CA1207604A - Floating drill unit - Google Patents
Floating drill unitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1207604A CA1207604A CA000422692A CA422692A CA1207604A CA 1207604 A CA1207604 A CA 1207604A CA 000422692 A CA000422692 A CA 000422692A CA 422692 A CA422692 A CA 422692A CA 1207604 A CA1207604 A CA 1207604A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- body portion
- underwater body
- bow
- stern
- propeller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B35/4413—Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
- B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
- B63B2001/044—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with a small waterline area compared to total displacement, e.g. of semi-submersible type
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A semi-submersible drilling rig comprises, an underwater body portion having a bow and a stern and a streamlined configuration therebetween; a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion; a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion; a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room; a power source in said engine room; primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of said underwater body portion, enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice; an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform; a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section; said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig;
said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
A semi-submersible drilling rig comprises, an underwater body portion having a bow and a stern and a streamlined configuration therebetween; a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion; a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion; a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room; a power source in said engine room; primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of said underwater body portion, enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice; an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform; a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section; said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig;
said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
Description
This invention relates to a semi-submersible drilling rig. In particular this invention relates to a semi-submersible drilling rig which is capable of drilling in deep water, is dynamically positioned and is suitabl2 to use in ice-infested water~.
Drillships and semi-submersible drilling units are two forms of drilling platforms presently used for exploration drilling in deep waters~
The drillship has the advantage of being readily manoeuvrable from one drilling location to another and it has a large load carrying capacity. The drillship, however, is susceptible to heavy seas and rough weather and drilling operations need to be closed down at a relatively low sea state.
Semi-submersible drilling units have the advantage of providing greater stability and being less responsive than ships to heavy seas. The semi-submersible drilling unit is a multi-hull structure tied together with slender braces and is consequently not suitable for operating in ice infested waters. Where exploration drilling is carried out in areas where icebergs are a hazard, it may be necessary to shut down operations and to move the drilling rig out of the path of the approaching iceberg. All semi-submersible drilling units, except one, have e~tensive mooring ~ystems which limit the units manoeuvrability, hence these units are ill-suited to drill in iceberg areas. While dynamically positioned drillships have the required manoeuvr-ability, they are much more responsive t~ waves and, therefore, pitch, roll, and heave more than a semi-submersible drilling ~r~;
~zq~760~
unit. They are, therefore, not as good a tool for drilling in rougher waters~
Se~eral conceptional designs for a new type semi-submersible drilling rig have been proposed of which the best known are the "Big Buoy" series (trade mark) designed by Trosvik Engineering and "Con Sub" (trade mark) developed by Norweign Contractors.
These devices employ a submerged body portion which supports a work platform. The submersed body portion is, however, an upright cylindrical shaped member and is not overall adapted for underwater manoeuvring. While thrusters are provided, they are mounted externally of the underwater body portion and are inaccessible for servicing during operation of the rig.
The semi-submersible drilling rig of the present invention not only provides high stability, but is also highly manoeuvrable.
SUMMARY OF INv~ ON
According to one aspect of the present invention a semi-submersible drilling rig comprises, an underwater body portion having a bow and a ~tern and a streamlined configuration ~Z~I76~4 therebetween; a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion; a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion; a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room; a power source in said engine room; primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of sa.id underwater body portion, enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice;
an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform; a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section; said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig; said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
~2~76~
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The iDvention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side ~iew of a semi-submersible drilling rig constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
~ igure 2 is a sectional end view along the line 2-2 of FigurP 1.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a semi-submersible drilling rig constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The semi-submersible drilling rig 1~ consists of an underwater body portion 12, a work platform 14 and a mid-ship section 16. The mid-ship section 16 extends from the work platform 14 downwardly through the underwater body portion and has a moonpool 18 opening downwardly therefrom.
The underwater body portion 12 is streamlined from its bow 20 to its stern 22. A collision bulkhead 24 is located inwardly from the bow 20 and a plurality of dividing walls divide the interior of the underwater body section so as to provide an engine room 26, a cargo hold 28, ballast/oi:L tan~s 30.
3~Z~,~6~?~
An engine 32 and a generator 33 are mounted in the engine room 26. The engine drives the generator which generate power which drives the motor 23 which is drivingly connected to the propeller 34. The propeller 34 projects from the stern 22 within an enclosure 36. The enclosure 36 has water passages opening therethrough which permits the free flow of water while preventing the passage of floating ice into engagement with the propeller.Thruster units 35 are mounted to extend laterally through the under water body portion and have through tubes 37 within which variable pitch propellers 39 are mounted. The propellers 39 are driven by motors 41 which are powered by the generator 33. The pitch of the propellers is variable to the extent that water rnay be directed through the tubes 37 in either direction thereby permiting the rig to be manoeuvred with ease.
