V-Shaped Hawser System for TLP Tender Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tension leg platforms face challenges in providing adequate space for drilling and completion equipment, and tenders struggle to maintain a consistent spaced-apart relationship with platforms during extreme weather, risking collision.
Innovation Solution
A hawser system using two V-shaped lines to restrict vertical motion near the bow of a semi-submersible tender-assisted drilling vessel, coupling it to a tension leg platform without sheaves, which reduces the likelihood of hawser contact and enhances system robustness by eliminating interconnecting elements that could fail and cause instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tenders are used to provide space for drilling equipment, then the TLP can perform drilling operations, but the tender cannot maintain a constant spaced-apart relationship during extreme weather, risking collision with the platform
Solution Approach 1:
A hawser system acts as an intermediary connection between the TLP and tender, allowing the tender to maintain a connected but spaced-apart relationship with the platform. The hawsers transmit forces and maintain positioning without requiring direct contact, enabling the tender to stay in position during extreme weather while avoiding collision with the platform.
2Ease of operation
If hawsers are used to connect the tender to the TLP, then the tender can be positioned relative to the platform, but the hawsers may contact each other causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The hawsers are configured to extend in a vertical dimension from the TLP deck down to the tender, rather than horizontally. This vertical arrangement separates the hawsers in the vertical space, preventing them from contacting each other while still maintaining the tender's positional relationship with the platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The hawser system is divided into multiple independent hawsers rather than a single continuous line. Each hawser operates independently, and by spacing them vertically, the system prevents mutual interference and contact between hawsers, maintaining stability during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If sheaves are used in the hawser system, then the hawsers can be routed and connected, but the sheaves cause wear that reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sheaves are completely removed from the hawser system. Instead of routing hawsers through sheaves to change direction, the system uses direct vertical extension of hawsers from the TLP deck to the tender, eliminating the wear-causing sheave components and extending hawser service life.
4Productivity
If the tender is kept close to the TLP for drilling operations, then supporting services can be provided efficiently, but the risk of collision increases during extreme weather
Solution Approach 1:
The hawser system serves as an intermediary that allows the tender to operate close to the TLP for efficient support services while maintaining a protective distance. The hawsers transmit the necessary forces and positioning information, enabling efficient operation without direct contact that would create collision risk during extreme weather.
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 hawser system effectively limits hawser contact and enhances stability, allowing for robust and efficient drilling operations by maintaining a consistent vessel position and reducing the risk of collision, while also extending the service life of hawsers by avoiding sheave-induced wear.
Implementation Method 1
two lines, oriented in a V-shape, to restrict the vertical motion of a hawser near the bow of the semi-submersible tender assisted drilling vessel (TAD)
Data Source
AI summary
A hawser system between a tension leg platform (TLP) and another vessel employs two lines, oriented in a V-shape, to restrict the vertical motion of a hawser near the bow of the other vessel which may be a semi-submersible tender assisted drilling vessel (TAD). Drilling operations may be performed from the TLP while the semi-submersible provides the supporting services for the drilling operation, e.g. drilling fluid and drill pipe storage. The restricted vertical motion of the hawsers significantly reduces the possibility of the hawsers contacting each other. A hawser system according to the invention couples the semi-submersible TAD vessel to the TLP and may be implemented without passing the hawsers through sheaves.