U.S. patent application number 12/423408 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for wireline system.
This patent application is currently assigned to TGH (US), INC.. Invention is credited to Gregory Ham, Allan Spencer.
Application Number | 20090255728 12/423408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41163056 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spencer; Allan ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
Wireline System
Abstract
A device and a method for seabed and water bottom drilling, core
sampling and measuring, include a vertically movable and
horizontally fixed cross beam, a winch fixed to the cross beam and
having a rope wound thereon, a drill head disposed on the cross
beam, a spindle having a bore formed therein and being driven by
the drill head and an overshot having one end connected to the rope
and another end passing through the bore in the spindle for
attachment to and detachment from a drilling tool of a drillstring.
The spindle, the rope and the drillstring together define a common
centerline during attachment and detachment of the overshot to and
from a drilling tool and during drilling. A lift rod connected
between the rope and the overshot can be pulled into the bore in
the spindle prior to commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top
of the bore.
Inventors: |
Spencer; Allan; (Spring,
TX) ; Ham; Gregory; (Houston, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Assignee: |
TGH (US), INC.
|
Family ID: |
41163056 |
Appl. No.: |
12/423408 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61044747 |
Apr 14, 2008 |
|
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|
61081974 |
Jul 18, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/124 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/5 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/12 20060101
E21B007/12 |
Claims
1. A device for seabed and water bottom drilling, core sampling and
measuring, the device comprising: a vertically movable and
horizontally fixed cross beam; a winch fixed to said cross beam,
said winch having a rope wound thereon; a drill head disposed on
said cross beam; a spindle having a bore formed therein, said
spindle being driven by said drill head; and an overshot having one
end connected to said rope and another end passing through said
bore in said spindle for attachment to and detachment from a
drilling tool of a drillstring; said spindle, said rope and the
drillstring together defining a common centerline during attachment
and detachment of said overshot to and from a drilling tool and
during drilling.
2. The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a
swivel connected between said rope and said overshot, said overshot
and said swivel configured to be pulled up into said bore in said
spindle by said winch.
3. The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a lift
rod connected between said rope and said overshot, said lift rod
configured to be pulled into said bore in said spindle prior to
commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of said bore.
4. The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a
removable tool rack, and grabber and alignment arms for delivering
a drilling tool from said tool rack to a position along said common
centerline for the drillstring.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said overshot has a
latch for mating with a spear on a drilling tool.
6. The device according to claim 1, which further comprises at
least one ROV/diver intervention panel.
7. The device according to claim 1, which further comprises a
caisson resting on, engaging with or penetrating into the surface
of the seabed or water bottom, and a stinger disposed on said
caisson for receiving a sampling tool.
8. The device according to claim 4, which further comprises a foot
clamp cooperating with said grabber and alignment arms for
exchanging a drilling tool.
9. The device according to claim 4, which further comprises a
tensioner for maintaining tension in said rope and preventing rope
slack when said rope is deployed out.
10. A method for seabed and water bottom drilling, core sampling
and measuring, the method comprising the following steps: unwinding
a rope from a winch connected to a vertically movable and
horizontally fixed cross beam; lowering the rope from the winch
through a bore in a spindle to an overshot; attaching the overshot
to and detaching the overshot from a drilling tool of a
drillstring; rotating the drilling tool with a drill head connected
to the cross beam; and defining a common centerline of the spindle,
the rope and the drillstring during attachment and detachment of
the overshot to and from a drilling tool and during drilling.
11. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
connecting a swivel between the rope and the overshot, and pulling
the overshot and the swivel up into the bore in the spindle with
the winch for attachment and detachment of a drilling tool.
12. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
connecting a lift rod between the rope and the overshot, and
pulling the lift rod into the bore in the spindle prior to
commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of the bore.
13. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
storing drilling tools in a removable tool rack, and delivering a
drilling tool from the tool rack to a position along the common
centerline for the drillstring with grabber and alignment arms.
14. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
mating a spear on a drilling tool with a latch on the overshot.
15. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
interfacing a remotely operated vehicle or a diver with at least
one intervention panel.
16. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises
placing a sampling tool into a stinger disposed on a caisson, and
resting the caisson on, engaging the caisson with or penetrating
the caisson into the surface of the seabed or water bottom.
17. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises
exchanging a drilling tool using a foot clamp cooperating with the
grabber and alignment arms.
18. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises
maintaining tension in the rope and preventing rope slack when the
rope is deployed out, with a tensioner cooperating with the winch.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
120, of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/044,747,
filed Apr. 14, 2008 and 61/081,974, filed Jul. 18, 2008, the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to drilling, coring, in-situ sampling
and measurement underwater on a drilling system referred to as the
Rovdrill 3. The Rovdrill 3 drilling system is basically a larger
version of the Rovdrill System of Perry Slingsby Systems, Inc. of
Jupiter, Fla. that uses conventional diamond core drilling systems
and is the subject matter of co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos.
