AHTS Vessel Hydraulic Hammer Conductor Casing Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of petroleum and gas well conductor casings typically requires costly Construction Vessels, and existing methods for pre-installing these casings without such vessels are limited, leading to potential subsidence issues due to soil disturbance.
Innovation Solution
Deploying a hydraulic pile driving hammer from an Anchor Handling/Tug/Supply (AHTS) vessel to install conductor casings directly into the seafloor, leveraging lower vessel lease rates and minimizing soil disturbance by allowing soil reconsolidation for increased vertical load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If jetting or turbo-drilling methods are used to install conductor casing, then installation speed is improved, but soil disturbance increases causing subsidence problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical jetting and turbo-drilling systems with a hydraulic pile driving hammer system. The hammer delivers controlled impact forces to drive the conductor casing into the seabed, achieving installation while minimizing soil disturbance and preventing subsidence issues associated with fluid jetting methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the installation method from continuous fluid injection or rotation to intermittent impact loading. By controlling the hammer blow frequency and energy, the system achieves effective casing installation while allowing soil to reconsolidate between blows, reducing overall soil disturbance compared to continuous jetting or drilling operations.
2Ease of operation
If Construction Vessels are used for conductor casing pre-installation, then installation capability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the AHTS vessel, traditionally used for anchor handling and supply operations, to perform conductor casing installation by equipping it with a hydraulic pile driving hammer. This allows a multi-functional vessel to perform both its traditional duties and casing installation, eliminating the need for specialized expensive Construction Vessels while maintaining installation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a relatively inexpensive AHTS vessel with a deployable hydraulic hammer system rather than expensive dedicated Construction Vessels. The modular hammer system can be deployed and recovered as needed, providing cost-effective casing installation without requiring permanent installation equipment on the vessel.
3Quantity of substance
If conductor casings are batch set by AHTS vessel, then cost is reduced, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs conductor casing pre-installation using the AHTS vessel before the arrival of the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit. By completing the casing installation in advance in a controlled environment with lower-cost equipment, the system reduces overall project costs while the pre-installed casings are then ready for the drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the conductor casing into multiple sections that are installed individually or in batches using the AHTS vessel's hydraulic hammer. This segmentation allows flexible installation approaches, enabling cost-effective batch setting while managing installation complexity through systematic placement of individual casing sections.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor handling/tug/supply (AHTS) vessel is employed to engage conductor casings with the seafloor. The conductor casings initially penetrate the seafloor to a first depth under their own weight. The conductor casings may optimally be further engaged with the seafloor to a second depth by the application of suction to the interiors thereof or by the use of a drop hammer. The conductor casings are driven to grade by a hydraulic pile driving hammer deployed from the deck of the AHTS vessel the previously deployed conductor casings to grade before being recovered to the deck of the AHTS vessel.