BR112015016668B1 - DRILLING PLATFORM - Google Patents

Abstract

DRILLING PLATFORM. Disclosed herein are embodiments of an offshore drilling rig comprising - a drilling floor deck (107) having a hole defining a first well center (123a); - a first mast (104) extending upwards with respect to the cover of the drilling floor; - a first lift system (105a) supported by the first mast and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well; the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system being displaced from and located on a first side of the first center of the shaft; - first pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) for moving the tubular equipment to the first elevator system so as to allow the first elevator system to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well; the first pipeline handling equipment being operable to move the tubular equipment at least partially under the load-bearing structure and/or through an opening formed in said load-bearing structure.

Description

Technical Field

[001] The present invention generally relates to offshore drilling platforms, such as semi-submersible drilling platforms, drilling ships or other offshore drilling platforms.

background

[002] Offshore drilling rigs are widely used in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs under the seabed.

[003] One type of drilling structure is the semi-submersible drilling rig that typically obtains its buoyancy from ballasted, waterproof pontoons located below the ocean surface and wave action. The operating deck can be located high above sea level due to the high stability of the design, and therefore the operating deck is kept well out of the waves. Structural columns connect the pontoons and operating deck. Other examples of offshore drilling rigs include drill ships.

[004] US 6,766,860 discloses a semi-submersible type offshore drilling rig comprising two trajectories within the same drilling rig. The floor of the rig is elevated above the rest of the drilling deck. Turntables are positioned on the drill deck below the primary and secondary lift paths. On the drilling deck, the drill duct and drill is made up and works through the water column to the seabed where it is rotated by any turntable and/or a rotation mechanism (upper impeller) suspended in the turret. Then casing pipes are mounted on one of the lift paths and placed into the hole. Ramps feed the ducts for the primary and secondary lift paths.

[005] It is generally desired to provide an offshore drilling platform that allows for a more efficient and flexible operation. It is also generally desired to provide an offshore drilling rig that facilitates the operation with a high degree of safety.

summary

[006] According to a first aspect, modalities of an offshore drilling rig comprising the drilling floor cover having a hole defining a first well center are disclosed herein. The drilling rig embodiments further comprise a first mast extending upwards with respect to the cover of the drilling floor, and a first lift system supported by the first mast and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well, the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system being displaced from and located on a first side of the first center of the shaft. Drilling rig arrangements further comprise the first pipeline handling equipment to move the tubular equipment to the first elevator system so as to allow the first elevator system to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well with the first pipeline handling equipment is operable to move tubular equipment at least partially under the load-bearing structure and/or through an opening formed in said load-bearing structure.

[007] In some embodiments, the first pipeline handling equipment is also arranged to present the tubular equipment to the elevator system, i.e., so that the upper end of the tubular equipment is within reach of an upper impeller, hook or connection device similar to the elevator system, allowing the elevator system to subsequently suspend the tubular equipment over the well center (in this case the first elevator system and first well center, respectively). In some embodiments, the tubular equipment is presented while still at least partially below the load-bearing structure and/or in the opening formed in the load-bearing structure. In the present disclosure the expressions presenting the tubular equipment to a well center, the respective lifting system from that well center and feeding the tubular equipment to a well center are used interchangeably.

[008] Due to the considerable length of the tubular equipment, the pipeline handling equipment (which somehow governs the trajectory of the tubes being presented), the mast and load-bearing structure of the elevator system must be arranged to allow the tubular rig is raised to vertical without colliding with the drilling rig. For example, tubular equipment may be presented through the pipeline handling equipment in the form of a pipeline sloped partially or completely below the cover of the drilling floor. As the pipe is raised vertically above the center of the well it may impinge on the mast or load-bearing structure unless a sufficient opening is provided here and/or the pipeline handling equipment and platform drill holes are arranged to allow the lower end of the pipe to swing towards the center of the well as it is raised. Typically, an opening will be preferable as the drilling rig support structure and/or equipment is suspended over the hull window area below the center of the well (eg drill pipe chain, drill pipe tensioners). perforation) may not allow the lower end of the tube to move sufficiently.

[009] Consequently, as the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system is moved from and located on the first side of the first well center, access to the well center is facilitated not only for human operators but also for equipment, including some tubular equipment and other large equipment that does not have to be maneuvered through the openings in the mast frame to gain access to the center of the well. In particular, access to the center of the well is facilitated from at least three sides other than the first side. In some embodiments, the first mast may also be offset from and located on the first side of the first shaft center. This is in contrast to conventional rig structures that surround the center of the well, that is, where the center of the well lies within the base of the rig, usually at or in close proximity to the geometric center of the base. In such systems, all side access must pass through the side openings of the rig structures, which are often formed as an inverted V on the sides of the structure and which are referred to as V doors. such openings, access is restricted by the structure of the mast, in particular the width and height of any of these openings. The first mast may comprise an opening aligned with space in the load-bearing structure and shaped and sized to allow ducts to be fed through the opening in the mast and through the space to the center of the well.

[0010] The first pipeline handling equipment is operable to move the tubular equipment at least partially under the load-bearing structure and/or through an opening formed in said load-bearing structure. The longitudinal direction can be defined within a plan of the drill floor cover by the first well center and the first elevator system. In some embodiments, the first elevator system and, optionally, the first mast are configured to allow the tubular equipment to be moved towards the first center of the well along the longitudinal direction from the first side, i.e., the same side on the which elevator system is located. Consequently, the pipeline handling equipment does not need to take up space on the second side of the well center, thus providing a more open drilling floor. The first and second sides can be distinguished by an axis through the first center of the well dividing the first and second sides from each other where the load-bearing structure of the elevator system crosses the plane defined by the cover of the drilling floor only on the first side.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tubular equipment can be moved to the center of the well from either side of the well center (in the longitudinal direction), thus allowing the tubular equipment to multiple storage areas, and using handling equipment of different duct, be moved while keeping a large open drill floor covering area free.

[0012] To this end, the first elevator system and, optionally, the first mast may define an opening through which the tubular equipment is movable towards the first center of the well from the first side. Alternatively or additionally the tubular equipment can be at least partially moved below the load-bearing structure, for example just below the cover of the drilling floor. In some embodiments, the first elevator system comprises a plurality of cylinders or other support members that extend upwardly relative to the cover of the drilling floor, the support members being arranged as two or more groups of support members that are laterally spaced from one another so as to allow the tubular equipment to be moved towards the center of the well from the first side along the longitudinal direction through an opening between the two groups of support members. Alternatively or additionally, the cylinders can be positioned elevated relative to the drill floor on a foundation, which is part of the load-bearing structure, and the ducts can be moved through an opening in the foundation. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the support members can be displaced from one another in the longitudinal direction. It will be appreciated that an opening in the load-bearing structure, for example between the support members, enables a compact duct handling solution which in turn allows for an open drilling floor. The opening is shaped and sized to allow tubular equipment to be fed through the opening. In some arrangements, the opening is at least 0.5 m, such as at least 1 m wide, such as at least 2 m wide, such as at least 3 m wide. Consequently, a central and direct pipeline feed path for the pipelines to the center of the well is provided. The ducts can be fed at least partially, as well as completely, through the opening and even be presented to an upper impeller in a single forward and/or upward motion path. Each group of support members may comprise one or more cylinders or other support members, for example 2, 3, or even more cylinders, typically depending on the desired lifting capacity. The center of the well can be longitudinally offset from an area between the two groups of support members so as to allow access to the center of the well also from the transverse direction. In particular, the center of the well can be offset from each axis connecting two of the support members. To this end, the support members may support one or more pulleys whose axis extends in the direction connecting the support member groups. The drilling rig may further comprise storage structure for storing the tubular equipment positioned longitudinally offset from the first well center on the first side of the first well center, and the first pipeline handling equipment may be operable to move the equipment tube from the storage structure to the first center of the well.

[0013] For example, in some arrangements lifting tubes and/or other type of ducts (such as those mentioned above) can be stored on the first side of the well center (for example, on the opposite side of the mast than in the well center ), while other types of ducts, such as drill ducts and/or casings, can be stored and/or mounted to supports on the second side, opposite the first side. Alternatively or additionally, the storage and/or support construction of the drilling ducts and/or casings can be carried out in a position transversely offset from the center of the well. In some embodiments, the duct storage structure on the first side is for supporting heavier tubular equipment such as drill pipe and/or casing sections. In some embodiments the drilling pipeline and/or casing, and/or drilling pipeline chains or casings may be stored in the storage structure on the first side of the center of the well (for example, on the opposite side of the mast than the center of the well), while the riser tubes can be stored on the second side, opposite the first side, or transversely offset from the first center of the well. The support construction of the drilling and/or casing ducts can then be carried out in a position on the first side, for example, behind the elevator system when viewed from the first center of the well.

[0014] In some embodiments, the duct storage structure on the first side is arranged to store ducts in a vertical position. The pipeline storage structure may be located on the same level as the drilling floor cover or at least partially on a different level, for example a lower level to allow pipelines to be advanced along a slope direction through of the opening/space in the elevator system.

[0015] For the purposes of this description, the term "mast" refers to a support structure that extends upwards relative to the drilling floor cover and supports an elevator system for raising or lowering ducts (such as columns of drilling, casing and/or riser pipes) towards the ocean floor for example, so that drilling in the ocean floor can be carried out. The mast can extend from the drill floor cover or from a different cover than the drill floor cover. In any event, the mast including the load-bearing structure of the lift system defines a base on the drilling floor cover or at least within a plane defined by the drilling floor cover. The base can be defined as the space in the plane defined by the cover of the drilling floor that is occupied or covered by the mast structure and the load-bearing structure of the elevator system, that is, as a cross section of the mast and the structure. load support of the elevator system in the plane of the cover of the drilling floor. The position of the mast can be defined by a geometric center of the base.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first elevator system comprises one or more pulleys, one or more lifting cables that extend over the pulleys and operable to carry tubular equipment when raised or lowered through the first center of the well; and at least two support members extending upwardly relative to the cover of the drilling floor and configured to carry the pulleys and weight of the tubular equipment transferred by the lifting cables and pulleys; and the two support members being positioned spaced apart from each other so as to form an opening between the two support members through which the tubular apparatus of the opening is movable towards the first center of the well from the first side. The lift system may be a hydraulic lift system comprising upwardly extending cylinders or other actuators to carry the load to be lifted or lowered typically via large pulleys mounted on top of the cylinders. The load-bearing structure of a cylinder platform thus comprises the cylinders and the one or more pulleys which may be in the form of a pulley assembly. The base of such cylinders in the plane of the drill floor deck is also part of the base of the mast. Cylinders can extend from the drill floor cover or from a foundation below or elevated above the drill floor cover. The loads exerted on the lift system during the lowering or lifting of the equipment in or out of the well center can be said to be at least partially transferred to the drilling rig via the cylinders. Therefore, in such arrangements, the mast predominantly supports the elevator systems in the horizontal direction while the load is carried by the cylinders. In some embodiments, the elevator system may be an extraction mechanism system. For such systems the pulleys are carried by other suitable support members such as upwardly extending columns and/or other load bearing parts of the mast frame. In both cases, loads are transferred to the drilling rig via the load-bearing structure that can be integrated into or detached from the mast. The load-bearing structure comprises the pulleys and support members that carry the pulleys and any load suspended from the pulleys. In other words, generally speaking, the load-bearing structure transfers substantially all of the weight of the elevator system and the load suspended therefrom to parts of the drilling rig at or below the level of the drilling floor deck.

[0017] In some embodiments, one end of the lifting cable is anchored to one side of the load-bearing structure, opposite the side on which the first center of the well is situated, for example, so that forces transferred through the pulleys and the support members carrying the pulleys are substantially vertical. The drum and/or motor of the pull-out mechanism can be completely or partially encapsulated by the mast frame. In some embodiments, the riser ropes can be anchored to the drilling rig via a number of anchoring members such as compensators, for example a number of cylinders. These anchoring members can be arranged in two groups of anchoring members so as to form an opening between the two groups of anchoring members where the opening is aligned with an opening between the support members so as to allow the ducts to be fed. through the opening between the groups of anchoring members. In some embodiments, the lifting cable or lines can be attached to the anchoring members through a link that extends through the opening between the anchoring members at a height above the drill floor cover sufficient to allow the ducts to be fed. through the opening between the anchoring members and below the link.

[0018] In general, throughout the present disclosure, reference to an elevator system supported by the mast does not refer only to modalities where the mast carries a part of the weight of the elevator system (and/or any load carried by the elevator system), but also to modes where the mast supports the elevator system only, or at least predominantly, against lateral/horizontal forces.

