the drill joint can be placed on the mud surface by a wire line coring winch. When the drill bit in the well is pulled out to be higher than the mud surface, a brand new drill bit sent by the winch is changed to the bottom of the drill string in the well by a ROV mechanical arm, the drill bit changing is completed, and the drilling can be started. The application can realize the drill bit changing in the well by the drill joint and the underwater robot, and has the advantages of low working intensity and high efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of public transportation technology, and in particular to an underwater drill replacement joint and drill replacement method for ocean drilling. Background Technology

[0002] Ocean drilling typically takes place in deep water using traditional methods. When a drill bit needs to be replaced, the entire drill string must be pulled out of the well to complete the replacement. Offshore drilling day costs are very high, and a significant amount of time is wasted on auxiliary procedures, increasing both the labor intensity of the workers and the overall construction cost. Patent application number "202011123837.7" discloses a method for offline pipe string running on a single offshore derrick platform. While this method allows for parallel pipe running operations during drill string retrieval, it also increases labor intensity. Furthermore, offshore operations are limited by space and logistical support capabilities, which restricts the number of personnel available. Parallel pipe running solutions still require additional labor.

[0003] In summary, the current practice of changing drill bits in ocean drilling operations suffers from high labor intensity and low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an underwater drill bit replacement joint and a drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. The drill bit replacement joint is combined with an underwater robot to realize the replacement of drill bits downhole, which has the advantages of low labor intensity and high efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] This invention provides an underwater drill bit replacement joint for ocean drilling, comprising an upper joint, a lower joint, and a retaining ring; the upper joint is connected to the drill string at its top end and to a limiting part one connected to the lower joint at its bottom end; the lower joint is connected to the drill bit at its bottom end and to a limiting part two connected to the limiting part one on the upper joint at its top end; when the upper joint and the lower joint are connected, the retaining ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper joint to prevent the connection between the upper joint and the lower joint from detaching.

[0007] Preferably, the first limiting part includes a U-shaped limiting groove that is laterally opened on the upper connector and laterally passes through the upper connector, and a limiting ring disposed at the bottom end of the U-shaped limiting groove, with an opening on one side of the limiting ring; the second limiting part includes a limiting block that cooperates with the U-shaped limiting groove and a strip-shaped limiting groove disposed at the bottom end of the limiting block that cooperates with the limiting ring; when the first limiting part and the second limiting part are connected, the limiting block slides laterally into the U-shaped limiting groove, and at this time the limiting ring slides into the strip-shaped limiting groove, so that the upper connector and the lower connector are engaged together.

[0008] Preferably, the retaining ring is sleeved on the outside of the first limiting part and the second limiting part after connection, to prevent the second limiting part from coming out laterally from the U-shaped limiting groove. The outer periphery of the limiting ring protrudes from the upper connector, so that the limiting ring forms a shoulder structure on the upper connector, and the bottom of the limiting ring is engaged with the shoulder.

[0009] Preferably, the limiting part and the upper connector are integrally formed.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting part two and the lower connector are integrally formed.

[0011] Based on the above-mentioned underwater drill bit replacement joint for ocean drilling, the present invention also provides an underwater drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling, comprising the following steps:

[0012] 1) At the start of drilling, based on the original drill string assembly, connect the drill bit changer between the drill bit and the drill string, and ensure that the retaining ring is in the limit position to prevent the upper and lower joints from separating.

[0013] 2) When drilling is finished and the drill bit needs to be replaced, prepare a new drill bit and connect it to the drill bit replacement connector. Send it to the seabed mud surface through the cable core winch, while ensuring that the retaining ring is in the limit position.

[0014] 3) When the drill string in the well is pulled up to the point where the drill bit emerges from the mud surface, use the two robotic arms of the ROV. One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring on the drill string in the well, and the other robotic arm moves the limiting part two on the lower connector without the retaining ring limit out laterally from the opening on the limiting part one of the upper connector, so that the old drill bit with the lower connector can be removed and placed on the mud surface.

[0015] 4) Then use the two robotic arms of the ROV. One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring on the new drill bit sent down by the wireline coring winch, and the other robotic arm removes the new drill bit with the lower connector along the opening on the upper connector and sends it to the lower end of the upper connector at the bottom of the drill string in the well.

[0016] 5) One of the ROV's robotic arms lifts the retaining ring on the drill string inside the well, while the other robotic arm inserts the lower connector along the U-shaped limiting groove on the upper connector and the opening on the limiting ring on the drill string, so that the new drill bit with the lower connector is installed at the lower end of the upper connector on the drill string inside the well. Finally, after ensuring that the retaining ring is in the limiting position, the robotic arm is released.

