Dual Racking Board Drilling Rig Vertical Casing Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling operations are delayed due to the time-consuming process of moving and positioning casing sections, as they are typically stored horizontally and need to be vertically aligned, which increases the time required for casing operations and reduces drilling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dual racking board system is introduced, where drill string stands of 100-140 ft. are racked on a drill string racking board and casing stands of 80-100 ft. are racked vertically on a casing string racking board, reducing the footprint on the drill floor and requiring fewer connections, allowing for more efficient make-up and break-down of the drill string and faster positioning of casing sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If casing sections are stored horizontally at a location remote from the drill floor, then storage space is available, but the time required to move and position each casing section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions casing storage from horizontal positioning on the drill floor to vertical stacking in the air above the drill floor using a dual racking board system. This dimensional change allows casing sections to be stored overhead while enabling rapid vertical deployment directly into the wellbore, eliminating the time-consuming horizontal movement and repositioning operations.
2Loss of time
If casing sections are stored vertically in racks attached to the mast, then positioning time is reduced, but the area footprint on the drill floor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension above the drill floor to store casing sections on dual racking boards, effectively moving storage from the horizontal plane to the vertical space. This eliminates the need for large horizontal footprint while maintaining rapid vertical positioning capability.
3Productivity
If drill string stands of 100-140 ft. are racked, then the number of connections required is reduced, but the racking board length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the racking board into two separate boards: a first racking board for drill string stands (100-140 ft.) and a second racking board for casing stands (80-100 ft.). This segmentation allows each board to be optimized for its specific function, with the first board providing sufficient length for longer drill string stands while reducing the number of connections required.
4Device complexity
If a single racking board is used for both drill string and casing, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize for specific stand lengths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single racking board into two specialized racking boards: one optimized for drill string stands (100-140 ft.) and another for casing stands (80-100 ft.). This segmentation enables each board to be specifically optimized for its intended purpose, improving versatility and adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a drilling rig that is located above a wellbore center includes building a casing string stand using a mouse hole that is offset from the wellbore center, wherein the casting string stand comprises two sections of casing; racking the casing string stand in a casing string racking board that is coupled to a mast of the drilling rig, and cementing the casing string stand to a wall of the wellbore. The method further includes racking a drill string stand in a drill string racking board that is coupled to the mast of the drilling rig, wherein the drill string racking board is generally aligned with the casing string racking board in two directions, but is located above the casing string racking board in a third, vertical direction.