Offshore Cantilever Movement Path for Lower Support Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of movable cantilever structures on offshore platforms is costly and time-consuming, with high power consumption due to the need for high forces to move the structures, leading to wear and tear on anti-friction parts and drives.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine and optimize the displacement trajectory of the cantilever structure to minimize the forces exerted on supports, reducing wear and power consumption by calculating and distributing loads more evenly, using sensors and control systems to adjust movement paths based on wear sensitivity and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cantilever structure is moved using conventional displacement methods, then the drilling derrick can be repositioned to different well locations, but very high forces are required and power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine an optimal displacement trajectory before moving the cantilever. By pre-computing the path that minimizes forces and power consumption based on the current position, target position, and support load characteristics, the system prepares the most efficient movement route in advance, avoiding excessive power consumption during actual displacement
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the movement parameters by selecting a displacement trajectory that passes through positions with favorable support load characteristics. Instead of moving directly along the shortest path, the cantilever is guided through intermediate positions where the support forces are more favorable, thereby reducing the overall power requirement for the displacement operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cantilever structure is moved frequently to access different well positions, then drilling operations can be performed at multiple locations, but wear on anti-friction parts and displacement drives increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before each cantilever displacement, the system preliminarily determines an optimal trajectory that minimizes wear on anti-friction parts and displacement drives. By calculating the displacement path in advance based on support load characteristics at different positions, the system selects routes that reduce cumulative wear even though the cantilever needs to visit multiple well positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the displacement parameters by selecting trajectories that pass through positions with more favorable support load characteristics. This approach trades off directness of movement for reduced wear on critical components, allowing the cantilever to be repositioned multiple times while extending maintenance intervals
3Ease of operation
If high forces are exerted on the supports during cantilever movement, then the cantilever can be moved to required positions, but contact pressure between supports and skidding guides increases causing accelerated wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the movement parameters by determining a displacement trajectory that passes through positions where the support forces and contact pressures are more favorable. Instead of using constant high forces for all movements, the system adapts the path to exploit positions with lower contact pressures, thereby reducing wear on supports and skidding guides while still achieving the required displacement
Data Source
AI summary
For controlling movement of a cantilever of an offshore platform, displacements required for displacing an item to a target position including longitudinal skidding displacement and transverse skidding displacement of the cantilever of the cantilever are determined from current position data and target position data. From position dependent support load data support loads during the longitudinal skidding displacement are determined. If and until a sum of support loads or a highest support load decreases during the longitudinal skidding displacement towards the target position, the longitudinal skidding displacement precedes the transverse skidding displacement. If a sum of support loads or a highest support load increases during the longitudinal skidding displacement towards the target position, the transverse skidding displacement towards the target position precedes the longitudinal skidding displacement.