[0019] In some embodiments, a longitudinal direction may be defined in the plane of the drilling floor deck as a direction that extends through the first center of the well and through the position of the first elevator system. In some embodiments, the position of the first elevator system within the plane of the drilling floor deck may be defined as the position of a center of mass at the top of the sheave(s) of the first elevator system on which the lifting cables of the first elevator system elevator system are run. In some embodiments of a cylinder lift system, the top sheave is a traveling sheave or group of pulleys supported and pushed up by the cylinders. In the extraction mechanism system the top is typically attached to the support members in a fixed vertical position relative to the mast. In many embodiments, the rig is equipped with an upper impeller arranged to rotate the drill strings and lower them through the first center of the well; the upper impeller is arranged to be lifted by the first lift system. To keep the upper impeller rotating, a carriage is typically arranged to slide along vertically extending guides, eg rail or rails, while being connected to the upper impeller. The rails can be part of or attached to the first mast. In some embodiments the longitudinal direction can then be defined in the plane of the drilling floor cover as a direction extending through the first center of the well and through the position of this rail or, in the case of several rails, a central point of said rails . In some embodiments the center point is calculated by weighing the position of each of the rails with a fraction of the rotational force from the upper impeller that the rails absorb. Likewise, a transverse direction can be defined within the plane of the drill floor deck as it extends normal to the longitudinal direction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first mast defines a base on the drill floor cover, where the drill floor cover extends outside the base. The drilling floor coverage area that extends outside the base of the first mast can be dimensioned and shaped to allow the installation of sliding beams for sliding the equipment and/or for a forklift or other vehicles to operate in the area of drill floor cover outside the base of the mast. In some embodiments, the sliding beams are installed on top of the drill floor cover. For example, the area of the drilling floor deck outside the base of the mast can be at least 200 m2 such as at least 500 m2 such as at least 1000 m2 such as at least 2000 m2 for example at least 5000 m2. In particular, the first center of the well can be located outside the base defined by the first mast, and the first center of the well can be displaced from the base along the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the drilling floor deck comprises one or more open drilling floor deck areas not otherwise obstructed by fixed installations such as the first mast, additional masts, pipeline handling equipment, and/or the like , as will be described in more detail below.

[0021] In some embodiments, the drilling floor cover and, in particular, the part in direct proximity to the center of the well is stationary without the need to raise or lower parts of the drilling floor cover to allow operation (i.e. , descent) of the overflow safety system (BOP) and/or other heavy subsea equipment (eg the Christmas tree). In some arrangements, the BOP and/or other heavy subsea equipment is stored on a deck below the drilling floor deck. Consequently, such subsea equipment does not take up space on the drilling floor deck.

[0022] The term well center refers to a hole in the cover of the drilling floor through which the drilling rig is configured to lower the pipelines towards the ocean floor and, in particular, through which the pipelines can be downloaded all the way to the ocean floor. A well center is sometimes also referred to as a drill center. It will be appreciated that the drilling floor cover may comprise additional holes such as fox holes and mouse holes which can, for example, be used to build pipeline chains, but through which the drilling rig cannot lower the pipelines into the ocean floor and/or through which the drilling rig cannot drill on the ocean floor, for example, for lack of a system arranged to rotate like a drill string with sufficient force such as an upper impeller or a turntable . In some embodiments, such additional hole is a hole in the drill floor deck through which the drill rig cannot progress the drill string through a drill pipe system. In some embodiments, a well center is distinguished from an additional hole by having a diverter and/or a diverter housing disposed below such that the drill string passes through the well center that extends through said diverter or diverter housing. derailleur.

[0023] The offshore drilling platform may be a semi-submersible drilling rig, that is, it may comprise one or more buoyancy pontoons located below the ocean surface and wave action, and an operating platform elevated above the ocean surface and supported by one or more column structures that extend from the buoyancy pontoon to the operating platform. Alternatively, the offshore platform can be of a different type, such as a self-elevating drilling rig or a drill ship.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first pipeline handling equipment defines a first pipeline feed path along which the tubular equipment is moved towards the first center of the well. In particular, the first pipeline feed path may cross the first well center.

[0025] In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises the second pipeline handling equipment to move the tubular equipment to the first elevator system to allow the first elevator system to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first well center . The second pipeline handling equipment may define a second pipeline feed path along which the tubular equipment is moved towards the first center of the well. In particular, the second pipeline feed path may cross the first well center; the second pipeline handling equipment can be configured to move the tubular equipment towards the first center of the well from a second side of the center of the well, opposite the first side on which the mast is situated. The second duct feed path may be a straight path or it may have a different shape, for example it comprises several path sections, one, some or all of which may be straight. When the second pipeline feed path extends substantially along the longitudinal direction (at least proximal to the center of the well such as within 1 m or more, such as within 2 m or more, such as within 3 m or more, such as within 4 m or more, such as within 5 m or more, such as within 10 m or more) side areas of drilling floor cover extending transversely adjacent to the center of the well can be kept free of the drilling equipment duct handling such as pipe yards, iron roughnecks, etc. and, in particular, free from horizontal pipeline handling equipment such as tube feeding machines, eg elevated walkways. Also, for modalities where the drilling rig further comprises well center(s) arranged along the transverse direction that has the pipeline handling equipment on the second side, it may allow the pipeline handling equipment to serve more than one center of the well and/or pipeline handling equipment serving the first well center may cooperate with the pipeline fitting equipment serving a second well center. Likewise, when the second pipeline feed path extends substantially along the transverse direction, longitudinally extending drilling floor deck areas adjacent to the center of the well can be kept free of pipeline handling equipment. In the latter case the ducts are typically moved from a storage area located on the first side and/or located transversely to the center of the well. Here, the term substantially along the longitudinal direction or transverse direction is intended to refer to a direction parallel to said direction and directions slightly deviating from said direction as within +/- 30°, eg +/- 20° , +/- 10°, such as +/- 5°.

[0026] The term tubular equipment is intended to refer to tubular equipment that is advanced through the center of the well towards the seabed during one or more stages of the drilling operation. In particular, the term tubular equipment refers to straight tubular elements that can be joined to form a chain of tubular equipment. Tubular equipment can be selected from drill ducts and/or other drill string tubular elements, riser tubes, stand columns, linings and casings. Examples of drill string tubular elements include drill ducts, master tubes, etc. For the purposes of this description, tubular equipment will also generally be referred to as pipelines. The ducts can be of variable lengths and diameters. The drill duct typically has a length between 33' to 45' and diameters up to 19'' or even 20''. Prior to advancing through the center of the well, drill ducts are normally assembled for strings of two, three or even more strings of drill duct, called doubles, triples, etc. Support construction is performed by dedicated support construction equipment and/or an elevator system. Once assembled, brackets are normally stored in a setback area, typically in an upright position supported by, for example, tower shipyards. Lift duct joints typically have lengths between 50' and 90' and diameters up to 70''.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first and/or second pipeline handling equipment comprises horizontal pipeline handling equipment to handle horizontally oriented tubular equipment, and/or vertical pipeline handling equipment to handle at least the oriented tubular equipment vertically. Consequently, the first and/or second pipeline handling equipment may allow pipelines of different types of storage/dock area to store pipelines in different orientations to be moved to the center of the well and/or between one or more storage areas using a common pipeline feed path, thus allowing other cover areas of the drill floor to be kept free of pipeline handling equipment. Alternatively or additionally, the pipeline handling equipment may comprise devices for changing the orientation of the pipelines and/or equipment for advancing pipelines in an inclined direction, for example upwards from a recessed storage location. Such equipment may comprise a slide, a specially designed tube container with a movable upper arm for lifting tubes or chute.

[0028] The dock area is a tubular storage area, typically in direct communication with one or more well centers (via pipeline handling equipment), where pipelines can be stored ready and quickly retrieved to be lowered towards to the ocean floor, and the ducts can be retracted. In many cases, the pipelines will be transported to another storage area or off the drilling rig during transit due to the substantial weight and/or higher center of gravity of the dock area relative to the drilling rig's movements at sea. Ducts are typically stored vertically as this is convenient because the ducts do not need a full rotation before being run; however, the ducts can, in principle, be stored horizontally or both. These ducts can also be stored in the dock area by taking the ducts out of the center of the well. Typically, a dock is suitable for storing and receiving supports (ie 2 or more single ducts joined together, such as triplets) of drill and/or casing duct in varying diameters. Storing pipelines on supports saves time in a drilling operation because fewer connections have to be made when entering the hole (the center of the well) and broken when exiting the hole. In such cases, vertical storage is preferable because storing supports (which are typically very long) horizontally requires a large base. The dock will comprise pipe clamping equipment, such as tower yard systems for storing vertical ducts, which will be designed to accommodate one or more duct diameters. It is therefore typical that the dock will have designated areas for clamping eg drill pipe and liners depending on diameter. Consequently, in some embodiments a setback area is a duct storage arranged to store strings of drill pipe, casing (optionally of varying diameters) or both. Such supports can be chains of 2 or more, such as 3 or more, such as 4 or more. In some embodiments the dock additionally comprises duct handling equipment (such as a tube container) arranged to release the supports to and from the dock area holding equipment and present the support for the elevator system (typically the hook or impeller top) or deliver the support to another machine in the duct handling equipment (such as a chute or an additional tube container machine) that performs the presentation. A dock is also typically combined with support construction equipment that is arranged to receive units and attach them to a support after which the support is recessed into the dock area ready to be inserted into the hole.

[0029] Horizontal pipeline handling equipment can be configured to move tubular equipment along a pipeline feed path towards the first center of the well, for example, along a straight pipeline feed path. For example, ducts can be moved from a horizontal storage area by means of the horizontal duct handling equipment and raised in a vertical orientation by means of the vertical duct handling equipment, the hydraulic lift system, the handling equipment of horizontal ducts, and/or by two or more such devices cooperating with each other. Likewise, ducts from a vertical storage position can be moved to the center of the well by vertical duct handling equipment.

[0030] Horizontal duct handling equipment may be any apparatus or device suitable for moving ducts in a horizontal orientation and/or for lifting - alone or in cooperation with other duct handling equipment - tubular equipment in a horizontal orientation to a vertical. Examples of horizontal pipeline handling equipment include elevated walkways such as walkway shuttles. Vertical duct handling equipment can be any apparatus or device suitable for moving ducts in a vertical orientation and/or for changing - alone or in cooperation with other duct handling equipment - the orientation of the tubular equipment, for example, between one horizontal and one vertical orientation. Examples of vertical pipeline handling equipment include column containers, hydraulic containers, and other types of containers, hydraulic arms, etc. or combinations thereof.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second pipeline handling equipment comprises a horizontal pipeline handling equipment that extends along the second pipeline feed path; and vertical duct handling equipment for handling at least vertically oriented tubular equipment. The vertical pipeline handling equipment may be movable between at least a first position in the second pipeline feed path between the horizontal pipeline handling equipment and the first well center and a second position laterally displaced with respect to the second feed path of the duct. Generally speaking, the vertical and horizontal pipeline handling equipment can cooperate with each other and/or the first mast lift system to perform a variety of pipe handling operations. In particular, pipe handling operations do not occupy unnecessary drilling floor coverage area and do not affect operations that are simultaneously carried out on other drilling floor coverage areas, thus leaving one or more drilling floor coverage areas free from pipe operations such as an open drill floor deck area as discussed below. In particular, in the above example, when the vertical pipeline handling equipment is in the first position it can be configured to receive the tubular equipment from the first horizontal pipeline handling equipment. Moving the vertical pipeline handling equipment to the second position, on the other hand, allows the tubular equipment to be moved by the horizontal pipeline handling equipment directly to the first center of the well. To this end, the horizontal pipeline handling equipment may be mobile, for example, on sliding rails or beams or other suitable guide, along the second pipeline feed path to and away from the first well center.

[0032] Horizontal pipeline handling equipment can be located on the drilling floor deck, that is, on the same level as the drilling floor deck. In addition, the horizontal pipeline handling equipment can be surrounded by the shaped and sized drilling floor deck areas to allow human operators and/or mobile equipment such as forklifts and/or skidable equipment to move to the side (i.e., parallel along the side of the pipe when handled by horizontal pipeline handling equipment) and/or around horizontal pipeline handling equipment and/or between horizontal pipeline handling equipment and other parts of the drilling floor cover including a center of the well. Due to the absence of weight differences such movement is still possible in a safe and efficient way.

[0033] For the purposes of this description, the term drilling floor cover is intended to refer to the cover of an operating platform of an offshore drilling platform immediately above whose pipeline joints are assembled to form the drilling string that it is advanced through the center of the well towards the ocean floor. The portion of the cover of the drill floor in close proximity to the center of the well is commonly referred to as the drill floor, which is the primary job site for a rig crew and/or machines that perform similar functions, such as iron roughnecks. The drill floor usually comprises a turntable to rotate the drill string. For the purposes of this description, the term drilling floor cover includes the drilling floor located directly under/near the mast and surrounding the center of the well as well as areas of cover on the same level that are connected to the drilling floor by the area. uninterrupted floor level at the same level, ie the deck area where human operators and mobile equipment such as forklifts, equipment moved on slide beams, etc. can move around and to/from the center of the well; in some sports without having to go up/down stairs or other elevations. The drilling floor cover is typically the floor of a rig, eg the lowest rig above the diverter system. Diverter systems for offshore drilling rigs are typically provided below the rig's turntable. Such a diverter system provides a ventilation path and ensures that the flow can be directed away from the drilling rig. Therefore, in some modalities, the offshore drilling rig comprises a diverter system under the first well center.

