U.S. patent application number 11/972080 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for subsea drilling system and method for operating the drilling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PERRY SLINGSBY SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Jonathan Bruce Machin, Peter Nellessen, JR., Harold Marshall Pardey.
Application Number | 20090178848 11/972080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849684 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090178848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nellessen, JR.; Peter ; et
al. |
July 16, 2009 |
Subsea Drilling System and Method for Operating the Drilling
System
Abstract
A subsea drilling system includes a drilling module having a
tool carousel being removable and replaceable in or out of water, a
skid module and an ROV to be connected to and disconnected from the
skid module in or out of water, for operating the subsea drilling
system with the ROV. A method for operating a subsea drilling
system includes removing a tool carousel from a drilling module and
replacing the tool carousel with another tool carousel, in or out
of water. An ROV is connected to a skid module and disconnected
from the skid module in or out of water. The subsea drilling system
is operated with the ROV.
Inventors: |
Nellessen, JR.; Peter; (Palm
Beach Gardens, FL) ; Machin; Jonathan Bruce;
(Singapore, SG) ; Pardey; Harold Marshall; (Salt
Lake City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Assignee: |
PERRY SLINGSBY SYSTEMS,
INC.
Jupiter
FL
|
Family ID: |
40849684 |
Appl. No.: |
11/972080 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/08 20130101;
E21B 7/12 20130101; E21B 25/18 20130101; E21B 19/143 20130101; E21B
7/124 20130101; E21B 19/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/7 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/128 20060101
E21B007/128 |
Claims
1. A subsea drilling system, comprising: a drilling module having a
tool carousel being removable and replaceable in or out of water; a
skid module; and an ROV to be connected to and disconnected from
said skid module in or out of water for operating the subsea
drilling system with said ROV.
2. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
drilling module has a structural frame, and said tool carousel is
guided into place on said structural frame by pins and guide
receptacles.
3. The subsea drilling system according to claim 2, wherein said
tool carousel is removable and replaceable under water by another
ROV.
4. The subsea drilling system according to claim 2, wherein one of
said pins drives said tool carousel.
5. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
tool carousel has slots for receiving drilling tools.
6. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
drilling module has a drilling head with a spindle assembly and a
drive motor for driving drill rods, and said drilling head is
moveable up and down on hydraulic elevator cylinders.
7. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
drilling module has foot clamps for grasping pipes and making and
breaking joints.
8. The subsea drilling system according to claim 5, wherein said
drilling module has tool arms for inserting said drilling tools
into and removing said drilling tools from said slots.
9. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
drilling module has a structural frame, said skid module has a
structural frame, and stabilization and leveling legs are attached
to said frames to compensate for uneven terrain under water.
10. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
skid module has a water pump for running water along a drill pipe
to drill bits for flushing out drill shavings.
11. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, wherein said
skid module has a structural frame with for receiving said ROV.
12. The subsea drilling system according to claim 11, wherein said
structural frame has pins and a connector for said ROV.
13. The subsea drilling system according to claim 1, which further
comprises a surface controls package having a display, a monitor, a
computer and interfaces for remotely controlling the subsea
drilling system.
14. The subsea drilling system according to claim 6, wherein said
drill rods are reverse circulation drill rods, and a swiveling hose
is connected to said spindle assembly and leads to a catchment bag,
for reverse circulation drilling.
15. A method for operating a subsea drilling system, the method
comprising the following steps: removing a tool carousel from a
drilling module and replacing the tool carousel with another tool
carousel, in or out of water; connecting an ROV to a skid module
and disconnecting the ROV from the skid module in or out of water;
and operating the subsea drilling system with the ROV.
16. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
guiding the tool carousel into place on a structural frame of the
drilling module with pins and guide receptacles.
17. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
carrying out the step of removing and replacing the tool carousel
under water with another ROV.
18. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
driving the tool carousel with one of the pins.
19. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
placing drilling tools into and removing the drilling tools from,
slots in the tool carousel.
20. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
driving drill rods with a spindle assembly and a drive motor on a
drilling head of the drilling module, and moving the drilling head
up and down on hydraulic elevator cylinders.
21. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
grasping pipes and making and breaking joints with foot clamps of
the drilling module.
22. The method according to claim 19, which further comprises
inserting the drilling tools into and removing the drilling tools
from the slots with tool arms of the drilling module.
23. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
compensating for uneven terrain under water with stabilization and
leveling legs attached to structural frames of the drilling module
and the skid module.
24. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
running water along a drill pipe to drill bits for flushing out
drill shavings with a water pump of the skid module.
25. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
mating the ROV to pins and a connector on a structural frame of the
skid module.
26. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
remotely controlling the subsea drilling system with a surface
controls package having a display, a monitor, a computer and
interfaces.
27. The method according to claim 15, which further comprises
guiding drilling cuttings from reverse circulation drill rods,
through a spindle assembly and a swiveling hose into a catchment
bag, for reverse circulation drilling.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0002] The invention relates to a subsea drilling system, and more
particularly to such a system having an ROV (Remote Operated
Vehicle). The invention also relates to a method for operating a
subsea drilling system.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art: p One existing device, built
for the Monterey Research Institute, has a horizontal drill
installed and operated on two ROVs. Another device, again built for
the Monterey Bay Research Institute, uses a skid. However, in that
device, a carousel is fixed and mounted horizontally. The subsea
drilling system has a removable carousel that is mounted
vertically.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
subsea drilling system and a method for operating the subsea
drilling system, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned
disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this
general type, in which a carousel is removable on the surface or
subsea, is guided into place by pins and guide receptacles and can
be removed or replaced under water using another ROV, in which the
system is capable of mating under water with an ROV, so that the
ROV can connect to and operate the subsea drilling system and in
which the ROV can also disconnect from a subsea drilling system
skid package under water and the ROV can be quickly removed or
installed on the subsea drilling system while on the deck of a
support vessel.
[0005] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a subsea drilling
system. The system comprises a drilling module having a tool
carousel being removable and replaceable in or out of water, a skid
module, and an ROV to be connected to and disconnected from the
skid module in or out of water for operating the subsea drilling
system with the ROV.
[0006] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided a method for operating a subsea drilling system. The
method comprises removing a tool carousel from a drilling module
and replacing the tool carousel with another tool carousel, in or
out of water, connecting an ROV to a skid module and disconnecting
the ROV from the skid module in or out of water, and operating the
subsea drilling system with the ROV.
[0007] The subsea drilling system according to the invention is
constructed for taking geological core samples by using
conventional diamond drilling techniques in water depths of 3000
meters or 9840 feet. The system is configured in conjunction with a
heavy duty work class ROV of opportunity and utilizes terrestrial
drilling and coring technology. A conventional coring tool and
drilling system is used along with a reverse circulation drilling
system.
[0008] Two major assemblies or packages are provided within the
subsea drilling system, that is a subsea drilling package and a
surface controls package. The subsea drilling system according to
the invention may interface with an ROV of opportunity, such as a
Triton ST 200 class ROV. The subsea drilling system operates by
employing the ROV of opportunity to supply a communications link
for hydraulic and electrical power. The subsea drilling system uses
the ST 200 class ROV, or any work class ROV, to define supplies,
services and operations.
[0009] The functional system performance requirements for a
baseline subsea drilling system are a coring depth of 12 meters or
39.4 feet and a core density assumed to be at a specific gravity of
3.5. The core diameter and length have a nominal size of 51.8
millimeters or 2.04 inches by 1.5 meters or 59 inches, per barrel.
The drilling feed force will be 0 to 40 kilonewtons, which is 9,000
pounds per foot, and the retraction force is the same.
[0010] The pipe rod handling capability accommodates rods of 2.0
meters or 79 inches in length plus one joint make or break per
minute. The rod running speed for feed and retraction is 0 to 0.2
meters or 0.66 feet per second with no load and 0 to 0.025 meters
or 1 inch per second under a load of 40 kilonewton or 9,000 pounds
per foot. The drilling head travels down at a speed of 15.2 meters
or 50 feet per minute and up at a speed of 10.7 meters or 35 feet
per minute. The drill torque range is 15 Newton-meters to 250
Newton-meters or 11 foot pounds to 185 foot pounds. The drill speed
range is 0 to 900 rpm, continuously variable, using a two-speed
motor and the maximum drill spindle speed is 1200 rpm.
[0011] The subsea drilling system structure is configured in
accordance with Det Norske Veritas or DNV Rules for Certification
of Lifting Appliances and the load test was witnessed by the
DNV.