11/972,080 and 11/972,088, both filed Jan. 10, 2008, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Land based drilling operations have used wireline drilling
techniques for many years and there are several companies that
produce wireline drilling tools for land operations. Land based
wireline drilling operations use tools that are manually operated
by drilling personnel. A manual approach cannot be used for
drilling on the bottom of the ocean because drillers cannot
physically be at the drilling site subsea due to environmental
conditions. Robotic systems are therefore used in subsea drilling
operations.
[0006] The oil and gas industries also use a form of wireline
deployment, although their application is used to monitor
pre-existing petroleum wells and to increase production flow from
the wells. Those methods are called logging and workover.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
wireline drilling system and method, which overcome the
hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices
and methods of this general type. More specifically, it is an
object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus
for seabed and water bottom wireline drilling, core-sampling and
measuring applications using the Rovdrill 3, where:
[0008] The cores are recovered from a drill string using a wireline
winch and overshot/toggle--in the case of rotary or push sample
coring.
[0009] The in-situ measuring device, including but not limited to
cone, ball and T-bar penetrometer devices, is deployed down the
drill string and recovered up the drill string using a wireline
winch and overshot/toggle assembly.
[0010] This form of drilling, sampling or measuring is faster than
conventional methods because the drill string does not have to be
disassembled to recover the core barrel or measuring device from
the bottom of the drill string and reassembled again when each core
or data measurement is retrieved. The wireline method also does not
have the hole collapse issues that can frequently occur in some
soil conditions because the drill string can stay in the hole
during the operations. Hole collapse is potentially damaging to
core quality and is common in conventional drilling operations.
[0011] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a device for seabed and
water bottom drilling, core sampling and measuring. The device
comprises a vertically movable and horizontally fixed cross beam, a
winch fixed to the cross beam and having a rope wound thereon, a
drill head disposed on the cross beam, a spindle having a bore
formed therein and being driven by the drill head and an overshot
having one end connected to the rope and another end passing
through the bore in the spindle for attachment to and detachment
from a drilling tool of a drillstring. The spindle, the rope and
the drillstring together defining a common centerline during
attachment and detachment of the overshot to and from a drilling
tool and during drilling.
[0012] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided a method for seabed and water bottom drilling, core
sampling and measuring. The method comprises unwinding a rope from
a winch connected to a vertically movable and horizontally fixed
cross beam, lowering the rope from the winch through a bore in a
spindle to an overshot, attaching the overshot to and detaching the
overshot from a drilling tool of a drillstring, rotating the
drilling tool with a drill head connected to the cross beam and
defining a common centerline of the spindle, the rope and the
drillstring during attachment and detachment of the overshot to and
from a drilling tool and during drilling.
[0013] The invention permits drilling tools to be exchanged without
moving the cross beam laterally, without disassembling the drill
string to recover a core barrel or measuring device from the bottom
of the drill string, without reassembling the drill string again
when each core or data measurement is retrieved and without the
hole collapse problems of the prior art.
[0014] In accordance with another feature of the invention, a
swivel is connected between the rope and the overshot. The overshot
and the swivel are configured to be pulled up into the bore in the
spindle by the winch, to permit tool exchange.
[0015] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a
lift rod is connected between the rope and the overshot. The lift
rod is configured to be pulled into the bore in the spindle prior
to commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of the bore. When
the lifting rod is in the uppermost position, water flows downwards
through the spindle bore and the drill string only. Therefore,
water can then be pumped down the spindle bore and drill string and
into the hole, lubricating the drill cutting process and flushing
cuttings from the hole. Since the top of the spindle is sealed, the
water cannot flow out the top of the spindle and must only go down
the hole as desired.
[0016] In accordance with an added feature of the invention,
grabber and alignment arms deliver a drilling tool from a removable
tool rack to a position along the common centerline for the
drillstring. A foot clamp cooperates with the grabber and alignment
arms for exchanging a drilling tool. A tensioner maintains tension
in the rope and prevents rope slack when the rope is deployed
out.
[0017] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the overshot has a latch for mating with a spear on a drilling
tool.
[0018] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
device has at least one ROV/diver intervention panel. In
particular, each of the drill module and the foundation module may
have an ROV/diver intervention panel which are independent of each
other and are used for different functions/purposes.
[0019] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, a
caisson rests on, engages with or penetrates into the surface of
the seabed or water bottom, and a stinger is disposed on the
caisson for receiving a sampling tool, such as a push core sampler
to be preinstalled before setting the foundation prior to
performing drilling, coring or sampling tasks. This serves the
purpose of obtaining water bottom or seabed surface and shallow
penetration depth samples during the initial penetration of the
foundation.
[0020] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0021] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a wireline drilling system and method, 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.
