Control Line Positioning Apparatus for Rig Floor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing pipe strings and control lines in boreholes often result in damage to control lines due to pinching or crushing between the pipe string and the spider or CLS landing spear, leading to significant rig time losses and operational hazards.
Innovation Solution
A control line positioning method and apparatus that uses a movable retainer arm to position control lines outside the operating zone of the spider or CLS landing spear, preventing damage by restraining them from entering the zone of operation and allowing secure clamping to the pipe string, with a safety interlock system to ensure the retainer arm remains in the removed position during critical engagements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control lines are positioned close to the pipe string for secure clamping, then clamping reliability is improved, but control lines are at risk of being pinched or crushed by the spider or CLS landing spear
Solution Approach 1:
The control line positioning apparatus employs a movable arm that can dynamically adjust between a first position (close to pipe string for secure clamping) and a second position (away from operating zone for protection). The arm is positioned close to the pipe string during clamping operations to ensure reliable attachment, then moved away before the spider or CLS landing spear engages to prevent pinching or crushing damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If the control line positioning apparatus is moved close to the pipe string for clamping, then clamping precision is improved, but interference with rig floor activities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus uses a movable arm that can be dynamically positioned close to the pipe string only when needed for clamping operations, then retracted to avoid interfering with rig floor activities. This dynamic positioning enables precise clamping when required while maintaining clear access to the rig floor during other operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus positions the control line securely to the pipe string before the spider or CLS landing spear engagement occurs. By completing the clamping operation in advance, the apparatus ensures precise attachment while avoiding interference with subsequent rig floor activities involving the pipe engagement apparatus.
3Reliability
If the retainer arm is moved to the first position for secure clamping, then control line attachment reliability is improved, but risk of damage during pipe engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer arm is dynamically positioned in the first position (close to pipe string) only during clamping operations to ensure reliable attachment. Before the spider or CLS landing spear engages, the arm is moved to the second position (away from operating zone) to prevent damage. This dynamic positioning sequence ensures secure attachment while eliminating the risk of damage during pipe engagement operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rig floor-mounted pathway (220) comprising a protectable control line feed channel, the rig floor-mounted pathway further comprising: a bend portion (250) to redirect one or more control lines (90) into the control line feed channel, the bend portion comprising one or more rolling members (256a-256c). The rig floor-mounted pathway may further comprise: an elongate channel cover (234); and a first elongate cover support (230) coupled to a rig floor and spaced apart from a second, generally parallel elongate cover support (230) also coupled to the rig floor to define a control line channel intermediate the first cover support and the second cover support, the channel having an inlet (216) radially distal to the pipe string and an outlet (218) radially proximal to the pipe string; wherein the channel cover (234) is hingedly coupled to one of the first cover support and the second cover support, and pivotable between an open position to reveal the control line channel and a closed position to cover the control line channel.