[0012] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0013] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a subsea drilling system and a method for operating
the subsea drilling system, it is nevertheless not intended to be
limited to the details shown, since various modifications and
structural changes may be made therein without departing from the
spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of
equivalents of the claims.
[0014] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a chart showing the components of the subsea
drilling system according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic, front and side perspective view
of a subsea skid package, including a drilling module and a skid
module;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a front and side perspective view of an ROV;
[0018] FIG. 2C is a front and side perspective view of the drilling
module and the skid module with the ROV installed;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front and side perspective view similar to FIG.
2C, with legs extended and illustrating a drill head assembly and
tool carousel;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, elevational view of the drill head
assembly;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a further enlarged, cross-sectional view of the
drill head assembly;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an even further enlarged, cross-sectional view of
the drill head assembly;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the tool carousel in the
drilling module;
[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 are differently enlarged, elevational views of
the tool carousel;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the tool carousel with a
carousel pin receptacle;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a foot clamp;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tool arm in a retracted
position;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the tool arm in an extended
position;
[0030] FIG. 15 is an enlarged, perspective view of a gripper of the
tool arm;
[0031] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are respective outer-perspective,
inner-elevational and enlarged, fragmentary, inner-elevational
views of a leveling leg;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a front and side perspective view of a structural
frame for the drilling module;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a drilling water pump;
[0034] FIGS. 21-23 are schematic diagrams of hydraulic systems of
drilling module manifolds;
[0035] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of electric cabling and
subsea controls;
[0036] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a structural frame for the
skid module;
[0037] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a surface controls
station;
[0038] FIGS. 27A, 27B and 28 illustrate a main drilling screen, a
tool change screen and a data logger;
[0039] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a reverse-circulation
drilling head;
[0040] FIG. 30 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a circulation
drilling bit; and
[0041] FIGS. 31 and 32 are enlarged, fragmentary, perspective views
of portions of the circulation drilling bit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a chart
showing the components of the subsea drilling system according to
the invention, including a subsea skid package and a surface
controls package, which will be explained in detail below.
[0043] FIG. 2A shows the subsea skid package, which includes a
drilling module 1 and a skid module 100. FIG. 2B shows an ROV 3 to
be used with the subsea skid package, and FIG. 2C shows the ROV 3
installed on the subsea skid package. The ROV of opportunity
illustrated in this case is an XLXS 125, although others may be
used instead. The drilling module 1 has two stabilization and
leveling legs 80 and the skid module 100 has one stabilization and
leveling leg 80, in a modified tripod configuration. The legs 80
may be extended as shown in FIG. 2A, retracted as shown in FIG. 2C,
or partially extended to compensate for unevenness of the seafloor.
The legs 80 have a maximum extension of 53'', although they could
be constructed for a longer or shorter maximum extension. Two tool
arms 70 and a drilling head 10, which will be explained in greater
detail below, can also be seen in FIG. 2C. FIG. 3, which also shows
the legs 80 extended, shows the drilling head 10 deployed down,
whereas it is deployed up in FIG. 2C. Finally, FIGS. 2A, 2C and 3
also show a structural frame 90 for the drilling module 1 and a
structural frame 130 for the skid module 100.
[0044] The ROV shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C and 3 is an ROV of opportunity
that can be mated at subsea with the subsea drilling system. The
subsea drilling system itself cannot be operated alone, but instead
is operated by the ROV. There is also the possibility of using
several subsea drills on the bottom with one ROV that can travel
from one subsea drilling system to another and operate it in
various configurations. The ROV has mating pins and a wet mate
connector at locations 12, which can make electrical, hydraulic and
communications connections to the vehicle to operate the subsea
drilling system.
[0045] The subsea drilling system is a drilling and coring system.
The general requirements of the system call for the ROV to supply
hydraulic and electric power, telemetry and spare fiber. The system
is capable of drilling and recovering cores of 20 meters with the
illustrated configuration and diamond drilling tools. A specialized
core barrel system referred to as the ROV 275 Core Barrel and Rod
Assembly is used. The XLS 125 ROV is used for a baseline system,
although many other types of heavy work class ROVs can be used with
the subsea drilling system according to the invention. The system
uses two packages, namely a surface controls package and a subsea
skid package having the drilling module 1, as is seen in FIG.
1.
