Variable Stable Drilling Barge With Adjustable Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling vessels face challenges in operating efficiently in shallow and narrow water areas, such as rivers and bays, and in deep offshore waters, as they require expensive jack-up rigs and struggle to maintain stability in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A variable stable drilling barge equipped with adjustable stabilizers, powered spuds, and a four-point anchoring system, utilizing lightweight composite materials and a robotic drill pipe handling system, allowing the vessel to operate in water depths from 8′-0″ to 100′-0″ and maintain stability in breaking waves and ground swells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable stabilizers are deployed to operate in deep offshore waters, then the vessel can service areas up to 100 feet depth, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizers are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. They can be deployed when operating in deeper offshore waters (60-100 feet) and stowed when operating in shallow inland waters (8-20 feet), allowing the vessel to adapt to different water depths and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The same vessel with the same stabilizer system can serve multiple purposes: operating in shallow inland marine areas (rivers, bays, sounds) by stowing stabilizers, and operating in deeper offshore waters (60-100 feet) by deploying stabilizers, eliminating the need for separate specialized vessels
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vessel uses heavy drilling equipment in the lower hull to lower the center of gravity, then stability in ocean conditions improves, but the weight of the vessel increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding weight to improve stability, the invention uses the vertical dimension by placing heavy drilling equipment in the lower hull to lower the center of gravity. This dimensional approach to stability management allows the vessel to maintain stability in ocean conditions without proportionally increasing overall vessel weight
3Reliability
If powered spuds are used to provide penetration up to 30 feet, then the vessel can maintain position in shallow waters, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powered spuds are designed to be operated from the main vessel unit itself, using the vessel's own hydraulic motors and gear rack design to deploy and retract the spuds. This self-service capability allows the vessel to maintain its own position without requiring external assistance, improving reliability while managing complexity through integrated design
Data Source
AI summary
The invention described herein teaches that one drilling barge can be employed in two different areas. The standard drilling practice requires two vessels to perform the same work as one drilling barge invention. Standard drilling rigs require that one unit will drill well locations in water depths of 8′-18′. A second drilling unit must be provided to drill in water depths of 18′-60′. As a result of this invention, water depths of 8′-60′ can be provided by use of the one vessel employing the novel stabilization system. The service area's coverage is increased greatly by use of the invention thereby creating excellent cost reduction and improved drilling procedures in remote and harsh drilling areas. The invention's cost is slightly more than the standard drilling barge however; coverage of the service area can be 500% greater than the standard vessel's coverage.