[0017] 6) At this point, the drill string can be lowered into the well for drilling operations;

[0018] 7) Finally, use the ROV's manipulator to grab the old drill bit with the old lower connector on the mud surface, install it onto the lower end of the new upper connector, and ensure that after installation, pull down the retaining ring to make the retaining ring in the limit position. Release the manipulator, retract the rope, and the core winch retrieves the old drill bit with the new upper connector and the old lower connector to the wellhead; this completes all operations.

[0019] The present invention achieves the following beneficial technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0020] The present invention provides an underwater drill bit replacement joint and method for ocean drilling. The joint connects the drill string and drill bit. When it is necessary to raise the drill string to replace the drill bit, the drill bit with the replacement joint can be lowered to the mud surface using a wireline coring winch while the drill string is being raised. When the drill bit is raised above the mud surface, a brand-new drill bit sent down by the winch is placed at the bottom of the drill string using an ROV robotic arm, completing the drill bit replacement. Drilling can then begin. This invention utilizes a drill bit replacement joint combined with an underwater robot to achieve downhole drill bit replacement, offering advantages such as low labor intensity and high efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the underwater drill replacement joint used in ocean drilling in this invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the underwater drill replacement joint used in ocean drilling in this invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper connector in this invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower connector in this invention;

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Upper connector; 2. Lower connector; 3. Retaining ring; 4. Limiting part one; 5. Limiting part two; 7. U-shaped limiting groove; 8. Limiting ring; 9. Limiting block; 10. Strip-shaped limiting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] The purpose of this invention is to provide an underwater drill replacement joint and a drill replacement method for ocean drilling, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0029] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] The underwater drill bit replacement joint used in this embodiment for ocean drilling, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, it includes an upper connector 1, a lower connector 2, and a retaining ring 3; the top end of the upper connector 1 is connected to the drill string, and the bottom end is a limiting part 4 connected to the lower connector 2; the bottom end of the lower connector 2 is connected to the drill bit, and the top end is a limiting part 5 connected to the limiting part 4 on the upper connector 1; when the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 are connected, the retaining ring 3 is sleeved on the outside of the upper connector 1 to prevent the connection between the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 from disengaging.

[0031] In this specific embodiment, the limiting part 4 includes a U-shaped limiting groove 7 that is laterally opened on the upper connector 1 and laterally penetrates the upper connector 1, and a limiting ring 8 disposed at the bottom end of the U-shaped limiting groove 7, with an opening on one side of the limiting ring 8; the limiting part 5 includes a limiting block 9 that cooperates with the U-shaped limiting groove 7 and a strip-shaped limiting groove 10 disposed at the bottom end of the limiting block 9 that cooperates with the limiting ring 8; when the limiting part 4 and the limiting part 5 are connected, the limiting block 9 slides laterally into the U-shaped limiting groove 7, and at this time the limiting ring 8 slides into the strip-shaped limiting groove 10, so that the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 are engaged together; the retaining ring 3 is sleeved on the outside of the limiting part 4 and the limiting part 5 after connection to prevent the limiting part 2 5 from laterally coming out of the U-shaped limiting groove 7, and the outer periphery of the limiting ring 8 protrudes from the upper connector 1 so that the limiting ring 8 forms a shoulder structure on the upper connector 1, and the bottom of the limiting ring 8 is engaged on the shoulder.

[0032] In this specific embodiment, the limiting part 4 and the upper connector 1 are integrally formed; the limiting part 5 and the lower connector 2 are integrally formed.

[0033] This embodiment also provides an underwater drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling based on the above-mentioned underwater drill bit replacement joint for ocean drilling, including the following steps:

[0034] 1) At the start of drilling, based on the original drill string assembly, connect the drill bit and drill string to the drill bit and ensure that the retaining ring 3 is in the limiting position (fitted on the bottom end of the upper connector 1, with the bottom of the ring locked to the shoulder of the bottom end of the upper connector 1) to prevent the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 from separating.

[0035] 2) When drilling is finished and the drill bit needs to be replaced, prepare a new drill bit and connect it to the drill bit replacement connector. Send it to the seabed mud surface through the cable core winch. At the same time, ensure that the retaining ring 3 is in the limit position.

[0036] 3) When the drill string in the well is lifted to the point where the drill bit emerges from the mud, use the two robotic arms of the ROV (underwater robot). One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring 3 on the drill string in the well, and the other robotic arm moves the limiting part 2 5 on the lower connector 2, which is not limited by the retaining ring 3, laterally out of the opening on the limiting part 4 of the upper connector 1, so that the old drill bit with the lower connector 2 can be removed and placed on the mud surface.

[0037] 4) Then use the two robotic arms of the ROV. One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring 3 on the new drill bit sent down by the wireline coring winch, and the other robotic arm removes the new drill bit with the lower connector 2 along the opening on the upper connector 1 and sends it to the lower end of the upper connector 1 at the bottom of the drill string in the well.

