Integrated Drilling Deck BOP Handling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling platforms with separate drilling and main decks face safety and productivity issues due to the need for undesired lifting and climbing between levels, resulting in a high center of gravity and inefficient handling of blow-out-preventers.
Innovation Solution
A compact offshore drilling platform design with a lower center of gravity, where the derrick and blow-out-preventer are positioned on the main deck, and a detachable rotary table assembly and spider are used to facilitate the handling of the blow-out-preventer through a rotary table opening, allowing for reduced vertical clearance and improved working conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drilling deck is arranged above the main deck with large vertical clearance to accommodate the blow-out-preventer, then the blow-out-preventer can be stored and lowered through the opening, but the center of gravity becomes high and lifting/climbing activity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drilling deck and main deck into a single integrated deck structure. The blow-out-preventer is stored on the integrated deck at a lower level, eliminating the need for separate upper and lower decks. This integration lowers the center of gravity while maintaining blow-out-preventer handling capability through the rotary table opening in the integrated deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the vertical arrangement from a separated two-level configuration (drilling deck above main deck) to a single-level integrated deck configuration. By redistributing equipment horizontally on the same deck level, the design eliminates vertical clearance requirements while maintaining functional capability.
2Ease of operation
If the drilling deck is arranged above the main deck, then the blow-out-preventer can be stored on the main deck and lowered through the opening, but lifting and climbing activity increases between levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage and operational functions of the blow-out-preventer on the same integrated deck level. The blow-out-preventer is stored on the integrated deck and lowered through the rotary table opening from the same level, eliminating the need for inter-level lifting and climbing operations.
3Ease of operation
If a cellar floor is arranged between the drilling deck and main deck to accommodate the blow-out-preventer, then the blow-out-preventer can be stored, but the vertical clearance remains large and the design height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the cellar floor by integrating the blow-out-preventer storage directly into the main deck structure. The blow-out-preventer is stored on the integrated deck at the same level as other drilling equipment, removing the need for an additional lower level and reducing the overall vertical height of the platform.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for handling a blow-out-preventer on a drilling platform and a drilling platform having a lower pontoon structure; a plurality of columns extending upwards from the lower pontoon structure; an upper deck structure connecting the upper deck structure connecting the upper portions of the columns to each other; a detachable rotary table assembly arranged in a rotary table opening in the upper deck structure; a derrick provided with a lifting arrangement and being arranged on the upper deck structure above the rotary table opening; and a detachable rotary table assembly a spider and a blow-out-preventer.