Automated Tubular Pipe Delivery System for Drill Rig Floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for delivering drill pipe segments to elevated rig floors are inefficient, requiring multiple individual deliveries and manual connections, which increase the risk of errors and injuries, and are limited by the length of the delivery platform.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a powered delivery skate or conveyor, staging pipe racks, conveyors, a bucking unit, and a controller that allows for the automated delivery and assembly of tubular pipe segments from ground level to the rig floor, enabling the simultaneous transport and connection of multiple joints, reducing manual handling and increasing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If joints are delivered individually using a catwalk or slide with an inclined delivery platform, then the delivery process is simple and the platform length can be kept short, but the number of delivery cycles increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the delivery process into two distinct stages: (1) automated delivery of complete tubular segments (comprising multiple joints) using a conveyor system, and (2) manual roughnecking operations at the rig floor. This segmentation allows the delivery platform to be optimized for transporting complete segments rather than individual joints, significantly reducing the number of delivery cycles while maintaining platform simplicity.
2Productivity
If multiple joints are delivered in a single cycle, then productivity increases, but the delivery platform length must be increased to accommodate longer pipe segments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary conveyor system positioned between the ground level storage area and the rig floor. This conveyor acts as a mediator that transports complete tubular segments (comprising multiple joints) without requiring the inclined delivery platform to be excessively long. The conveyor handles the transportation of longer segments, allowing the platform to maintain a more manageable length while still delivering multiple joints in a single cycle.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual roughnecking operations are performed at the rig floor for each joint, then connection precision can be controlled, but the risk of personal injury and bad joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary actions by pre-assembling tubular segments comprising multiple joints at the ground level before delivery to the rig floor. This preliminary assembly allows for quality control and precision connection to be performed in a safer, more controlled environment away from the rig floor, reducing the number of manual roughnecking operations that need to be performed at the elevated rig floor and thereby reducing the risk of personal injury and bad joints.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering a tubular pipe segment from a ground level to an elevated drill rig floor. A pipe assembly system based at the ground level includes a bucking unit for connecting a first joint and a second joint to form the tubular pipe segment, a powered first conveyor for moving the first joint into the bucking unit, a first staging pipe rack, a powered second conveyor for moving the second joint into the bucking unit, and reversible for moving the tubular pipe segment out of the bucking unit, a second staging pipe rack for storing a plurality of joints, and a transfer pipe rack for storing a plurality of tubular pipe segments.