Integrated Riser Joint for Marine Drilling Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems require extensive assembly and disassembly for servicing the rotating control device (RCD) and annular blowout preventer (BOP), which complicates maintenance and increases operational downtime.
Innovation Solution
An integrated riser joint design where the RCD and BOP are disposed inside the outer barrel, allowing for maintenance without disassembling the riser system below the tension ring, with pre-assembly and testing of these components prior to shipment, enabling easier access and service without disrupting the riser's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the RCD and BOP are coupled to the outer barrel in conventional marine MPD systems, then the components can be securely positioned and function reliably, but extensive assembly and disassembly is required for servicing these components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the RCD and BOP components inside the outer barrel, creating a nested configuration where smaller components are housed within a larger protective structure. This allows the RCD and BOP to be accessed and serviced by simply removing the inner barrel, without requiring disassembly of the entire riser system below the tension ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser system is divided into separable segments: the inner barrel containing the RCD and BOP can be independently removed from the outer barrel. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to service the critical components (RCD and BOP) by only handling the inner barrel segment, leaving the rest of the riser system intact and operational.
2Productivity
If the RCD and BOP are accessible in conventional systems, then maintenance can be performed, but the riser system must be disassembled which increases operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The RCD and BOP components are pre-positioned and secured within the outer barrel during assembly, with proper alignment features and retention mechanisms already in place. This preliminary configuration allows for rapid removal and reinstallation of the inner barrel during maintenance operations, minimizing the time the system is out of service.
3Ease of repair
If the riser system is disassembled for component servicing, then maintenance access is achieved, but the riser's functionality and positioning are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The inner barrel containing the RCD and BOP is extracted as a separate removable unit from the outer barrel. This extraction design allows maintenance personnel to access and service the components without disrupting the outer barrel's connection to the tension ring and the rest of the riser system, maintaining overall system stability during maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a telescoping marine riser action and one of a rotating control device and an annular blow out preventer. The telescoping marine riser section comprises an inner barrel and an outer barrel. The one of a rotating control device and an annular blow out preventer is disposed inside the outer barrel.