Method and system for helicopter portable drilling
There is provided a system for helicopter portable drilling comprising: a drill frame, a drill mast affixed a first end of the drill frame, a drill operatively coupled to the drill mast and operable using one of compressed air, pressurized hydraulic fluid and both compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid and a unified power source for providing compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid coupled to the drill, the total operating weight of the system being approximately 3000 pounds for allowing a single-pick move by a helicopter. A method of seismic line drilling comprising the steps of placing a first single-pick drilling system at a first location with a single pick, placing a second single-pick drilling system at a second location with a single pick, when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick, when finished drilling, moving the second single-pick drilling system to a fourth location with a single pick.
The present invention relates to methods and systems for drilling and is particularly concerned with a helicopter portable drilling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONReferring to
For areas that are inaccessible or where environmental impact is of concern, it is also known to use helicopter portable drilling systems. These drills are referred to as heli-portable drills. The method of using them is called heli-drilling The earliest examples of heli-portable drills included three components: a drill, a compressor and a supplies basket, which must be separated due to weight limitations of various helicopters.
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The second component is the compressor system an example of which is shown in
The third pick typically contains drill stem, an explosive magazine, a cap magazine, drill mud, and any other supplies that the driller deems necessary (not shown in the figures).
As technology continued to improve all of the components that were typically in the third basket where moved to the drill and compressor picks. This was primarily due to improved helicopter performance, Reducing the number of picks required not only reduces the time that the helicopter spends in a dangerous hover condition, it also significantly reduces costs due to less equipment being moved by the helicopter.
A complete drill crew generally consists of six drills, six compressors and various accessory baskets. There are several reasons that the crew consists of six units. The first is that each drill has a driller and a driller's helper for a total of 12 persons. The Bell 212, 210 and 205 series of helicopters are configured to have a pilot, copilot and thirteen passengers. Six drills also give the helicopter adequate work each day, while keeping the drills productive. It is referred to as a cycle every time all of the drills are moved. The logistics of each program varies. It is primarily dependent on terrain. A drill crew typically works on between one and three seismic lines.
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There are a number of dangers present with helicopter assisted drilling. The pilot and driller are both at risk when the drill is being picked or dropped. Every time the helicopter is in a hover position while working over the source pont the pilot is working in what is referred to as the dead man's curve. It is called this because if the helicopter has a mechanical failure, the height and altitude are not conducive to a safe landing, even on level ground. Typically not only is the ground uneven, but there are trees further endangering the pilot.
For the driller on the ground, it is equally dangerous, as they are working underneath a heavily loaded helicopter. Steep terrain, loose rocks and trees are also a hazard. The rotor wash from the helicopter is capable of knocking down trees and blowing off loose limbs. When placing drills and compressors in steep terrain, the helicopter may have to spend extra time to ensure the unit is secure. The risk for both the pilot and driller was significantly reduced twelve years ago when the two-pick system was developed Two pick drills were developed around 1995.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide method and system for helicopter portable drilling.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for helicopter portable drilling comprising: a drill frame, a drill mast affixed a first end of the drill frame, a drill operatively coupled to the drill mast and operable using one of compressed air, pressurized hydraulic fluid and both compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid and a unified power source for providing compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid coupled to the drill, the total operating weight of the system being approximately 3000 pounds for allowing a single-pick move by a helicopter.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of seismic line drilling comprising the steps of placing a first single-pick drilling system at a first location with a single pick, placing a second single-pick drilling system at a second location with a single pick, when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick, when finished drilling, moving the second single-pick drilling system to a fourth location with a single pick. Once again depending on terrain, weather and drilling conditions there can be two to six drills working on a single line and multiple drill crews on a single program. The entire methodology of drilling will likely change due to the reduced number of picks. A crew will likely consist of between 9 and 12 drills instead of the traditional six
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of seismic line drilling comprising the steps of placing a first drill carrier at a first location with a single pick, placing a first single-pick drilling system on the carrier at the first location with a single pick, when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a second location using the carrier and when meeting an obstacle between drilling locations, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick, moving the first drill carrier at the third location with a single pick and placing the first single-pick drilling system on the carrier at the third location.
In an embodiment of the present invention there is a drill carrier for moving the drilling system between locations when the terrain permits.
The present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which:
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An exemplary implementation of the single-pick system follow:
Key Components1. Modified Single Stage Centrifugal Turbine and primary reduction gearbox. Custom automatic start and shutdown sequence electronics.
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- a. The primary reduction gearbox will reduce the turbine output RPM from approximately 60,000 RPM to one of the following 6000 RPM, 6480 RPM or 8640 RPM depending on the configuration required
2. Custom Gearbox, which consists of the following: - a. Manually engaged clutch (now configured as dual hydraulically engaged independent clutches)
- i. Emergency stop which disconnects both clutches and shuts down turbine.
- b. Secondary reduction gearing that will reduce the primary reduction gearbox RPM to between 2500 and 2800 RPM depending on the configuration requirements. Gearbox configured with one output shaft between 6000 and 6480 RPM and a second output between 2500 and 2800 RPM. Both clutches can be engaged/disengaged independently. Although the initial prototype will have a secondary gearbox I am ultimately working towards a single gearbox to further eliminate weight.