The tubes 37 serve to prevent direct contact between large bodies of ice and the propellors 39 in use.
The work platform 14 has an ice-breaking bow portion 50 extending from the underwater body to the bow of the work platform. The platform 14 supports a derick 52 and has sufficient surface area to provide a landing deck for a helicopter or the like and for supporting one or more crane devices 54.
~Z~7~(~4 The work platform 14 has a work deck 56 located below the upper deck of the platform so as to provide a sheltered work environment. Access to the midship section 16 and the underwater From the foregoing it will be apparent that the semi-submersible drilling rig of the present invention is shaped and powered so as to be very manoeuvrable and the underwater body portion is provided with compartments which are readily accessible from the work platform. The propeller is located at the stern and thrusters are located transverse the underwater baody portion and all are protected against ice damage.
Drillships and semi-submersible drilling units are two forms of drilling platforms presently used for exploration drilling in deep waters~
The drillship has the advantage of being readily manoeuvrable from one drilling location to another and it has a large load carrying capacity. The drillship, however, is susceptible to heavy seas and rough weather and drilling operations need to be closed down at a relatively low sea state.
Semi-submersible drilling units have the advantage of providing greater stability and being less responsive than ships to heavy seas. The semi-submersible drilling unit is a multi-hull structure tied together with slender braces and is consequently not suitable for operating in ice infested waters. Where exploration drilling is carried out in areas where icebergs are a hazard, it may be necessary to shut down operations and to move the drilling rig out of the path of the approaching iceberg. All semi-submersible drilling units, except one, have e~tensive mooring ~ystems which limit the units manoeuvrability, hence these units are ill-suited to drill in iceberg areas. While dynamically positioned drillships have the required manoeuvr-ability, they are much more responsive t~ waves and, therefore, pitch, roll, and heave more than a semi-submersible drilling ~r~;
~zq~760~
unit. They are, therefore, not as good a tool for drilling in rougher waters~
Se~eral conceptional designs for a new type semi-submersible drilling rig have been proposed of which the best known are the "Big Buoy" series (trade mark) designed by Trosvik Engineering and "Con Sub" (trade mark) developed by Norweign Contractors.
These devices employ a submerged body portion which supports a work platform. The submersed body portion is, however, an upright cylindrical shaped member and is not overall adapted for underwater manoeuvring. While thrusters are provided, they are mounted externally of the underwater body portion and are inaccessible for servicing during operation of the rig.
The semi-submersible drilling rig of the present invention not only provides high stability, but is also highly manoeuvrable.
SUMMARY OF INv~ ON
According to one aspect of the present invention a semi-submersible drilling rig comprises, an underwater body portion having a bow and a ~tern and a streamlined configuration ~Z~I76~4 therebetween; a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion; a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion; a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room; a power source in said engine room; primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of sa.id underwater body portion, enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice;
an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform; a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section; said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig; said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
~2~76~
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The iDvention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side ~iew of a semi-submersible drilling rig constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
~ igure 2 is a sectional end view along the line 2-2 of FigurP 1.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a semi-submersible drilling rig constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The semi-submersible drilling rig 1~ consists of an underwater body portion 12, a work platform 14 and a mid-ship section 16. The mid-ship section 16 extends from the work platform 14 downwardly through the underwater body portion and has a moonpool 18 opening downwardly therefrom.
The underwater body portion 12 is streamlined from its bow 20 to its stern 22. A collision bulkhead 24 is located inwardly from the bow 20 and a plurality of dividing walls divide the interior of the underwater body section so as to provide an engine room 26, a cargo hold 28, ballast/oi:L tan~s 30.
3~Z~,~6~?~
An engine 32 and a generator 33 are mounted in the engine room 26. The engine drives the generator which generate power which drives the motor 23 which is drivingly connected to the propeller 34. The propeller 34 projects from the stern 22 within an enclosure 36. The enclosure 36 has water passages opening therethrough which permits the free flow of water while preventing the passage of floating ice into engagement with the propeller.Thruster units 35 are mounted to extend laterally through the under water body portion and have through tubes 37 within which variable pitch propellers 39 are mounted. The propellers 39 are driven by motors 41 which are powered by the generator 33. The pitch of the propellers is variable to the extent that water rnay be directed through the tubes 37 in either direction thereby permiting the rig to be manoeuvred with ease.
The tubes 37 serve to prevent direct contact between large bodies of ice and the propellors 39 in use.
