Abstract: Provided is an arctic drill ship an arctic drill ship which includes a weather tight structure protecting a drill floor from air, and a side strake supporting the weather tight structure around a drilling work area. It is possible to economically and easily manufacture the weather tight structure which minimizes the influence of outside air on the drilling operation in the polar regions, and it is possible to efficiently support the hull longitudinal strength and the weather tight structure with the use of the side strake structure solely. Therefore, a structure which may cause a disturbance in the drilling work area is minimized, and it is unnecessary to install a separate structural reinforcement member for a drilling workspace in the polar regions. In addition, the drilling workspace in the polar regions can be effectively ensured, and a spatial limitation in an upper portion of a moonpool can be solved.

Abstract: Provided is a damper structure for an enclosed derrick, which can constantly compensate and maintain a pressure of an inner space of an enclosed derrick structure. The damper structure for the enclosed derrick includes: one or more communication ducts installed in a side of the enclosed derrick; and one or more open/close dampers coupled to the communication ducts to open or close the communication ducts, whereby air is selectively supplied to or exhausted from the enclosed derrick.

Abstract: Two sensors may be installed on a marine drill to improve measurements used for monitoring and operating the marine drill. The sensors may be installed in a differential configuration with one sensor located on a top block of the marine drill and a second sensor located on a drilling floor of the marine drill. Various calculations may be performed using measurements obtained from the two sensors such as, for example, rate of penetration of the marine drill, drilling level bubble for the marine drill, out of-straightness values for the marine drill, and vibration motion for the marine drill.

Abstract: Provided is an enclosed derrick structure of an arctic ship, which provides an installation space for an exhaust unit at an upper portion of an enclosed derrick. The enclosed derrick structure of the arctic ship includes: an enclosed derrick; a crown block section disposed at an upper portion of the enclosed derrick such that a crown block is installed and an installation workspace is formed thereinside; and an exhaust unit installed in the installation workspace to communicate with the exterior.

Abstract: Provided is a floor apparatus which is vertically movable with a thruster canister within a vertical trunk of a hull. The floor apparatus includes a floor frame which is installed in an upper space of a vertical trunk of a ship, that is, a space above a thruster canister. The floor frame is installed to be vertically movable along the vertical trunk. The side of the floor frame is installed to be vertically movable while being guided along the sidewall of the vertical trunk. In particular, at least one pair of guide frames which guide the side of the floor frame are symmetrically installed on the sidewall of the vertical trunk.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for retrieving a drilling riser connected to a blow-out-preventer (BOP) located on a sea bed. The method includes the steps of: a) attaching the first end of the retrieval line to a vessel; b) attaching the second end of the retrieval line to a drilling riser; c) disconnecting the riser from the BOP; d) initiating the assent of the disconnected riser from the sea bed; e) maintaining tension on the riser as it ascends to the sea surface by creating a horizontal load that is opposite to a current load on a bottom end of the riser; f) releasing tension on the retrieval line as the riser approaches the bottom of the drilling vessel; and/or g) disconnecting the retrieval line from the riser, whereby the riser is pulled through the bottom opening in the drilling vessel.

Abstract: A collapsible marine riser fairing that includes members configured to retract into a storage space and be deployed from the storage space when needed. The collapsible fairing is semi-permanently attached to the riser.

Abstract: Provided is a damping apparatus for a moonpool, which has a simple driving mechanism. The damping apparatus includes one or more damping plates which cover a moonpool of a hull entirely or partially. The damping plates are pivotally hinged to a sidewall of the moonpool, and one or more conveying units are disposed above the moonpool to convey drilling equipment. Driving wires are coupled between the conveying units and the damping plates, and the conveying force of the conveying units is transferred through the driving wires to the damping plates. Thus, the damping plates are pivoted to open and close the moonpool entirely or partially.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically preventing a collision between objects is described. One or more images of a working space may be collected, and a first object may be identified based on the one or more images. Three-dimensional coordinates of the first object may be determined, and a virtual boundary enclosing the identified first object in a three-dimensional coordinate system may be generated based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object, wherein the virtual boundary specifies a volume in the working space that a second object in the working space should not occupy. The coordinates in the three-dimensional coordinate system corresponding to the generated virtual boundary may be transmitted to a second processor, and the second processor may control the second object to perform an operation in the working space that includes the first object without contacting the virtual boundary of the first object.

Abstract: An emissions output of an engine, such as a diesel generator, may be determined from the load on the engine and an exhaust volume from the engine. Chemicals such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) may be calculated for a measured load on the engine. The calculation may include determining an air flow in the engine from air pressure measurements and turbo compressor speed measurements. The calculation may also include determining a gas flow into the engine by deriving fuel flow from known test results. The calculated emissions output may be used to ensure compliance of an engine with environmental regulations. A remote monitoring program may generate alerts when the engine fails to comply with environmental regulations.