[0022] The construction of the invention, however, together with
additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood
from the following description of the specific embodiment when read
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0023] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are diagrammatic, perspective views
of a wireline assembly, a caisson assembly thereof, a foundation
assembly thereof and a stinger of the caisson assembly, according
to the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross beam assembly of the
wireline assembly;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a winch assembly of the
wireline assembly;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alignment and grabber
assembly of the wireline assembly;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foot clamp assembly of the
wireline assembly;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spear, latch and core
barrel assembly of the wireline assembly;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spear, latch and tool
assembly of the wireline assembly;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, longitudinal-sectional view of a
drilling spindle with an overshot of the wireline assembly;
[0031] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal-sectional
view of the drilling spindle and overshot of FIG. 8;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side-elevational view of the cross beam
assembly of the wireline assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal-sectional
view of a portion XI of FIG. 10;
[0034] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, perspective view of a lift rod
assembly of FIG. 10; and
[0035] FIGS. 13-52 are highly diagrammatic, side-elevational views
of the winch, drilling spindle, overshot, grabber and alignment and
foot clamp assemblies, in addition to a tool rack assembly, with
drill pipes and tools and a bottom hole assembly, with which the
sequence of method steps according the invention will be
described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and
first, particularly, to FIG. 1A thereof, there is seen an improved
wireline assembly according to the invention, including an
underwater foundation assembly 1 which rests on, engages with or
penetrates into the surface of the seabed or water bottom. This
structure may be, but is not limited to, a prior art gravity base,
suction caisson, skirted mud mat or multi-legged jack up
foundation, with legs being adjustable in length and may be single
stage or multi-stage telescopic in nature, and may include foot
pads of varying geometry and function, including rigidly or
compliant, connected flat, convex or concave bearing plate
assemblies, helical augers or expanding mechanical anchor
assemblies. The illustrated foundation assembly 1 is a caisson
which is also shown detached from the remainder of the wireline
assembly in FIG. 1B. A jack up assembly 2 having pins 3 that align
with a caisson attachment point is shown in FIG. 1C.
[0037] Such mechanisms for extending and retracting these legs or
driving the expanding anchors and auger assemblies may include, but
are not limited to hydraulically or electrically driven linear or
rotary actuators, mechanical gear mechanisms including rack and
pinion, worm and wheel and threaded shafting and floating nut,
re-circulating ball drives.
[0038] Further improvements to a prior art suction caisson, skirted
mud mat or multi-legged jack up foundation assembly include a prior
art hollow stinger pipe 11 shown in FIG. 1D, which is mounted
vertically through the uppermost base plate of the caisson or mat
and extends downwards to some initial dimension less than the total
height of the caisson or mat vertical wall(s). This prior art
stinger pipe 11 is improved by the inclusion of a latching
interface within the bore which can allow a sampling tool such as a
push core sampler to be preinstalled before setting the foundation
prior to performing drilling, coring or sampling tasks, for the
purpose of obtaining water bottom or seabed surface and shallow
penetration depth samples during the initial penetration of the
foundation. Such an interface will also allow the installation of
removable casing tubes to enhance the subsequent drilling, coring
or sampling operations, and prevent borehole collapse.
[0039] Further improvements to the prior art hollow stinger pipe 11
include a mechanical connection interface at the lower free end of
the pipe, to allow the addition of further stinger pipes or tools
and casing tubes of various quantity, diameters, function and
length. Such a connection interface may include, but is not limited
to threaded connection, mechanical interlock and friction
interference fit.
[0040] The Rovdrill 3 subsea assembly shown in FIG. 1A is formed of
two major subassemblies:
[0041] The drill module 5; and
[0042] The foundation module 1.
[0043] Each of the above-mentioned subassemblies has an ROV/diver
intervention panel which are independent of each other and are used
for different functions/purposes: [0044] a) The remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) or diver intervention interface or panel 4 mounted to
the drill module assembly 5, as seen in FIG. 1A, includes two
electrical wet mate connectors and two hot stab receptacles across
the top row, as well as two ROV mechanical docking receptacles in
the bottom row. Such a non-illustrated ROV is the Perry Slingsby
Triton XLS 150HP ROV manufactured by Perry Slingsby Systems, Inc.
of Jupiter, Fla. as well as that shown in co-pending U.S.
application Ser. Nos. 11/972,080 and 11/972,088, both filed Jan.
10, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference. However, the
wireline system need not use any particular ROV from a preferred
manufacturer. On the contrary, it is an advantage of the invention
that the wireline system can be powered by any workclass ROV of
opportunity. This interface 1 includes, but is not limited to ROV
mechanical docking interface(s), hydraulic (including water and
oil) and electrical hot-stab interface(s), diver and ROV operable
override control mechanisms for foundation leg operations, suction
caisson or skirted mud mat vent valve override operation and
wireline housing structure engagement/disengagement from the
mechanism of the foundation structure 1.
[0045] More specifically, the drill module intervention panel 4 in
FIG. 1A, includes the ROV mechanical docking receptacles, which are
components available from Perry Slingsby Systems, Inc. and also
hydraulic and electrical hot stab receptacles/couplings which are
again components available from Perry Slingsby Systems, Inc.
(hydraulic stab receptacles) and commercially available off the
shelf (COTS) electrical couplers, e.g. Nautilus wet-mate electrical
connectors from Ocean Design Inc. (ODI). It is by making
connections with these interfaces via the ROV that all hydraulic
and electrical power and control signals/telemetry is transferred
to the Rovdrill drill module to drive and control all the
mechanisms that Rovdrill uses to execute the drilling, sampling and
measuring processes.
