Rig Skidding Using Low Friction Plastic Tracks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Moving drilling rigs between wells within a drill site is labor and time intensive due to the need for extensive disassembly and reassembly, and existing solutions like skidding on steel-framed mats face issues with metal-to-metal sliding friction.
Innovation Solution
A method involving raising the rig structure, placing a low friction plastic skid track with a cooperating metal sheet underneath, and sliding the rig along this track, using jacks and beams to support the structure during placement and removal of the skid track, with the plastic sheet being self-lubricating and made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene for reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rig structure is skidded across steel framed rig matting, then the rig can be moved without disassembly, but the metal-to-metal sliding friction creates excessive force requirements and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low-friction plastic sheet as an intermediary material between the steel rig structure and the steel matting. This mediator reduces the coefficient of friction from metal-to-metal contact to plastic-to-metal contact, significantly lowering the force required to skid the rig while preventing direct metal-to-metal wear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sliding surface from metal to low-friction plastic. By altering the material composition and friction characteristics of the contact surface, the system achieves reduced sliding resistance and force requirements while maintaining the skidding movement method
2Reliability
If the rig structure is disassembled and reassembled to move between wells, then component wear is reduced, but the process becomes time and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The low-friction plastic sheet serves as a protective intermediary that enables the rig structure to be moved as a complete assembly without disassembly. The mediator reduces wear during the moving process, allowing the rig to be skidded intact from one well location to another, thereby eliminating the time-consuming disassembly and reassembly operations
3Force
If the rig structure is moved on rollers or rig walkers, then friction is reduced compared to direct skidding, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive low-friction plastic sheet that can be easily deployed and removed, replacing complex reusable devices like rollers or rig walkers. The plastic sheet provides sufficient friction reduction for the moving operation while being much simpler in construction and easier to handle, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing friction reduction benefits
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 allows for efficient and labor-saving movement of rig structures without extensive disassembly, reducing wear and friction, enabling smooth towing of heavy rigs across various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the force required to overcome the metal-to-metal sliding friction between rig and track was problematic
Implementation Method 2
the low friction plastic sheet may be a lubricant filled plastic sheet; the low friction plastic sheet may be self-lubricating
Implementation Method 3
the low friction plastic sheet may be self-lubricating; the low friction plastic sheet may be ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
Data Source
AI summary
A rig skidding method involving raising a rig on jacks, positioning skid tracks comprising low friction plastic underneath the rig, lowering the rig, and skidding the rig along the skid tracks to a new site for rig operations. At the new site, the process is reversed to leave the rig on the ground at the new location.