[0034] At least parts of the drilling floor cover can be formed by the roof of a casing or cabinet that accommodates the mud mixing equipment and/or other operational equipment of the drilling rig, thus allowing for a compact and space-saving arrangement of the rig on the drilling rig. For example, the drilling floor cover may comprise a storage area for storing tubular equipment such as drill ducts, casings, riser pipes, etc., for example a storage area for storing tubular equipment in horizontal orientation. The storage area can be located next to the horizontal pipe handling device or, if the latter is mobile, next to the duct feed path along which the horizontal pipe handling device can move. In some embodiments, the pipe storage area and/or horizontal pipeline handling equipment may be partially or completely surrounded by the open drilling floor covering areas, for example, drilling floor covering area molded and sized to allow vehicles or sliding items to be moved around a pipe storage area.

[0035] In some embodiments, the cover of the drilling floor comprises at least an open and unobstructed first area of cover of the drilling floor located adjacent to the first mast, for example, in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the first mast, other than any drill floor deck area used for movement of tubular equipment to the first well center, and clear of any mast or storage structure for pipelines or other fixed installations. Therefore, the open drill floor deck area extends outside the mast frame. Consequently, the drilling rig provides an open area of cover and clear of the drilling floor for placement and/or movement of auxiliary equipment and/or for handling and/or operating such auxiliary equipment while at the same time providing efficient and safe access to the center of the well. Examples of such auxiliary equipment include data recording equipment while drilling, data measuring equipment while drilling, spiral piping equipment, etc. and similar equipment other than the ducts forming the drill string, well casing/liner or riser pipes and other than heavy subsea equipment such as BOPs and Christmas trees. Generally speaking, the auxiliary equipment may comprise overhead auxiliary equipment and suspendable auxiliary equipment such as downhole equipment that can be lifted through the center of the well from a gantry or mounting structure. For example, the auxiliary equipment may comprise a suspendable component and an over-the-cover component, for example a coil on which spiral piping or wire is wound for use to suspend the suspendable component through the center of the well. Other examples of ancillary components on deck comprise similar supply and/or support components to supply the suspendable component with energy or other supplies that would otherwise support the suspendable equipment.

[0036] In some embodiments, the drilling rig is configured to carry out the movement of tubular equipment, in particular riser tubes, casing, liner, drill string elements, to the first center of the well along a feed path of duct that only crosses drill floor cover areas outside the first open drill floor cover area. Consequently, the handling and/or operation of the auxiliary equipment can be carried out with limited interference or even without interference with the insertion of the tubular equipment through the center of the well, that is, in the opposite direction of the critical trajectory of the drilling operation. Handling of auxiliary equipment may, for example, include the preparation of suspendable auxiliary equipment such as sensors, robots, drones that must be lowered into the drilled well at a later time. The offshore drilling rig can then be configured, throughout the movement of the tubular rig to the first well center, to keep the first open drilling floor deck area free of said tubular rig being moved to the first well center. In particular, in some arrangements, the first deck area of the open drilling floor is not occupied and/or cannot be occupied by either horizontal pipeline handling equipment or vertical pipeline handling equipment. In particular, the open drill floor deck areas are free from any slides, guides or sliding beams from the elevated walkway or other pipe feeding machines. The handling of auxiliary equipment can still be carried out in a safe manner sufficiently remote from normal drilling operation. An open drilling floor deck area may be further sized and molded to allow auxiliary equipment on the deck to be fixedly installed, i.e., during the entire drilling operation or at least stages thereof.

[0037] For this purpose, the first cover area of the open drilling floor can be greater than 1 m in both directions (for example, 1 m by 1 m or 1 m by 5 m), such as greater than 2 m in both directions, as greater than 3 m in both directions, as greater than 4 m in both directions, as greater than 5 m in both directions. In some arrangements, the first covered area of the drilling floor may be at least 4m2, eg at least 10m2, eg at least 15m2, eg at least 25m2, eg at least 35m2, eg at least 50m2, eg at least 65m2, eg at least 80m2, 100m2 in size, eg at least 200m2, like at least 500m2, like at least 1000m2, like at least 2000m2, eg at least minus 5000 m2. The open drill floor covering area can cover at least one sector of a circle around the center of the well that has a radius of at least 2 m, such as 3 m, such as 4 m, such as 5 m, such as 6 m, like 8 m, like 9 m, like 10 m, like 15 m, like 20 m, like 30 m, the sector having a center angle of at least 50°, like at least 60°, like at least 90°, for example , at least 120°, eg at least 130°.

[0038] In some embodiments, one or more of the open drilling floor deck areas are accessible with a crane, such as a deck crane crane, so that relatively large equipment can be lifted over or outside the deck area of open drill floor. In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises such a crane. Such equipment may be auxiliary equipment as discussed below.

[0039] In some arrangements, the open drilling floor deck area has a clear height of at least 3 m, such as at least 5 m, such as at least 10 m, such as at least 20 m, for example, at least 30 m.

[0040] The term open drilling floor covering area is intended to refer to a portion of the drilling floor covering that is free of pipeline handling equipment, at least fixedly installed pipeline handling equipment, during the normal drilling operation such as drilling, making and breaking of supports, insertion and movement of ducts. Duct handling equipment refers to equipment for drilling, making and breaking supports, inserting and moving the ducts. The term normal drilling operation is further intended to refer to operations other than exceptional operations such as repair, maintenance work, or the like. The term fixedly installed equipment is intended to refer to equipment that is not mobile during the normal operation of the drilling rig, for example, non-skidable or otherwise displaceable. In some embodiments, the open drilling floor deck area is still free of spiral piping equipment, at least fixedly installed spiral piping equipment, during normal drilling operation. In some embodiments, the open drilling floor deck area is still clear of heavy subsea equipment during normal drilling operation. Here the term subsea equipment refers to equipment such as overflow safety systems or Christmas Trees or similar sets of valves, coils, and fittings that are installed under the drilling rig during the drilling operation. In some embodiments, the open drilling floor deck area is not used during normal drilling operation to move tubular equipment, spiral piping and/or heavy subsea equipment to/from the center of the well.

[0041] When the first area covered by the open drilling floor comprises an access path to the first well center, which access path extends outside the base of the first mast, the auxiliary equipment can easily be moved to/from from the first center of the well. The access road can allow free access from the entire first covered area of the open drill floor to the first center of the well without entering the base of the mast. The access road can provide a clearance height of at least 3 m, such as at least 5 m, such as at least 7 m, such as at least 10 m, such as at least 15 m, such as at least 20 m thus allowing even tall items to be moved. For example, while the open drilling floor deck area is generally free of pipeline handling equipment during normal drilling operations, in certain exceptional situations it may be desirable to move tubular equipment such as riser pipes to the area of open drilling floor covering, eg for repair or maintenance work. Such operations can then be carried out conveniently and safely without interfering with normal drilling operation. When the access road is a straight path, for example extending in a longitudinal or transverse direction, particularly convenient access is provided. Likewise, when the access road is short, eg less than 20 m or less than 10 m, efficient access is provided. When the access road is wide enough to allow vehicles such as forklifts and/or sliding items to move along the sliding beams to move between the cover area of the open drill floor and the center of the well, the efficiency of the rig perforation is increased. For example, the access road can be at least 2 m wide, such as at least 3 m, for example at least 5 m wide.

[0042] In some modalities, the drilling rig comprises access ways to the center of the well from two-three or even from all four sides, that is, from both longitudinal directions and both transverse directions.

[0043] In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises a protective structure configured to prevent tubular equipment operated above the first center of the well from falling onto the covered area of the drilling floor in a direction opposite to the first mast. The protective structure may be configured to protect at least part of (as well as all) the first open perforation floor deck area from such a fall of the tubular equipment. The protective structure may be a lateral protective structure which extends, for example, along the longitudinal direction, between the support structures located on the respective sides of the first center of the well; one of the support structures could be the first mast. Consequently, even during ongoing drilling operations, auxiliary equipment can be safely handled and/or placed within the first covered area of the open drilling floor. The protective structure can be formed completely or partially from one or more beams, chains, or similar structures; it can be located at a suitable elevation above the drilling floor cover, low enough to allow tubular equipment to be picked up and in some arrangements high enough to allow auxiliary equipment to be moved underneath. In some embodiments, the protective structure may comprise shields arranged at the respective heights and/or shields that are movable between the respective heights, for example, to allow for picking up tubular equipment of various heights such as tubes and supports. For example, the protective structure can be raised above the drilling floor cover at least 2 m, as at least 3 m, as at least 5 m, as at least 7 m, as at least 10 m, as at least 15 m , as at least 20 m, as at least 30 m, as at least 40 m; the protective structure can be raised less than 30 m, as less than 25 m, as less than 20 m, as less than 15 m, as less than 10 m, as less than 7 m, as less than 5 m, as less than 3 m. In embodiments, where the drilling rig comprises a pipeline storage structure on a second side of the first center of the well opposite the first side where the mast is situated, the protective structure may extend between and be connected to the first mast and the structure of duct storage.

[0044] In some embodiments, the protective structure may be movable between a closed position where it prevents tubular equipment operated above the first center of the well from falling onto the first covered area of the open drilling floor and an open position where it allows access raised side, for example, without height restriction, to the first center of the well from the area it is configured to protect. For example, the protective structure can be hinged either horizontally or vertically slidable. As noted above, the protective structure can comprise parts at various heights, some or all of which can be opened. Also, it may be desirable to move the protective structure while using a support structure as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, the protective structure can be operable to be moved to different elevations.

[0045] In some embodiments, an offshore drilling rig comprises a gantry structure or other suitable mounting structure to suspend the suspendable auxiliary equipment from an elevated position above the drilling floor cover, allowing the auxiliary equipment to be lowered or elevated through the first center of the well; the mounting frame being movable between a lower position for mounting auxiliary equipment to the mounting frame, and an elevated position which allows for lowering or raising auxiliary equipment suspended from the mounting frame through the first center of the well.

[0046] In some embodiments, the mounting frame may extend along the longitudinal direction from a first mast that is longitudinally offset from the center of the well as described in this document. The mounting structure may comprise devices such as one or more hooks, pulleys, pulleys, guide members such as guide arches, and/or one or more other connecting mechanisms and/or devices to support cables or wires or spiral piping for the over-deck attachment auxiliary equipment positioned on the drilling floor deck, for example, over open drilling floor deck areas with suspended auxiliary equipment such as downhole tools is advanced towards the sea floor. The mounting structure is different from the elevator system and preferably operable independently of the elevator system.

[0047] It will be appreciated that a mounting structure as described herein can be used in combination with various embodiments of a drilling rig comprising a drilling floor cover having a hole defining a first well center; a first mast extending upward relative to the drill floor cover, and a first lift system supported by the first mast and configured to lift and lower tubular equipment through the first center of the well.

[0048] Consequently, the suspended auxiliary equipment to be lowered through the center of the pit can conveniently, efficiently and safely be prepared, assembled and brought into an operational position without the need for human operators to climb unsafe heights. In particular, when the mounting frame is in its lower position, a mounting frame connecting mechanism for connecting auxiliary equipment to the mounting frame is made conveniently accessible to human operators from the cover of the drilling floor; for example, the bottom position can be no more than 3 m, such as no more than 2.5 m above the drill floor cover, such as no more than 2 m, such as no more than 1.5 m. The elevated position can be at least 3 m, 5 m, or 10 m above the drilling floor cover, such as at least 15 m above the drilling floor cover, for example at least 20 m above the floor cover of drilling, for example, at least 30 m above the cover of the drilling floor, for example at least 40 m above the cover of the drilling floor.

[0049] When the mounting structure is arranged horizontally displaced from the center of the well (in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction), for example, connected to one or more of the corners or sides of the mast facing the roof area of the open drilling floor, the preparation of the auxiliary equipment and its connection to the mounting structure can conveniently be carried out from the first covered area of the open drilling floor without or at least with minimal interference with any drilling operation in progress. In some embodiments, the horizontal offset is more than 0.5 m, such as over 1 m, such as over 2 m, such as over 3 m, such as over 4 m, such as over 5 m, such as over 6 m , as more than 7 m, as more than 10 m, as 15 m, as more than 20 m; at the same time less than 100 m, as less than 75 m, as less than 50 m, as less than 25 m, as less than 15 m, as less than 10 m, as less than 7 m, as less than 5 m, like less than 3 m, like less than 2 m, like less than 7 m. In some embodiments, the height of the support structure and the horizontal offset from the center of the well are arranged to allow a suitable bend angle and/or radius for the suspended wire connecting a suspendable auxiliary equipment through the center of the well. To this end, in some modalities, the first deck area of the open perforation floor allows for a spacing of any auxiliary equipment on the deck, such as coiled wire coils or spiral piping or other deck components that support the suspended auxiliary equipment, the from the support structure (measured on the drilling floor deck) of more than 1 m, such as over 2 m, such as over 3 m, such as over 4 m, such as over 5 m, such as over 6 m, like more than 7 m, like more than 10 m, like more than 15 m, like more than 20 m.