[0046] b) The foundation assembly 1 in FIGS. 1A and 1B also has an
ROV/diver intervention panel 46 which includes a water hot stab
receptacle 47, the purpose of which is to allow a connection
between the ROV mounted suction pump and the caisson. In the event
that greater penetration of the caisson into the seabed is required
for Rovdrill stability, a high flow water hot stab can be inserted
into the receptacle 47 being connected to the ROV mounted suction
pump via a hose and a pump run in such a way that water is pumped
out of the caisson thus creating a vacuum effect within the caisson
drawing it into the seabed/water bottom. Therefore, hydraulic or
electrical hot stab interfaces may be provided on the foundation
panel 46.
[0047] A wireline underwater subassembly and component housing
structure, including a drill module assembly 5, a tool rack or
carousel 6, a cross beam assembly 7, grabber arm and alignment
assemblies 30 having a grabber arm 8 and an alignment arm 9, as
well as the ROV intervention interface or panel 4, is laterally and
vertically fixed to the foundation structure 1 by a remotely
operable and manually override-able latching system or docking
mechanism 10, as seen in FIG. 1D.
[0048] This structure further includes a deployment and recovery
line termination interface with detachable rigging including ROV or
diver operable lifting shackle and flotation module.
[0049] The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or diver intervention
interface or panel 4 is integrated on the external members of
wireline underwater subassembly and component housing structure.
This interface 4 includes, but is not limited to ROV mechanical
docking interface(s), hydraulic (including water and oil) and
electrical hot-stab interface(s), diver and ROV operable override
control mechanisms for primary wireline functions.
[0050] The primary components and assemblies of the wireline system
are: [0051] a) a wireline winch shown in FIG. 3; [0052] b) a
wireline winch rope shown in FIG. 3; [0053] c) an overshot/toggle
shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9; [0054] d) a drilling spindle shown in
FIGS. 2, 8 and 9; [0055] e) a wireline core barrel, tool, spear and
latch shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; and [0056] f) a tool handling and
storage assembly shown in FIG. 1A and in the co-pending
applications mentioned above.
The Wire Line Winch
[0057] The function of the wireline winch 12 shown in FIG. 3 is to
deliver the wireline core barrel 20 shown in FIG. 6, or the push
sample tool or in-situ testing tooling 25 shown in FIG. 7 into the
drill string and to retrieve the same from the drill string. The
winch 12 includes a drum 13 powered by hydraulic motor 14. An
electrical motor can be used instead of the hydraulic motor
depending on the desired applications.
[0058] The wireline winch drum 13 (such as the TX 0114-3A20-00)
includes a cylinder (drum core) with flanges 15 attached on either
end. An opening in the drum core or flanges allows the winch rope
to be installed and terminated to the drum. The drum motor 14 (such
as the MOT-X 40518) powers the drum 13 through a stainless steel
chain 16 and sprockets 17, one on the drive motor 14 and one
attached to the shaft of the drum 13. The sprocket ratio is
selected to develop the required torque and speed of the drum.
[0059] The angle where the winch rope departs at the drum is called
the fleet angle. Winches require small fleet angles (commonly 0.5
to 2 degrees) to spool rope properly. To compensate for and
minimize fleet angles, the winch includes a levelwind assembly
(such as that manufactured by Cellula Robotics Ltd., Vancouver,
Canada) which ensures that a wireline or rope 18 is spooled on and
off the drum 13 in such a manner that the rope wraps onto the drum
core and aligns properly with lower rope layers as the spooling
operation progresses.
[0060] The wireline or rope 18 is spooled onto and off of the
wireline winch drum 13 during operations by a combination of
clockwise or counterclockwise drum rotation and lateral movement of
a follower block in the levelwind assembly. A reversing screw (such
as the TX 0114-3A00-28) aids in this movement. The winch drum 13
can rotate bi-directionally about its own axis, as described, but
cannot move laterally under any circumstances and can only move in
the vertical plane when the crossbeam 7 to which it is statically
mounted is moved in that direction by an elevator mechanism 39.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a side view of the cross beam assembly 7 of FIG.
2 and FIG. 11 is an enlarged portion XI of the cross beam assembly
7 of FIG. 10. The sectional view of FIG. 11 is taken through a
sealing interface of a lifting rod 60 and a spindle bore 61. The
circle in the center of FIG. 11 represents a lifting rod sealing
area. When the lifting rod 60 is in the uppermost position as
shown, water flow downwards through the spindle bore 61 and the
drill string only. The lifting rod 60 is shown in an exploded view
in FIG. 12, from which a shear pin 26, a water sealing collar 62
and twin O-ring seals 63 can be seen.
[0062] One end of the lift rod 60 having the shear pin 26 is
connected to the wireline or rope 18 and the other end thereof is
connected to the overshot 21. The top of the spindle bore may be
sealed off by pulling the lift rod 60 all the way up into the top
of the spindle 24 prior to commencing rotary drilling. The
advantage of this is that water can then be pumped down the spindle
bore and connected drill string and into the hole, lubricating the
drill cutting process and flushing the cuttings from the hole and
because the top of the spindle 24 is sealed then the water cannot
flow out the top of the spindle 24 and must only go down the hole
as desired.