- c. The secondary reduction gearbox will have dual output shafts. The primary shaft will be used for the compressor 6480-6000 RPM (manufacture and model may vary depending on program conditions), while the secondary shaft will be for operating the hydraulic pump 2500-2800 RPM (manufacture and model may vary depending on program conditions)
3. Helicopter portable tracked carrier for the heli-drill. This unit can be configured to either ride on or walk behind with remote controls.
- a. The primary reduction gearbox will reduce the turbine output RPM from approximately 60,000 RPM to one of the following 6000 RPM, 6480 RPM or 8640 RPM depending on the configuration required
The turbine and gearboxes are all housed in a protective box to reduce the likely hood of damage. The enclosure is also designed as a protective housing in case of mechanical failure (protect personnel and explosives from flying debris. The enclosure will also house an air filter system for the gas turbine.
The exhaust system will have at least one cold air intake to reduce exhaust gas temperatures. The exhaust pipe diameter will also be increased in diameter to reduce the pressure of exhaust gases.
The remaining drill components vary depending on end user and the specific requirements that they have. The following may also be available to further reduce the overall mass of the drill.
1. Composite drill mast
2. Composite drill frame
3. Low mass air/oil separator
4. Low mass fuel tank
5. Low mass hydraulic tank
The complete drill configuration may include;
Drill ConfigurationThe drill has everything that is currently on the two separate drill components. Here is a list that includes the majority of items required. The items on the drill are not limited to this list; this is a basic configuration of the key elements
1. Compressor, air oil separator and compressor oil cooler
2. Detonator magazine
3. Drill frame and mast
4. Drill stem (both auger and smooth—as per drillers requirements)
6. Drillers station (with hydraulic and air controls)
7. Emergency shutdown system
8. Explosive magazine
9. Fuel tank
10. Hydraulic tank and hydraulic oil cooler
11. Power source for compressor and hydraulic systems (turbine and gearbox)
12. Required hydraulic pumps and motors for the drill (as per end user requirements)
13. Rotary pull down (either a hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic motor)
15. Water pump
Carrier ConfigurationThe carrier is a self-propelled track carrier that is capable of hauling the single pick drill. On occasion it maybe impractical to utilize the carrier due to the nature of terrain that the drills work in. The driller and drill coordinator will decide on which areas the carrier is used in.
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Numerous modifications, variations and adaptations may be made to the particular embodiments described above without departing from the scope patent disclosure, which is defined in the claims.
Claims
1. A system for helicopter portable drilling comprising:
- a drill frame;
- a drill mast affixed a first end of the drill frame;
- a drill operatively coupled to the drill mast and operable using one of compressed air, pressurized hydraulic fluid and both compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid; and
- a unified power source for providing compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid coupled to the drill;
- the total operating weight of the system being approximately 3000 pounds for allowing a single-pick move by a helicopter.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the unified power source includes a gas turbine.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the unified power source includes a first reduction gear coupled to the gas turbine.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the unified power source includes a second reduction gear coupled to the first reduction gear.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the unified power source includes a hydraulic pump coupled to the second reduction gear.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the unified power source includes air compressor coupled to the second reduction gear.
7. A system for helicopter portable drilling comprising:
- a drill including a drill frame; a drill mast affixed a first end of the drill frame, a drill operatively coupled to the drill mast and operable using one of compressed air, pressurized hydraulic fluid and both compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid, and a unified power source for providing compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid coupled to the drill; and
- a drill carrier;
- the total operating weight of each of the drill and the drill carrier being approximately 3000 pounds.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the unified power source includes a gas turbine.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the unified power source includes a first reduction gear coupled to the gas turbine.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the unified power source includes a second reduction gear coupled to the first reduction gear.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the unified power source includes a hydraulic pump coupled to the second reduction gear.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the unified power source includes air compressor coupled to the second reduction gear.
13. The system of claim 7 wherein the drill carrier includes tracks.
14. The system of claim 7 wherein the drill carrier includes a driver position.
15. The system of claim 7 wherein the drill carrier includes a remote control.
16. A method of seismic line drilling comprising the steps of:
- placing a first single-pick drilling system at a first location with a single pick;
- placing a second single-pick drilling system at a second location with a single pick;
- when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick; and
- when finished drilling, moving the second single-pick drilling system to a fourth location with a single pick.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
- placing a third single-pick drilling system at a fifth location with a single pick; and
- when finished drilling, moving the third single-pick drilling system to a sixth location with a single pick.
18. A method of seismic line drilling comprising the steps of:
- placing a first drill carrier at a first location with a single pick;
- placing a first single-pick drilling system on the carrier at the first location with a single pick;
- when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a second location using the carrier; and
- when meeting an obstacle between drilling locations, moving the first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick;
- moving the first drill carrier at the third location with a single pick and placing the first single-pick drilling system on the carrier at the third location.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 18, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 3, 2009
Inventor: Forrest Burkholder (Calgary)
Application Number: 12/106,118
International Classification: E21B 49/02 (20060101);