Remotely Operable Drilling Apparatus for Seabed Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching structures to the seabed in high current areas are inefficient due to damage from hard seabeds, high costs, and limitations in vessel size and operation time, particularly with jack-up and DP vessels, and require large surface vessels and complex equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method using a remotely operable drilling apparatus with an annular pile and bit that drills an annulus into the seabed, allowing for secure anchoring without the need for large vessels, reducing maintenance and operation costs, and enabling faster deployment and grouting without retracting the drill bit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If jack-up vessels are used to attach structures to the seabed, then the structure can be secured to the seabed, but the vessel legs become damaged and fracture when contacting the hard seabed
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling operation is extracted from the vessel and performed by a remotely operated apparatus on the seabed, separating the vessel's function to positioning from the actual drilling function, thereby protecting the vessel from direct contact damage with the hard seabed
Solution Approach 2:
A remotely operated drilling apparatus serves as an intermediary between the vessel and the seabed, allowing the vessel to position and deploy the drilling equipment without directly contacting the hard seabed surface
2Reliability
If DP vessels are used in high current areas, then the vessel can maintain position, but the fuel consumption increases significantly making the operation expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The remotely operated drilling apparatus performs the drilling operation autonomously on the seabed without requiring continuous vessel positioning efforts, eliminating the need for high fuel consumption DP vessel operations
3Reliability
If traditional drilling methods are used in high current areas, then piles can be installed during slack water, but the operation time window is limited to less than one hour making multiple drillings impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is designed to be dynamically adaptable to current conditions, with the remotely operated apparatus capable of operating independently of tidal cycles, allowing continuous drilling operations regardless of current speed
4Ease of operation
If large surface vessels with heavy lifting equipment are used to lower tripod structures to the seabed, then the structure can be deployed, but the vessel size and equipment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the vessel provides only positioning and support, while the remotely operated drilling apparatus provides the drilling and grouting functions, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment on the vessel
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces the size and cost of vessels required, speeds up the drilling process, and provides a strong annular grout seal, allowing for efficient and rapid anchoring of structures in high current areas.
Implementation Method 1
the annular bit being arranged to drill an annulus into the floor into which the annular pile is to be driven
Implementation Method 2
filling said annulus with grout in order to retain the annular pile in said annulus and resist removal of the annular pile from the floor of the body of water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A remotely operable drilling apparatus (6) comprises a body such as frame (10) and drive means arranged to drill annular pile (8), which is loaded in the drilling apparatus (6) into the floor of a body of water. The annular pile comprises a cutting shoe (24). The drive means comprises a power swivel (12) which attaches to the top of the annular pile (8) by means of a drive head. Delivery means is also provided which comprises at least one nozzle to enable flushing fluid and grout to be injected around annular pile (8). The power swivel (12) is raised and lowered by rack and pinion means 14 disposed on either side of the power swivel (12).