[0063] The levelwind assembly is basically a rope fleet angle guide
mechanism and may include:
[0064] A drive shaft or mechanism coupled either mechanically or
electronically to the drum drive mechanism such that the movement
of the levelwind is timed to the motion of the drum. This mechanism
may include but is not limited to; [0065] a) a diamond shaft;
[0066] b) a leadscrew; [0067] c) a re-circulating ball drive screw
assembly; [0068] d) an electrically or hydraulically operated
linear slideway; [0069] e) a rack and pinion drive; and [0070] f) a
worm and wheel geared drive.
[0071] The levelwind drive mechanism is constructed to move a
follower block assembly along the drum axis by a fixed amount,
which is dependent on the diameter of the rope such that
consecutive wraps are laid properly without gaps.
[0072] If a diamond screw is used for the levelwind drive
mechanism, the direction of the follower block can be changed
automatically without rotating the screw in an opposite direction
of rotation. This automatic change in direction maintains the
proper fleet angle and permits the installation of more than one
layer of rope on the drum.
[0073] The follower block assembly mounted to the drive shaft or
mechanism described in 1. above. This follower block traverses
longitudinally and parallel to the horizontal axis of the winch
drum 13, the follower block incorporates a rope guide mechanism
which may include a pair of vertically oriented free rotating
rollers set at some nominal distance apart axially, and between
which the wireline or rope 18 is guided between the drum 13 and the
tensioner wheel, or may include a rotating and horizontally
swiveling sheave assembly, performing the same function.
[0074] The result is a narrow winch drum 13 that can hold the
required quantity of wireline or rope 18 for the drilling
application with no lateral movement of the winch assembly 12
itself. The assembly 12 has a compact construction well suited for
installation on the spindle base structure referred to as the cross
beam 7 of an underwater drill. Installation of the wireline winch
12 on the cross beam 7 has several advantages over one that is
installed on a static structure, as follows:
[0075] The length of the wireline or rope 18 does not require
adjustment, in or out, when the cross beam 7 is moving up and down
during normal operations;
[0076] The pull of the winch 12 can be limited because the cross
beam elevator system 39 can be used to pull on the wireline or rope
18 should added line force be required, with the result being a
more compact winch 12;
[0077] The wireline or rope 18 can be parted if the inner core
barrel 20 is stuck by using a winch brake and shearing a pin at the
top of a swivel of an overshot 21 shown in FIG. 8;
[0078] The cross beam 7 does not need to be moved clear of the
drill string centerline, either laterally or vertically, to allow
the introduction of the wireline to the drill string/spindle
centerline, since with this system the spindle, wireline and
drillstring centerlines are common at all times.
Wireline Winch Rope
[0079] Ropes 18 used for the wireline winch 12 can be a variety of
types including but not limited to synthetic, wire and wire with
internal conductors that are used for monitoring sensors downhole.
Instrumented wires would require the installation of a slip ring on
one side of the winch 12.
[0080] Termination to the drum 13 and the overshot 21 may
incorporate conventional methods, depending on the type of wireline
or rope 18 used and termination efficiency required.
[0081] The wireline or rope 18 contemplated for use in the wireline
system according to the invention is 1/4'' diameter high
performance synthetic Amsteel rope.
[0082] Winch Rope Tensioner
[0083] Wireline or rope 18 is installed on the drum 13 under
tension to assure that the wraps on the drum are spooled on
correctly and that the wraps on the succeeding layers do not cut
into those of the layers below. If the wireline or rope 18 becomes
slack on the winch drum 13, the rope will unwind and potentially
crossover onto an adjacent wrap and prevent proper spooling of rope
on the drum. A rope tensioner 23, which is a proprietary assembly
designed and manufactured by Perry Slingsby Systems Inc., Jupiter,
Fla., prevents rope slack from occurring on the drum during
operations. When the winch wireline or rope 18 is deployed out, the
tensioner 23 provides the rope tension required, preventing rope
slack between the winch drum 13 and tensioner 23 at all times. This
is made possible by using a hydraulic motor drive and a hydraulic
circuit. When rope is deployed in by the winch 12, the tensioner 23
supplies back tension to again prevent slack.
[0084] The tensioner 23 also has sensors installed in the assembly
that are used to indicate the amount of rope deployed and the force
applied to the rope.
[0085] The tensioner assembly 23 includes several components, as
follows:
[0086] A tension wheel provides the driving force to the wireline
or rope 18 to prevent the rope from slipping and is used to turn
the rope from the winch 12 to the vertical axis of the drill
center. This is an aluminum wheel with a lining of high friction
plastic material machined to the rope diameter.
[0087] An idler wheel provides a force against the tension wheel to
prevent slipping of the rope in the tension wheel. The wheel is
fabricated from plastic and includes a circumferential groove cut
into the wheel to match the rope. A compression spring is used to
apply a set tension on the rope to the tension wheel. The idler
also has a sensor that is used to determine the amount of rope or
cable deployed.
[0088] A hydraulic motor is mounted on the tension wheel axis and
is used to drive the tension wheel by hydraulics to pay rope out.
This motor acts as a brake when the winch is paying rope in.
[0089] A load cell is mounted on the structure above the tension
wheel and is used to measure load on the winch wireline or rope
18.