[0046] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing more detail of the
drilling head 10 of the drilling module 1, which can be seen to
include an aluminum cross beam 14, two hydraulic elevator cylinders
15, 16, a spindle assembly 18, a hydraulic spindle drive motor 19
and a non-metallic spindle drive belt 20.
[0047] Even greater detail concerning the drilling head 10 is
provided by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5. It may be seen
therein that the spindle assembly 18 has a spindle 21, a spindle
lock cylinder 22, a water swivel 23 and a saver sub 24. The spindle
lock cylinder 22 locks the cylinder so that it can be used for
torquing applications. The water swivel 23 is where water enters
into the drilling head 10 and down into a drill pipe for
lubricating a hole being drilled and cleaning out shavings. The
saver sub 24 connects to the drill pipes or to a core barrel for
drilling. The hydraulic spindle drive motor 19 is connected to an
overhung motor adapter 26 and to a drive sprocket 27 using the
non-metallic spindle drive belt 20.
[0048] A further enlarged view of the spindle assembly 18 shown in
FIG. 6 again indicates the spindle 21, the spindle lock cylinder
22, the water swivel 23 and the replaceable saver sub 24. The
spindle 21 has four spindle detents 29, eight spindle drive balls
30 and a spindle lock cylinder having a spindle sprocket 25 and a
spindle lock spring 28. A ball actuation line 31 leads to a part
that can be pressurized and has a slide 36 that can slide up to
push the balls inward and lock them against the spindle 21. The
drilling head 10 also includes upper ball bearings 32 and lower
ball bearings 33 to take up loads in either direction from drilling
applications. Upper bearing compensator lines 34 are provided for
adding oil into the bearings to keep the sea water out. A
non-illustrated RPM sensor, which is installed at a location 35,
measures the RPM of the drilling head 10.
[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates a tool carousel 40, which is part of the
drilling module 1. The tool carousel 40 is supported by a drilling
module frame 90, which also holds the drilling head 10, shown in
the upper or raised position. The tool carousel 40 is a cylindrical
configuration that has twelve slots which can carry tools. Each
slot can carry two tools, providing possibility of using up to 24
tools in the tool carousel 40.
[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged to show more detail of the tool
carousel 40. The bottom of the tool carousel 40 has a drive wheel
43 which drives the carousel from slot to slot, as an indexing
drive wheel. It may be seen that drilling tools 45, 46 are located
in respective slots and held by tool retention fingers 76. The
drilling tools also include core barrels, which may be disposed on
the carousel, as will be described below. Although there are twelve
slots, as mentioned above, one slot is kept blank leaving eleven
slots available for use with up to twenty-two drilling tools 45,
46. One slot is left vacant to prevent the tools 45, 46 from
falling out of the carousel 40 during launch and recovery
operations. The carousel 40 has an upper retaining ring 42 with an
opening formed therein for accessibility to allow the tools 45, 46
to be taken in and out of the carousel 40. The carousel 40 also has
a lifting eye 43 and carousel guide receptacles 44, only one of
which is shown in FIG. 9, that mate with upper guide pins on the
frame 90, as is seen in FIG. 7. A lower retaining ring, which is
also present, is discussed below. The carousel can be pulled and
replaced in one piece subsea, by using the lifting eye 43 and
leaving the drive assembly down on the subsea drilling system, so
that the carousel can be replaced with a different carousel if
needed to carry additional tools or continue to drill to deeper
hole configurations.
[0051] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the tool
carousel 40, which can be pulled subsea and replaced with another
carousel depending on the operations carried out by the operator of
the system at that time. Reference numeral 48 indicates the lower
retaining ring having lower guide pin receptacles 49 for receiving
lower guide pins 51. A guide pin receptacle 53, which is part of
the carousel 40 itself, receives a square male drive pin 54 that is
part of a drive mechanism 50. When the carousel 40 is slid down,
the lower guide pins 51 orient the bottom of the carousel, while
the upper guide pins orient the top of the carousel, as is seen in
FIG. 7. The carousel sits on these guide pins and can be operated
by the drive system. When the carousel is pulled, the square drive
pin 54 is separated from the receptacle 53, the guide pins 51 on
the bottom are separated from the receptacles 49 and the guide pins
on the top are separated from their receptacles.
