Swivel Stand Apparatus for Offshore Casing Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of tubular casing from oil wells during plug and abandonment operations is challenging due to the weight of the casing and cement, requiring labor-intensive and time-consuming processes, especially when space constraints limit the size of equipment on offshore well sites.
Innovation Solution
A swivel stand apparatus with friction-reducing members and a locking mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly, combined with a modular work basket and rotating boom assembly, facilitates efficient and safe removal of tubular casing by allowing the stand tower to slide and rotate, reducing the need for extensive setup and manual alignment of cutting tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional casing removal methods are used, then the casing can be removed, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The stand tower is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide along the wellhead and rotate to different positions. This dynamic capability enables a single operator to reposition the cutting tool without requiring multiple workers for manual alignment, directly improving productivity while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to be self-positioning through its sliding and rotating mechanisms, allowing the cutting tool to automatically align with the casing without extensive manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces the labor intensity and time required for casing removal operations.
2Force
If equipment size is increased to handle heavy casing and cement, then lifting capacity is improved, but space constraints on offshore well sites are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into modular components including a base, stand tower, and work basket that can be assembled in a compact configuration. This segmentation allows the equipment to provide sufficient lifting capacity for heavy casing while maintaining a small footprint suitable for offshore well site constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows components to be nested or stacked when not in use, minimizing the equipment footprint on offshore well sites while maintaining full lifting capacity when deployed. The movable stand tower can be retracted or positioned compactly against the wellhead structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of cutting tools is required, then precision can be achieved, but extensive setup time is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The stand tower's ability to slide and rotate provides dynamic positioning capability that maintains cutting precision while dramatically reducing setup time. The mechanical guidance features ensure accurate alignment is achieved automatically as the tower is positioned, eliminating time-consuming manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual alignment operations with a mechanically guided positioning system. The sliding and rotating mechanisms incorporate guidance features that automatically ensure proper alignment of the cutting tool with the casing, substituting skilled manual alignment with a reliable mechanical system that is both precise and rapid.
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
The apparatus significantly reduces the time required for casing removal, enhances safety by allowing single-person operation, and adapts to various wellhead configurations, improving efficiency and reducing the physical effort needed for the process.
Implementation Method 1
friction-reducing members for facilitating motion between the stand horizontal beams of the swivel mounting frame and the basket flanged beams
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel stand apparatus includes a swivel tower and a swivel mounting frame to which the swivel tower preferably removably attaches. Non-wheeled friction reducing sliders preferably form an interface between the swivel mounting frame and the frame. The flanged beams are part of a basket which can receive and connect to either a jack base or a flange base. The basket can have legs of different lengths to allow connection of the basket to the bases in only one orientation to prevent incorrect connection of the basket to the base. The basket preferably includes specially configured pipe racks for holding vertically positioned pipe or pipe joints. The jack base preferably includes multiple legs to connect to legs of the basket, and two legs to contact and support the basket without necessarily being mechanically interlocked thereto.