[0090] The entire assembly is mounted in an underslung orientation
to a suitable structural member via a horizontally swiveling
connection. This swiveling motion ensures that the optimum fleet
angle of the rope is maintained between the levelwind follower
block rope guides and the tensioner wheel across the full range of
the follower block lateral travel.
[0091] Overshot/Toggle Assembly
[0092] The overshot 21 seen in FIG. 8 is part of an overshot/toggle
assembly 22 seen in FIG. 2 and is a key component of the wireline
drilling system described herein. It is used to deploy an empty
core barrel 20 into the drill string using an alignment arm 9 of an
alignment/grabber assembly 30 shown in FIG. 4 and to recover full
wireline core barrels 20 through the use of a release and latching
mechanism. It is also used to seal off a water passage when
drilling. The overshot 21 is attached to the wireline rope 18 and
is housed inside a spindle 24 during drilling operations. A drill
head 38 is disposed atop of the spindle 24. An upper portion of the
overshot 21 includes a swivel 54 seen in FIG. 9, that is used to
prevent rotation of the wireline or rope 18 when the drilling
spindle 24 is operated. This section also includes a shear pin that
will disconnect the rope from the swivel 54 should the overshot 21
and/or core barrel 20 become stuck downhole. It is important to
note that the wireline or rope 18 must be removed from the drill
string to allow the string to be disassembled and brought back to
the surface.
[0093] The components of the overshot assembly 22 are as
follows:
[0094] The swivel 54 is located at the top of the overshot 21 and
prevents the wireline or rope 18 from spinning when the spindle 24
rotates. When the rope is pulled tight, the top of the swivel 54 is
pulled against the spindle 24 and seals off the spindle to allow
water to be pumped through the drill string. The shear pin 26 is
installed at the rope termination to allow the rope to be parted
from the drill string should the overshot 21 or core barrels 20
become jammed in the drill string.
[0095] An overshot latch assembly 27 shown in FIG. 9 has fingers
which latch to an inner assembly of the core barrel 20 via a
separate/detachable assembly of a spear 28 and the latch assembly
27 which provides a connection interface between the core barrel 20
or tool 25 and the overshot assembly 22. FIG. 9 also shows a water
seal 50, a modified top spindle cap 51, an alignment arm release
collar 52 and a wave spring 53.
[0096] Drilling Spindle
[0097] The drilling spindle 24 is similar to one produced on
wireline systems disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos.
11/972,080 and 11/972,088, both filed Jan. 10, 2008. The major
change to this subsea drilling system is that the overshot assembly
(swivel and overshot) 22 can be pulled up into the spindle 24
permitting a more compact assembly.
[0098] The wireline core barrel 20 being used is of conventional
construction that includes the latch 27 at the top which latches
into the outer core barrel in accordance with standard surface
wireline coring system structures.
[0099] Tool Handling and Storage Assembly
[0100] A tool handling and storage assembly is mounted integrally
within the wireline underwater subassembly and component housing
structure. This assembly may include:
[0101] A tooling carousel, shown in FIG. 1A and described in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/972,080, filed Jan. 10,
2008.
[0102] The tooling carousel has a tooling tool rack 6, which is
basically a tooling rack retaining tools and measuring devices in a
vertical orientation in any number of rows or slots side by side
and any number of tool holding stations per slot or row. The tool
rack 6 may be movable laterally in such a way that any slot or row
of tools can be positioned within the reach of tooling arms 8, 8 of
an alignment/grabber assembly 30 shown in FIG. 4 for extraction or
replacement of any tool into the tool rack.
[0103] A mechanism or drive to allow the tool rack 6 to be movable
laterally may include, but is not limited to: [0104] a) a rack and
pinion; [0105] b) hydraulic or electric rotary or linear actuators;
[0106] c) a chain or belt and sprocket drive; [0107] d) a diamond
shaft; [0108] e) a threaded leadscrew and nut; [0109] f) a
re-circulation ball and nut; and [0110] g) a geneva wheel and pin
drive. [0111] h) Furthermore, this tooling tool rack 6 may be
completely removable from the wireline underwater subassembly and
component housing structure, either remotely or manually, during
underwater operations or while the unit is above the water. [0112]
4. The alignment/grabber assembly 30 includes a telescopic cylinder
31 (such as a CYL X 40533), gripper fingers 32 (such as a TX
0114-7200-00), first, second and third stages 33, 34, and 35 as
well as a base or fourth stage 35, as is seen in FIG. 4. [0113] 5.
A foot clamp assembly 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes a rotation
cylinder 41 (such as a CYL-X 39259), a ring bearing support 42
(such as a TX 0114-4100-00), lower and upper clamps 43, 44 and tool
guides 45 (such as TX 0114-4000-25).
[0114] Description of the Operational Sequence of the Improved
Wireline Operation:
[0115] The following description relates specifically to the
wireline drilling method and operational sequence of the steps
thereof. The method may be applied to operations using push sample
tooling and measuring devices, with the differences being
predominantly in the tooling type. The method of deployment and
recovery with the wireline winch and overshot tool is basically the
same.