Abstract: A load and stress of a tensioner may be determined from the change in the strain of the tensioner. The strain of the tensioner may be detected by an optical device having a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) that is attached to the tensioner. An electrical signal may be generated in response to the detected change in the mechanical strain of the tensioner by processing the light reflected from an optical fiber coupled to the optical device. The electrical signal may be processed to calculate a load on the tensioner. The calculated load may be stored and analyzed, along with previously-stored values for the load, to determine the condition of the tensioner system, and whether the tensioner system requires maintenance.

Abstract: An autonomous breaker can apply a current through a high impedance source to a bus coupled to either end of a breaker in order to measure an impedance of the bus. The status of the bus can be determined from the measurement. Based on the determined status, a fault detection procedure can be selected and implemented to determine if a fault exists on the bus. When the fault detection procedure has been implemented and no fault has been detected, the breaker can close, and thus couple the bus to another bus.

Abstract: A subsea energy storage for well control equipment, wherein stored energy near a well on the sea floor monitors and activates well control equipment independently of, or in conjunction with, hydraulic energy. Energy to the subsea energy storage can be supplied by surface umbilical, remotely-operated vehicle, or by subsea electrical generation from stored hydraulic energy. Stored electrical energy may also recharge stored hydraulic energy. A subsea control system is configured to record data, compare the data to predetermined event signatures, and operate the well control equipment with stored electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and reacting to an upper packer failure in a riser slip joint. An upper packer failure is determined by comparing pressures at two points in the upper packer pressure circuit using a differential pressure valve. In the event of a failure of the upper packer, a secondary pressure source is used to energize a lower packer in the riser slip joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for attaching, detaching and conveying tubular on a drill cantilever. The method and apparatus include a tubular standbuilding conveyor assembly and a stand delivery conveyor assembly. The method and apparatus provide for improved movement, assembly and disassembly in order to eliminate inefficient movements and to improve consistent, repeatable performance.

Abstract: Provided is an arctic drill ship an arctic drill ship which includes a weather tight structure protecting a drill floor from air, and a side strake supporting the weather tight structure around a drilling work area. It is possible to economically and easily manufacture the weather tight structure which minimizes the influence of outside air on the drilling operation in the polar regions, and it is possible to efficiently support the hull longitudinal strength and the weather tight structure with the use of the side strake structure solely. Therefore, a structure which may cause a disturbance in the drilling work area is minimized, and it is unnecessary to install a separate structural reinforcement member for a drilling workspace in the polar regions. In addition, the drilling workspace in the polar regions can be effectively ensured, and a spatial limitation in an upper portion of a moonpool can be solved.

Abstract: Induction shearing may be used to cut a drillpipe at an undersea well. Electromagnetic rings may be built into a blow-out preventer (BOP) at the seafloor. The electromagnetic rings create a magnetic field through the drillpipe and may transfer sufficient energy to change the state of the metal drillpipe to shear the drillpipe. After shearing the drillpipe, the drillpipe may be sealed to prevent further leakage of well contents.

Abstract: An advanced blowout preventer that includes an arrester section and a shear section. The arrester section includes a number or arrester rings that are shaped to extend downwardly. The shape of the arrester rings allows the force of gas flowing out of the well to assist in closing the rings. The arrester section may have a number of arrester rings that cooperate to significantly reduce fluid from flowing in the annulus between a section of drill pipe and the blowout preventer. The advanced blowout preventer may also include a shear section. The shear section is configured to engage and shear a section of pipe using induction.

Abstract: Provided is an arctic drill ship in which a weather tight structure protecting a drill floor and a drilling work area from outside air is coupled to a side strake around the drilling work area. It is possible to economically and easily manufacture the weather tight structure which minimizes the influence of outside air on the drilling operation in the polar regions, and it is possible to efficiently support the hull longitudinal strength and the weather tight structure with the use of the side strake structure solely. Therefore, a structure which may cause a disturbance in the drilling work area is minimized, and it is unnecessary to install a separate structural reinforcement part for a drilling workspace in the polar regions. In addition, the drilling workspace in the polar regions can be effectively ensured, and a spatial limitation in an upper portion of a moonpool can be solved.

Abstract: A subsea processor may be located near the seabed of a drilling site and used to coordinate operations of underwater drilling components. The subsea processor may be enclosed in a single interchangeable unit that fits a receptor on an underwater drilling component, such as a blow-out preventer (BOP). The subsea processor may issue commands to control the BOP and receive measurements from sensors located throughout the BOP. The subsea processor may relay information to the surface for recording or monitoring. The subsea processor may also be programmed with a model from which to base operation of the BOP, such as in emergency conditions.