Automated Rod and Tubular Tripping System with Catwalk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well service systems require significant human intervention and lack flexibility in handling both rods and tubulars, leading to inefficiencies in tripping operations, as they are not designed to handle the different requirements of these components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A well service rig system that includes a catwalk and a tong system, featuring a racking system and a traveling block system, which allows for automated and efficient handling of rods and tubulars by supporting and unthreading them from strings, with a tong assembly capable of threading or unthreading rods and tubulars, and a racking system for storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tripping equipment is used, then the equipment can handle tubulars, but it cannot effectively handle rods without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate handling paths: a catwalk system with specialized supports for rods and a different handling mechanism for tubulars. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific component type, preventing rod damage while maintaining tubular handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The well service rig is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle both rods and tubulars using different mechanisms. The system can switch between rod handling mode (using catwalk with specialized supports) and tubular handling mode (using conventional equipment), providing universal adaptability without compromising component integrity.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for tong devices, then operators can control the unthreading process, but significant human intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The tong device is equipped with automated sensing and control systems that detect string segments and automatically perform unthreading operations. The system serves itself by detecting when rods need to be unthreaded and executing the unthreading sequence without continuous operator intervention, reducing manual labor while maintaining operational control.
3Reliability
If specialized equipment is used for rod handling, then rod damage is prevented, but equipment flexibility between rods and tubulars is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catwalk system is designed with dynamic, adjustable components that can be reconfigured between handling rods and tubulars. The specialized supports and positioning mechanisms can be adjusted or repositioned to accommodate different component types, maintaining rod protection capabilities while providing equipment flexibility through dynamic reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides techniques and methods of tripping rods and tubulars. Specifically, the disclosure provides techniques for pulling a rod string out of hole and delivering the pulled out rod segments into a rod storage and racking system. The disclosure also provides techniques for pulling a tubular string out of hole and delivering the pulled out tubular segments into a tubular storage and racking system. The disclosure further provides techniques for delivering rods from the rod storage and racking system and running the rods down-hole. The disclosure also provides techniques for delivering tubulars from the tubular storage and racking system and running the tubulars down-hole.