Smart Skidding System for Drilling Rig Transverse and Longitudinal Moves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cantilever skidding systems in drilling rigs face limitations in transverse reach and load capacity, requiring complex installation and maintenance, and are costly and inefficient for moving between well locations, especially on land where disassembly is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A smart skidding system that separates the rig substructure from the rig floor and mast, allowing longitudinal and transverse skidding, facilitated by a gear box assembly driven by an AC motor, enabling the rig to move sideways and forward without disassembly, and mounted on top of the rig substructure for efficient well access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional cantilever arrangement is used with longitudinal motion and transverse skidding, then the drilling unit can access wells within a small envelope, but the transverse reach is limited and load capacity is reduced for extreme transverse positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the skidding motion into two independent segments: longitudinal skidding of the cantilever over supporting members, and transverse skidding of the supporting members over transverse rails. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently, extending the overall transverse reach while maintaining load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a second dimension of motion by introducing transverse rails perpendicular to the longitudinal cantilever path. This transforms the single-axis longitudinal skidding into a two-axis skidding system, enabling extended transverse reach without compromising the structural integrity or load capacity of the original cantilever design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If supporting members are used to support the cantilever during transverse skidding, then the cantilever can move transversely, but the supporting members are always under load and cannot be easily accessed for inspection and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the supporting members from their traditional fixed position and makes them movable along the transverse rails. This allows the supporting members to be moved out of the way to specific access positions where maintenance personnel can inspect and service them without being constrained by continuous load-bearing positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting members transition from a static, always-loaded configuration to a dynamic system that can be positioned along the transverse rails. This dynamic positioning capability allows the supporting members to be moved to maintenance-accessible positions where they can be serviced while minimizing disruption to drilling operations.
3Productivity
If a smart skidding system with gear box assembly and AC motor is used, then the rig can skid automatically without disassembly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual disassembly and complex mechanical rig moves with an automated electromechanical skidding system. The gear box assembly and AC motor provide powered, controlled motion along predetermined rails, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and reducing the complexity of rig relocation operations despite adding driven components.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart skidding system with gear box and AC motor serves multiple functions: it enables both longitudinal and transverse skidding, provides precise positioning control, allows automatic operation without disassembly, and maintains the ability to access multiple well locations. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple operational capabilities into a single integrated system.
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
Enables drilling up to fifteen wells from a single location, reducing operational costs, improving safety, and optimizing reservoir production by allowing batch drilling onshore, while minimizing rig moves and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a gear box assembly having a gear structure configured to engage with the plurality of first skidding rails and the plurality of second skidding rails
Implementation Method 2
an AC motor configured to drive the skidder unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A smart skidding system includes a transverse skidding platform comprising a plurality of first skidding rails for skidding the a rig floor of the drilling rig sideways, wherein the plurality of first skidding rails are parallel to each other, a longitudinal skidding platform comprising a plurality of second skidding rails for skidding the rig floor of the drilling rig forward and backward, the plurality of second skidding rails being perpendicular to the plurality of first skidding rails, and a skidder unit configured to skid the rig floor of the drilling rig along the transverse skidding platform or the longitudinal skidding platform, the skidder unit further comprising a gear box assembly having a gear structure configured to engage with the plurality of first skidding rails and the plurality of second skidding rails, and an AC motor configured to drive the skidder unit.