Automated Pipe Handling System for Drill Rig Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drilling rig operations face inefficiencies and safety concerns during pipe handling, particularly when dealing with long and heavy 'triples' due to the complexity of handling and reconnecting threaded connections, which increases non-drilling time and costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a top drive, tubular delivery arm, lower stabilizing arm, and transfer bridge racker to efficiently move and position tubular stands within a drill rig, allowing for simultaneous drilling and pipe handling operations, reducing the need for frequent disconnection and reconnection of pipe sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of long and heavy triples is used, then pipe handling is possible, but safety risks increase and handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe handling easeVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated pipe handling system that uses a transfer bridge racker, setback guide arm, and tubular delivery arm to automatically position and move pipe stands. This substitution eliminates manual handling of heavy triples, thereby reducing safety risks while improving handling ease through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent disconnection and reconnection of pipe sections is performed, then pipe assembly can be adjusted, but non-drilling time increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe assembly adjustabilityVSAvoidnon-drilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-assembles complete stands (triples) of pipe sections before they are needed for drilling operations. By preparing these assemblies in advance and storing them in the setback area, the system eliminates the need for frequent disconnection and reconnection during drilling, thereby reducing non-drilling time while maintaining the adaptability to adjust pipe assemblies when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated pipe handling systems are implemented, then handling efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe handling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated pipe handling system is divided into distinct functional modules: a transfer bridge racker for moving pipe stands horizontally, a setback guide arm for positioning stands in the setback area, and a tubular delivery arm for delivering stands to the well center. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function efficiently, improving overall handling productivity while making the complex system more manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11346164B2Sequencing for pipe handling

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method sequence for handling tubulars into or out of a wellbore, the method comprising: moving a tubular string into or out of a wellbore via a top drive; moving tubular stands to and from a setback position and a stand handoff position via a transfer bridge racker and a setback guide arm; moving tubular stands to and from the stand handoff position and a well center position via a tubular delivery arm and a lower stabilizing arm; building stands and breaking down stands offline via a mousehole and operating a roughneck on joints between the tubular stands and the tubular string.