[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates the drive mechanism 50, that employs a
well-known Geneva drive assembly used for indexing drives, for
driving the tool carousel 40. The drive mechanism 50 has a Geneva
drive motor 55 which rotates through 360 degrees. An
oil-compensated motor mount adapter 56 rests above the drive motor
55 and a Geneva drive wheel 58, driven by the motor 55, carries the
drive pin 54 to be connected to and disconnected from the tool
carousel 40. The drive wheel 58 indexes one-twelfth of its
circumference upon each rotation of the motor 55. The indexing is
carried out by a pin 59 having a shaft which is engaged in slots
57.
[0053] FIG. 12 shows a foot clamp assembly 60 of the drilling
module 1. The foot clamp assembly 60 includes an upper foot clamp
62, shown with its cover removed, and a lower foot clamp 64, which
are separated by a plate 65 mounted on the frame. The upper foot
clamp 62 has foot clamp grip cylinders 66, 67 and gripper slide
bearings 68. The lower foot clamp also uses cylinders identical to
the cylinders 66, 67 and slide bearings identical to the slide
bearings 68. The foot clamp assembly 60 functions to grab a pipe
and to make and break joints. A rotation cylinder 69 is used to
rotate the upper foot clamp 62, which can be mounted on a bearing
and can be rotated up to 100 degrees by a hydraulic cylinder used
to make and break joints. The lower foot clamp 64 does not rotate,
but instead is static and mounted to the frame. The foot clamps
that are used are special grips, which are formed of high-strength,
very hard material and are used to grab the pipe.
[0054] A fail-safe feature causes the jaws to open with the
hydraulics off. The jaws are constructed for a tool size grip range
between 25 and 70 mm, with another set of jaws being required for
larger sizes up to 89 mm. A maximum pass through opening is set at
108 mm. The torque capability is up to 1,000 foot pounds.
[0055] FIG. 13 illustrates one of two tool arms 70 of the drilling
module 1 shown in FIGS. 2C and 3. The upper tool arm 70 is a
grabber tool arm and the lower tool arm 70 is an alignment tool
arm. The tool arms 70, which can be operated by hydraulics, either
independently or together, each include a gripper arm 72 and a
mounting bracket 74. The tool arms 70 are used to resist the
maximum torque generated by the drilling head 10 and are used to
tighten and loosen the tool joint at the spindle. The tool arms 70
therefore have an extension with a gripper 76. The lower alignment
tool arm 70 is used for positioning the tool relative to a
centerline of the foot clamp assembly 60. An energy chain 73 for
translating hoses is provided on the gripper arm 72. Whereas FIG.
13 shows the gripper arm 72 retracted, FIG. 14 shows it extended.
It is seen from the enlarged view of FIG. 15 that the gripper 76 of
the grabber tool arm has carbide inserts 77, whereas plastic
inserts are provided on the lower or alignment tool arm.
[0056] The tool arm 70 is made out of aluminum and is operated by a
hydraulic cylinder, so that it can be pushed and slid in and out.
The gripping function, which is accomplished by opening and closing
the jaws 76, is also hydraulic. There is additionally a bump
function, which can move the arm sideways up to an inch in either
direction to aid in fine alignment.
[0057] The stabilization and leveling legs 80, which are shown in
FIGS. 16-18, have outer cylinders 82 which are attached by
adjustable clamps to the frame and inner cylinders 84 which can be
extended and retracted hydraulically within the outer cylinders 82.
The inner cylinders 84 also have detachable leg pads 86. Two slide
bearing ring assemblies 87 take up sliding loads when the leg 80 is
extended or retracted. Once again, the function of the legs 80 is
to raise and lower the level of the entire system during operation
subsea. The legs can be used to level the system once its subsea
under various terrain conditions, up to an angle of 20 degrees.
[0058] FIG. 19 illustrates the structural frame 90 for the drilling
module 1, which has removable guide beams 92, slides and rollers
for travel of the drilling head 10. The frame 90 is made out of
aluminum, welded top and bottom, with bolted vertical members, and
is load tested to 3Gs (three times the force of gravity).
[0059] FIG. 20 shows a drilling water pump 102 of the skid module
100, which forms the subsea skid package along with the drilling
module 1. The drilling water pump 102 is a conventional,
off-the-shelf piece of equipment, which is driven by hydraulic
motor. The drilling water pump 102 is used to run water down along
the drill pipe to the drill bits, where it can be used to flush out
drill shavings.
