RISER RUNNING TOOL WITH AUTOMATED ALIGNMENT AND LOAD COMPENSATION
A drilling riser running system includes an automated self-aligning system that can detect and correct when two riser joints are not properly aligned prior to contact between the joints. The system can also include a counter-weight load compensating system that can detect contact between riser joints when they are mis-aligned and reduce the effective load to reduce likelihood of damage resulting from the contact.
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for running marine drilling riser. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a marine riser tool configured to automatically provide load compensation and/or alignment between two riser joints when being joined.
BACKGROUNDThis section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
A drilling riser includes a relatively large-diameter pipe that connects a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) stack to a surface rig. The large-diameter pipe is configured to take mud returns to the surface. In addition to the large-diameter main tube, many drilling risers include a plurality of high-pressure external auxiliary lines. These auxiliary lines can include high pressure choke and kill lines for circulating fluids to the BOP, and usually power and control lines for the BOP.
As the drilling riser is being installed, a riser running tool is often used to grip the next section or joint of riser at its upper end while the previous joint of riser is held in place by a spider system at the drill floor. Prior to connecting the two riser joints, a manual rotational alignment processes is carried out. After stabbing and connecting pins and boxes of the two riser joints together, the riser running tool lowers the joint or riser through drill floor and into the sea water. It has been found that most of the damage to riser joints occurs while stabbing and connecting riser joint pins and boxes.
SUMMARYThis summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.
According to some embodiments, a drilling riser running system is described that is adapted to connect and run riser joints for use in a drilling process. The system includes: a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and an automated alignment system configured to automatically bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.
According to some embodiments, the automated alignment system comprises a processing system configured to determine whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment. The processing system can be further configured to: determine an appropriate corrective actuation amount that will bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment; and instruct the top drive system and/or the riser running tool to rotate according to the determined corrective actuation amount.
According to some embodiments, the automated alignment system can include a sensor system configured to detect the rotational position information of at least the bottom end of the first riser joint. The sensor system can include one or more optical sensors that can detect a known landmark on the bottom end of the first riser joint. The sensor system can use other types of sensor technology, including: RFID, LiDAR, laser, ultrasonic, inductive, and/or magnetic.
According to some embodiments a drilling riser running system is described that includes: a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and a load compensation system configured to automatically reduce effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage. The load compensation system can include one or more hydraulic piston assemblies that are configured to sense load on the system and to adjust the load.
According to some embodiments, a method of running a riser system is described that includes: lowering a bottom end of a first riser joint towards a top end of a stationary second riser joint using a riser running tool suspended from a top drive system; automatically detecting whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment; and automatically bringing the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.
The subject disclosure is further described in the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings and schematics of non-limiting embodiments of the subject disclosure. The features depicted in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Like reference numerals are used herein to represent identical or similar parts or elements throughout several diagrams and views of the drawings.
According to some embodiments, an enhanced riser running tool is described that includes riser connection self-alignment as well as a riser connection counter weight mechanism. For the riser self-alignment functionality, the riser running tool can be configured with embedded sensors (e.g. RFID's. LiDAR, Laser, Optical, etc.), that work in conjunction with the automated riser stab system to detect the correct riser alignment. The riser running tool can also be equipped with either hydraulic or electric servo motors that are capable of rotating the riser joint to the perfectly aligned connection angle.
According to some embodiments, a riser connection counter weight mechanism includes an air/oil cylinder. The air/oil cylinder will be rated for the riser joint weight, with a safety factor included. This riser connection counter weight mechanism significantly reduces the risk of collision damage to the auxiliary line pins in cases where the riser joints come into contact before the pins and boxes are perfectly aligned.
At the upper end of riser joint 116, tool head module 210 of riser running tool 110 is shown engaging and holding riser joint 116 at its upper end 216. A hydraulic and test fluid supply line 222 is run from the top drive 120 to the riser running tool 110, and is configured to supply hydraulic power and control as well as to supply filling and pressure testing fluid to the riser auxiliary lines. Further detail of liquid filling while tripping and automated pressure testing capabilities is described in cop. Also visible in
Auxiliary line testing subassembly 416 includes a box 412 to automatically engage the upper pin of an auxiliary line (e.g. line 316 shown in
The central body of the riser running tool is separated into two sections: lower section 402 and upper section 404. Relative movement between the two sections 402 and 404 (dashed arrow 440) is controlled by piston assemblies 250 and 350, as well as the external forces from the top drive and the attached riser joint(s). A hydraulic control system 430 is included that is configured to measure and control the hydraulic pressure in the piston assemblies 250 and 350 for facilitating weight/load compensation. By monitoring the hydraulic pressure in assemblies 250 and 350 a critical event, such as contact between the two riser joints sections earlier than expected, can be detected. The assemblies 250 and 350 can be configured under control of system 430 to automatically reduce load and/or “pull up”, as indicated by dashed arrow 442 to reduce the force of the unwanted impact. The riser connection counter-weight/load compensation mechanism has been found to significantly reduce the risk of collision damage, especially to the auxiliary line pins, in cases where the riser joints come into contact before the pins and boxes are perfectly aligned. The counter-weight, or weight compensation system provides load compensation in the vertical direction, as indicated by the dashed arrow 440. According to some embodiments, the assemblies 250 and 350 include air/oil cylinders. The air/oil cylinders can be rated for the riser joint weight, with a safety factor included. Using air/oil cylinders, for example, the connection counter-weight/load compensation functionality can be provided passively (i.e. without active monitoring and actively “pulling up”).
