Automated Riser Manifold Coupling for Managed Pressure Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting rig lines of a managed pressure drilling (MPD) system to a riser on a floating rig are time-consuming and require significant manual effort, especially when connecting flow hoses and umbilicals, which can be challenging in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a riser manifold and a rig manifold with mechanical, flow, and control couplings that can be remotely connected using an arm assembly, allowing for efficient and automated mating of MPD system components, including flow and control connections, to facilitate the connection of MPD system components on a floating rig to the riser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection methods are used for flow hoses and umbilicals, then operators can perform connections with simple equipment, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and requires significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with an automated robotic arm system. The robotic arm equipped with end effectors performs the connection of flow hoses and umbilicals automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle these connections while significantly increasing connection speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the robotic arm independently performs connection operations without continuous human intervention. The automated system handles the entire connection process from positioning to securing connections, allowing the system to serve itself in performing repetitive manual tasks.
2Ease of operation
If operators perform manual connections while the riser is sitting in the spider, then connections can be made with direct access, but the operation requires a wide weather window of two or more days to avoid high loads on the riser
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing manual operations with an automated robotic system, the patent enables connections to be performed more rapidly and efficiently. This reduced operation time allows connections to be completed within shorter weather windows, making the system adaptable to adverse weather conditions that would previously have been too risky for multi-day manual operations.
3Productivity
If automated arm assembly is used for connecting rig lines, then connection time is reduced and operational efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated connection system is divided into modular components including the robotic arm, end effectors, control systems, and positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, tested, and maintained, managing overall system complexity while achieving high productivity through coordinated operation of these modular elements.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A riser (20) extending from a floating rig (12) includes one or more flow control devices (30, 32, 34) having at least one flow connection (90a) and having at least one control connection (90b). A riser manifold (100a) is disposed on the riser above the one or more flow control devices and has a first mechanical connector (106), a first flow coupling, and a first control coupling. A rig manifold (150a, b) can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold (100a, b) when running the riser from the rig. The rig manifold (150a, b) has a second mechanical connector (156) that mechanically connects to the first mechanical connector of the riser manifold. Additionally, the rig manifold has a second flow coupling mating with the first flow coupling of the riser manifold for conducting flow, and has a second control coupling mating with the first control coupling of the riser manifold for conducting control.