[0050] The mounting structure may, for example, comprise a beam or similar elongated structure that can be slidably arranged on the rails or tracks in the mast and on a corresponding structure, for example, a pipeline storage structure, on a second side from the center of the shaft opposite the first side where the mast is situated. The mounting frame can be part of or separate from a protective frame as described in this document.

[0051] The drilling rig may further comprise a pipeline storage structure, for example providing a dock area to store the assembled pipe strings, positioned on a second side of the first well center opposite the first side. Again, this pipeline storage structure can be located on the same level as the drill floor cover or at least partially on a different level, for example a lower level in order to allow pipelines to be advanced along a direction of inclination.

[0052] When the first area of cover of the open drill floor extends around the dock area to one side of the dock area distal from the first well center, mobile equipment can be moved around the first area of open drill floor cover and around the dock area from one side of the center well to the other side without interfering with the drilling operation.

[0053] In some embodiments, the drilling rig is a dual (or even multiple) activity platform where more than one main or auxiliary drilling operation can be performed through two or even more separate work centers, one, some or all of which may be well centers. In some embodiments, in addition to a well center to carry out primary drilling operations, an additional work center may be a hole in the drilling floor through which pipelines can be lowered, but through which pipelines may not necessarily be downloaded all the way to the ocean floor. Such a work center may also comprise a bottom that prevents the pipelines from inadvertently falling to the ocean floor. Alternatively or additionally, one or more additional work centers may be well centers as described above. To this end, in some embodiments, the offshore drilling rig further comprises a second work center as a second well center offset from the first well center, optionally a second mast extending upwards relative to the floor deck rigs, and a second lift system supported by the second mast and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the second work center.

[0054] In some embodiments, the positions of the first well center and the second work center together define a transverse direction within the plane of the cover of the drilling floor; the first and second masts can be arranged side by side in the transverse direction or in another suitable configuration. The two masts can be integrated into one mast.

[0055] In some embodiments, the position of the second working center is placed substantially along the longitudinal direction; the first and second masts can be arranged opposite each other, for example, in a face-to-face or back-to-back configuration.

[0056] By this, efficient double (or even multiple) drilling activities can be carried out, and the drilling crew and equipment can be conveniently moved between the well centers. Furthermore, operations at both the first well center and the second work center can conveniently be monitored and/or controlled, for example from a single driller cabin having a direct line of sight to both the first well center. well and the second work center. In addition, the first well center and the second work center can be used as backup/replacement for each other in a convenient way, because storage areas, pipeline handling equipment etc. Serving both the first well center and the second work center can be arranged to efficiently serve/cooperate with both the first well center and the second work center. This is particularly the case when the second work center is operable as a well center. It will be appreciated that, when operating a drilling rig modalities with two (or more) well centers, not all well centers may necessarily be able to simultaneously access the same drilling well.

[0057] In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises a protective structure that extends between the first well center and the second work center, for example, a second well center, and configured to prevent tubular equipment operated above from the first center of the well lands on a second work center. The protective structure may be a lateral protective structure that extends in a direction transverse to the direction connecting a first well center and the second working center between the support structures located on the respective sides of the first well center and the second well center. Work; one of the support structures can be the mast. In some embodiments, the protective structure can be configured to be brought into a stowed configuration that allows the pipelines to be transferred between the first well center and the second work center. For example, the protective structure can take the form of a dividing barrier structure such as a wall, fence or curtain that can be rolled up around a horizontal or vertical axis or otherwise brought into a compact, inactive configuration. The protective structure may have a height corresponding to the length of the largest pipelines handled by the drilling rig, for example, at least 50% as at least 75% as at least 100% of a height of the largest pipelines. It will be appreciated that such a protective structure can be implemented on any drilling rig having two or more lift systems and work centers.

[0058] The capacity of the equipment related to the first well center and the second work center, for example, the respective masts, parts of a common mast, elevator systems, etc., may be different, for example, they may have different lifting capacities, or they may have equal lifting capacity and/or be otherwise identical or at least interchangeably used for drilling operations. Equipment related to the second work center may comprise and/or cooperate with the same or corresponding resources, elements, components or devices already discussed in relation to the first mast and/or the first well center. For example, the second mast may comprise or cooperate with a protective structure and/or a mounting structure as described herein. The first and second masts can be separate structures or combined as a single mast frame. For example, the first and second masts can be incorporated as a combined first and second mast support lift systems.

[0059] The term main drilling operation is intended to refer to the current drilling operation where the drill string is advanced through a drill pipe to and into the seabed. Auxiliary drilling operations may include building pipeline chains, advancing tubular equipment to or to the sea floor, drilling an upper hole, and or the like. Therefore, the drilling rig is configured to advance the riser pipes to the seabed through at least the first center of the well, and the drilling rig comprises a diverter located under the cover of the drilling floor at the first center of the well. . In some embodiments, the drilling rig is configured to allow drilling operations to be carried out through both well centers, that is, both well centers, masts, and elevator systems can be configured to allow the risers and the drill string are advanced all the way to the ocean floor. In some embodiments, the second mast and/or the second elevator system can be configured to function as an auxiliary system, for example, to insert riser tubes, build supports, and the like. In some embodiments, the second elevator system may have a different capacity, for example less, than the first elevator system. Even so, even in such modalities, the second mast, elevator system and well center may be adequate to take over the primary drilling operation, for example, in situations when the first mast, elevator system or well center are not functioning. In other words, any of the features discussed above with respect to the first well center may still be arranged with respect to the second well center, as a combined feature for both well centers or a feature with respect to the second well center alone.

[0060] In some embodiments, the offshore drilling rig comprises and then pipeline handling equipment for feeding tubular equipment towards the first well center and pipeline handling equipment for feeding tubular equipment towards the second well center. work, for example, a second well center; each or both of the duct handling equipment defines a respective duct feed path, for example, substantially along the longitudinal direction, through the transverse direction, along which the pipeline equipment duct feed path is moved towards the first well center and second work center respectively. In some embodiments, tubular equipment can be moved in parallel to both the first well center and the second work center. In some embodiments, ducts can be moved from a common storage structure such as when tubular equipment is moved to the well/work centers from the same side. This allows for more efficient operation of a platform, and provides a greater degree of flexibility and redundancy for critical components. Some embodiments of the offshore drilling rig comprise a longitudinally positioned pipeline storage structure offset from the first well center over a second well center side, opposite the first side and laterally positioned between respective pipeline feed paths.

[0061] In some embodiments, the drilling rig may comprise two diverter casings, one positioned under each center of the well.

[0062] As noted above, any features discussed in relation to the first well center may be present in relation to the second work center, including an open drilling floor covering are - referred to as a second open drilling floor covering area . In some embodiments, the drilling floor covering comprises at least a first open drilling floor covering area located adjacent to the first mast in the transverse direction on a side opposite the second work center, and a second drilling floor covering area. open borehole located adjacent to the second mast in the transverse direction on a side opposite the first well center. The first and second drilling floor coverage areas are then different areas of the drilling floor coverage area between the first well center and the second work center and other than any drilling floor coverage area used for the movement of the tubular equipment to the first center of the well. Consequently, open drill floor covering areas are provided on both cross sides of the well/work centers, thereby further increasing the flexibility and efficiency of a rig, as auxiliary equipment can be stored and/or handled. on both sides of the mast and moved to/from both well/work centers without interfering with the drilling operation in the other well/work center. In particular, in some embodiments, the drilling rig is configured to carry out movement of the tubular rig to the first well center and the second work center along respective first and second pipeline feed paths towards the respective first and second well centers whose first and second pipeline feed lanes only intersect the drill floor cover areas outside the first and second open drill floor cover areas.

[0063] When each of the first and second areas of open drilling floor coverage comprises an access road that extends outside the base of the first and second masts and along the transverse direction to the first center of the well and the second center The auxiliary equipment can be moved directly between both the open drilling floor deck areas and the respective well/work centers.

[0064] When the first and second open drilling floor covering areas are connected to each other by a drilling floor connection covering area, the equipment can be conveniently moved between the open drilling floor covering areas without interfere with drilling operations. The drilling floor connecting coverage area can then be molded and sized to allow the equipment to be moved between the open drilling floor coverage areas, for example, by means of a forklift and/or over sliding beams , without having to climb or descend on different levels of the deck. For example, the drilling floor connecting coverage area can define a connecting path between the first and second open drilling floor areas having a width of at least 2 m, such as at least 3 m, such as at least 5 m . In some embodiments, the drill floor connecting coverage area extends around the pipeline storage structure on one side of the pipeline storage structure distal from the first well center and the second work centers.

[0065] In some embodiments, the drilling platform comprises a storage area to store pipelines located below the level defined by the cover of the drilling floor. The drill floor cover can then extend above and partially or completely through the entire storage area. The ducts can then be stored so that both ends of each pipe are positioned below the level of the drill floor cover. In particular, in some embodiments the storage area is configured to receive ducts in vertical orientation so that an upper end of the ducts is located below the level of the drill floor deck. The ducts can be riser duct joints, drill duct chains, casing chains, or other tubular members. The drilling rig can then comprise pipeline handling equipment to feed the pipelines from the storage area through an opening in the drilling floor deck, other than the well and work centers, and to present the pipelines to the system. elevator, for example, so that an upper end of a tubular member can be connected to an upper impeller, hook or similar connecting device of the elevator system and lifted through the opening in the drill floor and to suspend the pipe above the center of the pit. The opening can be a hole or cut in the drill floor. Duct handling equipment may comprise an inclined chute for advancing riser duct joints and/or other types of duct such as supports or drill duct units or casings. In some embodiments the chute can be configured to adjust its position and/or slope while the riser duct joint or other pipe is advanced upward through the opening in the drill floor to guide the riser duct joint or other pipe toward an increasingly vertical orientation as the riser duct joint or other pipe is advanced upward starting from an inclined position over a chute. Consequently, particularly space-saving storage of the ducts is provided that still provides a low center of gravity of the structure. Storage area(s) may be located adjacent to the hull window located below the pit centers, such as on two opposite sides of the hull window.

[0066] In some embodiments, the drilling rig is arranged so that both riser duct joints and drill pipe strings and/or casings can be stored partially or completely below the drilling floor.

[0067] The storage area below the level of the drill floor deck can be configured to store ducts in vertical and/or horizontal orientation.

[0068] For example, when the drilling rig is a drilling vessel, the storage area below the drilling floor cover can be configured for horizontal storage of pipelines, such as riser pipes, forward and/or backward from the hull window. The platform can then be arranged to bring the riser duct joints (or other ducts) under the drill floor and rotate the riser duct joints so that they are presented through the hole in the drill floor. This rotation can take place above the largest window area of the hull. The rotation function of the drill pipe (or other pipe) can be performed by one of the modalities described in copending Danish patent application PA 2013 70602.

[0069] The hole is preferably fitted with a hatch so that the hatch can be used as a floor when the hatch is closed and the hole is not in use.

[0070] In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises a supporting construction and/or dock area (preferably a lowered dock) on one side of the mast, opposite the center of the well.

[0071] Generally speaking, according to one aspect, embodiments of an offshore drilling rig comprising: - a drilling floor cover having a hole defining a first well center are disclosed herein; - a first mast extending upwards in relation to the cover of the drilling floor; - a first lift system supported by the first mast and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well; the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system being displaced from and located on a first side of the first center of the shaft; - first pipeline handling equipment to move the tubular equipment to the first elevator system so as to allow the first elevator system to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first well center; - a storage structure such as a pulley to store pipelines chosen from drilling pipelines, casings, drilling pipeline chains and casing chains, located on the first side of the well center; at least partially under the cover of the drilling floor and/or at least partially behind the load-bearing structure when viewed from the first center of the well.

[0072] For example, this may be advantageous where two well centers are arranged adjacent to a dual activity mast in a side-by-side configuration where ducts can be moved from the dock to both well centers. In combination with an opening formed in the lift system, for example between groups of lifting cylinders, which allows supports to be presented to the lift system, an open drilling floor is attainable (see for example Figure 15).

[0073] In some embodiments the drilling rig comprises a support construction and/or dock area (preferably a lowered dock) adjacent to the mast and behind the drill booth, such as on the opposite side of the drill booth from the center (s) of the well. Examples of this are illustrated in figures 14-21.

[0074] Alternatively, the drilling rig may comprise a support construction and/or dock area on one of the transverse sides of the center of the well; for example, this may be advantageous where two well centers are arranged between two masts or portions of the mast arranged in a face-to-face configuration.

[0075] Support construction equipment may be operable to assemble strings of drilling ducts and/or casings, for example comprising two, three or more drilling ducts. Such support construction equipment may be dedicated support construction equipment which is not operable to lower the pipelines to the ocean floor. Supporting construction equipment may be located at least partially below the cover of the drilling floor.

