GB2584584A

GB2584584A - Hoisting system and method of operation

Info

Publication number: GB2584584A
Application number: GB2016129.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kolnes Ellen; Birkeland Roy; Inge Ronsberg Per
Original assignee: Mhwirth AS
Current assignee: Mhwirth AS
Priority date: 2019-07-11
Filing date: 2019-07-11
Publication date: 2020-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-11
Also published as: GB2584584B; GB2585681A; WO2021006742A1; BR112022000212A2; GB2584584B8; GB2584584A8; GB2585681B; GB202016129D0; GB201909941D0; NO20220020A1

Abstract

A hoisting system 100 comprising a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly 1 having exactly three hoisting cylinders 1a-c, the three hoisting cylinders being horizontally aligned with a second hoisting cylinder arranged between a first and a third hoisting cylinder, at least one sheave 2,2a,2b arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly; wherein the hoisting system has first, second and third operational configurations to lift a yoke. There is also provided a method of operating a hosting system.

Description

HOISTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for drilling rigs, for example such drilling rigs used for offshore petroleum exploration.

BACKGROUND

During drilling operations, for example, drilling carried out for petroleum exploration and exploitation, it is common to handle various tubulars used or installed in a wellbore with the aid of a drilling plant. The drilling plant is commonly arranged at ground level directly above the well or, in the case of offshore wells, on a platform or a floating vessel, such as a semi-submersible rig or a drillship. A variety of operations are carried out during the different stages of well construction, among other things building the drill string, breaking out tubular sections when retrieving the drill string, installation of items at the sea floor and in the well, cementing and fluid circulation, pressure testing, etc. The drilling plant commonly comprises a dedicated hoisting system for this purpose, usually having a travelling assembly which carries the tubular string and raises or lowers the string and/or items to be installed or retrieved. Such hoisting systems may, for example, be winch-based systems (e.g., using so-called drawworks) with a multiple stringed block, such as is described in WO 2013/076207 A2 and in WO 2014/209131 Al. An alternative solution is a cylinder lifting rig, such as the RamRigTM technology supplied by the applicant. An example of a possible arrangement is described in WO 97/23705 Al.

Various other machines are also associated with the drilling operation, such as pipe handling machines (see for example GB 2527965), pumps (see for example US 8,186,977), top drives (see for example US 7,743,853), power tongs (see for example US 8,939,048), arrangements for standbuilding (see for example US 9,309,727), and other types of machines and equipment.

Safe and reliable operation is of utmost importance in such drilling plants. Irregularities in the pipe handling or other processes may, for example, compromise health and safety on the drill floor. Due to the very high operational costs of such so plants, efficient operation is also a priority in the industry, with a high focus from technology developers on finding solutions that can improve operational efficiencies.

The present disclosure has the objective to provide such improvements, or at least alternatives to conventional technology, in the abovementioned or other areas.

SUMMARY

According to the invention we provide a hosting system comprising: a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly having exactly three hoisting cylinders, the three hoisting cylinders being horizontally aligned with a second hoisting cylinder arranged between a first and a third hoisting cylinder, at least one sheave arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly; an elongate hoisting member extending from an anchor, via the at least one sheave to a yoke suspended by the to hoisting member above a well centre opening in a drill floor; wherein the hoisting system has a first operational configuration wherein all three hoisting cylinders are operable to lift the yoke, a second operational configuration wherein the first and the third hoisting cylinders are operable to lift the yoke while the second hoisting cylinder is idle; and a third operational configuration wherein the second hoisting cylinder is operable to lift the yoke while the first and the third hoisting cylinders are idle.

The hoisting system may comprise a lock mechanism whereby the respective idle hoisting cylinder or cylinders can be held fixed in a contracted state.

The lock mechanism may be a mechanical lock or a hydraulic lock.

The respective idle hoisting cylinder or cylinders may be configured to travel together with the yoke without providing a lifting force on the yoke.

