Drilling Rack Unit With Moveable Racks For Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in assembling and disassembling pipe joints for well drilling operations due to the need for tubular housings of different depths and the time-consuming process of moving pipe stands between various storage areas, which can lead to entanglement with wires and other equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a drilling deck with a rack unit that includes a tubular housing with moveable racks and an elevator, allowing for the independent storage and alignment of pipe joints below the drilling deck, facilitating efficient assembly and disassembly of pipe stands without the need for adjusting storage depths or moving the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pipe stands are moved between different storage areas with varying housing depths, then assembly operations can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and increases the risk of equipment entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple rack units, each capable of independent operation. Each rack unit contains individual rack positions that can be independently adjusted, allowing pipes to be stored and accessed without moving the entire housing. This segmentation enables parallel operations and eliminates the need to relocate heavy housing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack units are designed with moveable components that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions. The racks within each housing can be independently positioned at various depths, allowing flexible accommodation of pipes during assembly operations without requiring relocation of the housing itself.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple pipe joints are stored in a single tubular housing, then storage capacity is increased, but the housing must be moved and depths adjusted for efficient assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large housing that requires adjustment, the system divides storage into multiple rack units with multiple rack positions each. This segmentation allows each rack to be independently positioned, eliminating the need for complex housing depth adjustments while maintaining high storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rack unit is designed to be multi-functional, capable of storing multiple pipes simultaneously while also providing independent access to each pipe. The universal rack design can accommodate different pipe configurations without requiring structural modifications or complex adjustments to the housing.
3Productivity
If pipe stands are assembled in remote areas outside the central drill floor, then assembly efficiency is improved, but the need to move stands between areas creates operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the benefits of remote assembly with centralized access by positioning rack units at locations that are both away from the central drill floor (reducing interference) and yet easily accessible. Multiple rack units can be configured to form assembly areas at optimal locations, combining the advantages of distributed and centralized operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack units serve as intermediary structures that enable pipe assembly to occur at remote locations without requiring the movement of complete pipe stands. Pipes can be individually accessed and assembled at the rack location, eliminating the need to move fully assembled stands between areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for storing one or more tubulars comprises a drilling deck including a hole offset from a wellbore centerline. In addition, the system comprises a rack unit coupled to the drilling deck and extending downward from the hole in the drilling deck. The rack unit comprises a tubular housing having a longitudinal axis, an upper end, and a lower end opposite the upper end. The rack unit also comprises a first rack disposed within the body, wherein the first rack is moveably coupled to the body.