[0076] In some embodiments, the drilling rig comprises vertical pipeline handling equipment to feed the pipelines to said support construction configuration. Vertical pipeline handling equipment can be arranged to bring stored pipelines to the front and/or rear of the drill floor into the supporting construction configuration without crossing the drill floor. The dock area can be lowered relative to the drill floor cover.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first elevator system comprises a plurality of vertical cylinders extending upward from a position adjacent to the first center of the well, and an upper impeller operable to lower the ducts through the first center of the well; and the drilling rig further comprising pipeline handling equipment operable to present supports and/or casing units or drilling pipeline from a dock area on one side of the cylinders, opposite the center of the well, to the impeller top through an opening formed between two groups of cylinders, as through the cut in the perforation deck as discussed above. Brief Description of Drawings

[0078] The above and/or additional objectives, features and advantages of the modalities and aspects of the present invention will be further elucidated by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, as follows:

[0079] Figures 1 to 8 illustrate views of a modality of an offshore drilling platform, Figure 1 shows a 3D view of the drilling platform, Figures 2 to 6 show 3D views of parts of the drilling platform from from different points of view, Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a drilling rig in a longitudinal plane through the center of the drilling rig, looking in the transverse direction, and Figure 8 shows a top view of the drilling rig.

[0080] Figure 9 further schematically illustrates the arrangement modalities of the cover of the cover of the drilling floor of a drilling rig.

[0081] Figure 10 schematically illustrates the open drilling floor cover areas in one embodiment of a drilling rig.

[0082] Figure 11 schematically illustrates the base of the mast in a modality of a drilling platform.

[0083] Figure 12 schematically illustrates arrangements of the drilling floor cover of another modality of a drilling rig.

[0084] Figure 13 schematically illustrates drill floor deck arrangements of additional modalities of a drilling rig.

[0085] Figure 14 illustrates another modality of an offshore drilling rig.

[0086] Figures 15 to 21 illustrate another modality of an offshore drilling platform, and Figures 15 to 16 show 3D views of parts of the drilling platform from different points of view, Figures 17 to 18 show views in horizontal cross section of the drilling rig, Figures 19 to 20 show side sectional views of the drilling rig, and Figure 21 shows another 3D view of the drilling floor seen from the starboard side of the drilling vessel. Figures 22A-22D show horizontal cross-sectional views of drilling rigs illustrating different arrangements in which pipelines can be fed to a well center.

[0087] Figures 23 A)-D) illustrate different configurations of openings to accommodate ducts that are delivered to a well center.

[0088] Figure 24 shows an embodiment where the mast structure is shown having an opening to allow the ducts to be fed to a center of the well.

Detailed Description

[0089] In the following description, reference is made to the attached figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention can be practiced.

[0090] A modality of an offshore drilling rig will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0091] The drilling rig is a semi-submersible drilling rig, comprising jetties 101 from which the support columns 102 extend upwards, and an upper side platform 103 supported by the columns 102. During operation, the drilling rig floats on the ocean surface with the pontoons 101 typically underwater and support columns extending out of the water so that an upper lateral platform is elevated above the water. To this end, pontoons can be filled with ballast water in order to submerge a platform to the desired level.

[0092] The upper side platform comprises a drilling floor deck 107 disposed elevated from a main deck 120 and partially formed by the roof of a cabinet 121 that accommodates the mud mixing equipment and/or other equipment. The drill floor cover 107 comprises two holes defining well centers 123a,b located near a dual activity mast 104. The dual activity mast 104 extends upward from the drill floor cover 107 and comprises two mast portions 104a,b arranged side by side in the transverse direction. The drilling rig comprises respective hydraulic lift systems 105a,b each for lowering a drill string through a respective one of the well centers 123a,b towards the ocean floor. Each hydraulic lift system comprises cylinders 106a,b, respectively, which extend upwards from the cover of the drilling floor and support the load to be lowered or lifted. Each portion of the mast is associated with one of the elevator systems and stabilizes the elevator systems against lateral forces and/or against bending of the support members that carry the weight of the pulleys and the suspended load from the elevator system. Each center of the well is situated close to one of the portions of the mast and the corresponding elevator system; both well centers are located on the same side with respect to the mast. The position of each of the well centers in relation to the corresponding elevator system defines a longitudinal direction, in this example the longitudinal direction of the drilling rig, that is, between the bow and stern of the drilling rig. The well centers are arranged along a transverse direction, normal to the longitudinal direction, in this example the transverse direction (port to starboard) of the drilling rig. The longitudinal and transverse directions are indicated by arrows 140 and 141, respectively, in Figure 8.

[0093] The cylinders of each elevator system are arranged in two groups that are positioned offset from each other in the transverse direction so as to form an opening 126a,b, respectively, between the two groups. Each opening 126a,b is then aligned with a respective one of the well centers along the longitudinal direction. Each opening extends upwards along the entire length of the cylinders, thus allowing the ducts to be moved through the opening towards the respective center of the well and even raised to a vertical position whilst being located at least partially in the opening between the cylinders. . The center of the well is longitudinally displaced from the opening. Alternatively or additionally the cylinders or other support members can be positioned on a foundation raised above the drilling floor and an opening can be at least partially formed in the foundation. An opening can also be obtained alternatively or in combination with an opening between the cylinders, as will be illustrated in combination with Figures 22-24 below. The rods of the cylinders support pulleys 133a,b, respectively, of a movable link on which the lifting wires are suspended. One end of the lift wires is anchored to the drilling rig, while the other end is connected to the upper pusher 137a,b or hook of the corresponding lift system. Pulleys 133a,b are laterally supported and guided by respective portions of the mast. The axis of the pulleys extends in the transverse direction between two groups of cylinders, that is, between support members to support the weight of the pulley(s).

[0094] The side-by-side configuration of the dual activity mast and well centers allows for efficient dual operations, easy access to both well centers, and convenient visual control of both well centers from a single drill cabin 134 that it can, for example, be positioned transversely between the centers of the shaft, for example within the base of the mast.

[0095] The drilling rig comprises a setback structure 112 or similar pipeline storage structure for storing pipeline chains located on the other side (viewed in the longitudinal direction) of the well centers, opposite the mast. The setback structure comprises a support structure that supports tower yards having horizontally extending fingers between which the ducts can be stored. The setback structure is disposed transversely between the transverse positions of the well centers to allow the supports to be moved to/from both well centers to/from the dock. To this end, two column containers 113a,b or similar vertical duct handling equipment are arranged to move the supports in and out of the setback structure 112. The column containers are operable to move along the transverse direction along of a support beam 130 spanning the transverse distance between the well centers. The support beam can be a part of the dock's support structure. The setback structure 112 may extend downwards to a deck below the drill floor deck to allow brackets mounted from multiple pipes to be stored and moved to a respective one of the well centers. The setback structure may comprise a fox hole and separate or integrated support construction equipment, thus allowing the strings of pipes to be assembled and stored without interfering with operations at the well centers. Alternatively or additionally, one of the elevator systems and well centers, for example, well center 123a,b can be used to build supports.

[0096] A tube storage area 109 for storing tubes in horizontal orientation is located behind the setback structure, seen from the centers of the well. On both transverse sides of a pipe storage area respective elevated walkways 108a,b, or similar horizontal pipeline handling equipment, are located extending in the longitudinal direction, each aligned with one of the well centers, i.e. so that horizontal pipeline handling equipment defines a longitudinal axis that crosses one of the well centers. Each elevated walkway is operable to move tubes from storage area 109 to the center of the corresponding shaft and elevator system. To this end, the tubes can be placed on the raised walkway by a crane, for example one of the articulated cranes 138, and the raised walkway can be moved longitudinally to the center of the corresponding well, for example on the sliding beams or tracks 139a ,b which define a straight pipeline feed path to the center of the corresponding well. Hence, the elevated walkways move the tubular equipment along the corresponding pipeline feed paths 139a,b towards the center of the corresponding well. Elevated walkways and lanes 139a,b thus define longitudinal duct feedways, each intersecting with one of the well centers. Duct feed paths 139a,b extend towards the shaft centers from a side of the shaft centers opposite the side on which the mast is situated. The column containers 113a,b can be transversely moved into a position in the duct feed path, i.e. in the longitudinal extension of one of the elevated walkways. In this position, the column container can then receive a tube from the elevated walkway and, in cooperation with the elevated walkway, bring the tube into a vertical position.

[0097] The drilling rig comprises another storage area 115 on the other side of the mast, that is, on the side opposite the well centers. This storage area is situated on a deck lower than the drill floor deck, and is used to store marine riser duct joints (also simply referred to as riser pipes) in a vertical orientation. The riser tubes can then be moved, for example, by means of a gantry crane 136 and respective chutes 132a,b or other suitable tube feeding equipment to the respective well centers. As the riser tubes can be moved through the openings 126a,b between the cylinders 106a,b of the elevator systems, the riser tubes can be moved directly from the riser duct storage area 115 to the center of the well of a space-efficient way.

[0098] In this example, as all ducts are moved to the well centers from opposite sides of the well centers along the longitudinal direction, and since the setback structure 112 and storage area 115 are located longitudinally displaced from the well centers, the drill floor cover 107 comprises large open drill floor cover areas 110a,b on both sides of the mast and well centers. These open drill floor deck areas are not occupied by the pipeline handling equipment, and all pipe movements between storage area/docks 112, 115 and well centers 123a,b are carried out along the longitudinal direction. . Duct feed paths along which pipes and other ducts are moved to/from well centers do not intersect the open drill floor deck deck areas 110a,b. Consequently, these areas can be used as a working area, for example, to mount the suspendable auxiliary equipment such as spiral piping, and/or to position auxiliary equipment on the deck 111. In the example of Figures 1-8, the deck area of open drilling floor 110a is used for placing and/or moving auxiliary equipment over the deck and/or for handling and/or operating such auxiliary equipment while at the same time providing efficient and safe access to the well center. The open drilling floor deck area 110b is kept clear of any pipeline handling equipment and any other permanently installed equipment; this area can then be used as a working area and/or intermediate storage area. Both of the open drilling floor cover areas 110a,b are connected to the well centers by direct, straight access ways 114a,b respectively, thus allowing the rig to be conveniently moved between the drilling floor cover areas open 110a,b and the well centers, eg over sliding beams 116. Any work within the open drilling floor cover areas 110a,b does not interfere with pipe movements to/from the well centers or with other operations in the well centers.

[0099] The well centers are placed outside the base of the mast and longitudinally displaced in relation to the cylinders 106a,b, and the access ways are not blocked by any other structures fixedly installed on the cover of the drilling floor or structures raised to a low height above the drill floor deck. Thus, convenient access between the open drill floor cover areas 110a,b and the well centers is provided.

[00100] The open drilling floor cover areas even extended laterally along the raised walkways thus allow the equipment to be moved along the raised walkways and/or stored in the open drilling floor cover areas 117a,b that extend along each of the elevated walkways. In particular, as the elevated walkways are located on the drilling floor cover and as the drilling floor cover comprises a large floor area that extends along the raised walkways, crew members can work with or on the raised walkways without any (or at least with reduced) danger of falling. The portions 117a,b of the open drilling floor deck area that extends along the raised walkways are large enough to allow the sliding beams to be installed, thus allowing the equipment to be moved in the opposite direction to the side deck areas of drill floor open 110a,b.

[00101] The open drilling floor covering side areas 110a,b are further connected to each other by a drilling floor connecting cover area 118, in this example a straight path of the open drilling floor covering area which extends between a setback structure 112 and a pipe storage area 109. The drill floor connection coverage area 118 forms a path wide enough for slide-in beams to be installed or a forklift to move along, allowing so the rig is conveniently moved from one of the open drilling floor deck deck areas 110a,b to the other, without having to cross well centers.

[00102] As is more easily seen in Figures 2 and 4, the drilling rig comprises protective structures 119 that extend in the longitudinal direction from the respective lateral sides of the mast 104 to the support structure of the recoil structure 112. It will be appreciated However, the protective structures 119 can be supported by a separate support structure. The protective structures run through access roads 114a,b between the well centers and the respective open drill floor cover areas 110a,b at a height sufficient to allow the equipment to be moved under the protective structures. For example, access roads 114a,b may have a clearance height of at least 10 m, such as at least 20 m, thus allowing the same tall items to be moved. The protective structures are additionally situated at a height above the drill floor deck that is adequate to prevent pipelines entering through one of the well centers from falling onto the open drill floor deck areas 110a,b. Consequently, stored equipment or crew members working in one of the open drilling floor deck areas 110a,b are protected against dropping the tubular equipment. In some embodiments, the height at which the protective structures are placed can be adjustable. For example, the protective structures can be mounted to rails or tracks that extend upward along the support structures to which the protective structures are mounted. The protective structures can then be lifted by wires or cables, a hydraulic mechanism, or another suitable lifting mechanism. Therefore, the protective structures can be positioned at different heights according to the length of the tubular equipment in operation. Alternatively, the protective structure can be formed as a plurality of separate structures which are arranged at different heights and/or whose heights can be individually adjusted. In yet another modality the protective structures can be operable to be opened in order to allow unobstructed access to the center of the well, even for equipment having a great height. For example, defective ducts may need to be placed within one of the open drilling floor deck areas 110a,b, in order to allow maintenance or repair of the defective equipment while the drilling operation continues. Protective structures can be opened in a number of different ways. For example, they can be hinged on one side or both sides, or they can be slidable to a great height. The inventors realized that such a protective structure can also be implemented in combination with other types of mast structures, such as other protective structures providing an open drill floor covering.

