Heave Compensation Hoisting Systems Reducing Friction Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling operations face challenges in maintaining a constant weight-on-bit and reducing drill string deviation due to increased equipment weight in deeper waters, where conventional heave compensation systems experience high friction and inertia losses with multi-part block-and-tackle reeving, affecting efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hoisting systems that combine active and passive heave compensation, using single-part hoisting lines reeved over a crown block without mechanical advantage, and integrating hydraulic cylinders for passive compensation, which reduces friction and inertia while eliminating the need for complex multi-part reeving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multi-part block-and-tackle arrangements are used to increase hoisting capabilities, then the mechanical advantage increases, but friction and inertia losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heave compensation function from the multi-part block-and-tackle system and implements it separately using hydraulic cylinders. This separation eliminates the friction and inertia losses associated with multiple lines and sheaves while maintaining the mechanical advantage needed for hoisting deep well equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic cylinders to provide heave compensation instead of mechanical block-and-tackle arrangements. The hydraulic system compensates for wave-induced platform motion without the friction and inertia losses inherent in multi-part mechanical reeving systems.
2Power
If more lines and sheaves are added to increase hoisting capabilities, then the mechanical advantage increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heave compensation function from the complex multi-part block-and-tackle system and implements it separately using hydraulic cylinders. This separation simplifies the overall system by reducing the number of lines and sheaves while maintaining hoisting capability through the drawworks system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawworks system is designed to perform both main hoisting and heave compensation functions. The single-part line system combined with drawworks control provides universal functionality, eliminating the need for separate complex block-and-tackle arrangements for heave compensation.
3Reliability
If conventional heave compensation systems are used with multi-part reeving, then heave compensation is provided, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heave compensation function from the multi-part reeving system and implements it using hydraulic cylinders with a single-part line. This simplification reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure points, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining effective heave compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system eliminates cut-and-slip procedures through the integration of hydraulic heave compensation with a single-part line arrangement. The drawworks system can continuously pay out and reel in the single line without the need for cutting and re-reeving, enabling self-service operation and reduced maintenance.
4Loss of energy
If single-part lines are used without mechanical advantage, then friction and inertia losses are reduced, but hoisting speed capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic control system where the drawworks actively adjusts the line pay-out and reeving to maintain optimal hoisting speeds. The hydraulic heave compensation system dynamically counteracts platform motion, allowing the single-part line system to achieve high hoisting speeds without the friction losses of multi-part arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic heave compensation system provides rapid response to platform motion, enabling the single-part line system to maintain high hoisting speeds. The hydraulic actuation allows for smooth, controlled line tension adjustments that prevent energy losses while maintaining speed capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in lower friction losses, increased efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements, and enhanced reliability by eliminating cut-and-slip procedures, allowing for faster hoisting speeds and reduced power consumption, while maintaining effective heave compensation.
Implementation Method 1
integrating hydraulic cylinders for passive compensation
Implementation Method 2
friction losses
Data Source
AI summary
Various hoisting systems with heave compensation are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a hoisting system having a crown block and a drawworks. The drawworks includes a rotatable drum for reeling in and reeling out a hoisting line that is wound on the rotatable drum and reeved over the crown block. The hoisting system includes active heave control at the drawworks and a passive heave compensation system. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.