Drilling Control Line Deployment Module with Temporary Workspace Floor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control and signal lines deployment modules in drilling installations face challenges due to their height, which can lead to damage of control lines during the deployment of tubulars strings and require increased tower height or tubular storage arrangements, affecting stability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control and signal lines deployment module with a temporary workspace floor positioned below the rig floor surface, allowing operators to securely attach control and signal lines at a lower height, reducing the overall module height and enhancing stability and efficiency by clearing the rig floor slip device from the well centre opening to create a clear space for the workspace floor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control lines are secured to the second tubulars string at a level below the slip device using traditional deployment modules, then the control lines can be installed and secured, but the module height increases leading to potential line damage, reduced stability, and increased tower height requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol line safetyVSAvoiddeployment module height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the workspace from a traditional elevated platform to a temporary floor structure positioned at a lower level within the well centre opening. This dimensional change in workspace positioning allows operators to secure control lines at a safer, lower height while maintaining operational effectiveness, thereby reducing the deployment module height requirement without compromising control line safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A temporary floor structure is introduced as an intermediary element within the well centre opening to provide a stable working platform at a reduced height. This intermediary structure enables operators to access and secure control lines at a safer elevation while the support structure and line guides continue to facilitate the deployment function, effectively mediating between safety requirements and operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the deployment module is positioned at a higher level to provide adequate workspace for operators, then operator accessibility is improved, but the risk of control line damage from slip device pinching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol line damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the vertical dimension of the workspace by positioning the temporary floor at a lower elevation within the well centre opening. This allows operators to work at a safer height that is less susceptible to control line pinching by the slip device, while the support structure and line guides ensure that tool and material accessibility are maintained for effective control line securing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If traditional deployment module height is maintained to ensure operational clearance, then operator workspace is adequate, but tower height must be increased affecting overall stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkspace clearanceVSAvoidtower stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention repositions the operational workspace to a lower vertical dimension within the well centre opening, eliminating the need for increased tower height. The temporary floor structure provides adequate workspace clearance at this reduced elevation, and the support structure with its line guides ensures that all necessary operational clearances are maintained without compromising tower stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If the rig floor slip device remains positioned at the well centre opening for first tubulars string operations, then drilling operations continue uninterrupted, but it obstructs the creation of clear space needed for the temporary workspace floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operation continuityVSAvoidclear space for workspace
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic positioning of the rig floor slip device, which can be moved between its operational position at the well centre opening during drilling operations and a cleared position that creates the necessary clear space for the temporary workspace floor when control line deployment is required. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt to different operational phases without compromising either drilling continuity or workspace creation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3390763B1Combination of a drilling installation and a control and signal lines deployment module and method of use
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 ITREC BV
  • EP3390763B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3390763B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3390763B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a combination a drilling installation for drilling a well and a control and signal lines deployment module, wherein the drilling installation comprises a rig floor slip device which is adapted to be cleared from a well centre opening to create a clear space around the well centre opening. The combination further comprises a temporary workspace floor, which is adapted to be mounted in the clear space at a level below a rig floor surface and to provide a workspace floor for an operator standing in said clear space on said work space floor, allowing said operator to secure at a securing level said one or more control/and or signal lines externally to a second tubulars string suspended from a module slip device.