Tapered Bowl Movable Section for Tubular String Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drilling operations, tubular strings can become obstructive when their length exceeds the depth of the borehole, leading to instability and well control issues, especially in marine drilling where rams on the sea floor or rig may be obstructed, preventing full closure and sealing of the well.
Innovation Solution
A tapered bowl assembly with a movable portion and retainer assembly that securely engages and releases tubular strings, allowing for full circumferential support and enabling the tubular string to be safely released into the borehole, thus preventing obstruction of rams and ensuring well stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the tubular string length is increased to extend deeper into the borehole, then the drilling depth capability is improved, but the risk of obstructing rams and causing well control issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bowl assembly is divided into a stationary main portion and a movable portion that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the tubular string to be segmented into supported and unsupported portions, where the movable portion can be released to fall into the borehole, preventing obstruction of rams while maintaining well control through the stationary main portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered bowl assembly incorporates a movable portion that can transition between supported and released states. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements - providing full support during normal drilling, then releasing portions of the tubular string to prevent ram obstruction during well control operations.
2Reliability
If a conventional tapered bowl assembly is used to support tubular strings, then reliable gripping and support is achieved, but the ability to safely release the tubular string without obstruction to rams is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bowl assembly is divided into a stationary main portion and a movable portion. The movable portion can be selectively released to allow tubular string sections to fall into the borehole, providing a controlled release mechanism that prevents ram obstruction while maintaining reliable support through the stationary portion during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion acts as an intermediary element between the stationary tapered bowl main portion and the tubular string. It provides a controlled interface that can transition from a supportive state to a release state, enabling safe tubular string release without directly obstructing rams while maintaining the structural integrity of the stationary portion.
3Reliability
If the tubular string is released into the borehole to prevent ram obstruction, then well control is improved, but the stability and position control of the tubular string deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered bowl assembly is divided into a stationary main portion and a movable portion. This segmentation allows selective release of only the movable portion and its associated tubular string sections, while maintaining position control of the stationary portion and the majority of the tubular string, thus achieving well control without complete loss of string stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion provides dynamic control over tubular string release, allowing operators to selectively release specific sections to prevent ram obstruction while maintaining stability of the remaining string. This dynamic capability enables controlled transitions between supported and released states, balancing well control requirements with string stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tapered bowl assembly having a tapered bowl main portion with a tapered bore and a radially outwardly extending gap in the tapered bore, a tapered bowl movable portion securable within the gap and removable from the gap, a set of slips sized and shaped for introduction intermediate the tapered bore of the tapered bowl main portion to grip and support a tubular string introduced through the tapered bore, the tapered bowl movable portion being releasable from the secured position within the gap to a released position to allow the tubular string to be released from support by the tapered bowl assembly.