[00103] As is more easily seen in Figures 2 and 6 the drilling rig further comprises a gantry beam or structure 125 or a similar mounting structure to suspend the suspendable auxiliary equipment from an elevated position above the floor covering of drilling, allowing auxiliary equipment to be lowered or raised through the first center of the well. The gantry beam 125 is connected to respective support structures on both sides longitudinally from the well centers and laterally offset from the well center. In this particular embodiment, the gantry beam is attached to the mast 104 and the setback structure 112 and spans the access road 114a between the cover area of the open drilling floor 110a and the well centers. The gantry girder 125 is operable to be raised or lowered at least between an operating position elevated above the drilling floor cover, and a lower position immediately above the drilling floor cover enabling the mounting of auxiliary equipment to the mounting structure. . For example, the lower position can be no more than 2 m above the drilling floor cover or other height low enough for personnel to attach the equipment to the gantry beam directly from the drilling floor cover. The elevated position can be at least 3 m, 5 m, or 10 m above the drilling floor cover, such as at least 15 m above the drilling floor cover, for example at least 20 m above the floor cover of perforation. To this end, the gantry beam can be mounted on rails or tracks that extend upwards along the support structures to which the gantry beam is connected. The gantry beam can then be lifted by wires or cables, a hydraulic mechanism, or other suitable lifting mechanism. For example, gantry beam 125 and protective frame 119 can be mounted to the same lifting mechanism. In some arrangements, the gantry beam can still be a part of the protective structure. It will be appreciated that a gantry beam or similar mounting structure may be disposed proximal to and operable with each of the well centers or proximal to and operable with only one of the well centers as in the example of Figures 1-8 .

[00104] When the gantry beam 125 is lowered to its lower position, the platform crew can conveniently mount the gantry beam with the suspendable equipment which must be lowered through one of the well centers. Examples of such equipment include data recording equipment while drilling, data measuring equipment while drilling, spiral piping equipment. To this end, the equipment to be lowered through the center of the well can be connected to a wire, cable or spiral tubing 135 which in turn can be carried through hooks, pulleys, guide arches and/or similar guide members 129 which are connected to gantry beam 125 to coils, drums, or similar auxiliary equipment on deck 111 positioned on one side of open drill floor deck areas 110a,b. In some embodiments, assembly can then be carried out without any need for drilling crew members to ascend to unsafe heights. Furthermore, the assembly is carried out in the opposite direction to the center of the well, thus not interfering with any activity carried out at the same time in the center of the well. Once assembled, the gantry girder 125 is lifted to the desired height thus allowing the suspended auxiliary equipment to be lowered through the center of the shaft 123a at a suitable angle. Coils, drums or other auxiliary equipment on the deck 111 used to lower the suspendable auxiliary equipment through the center of the well may conveniently be positioned, for example, slid over sliding beams 116, to a desired location within the deck's deck area. open perforation 110a.

[00105] The main deck 120 is situated below the cover of the drilling floor and allows heavy subsea equipment 124, eg BOPs and Christmas Trees to be moved to the hull window 122 under the well centers to allow for that such equipment is lowered towards the ocean floor. Consequently, the drilling floor cover and, in particular, the part of that drilling floor cover that is situated in close proximity to the center of the well may be stationary and need not be raised or lowered for the subsea equipment to be lowered to the bed. of the ocean.

[00106] One or more 127 iron roughnecks or similar pipeline handling equipment may be disposed on the drill floor deck in close proximity to the well centers. Such equipment can be arranged so that it can serve only one of the well centers or both well centers.

[00107] As can be seen more easily in Figures 4 to 6, the riser pipes can be moved directly from the riser storage area 115 through one of the openings 126a,b to one of the well centers 123a, B. To this end, a drill pipe may be moved by a gantry crane 136 from its position in storage area 125 onto a chute 132a,b, respectively, or other suitable pipe feeding equipment, which defines an inclined surface. extending upwards and toward one of the openings 126a,b. The drill pipe can then be picked up by the upper impeller 137a,b of the mating elevator system 105a,b and pulled into the vertical position above the center of the mating well 123a,b. Figure 4 shows a drill pipe 128 positioned in chute 132b and extending through opening 126b towards the center of well 123b. Figure 5 shows the drill pipe connected to the upper impeller 137b of the elevator system 105b and in the process of being lifted up and through the opening 126b towards the center of the well 123b. Figure 6 shows the drill pipe after being raised to a vertical position above the center of well 123b and ready to be lowered through the center of well 123b.

[00108] As is more easily seen in Figure 8, the drilling rig comprises access to the center of the well from all four sides, that is, from both longitudinal directions and from both transverse directions. In addition, the symmetrical arrangement of the mast, the well centers and all storage and equipment handling allows pipelines from all storage areas to be efficiently moved to both well centers. In some embodiments, both mast portions and lift systems can be designed in a similar or even identical manner and provide similar or even equal lifting capacity. Consequently, full redundancy of the dual piercing system can be achieved. It will be understood, however, that the dual system may alternatively be designed with a shaft center/primary and secondary lift system, for example with different lifting capacities. In such modalities, a certain degree of redundancy can still be achieved.

[00109] Although the embodiment of Figures 1-8 has been described in the context of a semi-submersible, it will be appreciated that the features described can also be implemented in the context of a drillship or other type of drilling rig. In particular, the protective structure, the mounting structure, the open drilling floor areas, unobstructed through access ways to the well centers, and/or an opening between the lifting cylinders can be implemented in another type of drilling rig. drilling.

[00110] Figure 9 shows top views of another example of a drill floor cover 107. Figure 9a shows the drill floor cover and adjacent storage area 115 for riser pipes, while Figure 9b only shows the drill floor cover. drill floor. Furthermore, while Figure 9a shows the sliding beams 116 disposed across the cover of the drilling floor, the sliding beams are not shown in Figure 9b for the purposes of a simpler illustration. This embodiment of a drilling floor covering is similar to a drilling floor covering that has been described with reference to Figures 1-8 above. In particular, the embodiment of Figure 9 comprises a large drilling floor cover 107, a dual activity mast 104 and corresponding well centers 123a,b arranged side by side, a horizontal pipe storage area 109, a setback structure 112 with 113a,b vertical duct handling equipment, all as described above.

[00111] As can be easily seen in Figures 9a-b, the vertical duct handling equipment 113a,b is movable along the transverse direction along a support beam 130. They can be positioned in longitudinal extension of the respective two beams. Elevated walkways 108a,b between the raised walkway and the center of the corresponding well 123a,b, i.e. over the pipeline feed path defined by the corresponding raised walkway between the raised walkway and the center of the corresponding well. Elevated walkways 108a,b are movable on respective sliding rails or beams 139a,b along the horizontal direction to a respective center of the well. Therefore, the sliding beams define longitudinal duct feed paths to the respective well centers.

[00112] Also, an iron roughneck 127 is shown positioned between the centers of the well 123a,b and arranged over the glide rafters, thus allowing the iron roughneck to be moved out of the way, and alternately served to both well centers.

[00113] Also Figure 9a clearly shows cylinders 106a,b that form an opening 126a,b, respectively, so as to allow access to the well centers 123a,b directly from the riser duct storage area 115 by means of a gantry crane 136 and respective chutes 132a,b leading to the respective center of the well.

[00114] Figures 9a,b also show the drill cabin 134 positioned inside the base of the mast 104, transversely between the centers of the well. Therefore, the drill cabin does not interfere with access ways 114a,b from open drill floor deck areas 110a,b, while allowing convenient visual control with both well centers. The open drilling floor covering areas 110a,b comprise portions 117a,b extending along the raised walkways, and a drilling floor connecting cover area 118 connecting the open drilling floor covering side areas 110a ,b with each other, also all as described above. Figure 10 shows the drilling floor covering 107 of Figures 9a,b clearly illustrating the open drilling floor covering areas 110a,b as hatch areas. The drilling floor deck area that extends outside the base of the first mast is dimensioned and molded to allow the installation of sliding beams for sliding equipment and/or for forklift trucks or other vehicles to operate in the floor deck area drill hole outside the base of the mast. For example, the area of the drilling floor deck outside the base of the mast can be at least 200 m2 such as at least 500 m2 such as at least 1000 m2 such as at least 2000 m2 for example at least 5000 m2. Open drill floor deck areas are not otherwise obstructed by fixed installations such as the first mast, additional masts, pipeline handling equipment, and/or the like. The open drilling floor deck area has a clearance height of at least 10 m, such as at least 20 m, for example at least 30 m. Figure 10 also illustrates the lateral access from the open drill floor cover areas to the well centers by arrows 1014a,b. Access ways 1014a,b are straight and they extend entirely outside the base of the mast. The additional path connecting the open drill floor deck areas to each other is illustrated by arrow 1018. All access and connecting paths 1014a, b and 1018 are wide enough to be equipped with slide-in beams and/or allow forklifts or vehicles operate through the entire cover of the drill floor. For example, the access and connection paths can each be at least 2 m wide, such as at least 3 m for example, at least 5 m wide. Figure 10 additionally illustrates the large sector of open drill floor deck 1010b around the center of well 123b. Sector 1010b can have a radius of at least 5m such as 20m, such as 30m, the sector having a center angle Φ of at least 60°, such as at least 90°, for example, at least 120°.

[00116] In general, as illustrated by sector 1010b, each well center defines polar coordinates (θ,p) on the cover of the drilling floor where the position of the mast resides at θ=0 and the base of the mast spans from θmast, min (negative) to θmast,max Crossing the Pmast,min and Pmast,max of these angles, respectively. In some arrangements, the open drilling floor covering spans more than 1 m, such as over 2 m, such as over 5 m, such as over 10 m, for example over 20 m within an angle range Δθ spanning of θmast,max or below θmast,min. In some modalities, Δθ is greater than 10°, such as greater than 30°, such as greater than 60°, such as greater than 90°, eg. greater than 30°.

[00117] Figure 11 shows the drill floor cover 107 of the Figures shows the drill floor cover 107 of Figures 9a,b clearly illustrating the base of the mast 104 by a dotted line 1104. The centers of the well 123a,b are each one situated outside the base, and they are displaced from the base and cylinders 106a,b along the longitudinal direction 1140. The longitudinal direction 1140 can be defined by the position of the well centers 123a,b and the positions 1175a,b of the systems matching elevators. The position of the elevator system can be defined by the center of mass of a corresponding one of the pulleys 133a,b shown, for example, in Figure 1. Figure 11 also illustrates the duct feed paths along which the ducts are advanced to the respective well centers, viz. the pipeline feed paths 1239a,b defined by the sliding beams of the elevated walkways 1108a,b, and the pipeline feed paths 1132a,b defined by the respective chutes for advancing pipelines from a rear side of the elevator systems. In this embodiment, all of the pipeline feed paths extend along the longitudinal direction 1140, and they do not cross or otherwise interfere with the open drill floor covering areas 110a,b.

[00118] Figure 12 illustrates a drill floor cover arrangement with a single well center 1223, but using the same principles as described in connection with the drilling rig shown in Figures 1-8. The drilling deck of Figure 12 comprises a mast 1204, a well center 1223, a tube storage area 1209, a setback structure 1212, horizontal pipeline handling equipment 1208, and vertical pipeline handling equipment 1213, all with described above. Also in this modality, the drilling rig comprises access ways to the center of the well from all four sides, that is, from both longitudinal directions and from both transverse directions.

[00119] In Figure 12/a, the vertical pipeline handling equipment 1213 is positioned away from and, in particular, transversely displaced in relation to the pipeline feed path defined by the sliding rails or beams 1239 between the pipeline handling equipment horizontal 1208 and the center of well 1223. Therefore, in this position the horizontal pipeline handling equipment 1208 can move along the sliding beams 1239 all the way to the center of well 1223.

[00120] Figure 12b shows the vertical pipeline handling equipment 1213 in a position on the pipeline feed path 1239 connecting a horizontal pipeline handling equipment 1208 and the center of well 1223. Hence, in this configuration, the handling equipment 1208 horizontal duct handling equipment can cooperate with 1213 vertical duct handling equipment.

[00121] As in the previous embodiments, the mast comprises a hydraulic lift system where the cylinders 1206 are arranged to form a central opening 1226, through which the lifting tubes from a storage area behind the mast can be moved to the center of well 1223 for example using a 1232 chute or other pipeline handling equipment.