[0060] FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are diagrams of respective hydraulic
systems 105, 110 and 115 of drilling module manifolds 1, 2 and 3,
which are powered by a hydraulic system on an ST 200 ROV. In other
words, the ROV will operate hydraulic functions by supplying
hydraulic fluid to the subsea drilling system and then back again
to the ROV. Three to nine function control manifolds that are used
for controlling the subsea drilling system are mounted on the
subsea drilling system.
[0061] More specifically, FIG. 21 shows a general overall view of
the hydraulic system 105 in the manifold 1, which is the first of
the three manifolds having a first four motion controls that are
used, as seen from left to right, for drill feed, drill head up and
down and elevator drilling controls. The fifth control is for the
carousel motor. The balance of the last four hydraulic controls are
used for the foot clamps and spindle lock.
[0062] FIG. 22 shows the hydraulic system 110 in the manifold 2.
Again, the first two valves from left to right are used for
controlling the speed of the hydraulic motor that drives the
spindle. The third valve is for the shift speed, which is used to
control either high or low shifting of the hydraulic motor. The
other valves are used for grippers or grabbers, alignment arms and
bump functions, basically for the tool arms.
[0063] FIG. 23 shows the hydraulic system 115 in the manifold 3,
which controls the skid and options. The first valve is blanked
off. The second valve is used for controlling the motor of the
water pump, which is used for sending water down the drill string
to the drill bits. The other three valves are used for the
stabilization legs and can be used to move the legs up or down.
[0064] FIG. 24 shows an electric cabling diagram 120 and subsea
controls 125. The cabling diagram is basically similar to the
hydraulic system and has controls for all three of the manifolds,
that is the manifolds 1 and 2 and the skid manifold 3. The diagram
shows various sensors and various applications. Inside each of
these manifolds is a Perry Slingsby smart valve pack controller or
LCV (local valve controller). Each of the boards will control
specific functions within its manifold.
[0065] FIG. 25 shows the structural frame 130 for the skid module
100, which is constructed for various interfaces. The illustrated
structural frame 130 is particular provided for interface with the
ST 200 ROV. The structural frame 130 is again made out of aluminum
welded frames and tested to 3Gs.
[0066] FIG. 26 shows that the surface controls package has surface
controls 140 including a stand-alone console having a rack mount
141 with a display 142, an angled control panel 145 with two
drilling joy sticks, a 19 inch touch screen LCD color monitor 143,
an IBM Blade computer 144 with a USB interface to equipment, an RS
232 to RS 485 converter, a keyboard and a mouse. Different pages,
which are displayed, are used for setting up, landing and operating
the system.
[0067] FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate examples of a main drilling
screen and a tool change screen of the surface controls 140, which
are displayed on the touch screen monitor. All of the software
which is used, is integrated within the system.
[0068] FIG. 28 illustrates a data logger of the surface controls
140 showing an example of how functions are logged and saved during
drilling operations. Logging is used subsequently by geologists
after the hole is drilled, to validate that the drilling processes
have been carried out successfully.
[0069] FIG. 29 shows a configuration used for reverse circulation
drilling, which is different than conventional drilling, because it
uses reverse circulation of water. Water is sent down through the
outside of the drilling tool annular section and pulled up through
the center. Basically, reverse circulation drilling takes drilling
cuttings and instead of feeding them into a core barrel, pulls them
into a catchment bag assembly.
[0070] A comparison of FIG. 4 with FIG. 29 shows what needs to be
done to the drilling head 10 to convert it for reverse circulation.
A second swivel 131 is added, as well as a goose neck or hose
connection 132 leading to a sample catchment bag. The reverse
circulation drilling uses different drilling tools, namely RCD
(Reverse Circulation Drilling) drill rods 133 and different
bits.
[0071] FIG. 30 is an enlarged view showing the RCD drill rod 133
and an RCD drilling bit 134. It is seen that an outer tube 136 and
an inner tube 137 are provided, through which water flows in the
direction of the arrows. The arrows indicate that water is pushed
down through the outer tube 136 and then into the drill bit 134,
and the water is then pulled back up through the center of the
inner tube 137 and through the connection 132 into the catchment
bag.
[0072] FIGS. 31 and 32 are further enlarged to show more detail of
the dual tube or reverse circulation tube configuration 136, 137
and the drill 134 bit, respectively.
* * * * *