In decision block 616 the rotational alignment system, shown in
According to some embodiments, the alignment sensor system described can work closely with the load compensation system to give an “early warning” of likely impact prior to any contact occurring. In this case the sensor system might detect an “imminent unwanted impact” when it detects the joints being out of rotational alignment and the riser surfaces becoming so close to each other that impact will occur if no immediate corrective action is taken. In such cases, the alignment sensor system can send a message to the weight compensation system and/or the top drive to “stop” and “pull up” so as to avoid contact or greatly lessen risk of damage in case contact were to occur.
Assuming proper alignment and contact between the two risers is made as expected, in block 624 the two riser joints are fixed or “latched” together such as with bolts. Once the two joints are latched, the filling and testing of the auxiliary line can commence as described in further detail in the co-pending patent application. In block 626 the top of the joint is held by the spider and the riser running tool is disengaged.
Although most of the foregoing has been described with respect to marine drilling risers, according to some embodiments the techniques described herein are applied to other types or risers such as tie-back drilling riser and production riser that have auxiliary tubes or lines.
While the disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims.
The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for” or “step for” performing a function, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). While the subject disclosure is described through the above embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that modification to and variation of the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the concepts herein disclosed.
Claims
1. A drilling riser running system adapted to connect and run riser joints for use in a drilling process, the system comprising:
- a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and
- an automated alignment system configured to automatically bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.
2. A drilling riser running system according to claim 1 wherein the automated alignment system comprises a processing system configured to determine whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment.
3. A drilling riser running system according to claim 2 wherein the processing system is further configured to:
- determine an appropriate corrective actuation amount that will bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment; and
- instruct the top drive system and/or the riser running tool to rotate according to the determined corrective actuation amount.
4. A drilling riser running system according to claim 1 wherein automated alignment system comprises a sensor system configured to detect the rotational position information of at least the bottom end of the first riser joint.
5. A drilling riser running system according to claim 4 wherein the sensor system includes one or more optical sensors.
6. A drilling riser running system according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect at least a position of a known landmark on at least the at least the bottom end of the first riser joint.
7. A drilling riser running system according to claim 4 wherein the sensor system includes one or more sensors of a type selected from a group consisting of: optical, RFID, LiDAR, laser, ultrasonic, inductive, and magnetic.
8. A drilling riser running system according to claim 1 further comprising a load compensation system configured to automatically reduce effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage.
9. A drilling riser running system according to claim 8 wherein the load compensation system includes one or more hydraulic piston assemblies that are configured to sense load on the system and to adjust the load.
10. A drilling riser running system according to claim 9 wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the riser running tool.
11. A drilling riser running system adapted to connect and run riser joints for use in a drilling process, the system comprising:
- a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and
- a load compensation system configured to automatically reduce effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage.
12. A drilling riser running system according to claim 11 wherein the load compensation system includes one or more hydraulic piston assemblies that are configured to sense load on the system and to adjust the load.
13. A drilling riser running system according to claim 12 wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the riser running tool.
14. A drilling riser running system according to claim 12 wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the top drive system.
15. A drilling riser running system according to claim 11 further comprising an automated alignment system configured to automatically bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.
16. A method of running a riser system comprising:
- lowering a bottom end of a first riser joint towards a top end of a stationary second riser joint using a riser running tool suspended from a top drive system;
- automatically detecting whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment; and
- automatically bringing the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.
17. A method of running a riser system according to claim 16 wherein the detecting whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment comprises detecting with a sensor system, rotational position information of at least the bottom end of the first riser joint.
18. A method of running a riser system according to claim 17 wherein the sensor system includes one or more sensors of a type selected from a group consisting of: optical, RFID, LiDAR, laser, ultrasonic, inductive, and magnetic.
19. A method of running a riser system according to claim 16, further comprising automatically reducing effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2019
Publication Date: Apr 15, 2021
Inventors: Rolf Gullaksen (Richmond, TX), Carlos Mesquita (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 16/598,340