[00122] Figure 13 shows modalities of the drilling floor cover similar to the one in Figure 12, comprising a mast 1204, a well center 1223, a tube storage area 1209, a setback structure 1212, pipeline handling equipment horizontal 1208 movable on rails 1239, vertical duct handling equipment 1213, an elevator system comprising cylinders 1206 arranged in groups forming an opening between the m, and duct handling equipment 1232 for moving lifting tubes or other ducts through the opening 1226 , all as described above.

[00123] In particular, in the example of Figure 13a, the tube storage area 1209, the setback structure 1212, the horizontal pipeline handling equipment 1208 and the vertical pipeline handling equipment 1213 are situated longitudinally aligned with the mast 1204. In the example of Figure 13b, pipe storage area 1209, setback structure 1212, horizontal pipeline handling equipment 1208, and vertical pipeline handling equipment 1213 are located transversely offset from the mast. Therefore, in Figure 13a the duct feed path 1239 used by the duct handling equipment 1208 extends in the longitudinal direction as in the previous examples, while in the example of Figure 13b, the duct feed path 1239 extends in one direction. cross section. Even so, in both examples, the drill floor cover comprises an open drill floor cover area 1210 shown schematically as an area with hatches. In Figure 13a, the open drilling floor deck area is located adjacent to the mast in the transverse direction, while the open drilling floor deck area of Figure 13b is located adjacent to the first mast in the longitudinal direction.

[00124] Figure 14 illustrates another modality of an offshore drilling rig. The drilling rig of Figure 14 is a drilling vessel having a hull 1401. The drilling rig comprises a drill floor deck 1407 formed on top of a sub-frame 1497. The sub-frame comprises a platform supported by legs. The rig defines the drilling floor cover and spans through the hull window formed in the hull of the drillship. The cover of drill floor 1407 comprises two holes defining well centers 1423 located near a dual activity mast 1404. The direction crossing both well centers defines a transverse direction which, in this case, is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drill ship. Dual activity mast 1404 is supported by subframe 1497 and extends upwards from the cover of drill floor 1407. The mast comprises two portions of the mast arranged side by side in the transverse direction so that they are both situated on the same side in relation to the well centers. Each portion of the mast accommodates an elevator system, each to lower the drill string through a respective one from the center of well 1423 towards the ocean floor. In the example of Figure 14, the elevator system is a pull-out mechanism system where the hoist rope is fed onto stationary pulleys 1433 carried by the support members. The motor/drum of the extraction mechanisms (not shown) can be positioned in a suitable location on the drilling rig. Alternatively, other elevator systems such as a hydraulic elevator system can be used, as illustrated below. Each center of the shaft is situated close to one of the portions of the mast and the corresponding elevator system. The position of each of the well centers relative to the corresponding elevator system defines a longitudinal direction, in this example the transverse direction of the drillship.

[00125] The side-by-side configuration of dual activity mast and well centers provides efficient dual operations, easy access to both well centers, and convenient visual control of both well centers from a single 1434 drill cabin that can , for example, be positioned symmetrically with respect to the well centers but offset from the axis connecting the well centers, for example, within the base of the mast. The drill booth can be divided into two or more booths.

[00126] The drilling rig comprises a 1412 setback structure or similar pipeline storage structure for storing pipeline chains so that the stored pipelines are situated partially or completely below the level defined by the drilling floor cover, i.e., below the highest platform of the sub-frame 1497 and partially covered by the cover of the drill floor 1407. The set-back structure comprises a support structure that supports tower yards having horizontally extending fingers between which the ducts can be stored. The setback structure is positioned and arranged to allow supports to be moved to/from both well centers to/from the dock. To this end, one or more column containers or similar vertical duct handling equipment may be arranged to move the supports into and out of setback structure 1412. The handling of ducts to and from dock area 1412 will be illustrated in more detail regarding the modalities described below. In some embodiments, for example in the case of drill duct chains or casings, the ducts may be taller than the drill floor. Therefore, when they are stored in the setback structure in vertical orientation, their uppermost ends can extend above the level of the drill floor. When feeding them to one of the well centers they can be placed in a trough as will be described below. Alternatively, the setback structure can extend from the drill floor cover upwards. The handling of the ducts within the dock area can be carried out by vertical pipe shipyards or similar. Setback structure 1412 further comprises support construction equipment 1477 configured to construct supports from individual pieces of tube. An example of such support construction equipment is described in WO 02/057593. Alternatively or additionally, supports can be built into the drill floor.

[00127] In some embodiments, each portion of the mast and elevator system form a respective opening between the two support members carrying the pulleys 1433, through which the tubular opening equipment is movable between the recoil structure 1412 towards the respective well centers.

[00128] Optionally, the drilling rig further comprises a tube storage area 1409 for storing tubes in horizontal orientation situated towards the arc of the drilling vessel, i.e. transversely offset from the centers of the well. One or more elevated walkways 1408 or similar horizontal pipeline handling equipment are arranged to feed pipelines from storage area 1409 or from another storage area to well centers. To this end, the raised walkways are aligned with the axis defined by the two centers of the well. These elevated walkways 1408 and one or more storages for (eg, 1409) or aft (not shown) can be used in combination or as an alternative to having drill pipe 1415 stored below the drill deck. In the embodiment of Figure 14 the elevated walkways 1408 can be used to provide additional riser duct joints, load the drill pipe into storage below the drill deck, and/or provide the drill floor with other ducts. One or each of the raised walkways may be operable to serve both well centers. In addition the drilling rig comprises one or more additional elevated walkways moving in lanes 1476 and configured to feed pipelines from tube storage area 1409 or from another storage area on the opposite side of the mast (towards the stern of the ship) to the support construction equipment 1477. The raised walkway(s) moving in the lanes 1476 is/are configured to move along a direction parallel with the raised walkways 1408, but on the other side of the mast. In the present embodiment, one or more elevated walkways may be operable to move along a substantial portion of the length of the drillship. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, each elevated walkway can be configured to only move to/from the support construction equipment 1477 without being configured to pass the support construction equipment. Accordingly, the drilling rig may comprise two elevated walkways which move in tracks 1476 on respective sides of the supporting construction equipment so as to be able to feed ducts to the supporting construction equipment from both sides. Support construction equipment 1477 can then receive tubes from the raised walkway in tracks 1476, bringing them in vertical orientation, and connecting them to other tubes to form supports. Brackets can then be placed on the setback structure for future use.

[00129] The drilling rig comprises another storage area 1415 below the cover of the drilling floor 1407 and configured to store riser pipes in a vertical orientation. The riser tubes can then be moved, for example, by means of a gantry crane and associated chutes or other suitable tube feeding equipment through holes in the drill floor, as will be described in more detail in relation to the description of the modalities below.

[00130] As the structure of mast 1404 is situated on one side of the well centers, and since the dock area is situated on the side of the mast opposite the well centers and/or behind the 1434 driller cabin, the cover of the drill floor provides a large unobstructed area of cover on the side of the well centers opposite the mast. This area provides unobstructed access to both well centers and is free of pipeline handling equipment. Consequently, these areas can be used as a working area, for example, to mount suspendable auxiliary equipment, and/or to position auxiliary equipment on the deck as described in connection with the example of Figures 1-8 above. Generally speaking, riser duct and/or other duct joints may be inclined between a vertical and a horizontal orientation by a tilting apparatus as described in co-pending Danish patent application no. PA 2013 00302, the entire contents of which are incorporated entirely herein by way of reference.

[00131] Figures 15-21 shows another embodiment of a drilling rig, in this example of the drilling vessel having a hull 2501, similar to the drilling rig in Figure 14 but with a different mast structure and lift system. In particular, Figures 15 and 16 show 3D views of the drilling floor seen from the port and starboard side of the drilling ship, respectively (a part of the ship's hull is cut away in Figure 16); Figures 17 and 18 show horizontal cross-sections in a plane above the drilling floor and a plane below the drilling floor, respectively; Figures 19 and 20 show side sectional views of the drilling vessel. Finally, Figure 21 shows another 3D view of the drilling floor seen from the starboard side of the drilling vessel.

[00132] As in the example of Figure 14, the drilling rig of the present embodiment comprises a drilling floor cover 2407 formed on top of a sub-frame 2897. The sub-frame comprises a platform supported by legs. The platform defines the drilling floor cover and varies through the hull window 2722 formed in the hull of the drillship. Drill floor cover 2407 comprises two holes defining well centers 2423, one or both being equipped with a diverter housing. The mast includes two portions of the mast, each associated with, and adjacent to, one of the shaft centers. In the present example, the well centers are located outside the base of mast 2404 as described in detail in relation to Figures 1-8 and 14. As in the previous embodiments, the direction between each well center and the associated elevator system defines a direction. longitudinal. In this example, the direction crossing both well centers defines a transverse direction which, in this case, is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drillship. The 2404 dual activity mast is supported by the 2897 subframe and extends upward from the 2407 drill floor cover.

[00133] As described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1-8, each portion of the mast accommodates a respective hydraulic lift system each for lowering a drill string through a respective one of the well centers 2423 towards the ocean floor. Each hydraulic lift system comprises cylinders 2406, respectively, which extend upwards from the cover of the drill floor and support the load to be lowered or lifted. Each center of the well is situated close to one of the portions of the mast and the corresponding elevator system; both well centers are located on the same side with respect to the mast, that is, in the side-by-side configuration.

[00134] The cylinders 2406 of each elevator system are arranged in two groups which are positioned offset from each other in the transverse direction so as to form an opening between the two groups. Each opening is then aligned with a respective one of the well centers along the longitudinal direction and is shaped and sized so as to allow the ducts to be moved through the opening towards the respective well center and even raised in a vertical position while being located at least partially in the gap between the cylinders. The exact shape, size and direction of an opening may depend on the type of duct that is fed through the opening, for example, whether an opening is to be used to feed drill ducts, casings and/or drill pipe through the opening. The center of the well is longitudinally displaced from the opening. The rods of the cylinders support the respective pulleys 2533, for example, in the form of a pulley assembly, on which the lifting wires 2484 are suspended. The 2533 cable pulleys define an axis that is parallel to the direction connecting the two groups of cylinders of one of the elevator systems. One end of the lift wires 2484 is anchored to the drilling rig, while the other end is connected to the upper impeller 2437 or corresponding lift system hook, via a movable link 2187. The pulleys 2533 are laterally supported and guided by the respective portions of the lift. mast. Each upper impeller 2437 is connected via a trolley 2569 to a vertical track disposed on the mast 2404. The fixed ends of the lift wires are anchored through a link 2482 and respective assemblies of dead cable trims 2483. The trims 2483 are also disposed. in two groups to form an opening over which link 2482 extends. Therefore, the ducts can pass through the opening between the compensators 2483 and below the connection 2482.

[00135] The side-by-side configuration of the dual activity mast and well centers allows for efficient dual operations, easy access to both well centers, and convenient visual control of both well centers from a single 2433 drill cabin that it can, for example, be positioned transversely between the centers of the shaft, for example, within the base of the mast.

[00136] The drilling rig further comprises a 2509 tube storage area to store tubes in horizontal orientation and 2508 elevated walkways or other horizontal pipeline handling equipment to transport tubes between the 2509 storage area and the 2423 well centers, also as described in connection with Figure 14.

[00137] The drilling rig comprises a 2512 setback structure or similar pipeline storage structure for storing pipeline chains below the subframe 2897 and partially covered by the drilling floor cover 2407. The setback structure comprises a support structure 2590 supporting tower shipyards having horizontally extending fingers between which ducts can be stored. One or more column containers 2491 or similar vertical duct handling equipment may be arranged to move supports into and out of setback structure 2512. Setback structure 2512 further comprises support construction equipment 2677 configured to build supports from of individual pieces of tube through a foxhole 2592. The setback structure 2512 is located adjacent to the hull window 2722 laterally offset from the axis defined by the well centers.

[00138] In addition the drilling rig comprises one or more additional elevated walkways (not shown) configured to feed pipelines from the tube storage area 2509 or from another storage area on the opposite side of the mast (towards the the ship's stern) to the support construction equipment 2677, all as described in relation to Figure 14. The support construction equipment 2677 can then receive the tubes from the elevated walkway, bringing them in the vertical orientation, and connecting them. them to other pieces to form supports. To this end the support construction equipment may comprise a mouse cap 2589 through which the support can be gradually lowered while being made until the lower end of the support is at the lower level of the dock area 2512, while the lower end of the support is The top of the bracket is below the level of the drill floor. The supports can then be received by the tube containers 2491 and placed in the setback structure 2515 for future use. To this end the tube containers are operable to traverse through the dock area, for example in the direction parallel to the direction connecting the well centers.

[00139] The drilling rig comprises a number of inclined conduits 2592 each to feed the pipes from the dock area 2512 to one of the well centers. Each chute 2592 receives tubes from one of the tube containers 2491 which feeds the tubes in an upward sloping direction through a corresponding slot 2485 in the drill floor and through the opening formed by cylinders 2406 of the corresponding lift system towards a respective one of the well centers 2423, where they are caught at their uppermost ends by the corresponding elevator system and raised through the slot 2485 until they are vertically suspended above the center of the corresponding well. To this end, the drilling rig further comprises operable pipeline handling equipment to guide the pipes as they are being lifted through the 2485 slot. beside where dock area 2512 is positioned.

