System and method for simultaneous sea drilling operations

• US 8,387,704 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras
• Original Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras
• Inventors: Rodrigues, Roberto
• Primary Examiner(s): BUCK, MATTHEW R
• Application Number:
  US12/562,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20100071906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 166/358, 166/339, 166/344, 166/351, 166/352, 166/367, 166/378, 166/381, 166/385, 166/77.51, 166/85.1, 166/85.5, 175 5- 10, 405/195, 405/201
• US Class Current: 166/352
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/4413 Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/003 adapted to be moved on their substructure, e.g. with skidding means; adapted to drill a plurality of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/02 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B15/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/002 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/128 from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Abstract

A system and method for carrying out simultaneous operations of assembling, dismantling, and maintaining equipment installed by an oil rig, using the tools, systems, and the areas available on the rig itself. The system includes two parallel and separated sustaining beams and two mobile bases supported on the beams to carry out the simultaneous operations. This system allows a method for simultaneously assembling two items of subsea equipment which are to be installed to be performed. Also, this system allows a method for simultaneously replacing and assembling subsea equipment to be performed. Additionally, the equipment can be lowered or recovered using either a derrick and pipe string or a winch and steel cable.

Claims

1. A system for simultaneous execution of operations by a drilling rig or completion rig comprising:

at least two sustaining beams which are substantially parallel to and separated from each other, which are substantially parallel to the sea surface, and extend horizontally over an entire length of a moon pool;

a first mobile base which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams and can move horizontally over the at least two sustaining beams with the use of sliding elements; and

a second mobile base which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams and can move horizontally on the at least two sustaining beams with the use of sliding elements,

wherein the system is configured such that items of subsea equipment can be simultaneously supported on the first and second mobile bases, respectively, while the items of subsea equipment extend below the at least two sustaining beams in a gravitational direction.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding elements are of a roller bearing type.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a derrick.

4. A method for simultaneously assembling two items of subsea equipment using the system according to claim 1, comprising:

positioning the first mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, immediately below a rotary table at a first operating position;

positioning the second mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, at a second operating position which is horizontally separated from the first operating position;

simultaneously assembling an item of subsea equipment on the first mobile base with the help of a derrick while assembling subsea equipment on the second mobile base with the help of support tools;

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the first mobile base with the help of the derrick using a pipe string;

horizontally moving the first mobile base away from the second operating position to an auxiliary operating position which is horizontally separated from the first operating position;

moving the second mobile base to the first operating position; and

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the second mobile base, with the help of the derrick, using a pipe string.

5. A method for replacing and simultaneously assembling subsea equipment using the system according to claim 1, comprising:

positioning the first mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, immediately below the rotary table at a first operating position;

positioning the second mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, at a second operating position which is horizontally separated from the first operating position;

raising an item of subsea equipment up to the first mobile base with the help of a pipe string in order to dismantle the equipment raised;

dismantling the equipment raised to the first mobile base, with the help of a derrick, and simultaneously assembling an item of subsea equipment on the second mobile base;

horizontally moving the first mobile base to an auxiliary operating position and moving the second mobile base to the first operating position; and

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the second mobile base, with the help of the derrick, using a pipe string.

6. A method for simultaneously assembling two items of subsea equipment using the system according to claim 1, comprising:

positioning the first mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, immediately below a rotary table at a first operating position;

positioning the second mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, at a second operating position which is horizontally separated from the first operating position;

simultaneously assembling an item of subsea equipment on the first mobile base with the help of a derrick while assembling subsea equipment on the second mobile base with the help of support tools;

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the first mobile base with the help of the derrick using a pipe string; and

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the second mobile base with the help of a winch.

7. A method for replacing and simultaneously assembling subsea equipment using the system according to claim 1, comprising:

positioning the first mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, immediately below the rotary table at a first operating position;

positioning the second mobile base, which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams, at a second operating position which is horizontally separated from the first operating position;

raising an item of subsea equipment up to the first mobile base with the help of a pipe string in order to dismantle the equipment raised;

dismantling the equipment raised to the first mobile base, with the help of a derrick, and simultaneously assembling an item of subsea equipment on the second mobile base; and

lowering and installing the equipment assembled on the second mobile base with the help of a winch.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the items of subsea equipment are capable of reaching a body of water on which the drilling rig or completion rig is provided on while being supported on the first and second mobile bases, respectively.

9. The system according to claim 3, wherein the at least two sustaining beams are provided below a deck on which the derrick is provided.

10. A system for simultaneous execution of operations by a drilling rig or completion rig comprising:

at least two sustaining beams which are substantially parallel to and separated from each other, which are substantially parallel to the sea surface;

a first mobile base which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams and can move horizontally over the at least two sustaining beams with the use of sliding elements; and

a second mobile base which is supported on the at least two sustaining beams and can move horizontally on the at least two sustaining beams with the use of sliding elements,

wherein the system is configured such that items of subsea equipment can be simultaneously supported on the first and second mobile bases, respectively, while the items of subsea equipment extend below the at least two sustaining beams in a gravitational direction.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the items of subsea equipment are capable of reaching a body of water on which the drilling rig or completion rig is provided on while being supported on the first and second mobile bases, respectively.

12. The system according to claim 10,

further comprising a derrick which is provided on a deck,

wherein the at least two sustaining beams are provided below the deck on which the derrick is provided.