[0116] Referring initially to FIG. 13, drilling is started with the
drilling system at the seafloor or water bottom. All of the tools
are installed in the tool carousel or tool rack 6 in a specific
order before deploying the drill underwater. These tools may
include conventional and wireline core barrels 20, tools 25, a
bottom hole assembly 29, rods and bits. The cross beam 7 that
carries the drilling spindle 24 as well as the wireline winch 12,
the rope tensioner, the overshot 21 of the toggle/overshot assembly
22 and a saver sub 37, is deployed to its uppermost parked
position. The arms 8, 9 of the grabber arm and alignment arm
assemblies 30 are retracted in a parked position and the foot clamp
assembly 40 is open.
[0117] The method will be described below by using the following
method steps:
[0118] With reference to FIG. 13, if an upper sediment or shallow
penetration sampler has been installed in the foundation stinger
11, it must first be removed and placed into the carousel or tool
rack 6 using the overshot 21 to capture and retrieve the tool from
the stinger 11. Otherwise, the method skips to step 2.
[0119] The overshot 21 is pulled up into the spindle 24 using the
wireline winch 12. A brake on the winch 12 holds the
overshot/toggle assembly 22 in the spindle 24.
[0120] The carousel or tool rack 6 is positioned to the correct
location that will allow access to the first tool to be deployed.
This will be the bottom hole a tool (BHA) 29.
[0121] As is seen in FIG. 14, the tool rack 6 is aligned such that
the BHA 29 is opposite the grabber and alignment arms 8, 9 and both
arms deploy or extend to the location of the carousel or tool rack
6 and grab on to the BHA 29.
[0122] FIG. 15 shows that both grabber and alignment arms 8, 9 pull
or retract the BHA 29 through retaining fingers in the carousel or
tool rack 6 and locate it at the hole centerline in line with and
below the spindle 24 and saver sub 37.
[0123] According to FIG. 16, the cross beam 7 is lowered until the
saver sub 37 male thread enters a female thread on the end of the
BHA 29.
[0124] As is further indicated in FIG. 16, the spindle 24 screws
into the BHA 29 using resistance from the upper grabber arm 8 to
provide the torque to make up the joint between the saver sub 37
and the BHA 29.
[0125] FIG. 17 indicates that the grabber arms 8 are retracted into
a stowage area and according to FIG. 18 the cross beam 7 lowers the
BHA 29 while the spindle 24 rotates or remains static, drilling or
pushing (or a combination of both motions, dependent on prevailing
soil strengths) the BHA 29 into the soil to make a first hole.
[0126] In FIG. 18, drilling/coring is then continued with the BHA
29 until the maximum penetration is reached, i.e. the BHA/Spindle
joint reaches a `joint make` position just above the foot clamp
40.
[0127] FIG. 19 shows that after drilling, the BHA 29 is broken out
from the spindle 24 at the saver sub 37 by holding the BHA static
in the foot clamp 40 and rotating the spindle 24 to break out the
joint.
[0128] As is indicated in FIG. 19, the cross beam 7 is then raised
to the upper park position and the tool rack 6 is positioned to
align the first core barrel 20 or tool 25 with the grabber and
alignment arms 8, 9.
[0129] The tool rack 7 or carousel seen in FIG. 20 is positioned in
such a way that an empty core barrel 20 or measuring tool 25 is
positioned opposite the grabber and alignment arms 8, 9.
[0130] According to FIG. 20, the alignment and grabber arms 8, 9
select an empty wireline inner barrel 20 or tool 25 from the tool
rack or carousel 6, withdraw if from the rack and position it on
the centerline of the drill string above the borehole.
[0131] FIG. 22 shows that the overshot/toggle assembly 22 is
lowered downward, by paying out wireline or rope 18 from the
wireline winch 12, from the park position inside the drill spindle
24 at the top until it lands out and locates on the spear 28 on the
top end of the inner barrel 20, or tool 25, with the cross beam 7
remaining static.
[0132] FIG. 23 shows that the winch 12 continues to lower the
overshot/toggle until the overshot/toggle mechanism 22 closes and
the spear assembly 28 on top of the core barrel 20, or tool 25 is
latched. The cross beam 7 remains static.
[0133] As is seen in FIG. 24, the core barrel 20, or tool 25 is now
latched via the spear 28 into the overshot 21, which is in turn
connected to the wireline via the swivel 54. The winch 12 pays in
to take tension on the wireline and extend the overshot/toggle
mechanism 22, with the cross beam 7 remaining static.
[0134] In FIG. 25, the arms 8, 9 of the grabber and alignment
assemblies 30 are now released from the core barrel 20, or tool 25
and retracted to their park positions.
[0135] According to FIG. 26, the core barrel 20, or tool 25 is
lowered downwards via the wireline winch 12 until the lower end of
the core barrel, or tool enters the bore of the BHA 29 sitting in
the borehole below.
[0136] As is seen in FIG. 27, the wireline winch 12 continues to
pay out wireline or rope 18 lowering the core barrel 20, or tool 25
further downwards into the BHA 29.
[0137] FIG. 27 also shows that as the core barrel 20, or tool 25
fully lands out in the BHA 29, the overshot/toggle assembly or
mechanism 22 closes and releases the core barrel, or tool spear 28
from the overshot/toggle assembly. The core barrel, or tool is now
latched into the BHA and de-latched from the overshot/toggle.