[00140] The drilling rig comprises another storage area 2515 below the drill floor cover 2507 and configured to store riser pipes in a vertical orientation, as described in connection with Figure 14. The riser duct storage area 2515 is located adjacent to the hull window 2722, for example, on the window side of the hull opposite the setback structure 2512. The riser tubes can be moved, for example, by means of a gantry crane and respective chutes 2794 or other suitable pipe feeding equipment through holes 2481 in the floor of the drill deck. The drill pipe feeding holes 2481 may be covered by plates, hatches or similar covering. In Figure 15, the holes are shown in the open position with the uppermost end of a drill pipe extending through the open hole. The drill pipe that feeds the holes is offset from the shaft connecting to well centers.

[00141] As in the previous example, in the embodiments of Figures 1421 a main deck is situated below the drilling floor deck and allows heavy subsea equipment, for example, BOPs and Christmas Trees to be moved to the hull window under the well centers in order to allow such equipment to be lowered towards the ocean floor. Consequently, the drilling floor cover and, in particular, the part of that drilling floor cover that is situated in close proximity to the center of the well may be stationary and need not be raised or lowered for the subsea equipment to be lowered to the bed. of the ocean.

[00142] As the pipelines and riser tubes are stored below the cover of the drilling floor, and as the 2508 elevated walkways extend towards opposite sides from the well centers, and since the structure of the 2404 mast is situated on one side of the well centers, the drill floor cover provides a large unobstructed area of cover on the center side of the well opposite the mast. This area provides unobstructed access to both well centers and is free of pipeline handling equipment. Consequently, these areas can be used as a working area, for example, to mount suspendable auxiliary equipment, and/or to position auxiliary equipment on the deck as described in connection with the example of Figures 1-8 above. In particular, when operations are carried out on the drill pipe, holes 2481 may be covered or otherwise fixed. In addition, at least parts of the setback structure 2512 can be covered by a platform to provide additional storage or work area.

Although the embodiment of Figures 14-21 has been described in the context of a drilling vessel, it will be appreciated that the features described can also be implemented in the context of a semi-submersible or other type of drilling rig. In particular, storage of the riser pipes and/or other ducts below the cover of the drilling floor can be implemented on other types of drilling rigs such as the well. Likewise, the protective structure, mounting structure, and other features described with the embodiments of Figures 1-13 can be implemented in another borehole shown in Figures 14-21 as well.

[00144] Figures 22A - 22D show embodiments of a drilling rig in which pipeline chains that are built into a supporting building structure 2277 and stored vertically in a dock area 2212 behind a mast frame 2204 are delivered to a number of well centers 2223 located on a cover of the drill floor 2207. The ducts are delivered from the dock area through sloped conduit 2292 through corresponding slots 2285 allowing access from the dock area to the cover of the drill floor. The operation of the pipelines entering the well centers can be controlled and monitored in the 2234 drill cabin.

[00145] The embodiment of Figure 22A has separate inclined conduit 2292 and grooves 2285 situated perpendicular to the dock area 2212 thereby connecting this to the drill floor cover 2207 through an opening between the cylinders of the elevator system 2206.

[00146] Figure 22B shows an embodiment where the chutes and grooves are situated between the well centers so that ducts are fed to the well centers by means of a number of pipe handling apparatus 2201. The adjacent chute assemblies, grooves and pipe handling apparatus are shown to ensure redundancy in operation such that drilling operations can be performed even if an assembly should experience failure or otherwise be out of operation.

[00147] Figure 22C illustrates a modality where the gutters and grooves are located between the well centers and following an angled path that leads to the well centers so that the gutters 2292 can feed pipelines directly to the well centers 2223. In this modality , an opening between the cylinders 2206 of the elevator system is not required.

[00148] Figure 22D illustrates a modality where pipelines are delivered from dock area 2212 to well centers 2223 following a path along the outside of mast frame 2204.

[00149] Figures 23 A)-D) show cross-sections of a portion of a drilling rig to illustrate various modalities of arrangements in which lift system cylinders 2206 are positioned within a mast frame 2204 so that an opening 2301 in the side of the mast facing the center of the well 2223 can be made. These openings allow ducts to be delivered from a dock area 2212 through a slot 2285 through a chute 2292 to a center of well 2223 without impinging on the mast structure or the elevator system in any way.

[00150] In Figure 23A) an arrangement is shown where the cylinders 2206 of the elevator system are arranged so that a portion of them is further situated within the base of the mast 2204 to allow an opening 2301 in the mast so that ducts can be fed through. from a groove 2285 to a well center 2223 without interfering with the cylinders and mast frame, providing unnecessary large spacing between the cylinders.

[00151] Figure 23B) shows a variation on the arrangement in figure 23A) where some of the cylinders 2206 are moved further back within the base of the mast frame 2204 to accommodate a larger opening/deeper recess compared to figure 23 THE).

[00152] In Figure 23C) an embodiment is shown where cylinders 2206 are arranged in two rows facing each other to create a larger opening in the structure of mast 2204 enabling access around slot 2285 and chute 2292.

[00153] Figure 23D) shows the modality where the cylinder elevator system is replaced by an elevator system using a different means of elevation, for example an extraction mechanism, so that a load carrying qualities of the cylinders is transferred to a structure of the cylinder. stretched mast 2302 in such a way that this structure carries these loads fully. The mast frame is stretched while having enough space for an opening 2301 to allow access to the ducts being fed to the well centers.

[00154] Figure 24 shows an embodiment of a drilling rig where the mast frame 2204 is shown having openings 2301 to allow pipelines to be fed to the well centers 2223 through slots 2285 in the cover of the drilling floor 2207. The embodiment shown does not use a cylinder-type lift system but is instead a variant of the embodiment shown in Figure 23D) where the mast frame is stretched to accommodate the lack of load carrying cylinders. The lack of cylinders positioned in relative proximity to the well centers in the horizontal plane allows openings 2301 to be provided in the mast frame for the ducts to pass below and through the mast frame to be delivered to the well center.

[00155] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be incorporated in other ways within the scope of matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other modalities can be used and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[00156] For example, the modalities described comprise two well centers, but it will be appreciated that alternative modalities comprise a single well center or a well center and additional well centers.

[00157] The inventors further realized that many of the advantages of the various aspects of the drilling rig described herein, for example, the open drilling floor covering, a protective structure and/or a mounting structure described herein or defined in the dependent claims may be obtainable with a variety of different rig modalities, not limited to the specific modalities described herein. For example, one or more of these aspects and/or other aspects may be incorporated in combination with other embodiments of an offshore drilling rig, e.g. an offshore drilling rig comprising: a drilling floor cover having an orifice defining a first well center; a first mast that extends upwardly relative to the cover of the drilling floor, and a first lift system supported by the first mast and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well; the first elevator system being displaced from and located on a first side of the first shaft center; first pipeline handling equipment to move the tubular equipment to the first elevator system so as to allow the first elevator system to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well.

[00158] In device claims enumerating multiple features, multiple of these features may be incorporated by one and the same piece of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are cited mutually in different dependent claims or in different described modalities does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. For example, although not explicitly shown, it will be appreciated that the drilling rigs of Figures 9 to 13 may be provided with a protective structure as described herein and/or a hoist mounting structure as described herein.

[00159] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/-comprises" when used in this specification is adopted to specify the presence of indicated features, integers, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more others features, integer, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (20)

1. Offshore drilling platform, comprising - a drilling floor deck (107) having a hole defining a first well center (123a); - a first mast (104) extending upwards with respect to the cover of the perforation floor (107); - a first lift system (105a) supported by the first mast (104) and configured to raise and lower the tubular equipment through the first center of the well (123a); wherein a load-bearing structure of the first elevator system (105a) is displaced from and located on a first side of the first shaft center (123a); - first pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) to move the tubular equipment to the first elevator system (135a) so as to allow the first elevator system (135a) to raise or lower the tubular equipment through the first well center (123a); characterized in that the first pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) is operable to move the tubular equipment through an opening (126a; 1226) formed in said load-bearing structure. 2. Offshore drilling platform according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a storage structure (1412; 2512) to store pipelines chosen from drilling pipelines, casings, drilling pipeline chains and casing chains , at least partially behind the load-bearing structure when viewed from the first center of the well (123a). 3. Offshore drilling platform according to claim 2, characterized in that the storage structure (1412, 2512) comprises a setback structure. 4. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a driller cabin (134, 1434, 2234, 2434) positioned on the first side of the first center of the well (123a). 5. Offshore drilling platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drilling floor cover (107) comprises at least a first area of open drilling floor cover (110a) located adjacent to the first mast (104) other than any area covered by the drilling floor (107) configured for movement of tubular equipment or subsea equipment to the first well center (123a) during normal drilling operation; and an access road (114a) connecting the open drilling floor cover area (110a) with the first well center (123a). 6. Offshore drilling platform according to claim 5, characterized in that the drilling platform is configured to carry out the movement of tubular equipment or subsea equipment to the first well center (123a) along one or more pipeline feed paths (1139a,b; 1132a,b) during normal use one or more pipeline feed paths only cross the drilling floor cover areas (107) outside the first drilling floor cover area open (110a). 7. Offshore drilling platform according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the access road (114a) extends entirely outside the base of the first mast (104). 8. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the access road (114a) is a straight access road. 9. Offshore drilling rig according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the first covered area of the open drilling floor (110a) is located adjacent to the first well center (123a) in one direction longitudinal defined within a plane of the cover of the drill floor (107) by the first well center (123a) and the first elevator system (105a). 10. Offshore drilling platform according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the first covered area of the open drilling floor (110a) is located adjacent to the first well center (123a) in one direction transverse normal to a longitudinal direction defined within a plane of the drill floor deck (107) by the first well center (123a) and the first elevator system (105a). 11. Offshore drilling rig according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load-bearing structure comprises at least one linear actuator extending substantially vertically, such as a hydraulic cylinder (106a), having a stationary end being secured with respect to the perforation floor cover (107), and a displacement end connected to at least one of one or more pulleys (133a). 12. Offshore drilling platform according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cylinders (106a) extending upwards in relation to the cover of the drilling floor (107), the plurality of cylinders (106a) comprises at least two groups of cylinders (106a) which are spaced apart so as to form an opening (126a) between the two groups of cylinders (106a) through which the tubular apparatus of the opening is movable towards the first well center (123a) from the first side. 13. Offshore drilling rig according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lift system (105a) comprises an operable extraction mechanism to wind up and feed a length of lifting cable. 14. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) defines a first pipeline feed path along which the tubular equipment is moved towards the first center of the well (123a), the first pipeline feed path substantially extending along a longitudinal direction (1140) defined within a plane of the cover of the drilling floor (107) through the first shaft center (123a) and the first elevator system (105a). 15. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drilling platform additionally comprises a second work center (123b) displaced from the first well center (123a); the positions of the first well center (123a) and the second working center (123b) together defining a transverse direction in the plane of the drill floor deck (107); a second lift system (105b) configured to raise and lower tubular equipment through the second work center (123b); the first and second elevator systems (105a, 105b) being arranged side by side in the transverse direction; a pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) for feeding the tubular equipment towards the first center of the well (123a); and pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) for feeding the tubular equipment towards the second work center (123b); and wherein the pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) to feed the tubular equipment towards the first well center (123a) and the pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) to feeding the tubular equipment towards the second working center (123b) define respective duct feed paths each extending substantially along the longitudinal direction normal to the transverse direction. 16. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the drilling floor cover (107) is formed by a roof of a cabinet (121) to accommodate the drilling equipment mud mix and/or other drilling rig operating equipment. 17. Offshore drilling platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the storage area (115) for storing pipelines located below the level of the drilling floor cover (107), and handling equipment of duct (136, 132a,b; 2592) for feeding the ducts from said storage area (115) through an opening in the cover of the drill floor (107) towards the first center of the well (123a). 18. Offshore drilling platform according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lift system (105a) is a hydraulic lift system comprising cylinders (106a) that extend upwards to carry the load to be lifted or lowered through pulleys (133a) mounted on top of the cylinders (106a) so that the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system (105a) comprises the cylinders (106) and the pulleys (133a). 19. Offshore drilling platform, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first elevator system (105a) is an extraction mechanism system comprising one or more pulleys (133a) loaded by the mast (104) so that the loads to be lifted are transferred to the drillship through the mast (104); and the load-bearing structure of the first elevator system (105a) comprises the pulleys (133a) and those portions of the mast (104) that carry the pulleys (133a) and any load suspended from the pulleys (133a). Offshore drilling rig according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized in that the first pipeline handling equipment (136, 132a,b; 2592) which is operable to move tubular equipment at least partially under the load-bearing structure through an opening (126a, 1226) formed in said load-bearing structure from said storage structure (1412; 2512) for storing pipelines located at least partially behind the load-bearing structure when viewed from the first center of the well (123a).

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