There is further provided a method of operating a hosting system comprising a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly having exactly three hoisting cylinders, the three hoisting cylinders being horizontally aligned with a second hoisting cylinder arranged between a first and a third hoisting cylinder, at least one sheave arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly; and an elongate hoisting member extending from an anchor, via the at least one sheave to a yoke suspended by the hoisting member above a well centre opening in a drill floor, the method comprising the steps: in a first operational configuration, operating all three so hoisting cylinders to lift the yoke, in a second operational configuration, operating the first and the third hoisting cylinders to lift the yoke while keeping the second hoisting cylinder idle; and in a third operational configuration, operating the second hoisting cylinder to lift the yoke while keeping the first and the third hoisting cylinders idle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of 5 illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic view of a hoisting system according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hoisting system according to an embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hoisting system according to an embodiment, Figure 4 is a schematic view of a power distribution system for a hoisting system, Figures 5 shows a drilling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description may use terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "lateral", "back and forth", "up and down", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "forward", "rear", etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Figures 1-3 illustrate a hoisting system 100 according to an embodiment. The hoisting system 100 may be suitable for use with, for example, a drilling plant. The hosting system 100 comprises a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly 1 having exactly three hoisting cylinders la-c (see Fig. 2). The three hoisting cylinders I a-c are arranged horizontally aligned in a row, with a second hoisting cylinder 1b arranged between a first la and a third lc hoisting cylinder. Each hoisting cylinder I a-c has a cylinder housing which is divided by a piston into a piston side chamber and a rod side chamber. A rod extends from each piston through the rod side chamber and out of the cylinder housing. Each hoisting cylinder is hydraulically operated in the manner known in the art (see, for example, the above-referenced documents).

The rods of each of the cylinders la-c carry a sheave assembly 2 having at least one sheave 2a,2b. The sheave assembly 2 and the sheaves 2a,2b are arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly 1.

An elongate hoisting member 3, such as a hoisting wire or a plurality of wires, extends from an anchor 5 at a drill floor 7, via the sheaves 2a,2b to a yoke 4 which is suspended by the hoisting member 3 above a well centre opening 6 in the drill floor 7. The yoke 4 may carry drilling tools, such as a drilling machine 14 (also known as a top drive).

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the cylinder assembly 1 is supported by a rig structure 12, which can also support the other components, such as the sheave assembly 2, through guide rails or the like.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a drilling plant may comprise a wide range of other equipment for handling pipes, equipment, fluids, etc., not shown here for clarity.

Fig. 4 illustrates a power distribution system for the hoisting system 100. The three cylinders la-care hydraulically operated, with appropriate hydraulic pipes (not shown here) arranged to the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber of each cylinder la-c. A hydraulic controller 10 is operable to control a supply of hydraulic fluid to the hoisting cylinders la-c. The hydraulic controller 10 receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic power unit (HPU) 20. An accumulator 21 may be arranged in the circuit to provide temporary energy storage and to smoothen operation. A power management system 22 can be provided, having electronic controllers to optimize operation and ensure reliable power supply to the system. Optionally, a battery energy storage 23 can be provided.

While not illustrated here, it will be clear that the cylinders la-c have appropriate so return lines and valve arrangements whereby the supply and return lines can be shut off, if required.

According to this embodiment, the hoisting system 100 has a first operational configuration wherein all three hoisting cylinders la-c are operable to lift the yoke 4. In this operational configuration, the hoisting cylinders la-c all operate to provide a lifting force on the sheave assembly 2. With a given hydraulic supply pressure from the HPU 20, this configuration provides the highest possible lifting force for the system.

The hoisting system 100 further has a second operational configuration wherein the first and the third hoisting cylinders 1 a,1 c are operable to apply a lifting force on the sheave assembly 2 to lift the yoke 4 while the second hoisting cylinder lb is idle.

lo Further, the hoisting system has a third operational configuration wherein the second hoisting cylinder lb is operable to apply a lifting force on the sheave assembly 2 to lift the yoke 4 while the first and the third hoisting cylinders 1 a,lc are idle.

The respective hoisting cylinders can be put in an idle state in several different ways. For example, a lock mechanism can be employed to lock the cylinder in the contracted state. In this way, the other cylinder or cylinders may lift the sheave assembly 2 while the respective cylinder remains in the contracted (lowermost) position. This may, for example be via a mechanical lock which prevents the cylinder from moving. Alternatively, it may be a hydraulic lock, for example a valve which closes the rod side chamber in the cylinder to prevent the cylinder from operating, or a valve, controlled by the hydraulic controller 10, which shuts off the hydraulic supply from the HPU 20 to the piston side chamber of the respective idle cylinder.

Alternatively, a cylinder la-c may be made idle by other types of hydraulic valve control, for example by connecting the rod side chamber and the piston side chamber of the cylinder with appropriate valves. In this way, the respective idle hoisting cylinder or cylinders can travel together with the sheave assembly 2 without providing a lifting force on the sheave assembly 2. This may be advantageous, for example, if the rods of the cylinders la-c are fixed to the sheave assembly 2.

