Adjustable Swing Arm Cable Management for Mobile Wellsite Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas well drilling, the existing power connection systems for drilling rigs are cumbersome and costly due to the need for large spooling reels and redundant insulated cables, especially when moving between multiple well sites, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable swing arm mechanism mechanically and electrically connected to a train rig, allowing extension to medium-voltage electrical hubs via conduit tubes and cables, enabling flexible and efficient power delivery from overhead MV lines, reducing the need for large spooling reels and redundant cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spooling reel is used to maintain power connections during rig movement, then power continuity is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable management function from a traditional spooling reel system and implements it using a simple boom structure with cable reels mounted on the boom. This separates the power connection continuity function from the bulky spooling reel mechanism, achieving reliability without the associated size and complexity penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable delivery system is segmented into multiple cable reels mounted on the boom structure, allowing the cable to be dispensed in controlled sections as the rig moves. This segmentation replaces the single large spooling reel with distributed, manageable cable storage points along the boom.
2Reliability
If insulated cables and spooling reels are used for power delivery, then power connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard insulated cables mounted on simple boom structures rather than expensive specialized spooling reel systems. The cable reels are basic mechanical components that can be manufactured economically, replacing costly industrial spooling reels while maintaining adequate reliability for the application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a train rig moves between multiple wellsites, then operational versatility is improved, but power connection time increases due to repeated disconnection and reconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The boom structure with mounted cable reels enables continuous power delivery as the rig moves between wellsites. The cable is continuously dispensed from the reels on the boom, eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect power lines at each location, thus maintaining operational continuity and reducing connection time.
4Quantity of substance
If large spooling reels are used for cable management, then cable delivery capability is improved, but area occupied on the rig increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the cable delivery system into the vertical dimension by mounting cable reels on an elevated boom structure. This allows cable storage and delivery to occur in three-dimensional space above the rig platform, significantly reducing the horizontal footprint on the rig while maintaining adequate cable capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods pertaining to moving a train rig between locations associated with corresponding different wellsites. Equipment carried by the train rig is operable in conjunction with forming wells each extending beneath a corresponding one of the wellsites. An adjustable swing arm mechanically and electrically connected to the train rig comprises a medium-voltage (MV) cable. The adjustable swing arm extends from the train rig to connect the MV cable to one of a plurality of MV electrical hubs each electrically connected to a remote MV electrical power source via, at least, MV electrical lines suspended above the wellsites. A piece of equipment carried by the train rig is energized by MV electrical power delivered via the adjustable swing arm, and then operated in conjunction with the subterranean well formation.