[0038] 5) One of the ROV's robotic arms lifts the retaining ring 3 on the drill string inside the well, while the other robotic arm inserts the lower connector 2 along the U-shaped limiting groove 7 on the upper connector 1 and the opening on the limiting ring 8 on the drill string, so that the new drill bit with the lower connector 2 is installed at the lower end of the upper connector 1 on the drill string inside the well. Finally, after ensuring that the retaining ring 3 is in the limiting position, the robotic arm is released.

[0039] 6) At this point, the drill string can be lowered into the well for drilling operations;

[0040] 7) Finally, use the ROV's robotic arm to grab the old drill bit with the old lower connector 2 on the mud surface, install it onto the lower end of the new upper connector 1, and ensure that after installation, pull down the retaining ring 3 to make the retaining ring 3 be in the limit position. Release the robotic arm, retract the rope, and the core winch retrieves the old drill bit with the new upper connector 1 and the old lower connector 2 to the wellhead; this completes all operations.

[0041] This invention has illustrated its principles and implementation methods using specific examples. The descriptions of these embodiments are merely illustrative of the method and its core ideas; furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the principles of this invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Claims

1. A method for underwater drill replacement in ocean drilling, characterized in that: A submersible drill bit replacement joint is used to carry out drill bit replacement operations. The submersible drill bit replacement joint includes an upper joint, a lower joint, and a retaining ring. The top end of the upper joint is connected to the drill string, and the bottom end is a limiting part one connected to the lower joint. The bottom end of the lower joint is connected to the drill bit, and the top end is a limiting part two connected to the limiting part one on the upper joint. When the upper joint and the lower joint are connected, the retaining ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper joint to prevent the connection between the upper joint and the lower joint from disengaging. The first limiting part includes a U-shaped limiting groove that is laterally opened on the upper connector and extends laterally through the upper connector, and a limiting ring disposed at the bottom end of the U-shaped limiting groove, with an opening on one side of the limiting ring; the second limiting part includes a limiting block that cooperates with the U-shaped limiting groove and a strip-shaped limiting groove disposed at the bottom end of the limiting block that cooperates with the limiting ring; when the first limiting part and the second limiting part are connected, the limiting block slides laterally into the U-shaped limiting groove, and at this time the limiting ring slides into the strip-shaped limiting groove, so that the upper connector and the lower connector are engaged together; The underwater drill replacement method includes the following steps: 1) At the start of drilling, based on the original drill string assembly, connect the drill bit changer between the drill bit and the drill string, and ensure that the retaining ring is in the limit position to prevent the upper and lower joints from separating. 2) When drilling is finished and the drill bit needs to be replaced, prepare a new drill bit and connect it to the drill bit replacement connector. Send it to the seabed mud surface through the cable core winch, while ensuring that the retaining ring is in the limit position. 3) When the drill string in the well is pulled up to the point where the drill bit emerges from the mud, use the two robotic arms of the ROV. One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring on the drill string in the well, and the other robotic arm moves the limiting part two on the lower connector without the retaining ring limit out laterally from the opening on the limiting part one of the upper connector, so that the old drill bit with the lower connector can be removed and placed on the mud surface. 4) Then use the two robotic arms of the ROV. One robotic arm lifts the retaining ring on the new drill bit sent down by the wireline coring winch, and the other robotic arm removes the new drill bit with the lower connector along the opening on the upper connector and sends it to the lower end of the upper connector at the bottom of the drill string in the well. 5) One of the ROV's robotic arms lifts the retaining ring on the drill string inside the well, while the other robotic arm inserts the lower connector along the U-shaped limiting groove on the upper connector and the opening on the limiting ring on the drill string. This allows the new drill bit with the lower connector to be installed at the lower end of the upper connector on the drill string inside the well. Finally, after ensuring that the retaining ring is in the limiting position, the robotic arm is released. 6) At this point, the drill string can be lowered into the well for drilling operations; 7) Finally, use the ROV's manipulator to grab the old drill bit with the old lower connector on the mud surface, install it onto the lower end of the new upper connector, and ensure that after installation, pull down the retaining ring to make the retaining ring be in the limit position. Release the manipulator, retract the rope, and use the core winch to retrieve the old drill bit with the new upper connector and the old lower connector to the wellhead; this completes all operations.

2. The underwater drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retaining ring is sleeved on the outside of the first limiting part and the second limiting part after connection, to prevent the second limiting part from coming out laterally from the U-shaped limiting groove. The outer periphery of the limiting ring protrudes from the upper connector, so that the limiting ring forms a shoulder structure on the upper connector. The bottom of the limiting ring is engaged with the shoulder.

3. The underwater drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting part and the upper connector are integrally formed.

4. The underwater drill bit replacement method for ocean drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting part two and the lower connector are integrally formed.

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