In operating the hoisting system 100, one may thus in the first operational configuration operate all three hoisting cylinders la-c to lift the yoke 4, in the second operational configuration operate the first la and the third lc hoisting cylinders to lift the yoke 4 while keeping the second hoisting cylinder lb idle, and in the third operational configuration operate the second hoisting cylinder 1b to lift the yoke 4 while keeping the first la and the third lc hoisting cylinders idle.

In the different operational configurations the cylinder hoisting assembly can be operated at different capacity and speed. In the first operational configuration, the 5 hoisting system 100 provides the maximum lifting capacity, at a given hoisting speed, determined by the installed capacity of the hydraulic supply system (particularly, the HPU 20). In the second operational configuration, the hoisting system 100 provides a lower maximum lifting capacity, but a higher lifting speed (with the installed hydraulic capacity provided). In the third operational configuration, 10 the hoisting system 100 provides yet higher lifting speeds, at lower capacity.

Advantageously, a hoisting system 100 and a method according to these embodiments reduces the structural requirements for the rig structure 12 and/or the hoisting cylinders la-c themselves, in that such operational flexibility can be obtained without excessive extra loads on the structure or components between the different operational configurations. For example, the requirement of the rig to take up horizontal loads can be reduced, and the tolerance of the cylinders la-c for bending loads can also be relaxed. When fewer than three cylinders are required, by ensuring that either the two outer cylinders la, lc, or only the middle cylinder b are / is used, the lateral or bending forces on the sheave assembly 2 can be minimised.

Accordingly, improved operational flexibility can be achieved without increasing structural design requirements. This may, for example, be useful in drilling plants, in which the hoisting system is required to perform a wide variety of operations, such as heavy lifting at low speeds, and low-load hoisting of, for example, equipment or lighter components, Fig. 5 illustrates an overview of a drilling system 200, for example a drilling system for use on an offshore drilling rig. The drilling rig typically comprises a pipe storage area 201 (for drill pipes, riser segments, etc.) and a drill floor area 202 having a rig (or derrick) structure 12. The drilling system 200 may comprise the hoisting system 100 according to any of the embodiments described above. It will be understood that a drilling rig may comprise various other parts and components in addition to those shown in Fig 5, such as a driller's cabin, various other machines to handle pipes or other equipment, living quarters, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hosting system (100) comprising: a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly (1) having exactly three hoisting cylinders (la-c), the three hoisting cylinders (la-c) being horizontally aligned with a second hoisting cylinder (lb) arranged between a first (la) and a third (lc) hoisting cylinder, at least one sheave (2,2a,2b) arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly (1); an elongate hoisting member (3) extending from an anchor (5), via the at least one sheave (2,2a,2b) to a yoke (4) suspended by the hoisting member (3) above a well centre opening (6) in a drill floor (7); wherein the hoisting system (100) has a first operational configuration wherein all three hoisting cylinders (1a-c) are operable to lift the yoke (4), a second operational configuration wherein the first (la) and the third (lc) hoisting cylinders are operable to lift the yoke (4) while the second hoisting cylinder (1b) is idle; and a third operational configuration wherein the second hoisting cylinder (lb) is operable to lift the yoke (4) while the first (la) and the third (1c) hoisting cylinders are idle.
2. A hoisting system (100) according to claim 1, comprising a lock mechanism whereby the respective idle hoisting cylinder or cylinders can be held fixed in a contracted state.
3. A hoisting system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lock mechanism is a mechanical lock or a hydraulic lock.
4. A hoisting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the respective idle hoisting cylinder or cylinders is configured to travel together with the yoke (4) without providing a lifting force on the yoke (4).
5. A method of operating a hosting system (100) comprising a vertically arranged hoisting cylinder assembly (1) having exactly three hoisting cylinders (la-c), the three hoisting cylinders (la-c) being horizontally aligned with a second hoisting cylinder (lb) arranged between a first (la) and a third c) hoisting cylinder, at least one sheave (2,2a,2b) arranged in an upper part of the hoisting cylinder assembly (1); and an elongate hoisting member (3) extending from an anchor (5), via the at least one sheave (2,2a,2b) to a yoke (4) suspended by the hoisting member (3) above a well centre opening (6) in a drill floor (7), the method comprising the steps: in a first operational configuration, operating all three hoisting cylinders (la-c) to lift the yoke (4), in a second operational configuration, operating the first (la) and the third (lc) hoisting cylinders to lift the yoke (4) while keeping the second hoisting cylinder (lb) idle; and in a third operational configuration, operating the second hoisting cylinder (lb) to lift the yoke (4) while keeping the first (la) and the third (lc) hoisting cylinders idle.