[0138] According to FIGS. 28, 29 and 30, the wireline winch then
pays in, takes wireline tension, extends the overshot/toggle
assembly 22 to delatch from the spear 28 of the core barrel 20, or
tool 25 and the overshot/toggle assembly is raised out of the BHA
29, hauling the overshot/toggle assembly 22 up into the upper park
position in the spindle.
[0139] As is seen in FIGS. 31-35, the tool rack 6 moves to align
the drill pipe nesting opposite the arms 8, 9 of the alignment and
grabber assemblies 30, the arms advance forward and select and
grasp a drill pipe from the carousel or tool rack 6, position it on
the hole centerline and it is mated to the top of the BHA 29 and
the spindle saver sub 37 in the previously described manner by
lowering the cross beam 7 and using the rotation of the spindle 24
and foot clamp 40 to make a joint between the drill pipe and the
saver sub. The arms 8, 9 of the alignment and grabber assemblies 30
release the drill pipe and return to the park position.
[0140] FIG. 36 shows that the first wireline rotary coring, or push
sampling can now commence and the cross beam 7 is advanced
downwards with the spindle 24 static or rotating until the first
drill pipe 25 is stroked out, for instance at 3 m.
[0141] According to FIGS. 36 and 37, drilling, coring or
measurement is ceased and the overshot/toggle 22 is then deployed
downwards from its upper parked position in the spindle 24 down the
bore of the drill pipe 25 until it latches with the spear 28 on the
upper part of the wireline core barrel inner tube or tool located
in the BHA 29 and unlatches the core barrel or tool from the BHA,
with the cross beam remaining static.
[0142] FIG. 38 shows that the wireline winch 12 then pays in and
the core barrel 20, or tool 25 is raised and extracted from the BHA
29 and into the drill pipe, with the cross beam 7 remaining
static.
[0143] As is seen in FIG. 39, the spindle is then broken out from
the drill pipe at the saver sub 37 by clamping the drill pipe in
the foot clamp 40 and rotating the spindle 24 to break the
joint.
[0144] FIG. 39 additionally shows that the cross beam 7 is raised
to the upper park position withdrawing the core barrel 20 or tool
25 from the drill string.
[0145] According to FIGS. 40 and 41, the arms 8, 9 of the alignment
and grabber assemblies 30 are deployed from the park position to
grip the core barrel 20 or tool 25 on the hole centerline and the
wireline winch 12 is operated briefly to pay out and lower the
overshot/toggle mechanism 22 in such a way that the overshot
closes, disengaging the overshot/toggle from the core barrel, or
tool spear, with the cross beam 7 remaining static.
[0146] As is seen in FIGS. 42 and 43, the winch 12 pays in so that
the overshot 21 is raised to its upper park position inside the top
of the drill spindle 24, with the spear 28 of the core barrel 20 or
tool 25 now being fully detached from the overshot/toggle, while
the cross beam 7 remains static.
[0147] In FIG. 44, the core barrel 20 or tool 25 can be placed back
into the carousel or tool rack 6 by advancing the arms 8, 9 of the
alignment and grabber assemblies 30. In FIG. 45, the arms of the
alignment and grabber assemblies 30 release the core barrel 20 or
tool 25 and return to the park position.
[0148] An empty wireline core barrel 20 or tool 25 can now be
placed into the BHA assembly 29 by repeating steps 2-8 above
following which an additional drill pipe may be added as per step 9
above.
[0149] The borehole is progressed in the manner described above
until the target borehole depth is reached or refusal, or all drill
pipes, core barrels 20 and tools 25 are used.
[0150] When the final core barrel 20 or tool 25 has been retrieved
from the bottom hole assembly 29, the entire drill string can be
broken down and placed back in the carousel or tool rack 6.
[0151] More specifically, with regard to steps 31-33, in FIG. 46,
the cross beam 7 is lowered such that the saver sub 37 enters the
drill pipe and the spindle 24 is rotated to make a joint between
the saver sub and the drill pipe.
[0152] According to FIG. 47, the cross beam 7 is raised such that
the joint between the drill pipe and the BHA 29 is midway in the
foot clamps 40, in the joint break position, but the drill pipe is
not separated from the BHA.
[0153] As is seen in FIG. 48, the cross beam 7 is raised such that
the joint between the drill pipe and the BHA 29 is above the foot
clamp 40 in the joint make position.
[0154] FIG. 49 shows that the cross beam 7 is raised to the height
of the rack 7 while rotating the spindle 24 to fully separate the
drill pipe from the BHA 29.
[0155] In FIG. 50, the arms 8, 9 of the alignment and grabber
assemblies 30 are advanced to grasp a drill pipe.
[0156] FIG. 51 shows that the spindle 24 is rotated and the cross
beam 7 is raised to the upper park position to fully separate the
drill pipe from the saver sub 37.
[0157] Finally, according to FIG. 52, the arms 8, 9 of the
alignment and grabber assemblies 30 are extended to place the drill
pipe back in the rack 6.
* * * * *