U-Shaped Drilling Tower Frameworks for Offshore Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual firing line drilling installations are unsatisfactory in terms of structural design and operation reliability, particularly when space and weight are concerns, such as on offshore drilling vessels.
Innovation Solution
A drilling installation with a U-shaped drilling tower main structure, featuring four frameworks with a central four-sided space, two storage devices, two hoisting devices, and two pipe rackers that allow for efficient vertical movement of drilling tubulars between storage and firing lines, optimizing space usage and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a square tower main structure with legs at each corner interconnected by struts is used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but space occupation and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tower main structure is segmented into four separate U-shaped frameworks instead of a solid square structure. Each framework is positioned along one side of the central space with its opened vertical side facing the central space. This segmentation reduces material usage and space occupation while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed framework configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a solid two-dimensional square cross-section to a three-dimensional configuration with four U-shaped frameworks arranged around a central space. This dimensional change allows the structure to maintain strength through spatial distribution while reducing overall material volume and space occupation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a square tower main structure with legs at each corner is used, then structural stability is improved, but weight of the main structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into four independent U-shaped frameworks that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation reduces the total weight compared to a solid square structure while maintaining stability through the distributed arrangement of frameworks around the central space.
Solution Approach 2:
The four U-shaped frameworks are arranged to enclose a central space, creating a nested configuration where the frameworks support each other. This nesting arrangement provides structural stability while minimizing material usage and overall weight.
3Reliability
If two storage devices, two hoisting devices, and two pipe rackers are implemented, then redundancy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two storage devices, two hoisting devices, and two pipe rackers are integrated into a unified tower structure with four U-shaped frameworks. This merging approach allows the redundant components to share common structural support and spatial arrangement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational reliability through redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
Each of the four U-shaped frameworks serves multiple functions: providing structural support, housing storage devices, supporting hoisting devices, and accommodating pipe rackers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual firing line drilling installation has a drilling tower main structure with four frameworks that are each over a major portion of their height U-shaped in horizontal cross-section. A four-sided central (11) space is present, and along each side of the central space one framework is arranged with its opened vertical side facing the central space. First and second storage devices (25,27) are provided for vertically storing drilling tubulars. The first storage device is housed in a first framework, the second storage device in a second framework. A first hoisting device is supported by a third framework of the drilling tower main structure, to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a first firing line (21). A second hoisting device is supported by a fourth framework to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a second firing line (23). A first and second pipe racker (29,31) are housed within the drilling tower main structure and adapted to move drilling tubulars while supported in vertical orientation between a storage devices and a firing line.