Modular Drill Floor Support Legs for Arctic Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cantilevered drilling rigs face deflection issues due to increased hookload and limited space constraints in Arctic drilling environments, where traditional support structures are hindered by production piping and ground pressure limitations, making it difficult to maintain stability and clearance during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A modular drilling cellar with extendable, pivoting, and retractable legs that can transition between operating and roading positions, allowing for independent actuation and configuration to accommodate varying geometries and spacing constraints, thereby providing stable support to the drill floor while avoiding obstacles like production piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional support structures are used beneath the cantilevered drill floor, then the drill floor can be supported, but the support structures cannot be placed due to limited space from production piping and ground pressure limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are designed to be extendable and retractable, allowing them to dynamically adjust their length and position. The legs can be extended downward to reach the ground surface when needed for support, and retracted upward when space is constrained by production piping or during rig movement, enabling the system to adapt to varying spatial conditions while maintaining drill floor stability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent legs rather than a continuous support system. Each leg can be independently controlled to extend or retract, allowing selective deployment in spaces not blocked by production piping while leaving other areas clear for rig movement and operations
2Length of moving object
If the drill floor is made cantilevered to provide vertical clearance for Christmas tree and blowout preventer, then clearance is improved, but the drill floor deflects downward under increased hookload
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable support legs act as counterbalancing elements that provide upward support force to counteract the downward deflection caused by hookload on the cantilevered drill floor. By strategically positioning and extending these legs, the system compensates for the structural weakness of the cantilevered design while preserving the vertical clearance benefit
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is extended to reach the ground surface, then drill floor support is improved, but the structure interferes with production piping and ground pressure constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs feature dynamic extendability, allowing them to reach the ground surface only when and where needed for support, rather than being permanently extended. This enables the structure to provide necessary support while retracting to avoid interference with production piping and to adapt to ground pressure constraints by adjusting their deployment pattern
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than uniformly supporting the entire drill floor, the independent legs provide localized support only in areas where space permits and where support is most needed. This allows the structure to navigate around production piping and respect ground pressure constraints in specific zones while still providing adequate support where deployed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a modular drilling cellar configured to be arranged beneath a drill floor of a drilling rig. The cellar may have a housing for storing well head equipment and a drill floor support structure. The drill floor support structure may have a pair of support legs, each leg may have an extension portion, a column portion, and a bearing foot. Each of the extension portion and column portion may be configured to be arranged in a reading position and an operating position.