The work platform 14 has an ice-breaking bow portion 50 extending from the underwater body to the bow of the work platform. The platform 14 supports a derick 52 and has sufficient surface area to provide a landing deck for a helicopter or the like and for supporting one or more crane devices 54.
~Z~7~(~4 The work platform 14 has a work deck 56 located below the upper deck of the platform so as to provide a sheltered work environment. Access to the midship section 16 and the underwater From the foregoing it will be apparent that the semi-submersible drilling rig of the present invention is shaped and powered so as to be very manoeuvrable and the underwater body portion is provided with compartments which are readily accessible from the work platform. The propeller is located at the stern and thrusters are located transverse the underwater baody portion and all are protected against ice damage.
Claims
1. A semi-submersible drilling rig comprising:
a) an underwater body portion having a bow and a stern and a streamlined configuration therebetween;
b) a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion;
c) a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion;
d) a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room;
e) a power source in said engine room;
f) primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of said underwater body portion, g) enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice;
h) an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform;
i) a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section;
j) said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig;
k) said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
a) an underwater body portion having a bow and a stern and a streamlined configuration therebetween;
b) a work platform having a bow and a stern aligned with the bow and the stern of the underwater body portion;
c) a mid-ship section connecting the underwater body portion on the work platform and supporting the work platform on the underwater body portion;
d) a plurality of compartments in said underwater body portion, a first of said compartments being an engine room;
e) a power source in said engine room;
f) primary propulsion means at the stern and lateral thruster means at the mid-section of said underwater body portion, g) enclosure means enclosing the propeller and thrusters so as to permit the passage of water to the propeller and thruster means and preventing direct engagement with the propeller and thruster means by floating ice;
h) an ice breaking bow extending from the underwater body portion, to the bow of the platform;
i) a moon pool extending through the underwater body portion to the mid-ship section;
j) said primary propulsion means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect fore and aft propulsion of the rig;
k) said lateral thruster means being drivingly connected to the power source and operable to effect lateral movement of the rig.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000422692A CA1207604A (en) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-03-02 | Floating drill unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000422692A CA1207604A (en) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-03-02 | Floating drill unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1207604A true CA1207604A (en) | 1986-07-15 |
Family
ID=4124691
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000422692A Expired CA1207604A (en) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-03-02 | Floating drill unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1207604A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2054294A1 (en) * | 2006-08-21 | 2009-05-06 | Frigstad Engineering Inc | Drilling vessel device |
-
1983
- 1983-03-02 CA CA000422692A patent/CA1207604A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2054294A1 (en) * | 2006-08-21 | 2009-05-06 | Frigstad Engineering Inc | Drilling vessel device |
| EP2054294A4 (en) * | 2006-08-21 | 2013-01-02 | Frigstad Engineering Ltd | Drilling vessel device |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6378450B1 (en) | Dynamically positioned semi-submersible drilling vessel with slender horizontal braces | |
| US4281615A (en) | Self-propelled semi-submersible service vessel | |
| US5746146A (en) | Surface effect planing pontoon seaplane (SEPPS) | |
| US4471708A (en) | Self-propelled semi-submersible service vessel | |
| US3872814A (en) | Twin-hull ship for drilling in ice-covered waters | |
| KR20070070206A (en) | An improved convertible vessel | |
| US7712426B1 (en) | Multi-purpose expedition vessel | |
| US4615292A (en) | Submersible twin-hull watercraft | |
| US9446825B1 (en) | Self-propelled, catamaran-type, dual-application, semisubmersible ship with hydrodynamic hulls and columns | |
| US6912965B2 (en) | Semisubmersible trimaran | |
| US3750607A (en) | Shallow-draft boat | |
| US3898946A (en) | Sea-going high-commercial-speed displacement vessel | |
| US4385583A (en) | Work platform | |
| CA1049856A (en) | Semi-submerged sail ship | |
| KR20070116292A (en) | Semi-immersible heavy-lift cargoboat | |
| WO1999057011A1 (en) | Dynamically positioned semi-submersible drilling vessel | |
| US5694877A (en) | Ship docking vessel | |
| US3398716A (en) | Submersible twin hulled tug | |
| CA1207604A (en) | Floating drill unit | |
| US20030033967A1 (en) | STOVL joint strike fighter carrier | |
| Sahoo | Principles of marine vessel design: concepts and design fundamentals of Sea going vessels | |
| CN112046700B (en) | Combined roll-on/roll-off ferry | |
| GB2071580A (en) | Service vessels for offshore work | |
| Gaul et al. | Design of a semisubmerged swath research and survey ship | |
| Lamb | Some guidance for hull form selection for SWATH ships |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |