Full Scale Test Tower: Validation Real World Performance of Pioneering Drilling Efficiencies

摘要

Abstract The engineering of a new-generation dual multi-purpose drilling tower (DMPT) introduced a myriad of efficiency drivers, aimed at reducing the notorious flat times of deep water drilling operations. This presentation focuses on a full- scale test tower, which together with a 1312-ft deep test borehole is designed to validate and publicly demonstrate the new-generation DMPT integrity and efficiencies under simulated field conditions. Located in Schiedam, The Netherlands, and engineered with 3.6-million lb hook load capacity and with a total height of 295ft (90m), the test tower was designed and built to prove up the DMPT advancements, including automated tripping technology using 180-ft stands of drill pipe, running of 180-ft stands of casing and the semi-automatic running of 150-ft risers that will greatly reduce the deployment and recovery time of the SSBOP. Furthermore, the full-scale test tower is uniquely designed to simulate drillship dynamic roll. The structure is mounted on a large pivot mechanism equipped with a tower adjuster that will be able to vary the tower's inclination up to 5° statically or ±2° dynamically in an approximate eight (8) seconds period. As will be explained, the tower is specially equipped to evaluate individual DMPT competencies, including robotic pipe handling, 5000-ft/hr tripping speeds, handling of 180-ft stands of casing and bending behavior of smaller OD pipe during uplifting as well as maneuverability of 150-ft risers, among others. The DMPT, which includes separate construction and drilling well centers for simultaneous operations, is engineered with efficiencies aimed at reducing both the chronic flat-time of conventional floaters and rig floor hazards. The test tower comprises nearly all the features embodied in the DMPT, including dual drawworks, splittable blocks, a full-sized rotary setback drum, multi-purpose robotic pipe handling manipulators, a unique travelling block/top drive system, passive and active heave compensator systems and dual skiddable hang-off tables. By the end of the presentation, the speaker will have sufficiently informed the audience on each of the noted breakthrough technologies as well as provided an update on each of the actual real- world environment tests performed to date and to be performed via the full-scale test tower - known as the ‘HIT’ – over the ensuing months. Some examples of the many variables that will be put to the test when running different types and different diameter tubulars are motions accuracy, connection times and tripping speeds under different load cases.