Movable Rotary Table for Continuous Drill Pipe Tripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling operations in deep wells are time-consuming due to the frequent and labor-intensive process of tripping-in and tripping-out drill pipes, which involves disconnecting and reconnecting threaded joints, leading to significant non-productive time and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An automated tripping apparatus with a movable platform that allows for continuous motion tripping operations, enabling the connection and disconnection of drill pipe segments while the tubular string is in motion, reducing the need for stopping and starting, and incorporating a rotary table, roughneck, and support systems for seamless pipe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drill pipe tripping operations are performed using traditional fixed-position methods, then pipe connections can be securely made and broken, but the operations require frequent stopping and starting which greatly extends tripping time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming the traditional fixed-position rotary table into a movable platform that can travel along tracks. This allows the entire pipe handling system to move vertically along the drill string, enabling connections to be made at different positions without requiring the drill string to stop. The movable platform with roughneck and rotary table creates a dynamic system that maintains connection capability while eliminating the need for frequent stopping and starting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable platform as an intermediary carrier that holds the roughneck and rotary table. This intermediary system allows pipe connections to be performed while the drill string continues moving, as the platform acts as a mobile workstation that travels with the drill string. The intermediary platform decouples the connection operation from fixed position requirements, enabling continuous motion tripping.
2Ease of operation
If drill pipe tripping operations are performed with frequent stopping and starting, then threaded joints can be disconnected and reconnected, but this creates significant non-productive time and reduces drilling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling the drill string to maintain vertical motion throughout the tripping operation. The movable platform allows threaded joints to be disconnected and reconnected without halting the overall tripping process. The roughneck and rotary table on the movable platform perform connection operations while the drill string continues moving, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the tripping sequence.
3Device complexity
If traditional fixed rotary table methods are used, then pipe handling can be performed with simple equipment, but the process requires halting operations which extends completion time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the simple fixed rotary table into a dynamic movable platform system. While this increases device complexity by adding mobility capabilities, tracks, and actuation mechanisms, it dramatically reduces operation duration by eliminating the need to halt the drill string for connections. The increased complexity enables continuous motion operation, where the platform moves with the drill string and performs connections on-the-fly, reducing overall tripping time from hours to minutes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A system, includes a movable platform (28) slidingly coupled to one or more supports (70) and configured to be selectively moved towards a drill floor (26) and away from the drill floor (26). The system also includes a roughneck (54) disposed on the movable platform (28) and configured to make up or break out a threaded joint between a first tubular segment (46) and a second tubular segment (44). The system additionally includes a support member (63, 94) disposed on the movable platform (28) and configured to support one of the first tubular segment (46) or the second tubular segment (44) as the movable platform (28) is selectively moved towards a drill floor (26) or away from the drill floor (26).