DE2403046B2 - FLOATING DRILLING PLATFORM WITH EXTENDING COLUMNS - Google Patents

Description

60

The invention relates to a buoyant drilling platform with extendable columns which each consist of at least two column sections that can be connected by connecting devices, each connecting device being composed of a socket element and a plug-in element, which are secured by radially adjustable locking segments engaging in an annular groove of the plug-in element in «xuiler Rieh- 111ΠΒ miici.iii are lockable.

⁴ Di ₆ Investigations of the seabed / around traces of oil deposits have lengthened in minier ι, «.- for waters. Pam »were cl.e retractable column, the floating !! Drilling platforms im- ^ rT nge. so that today they often have a lung of a hundred. Meters or more. The raised Sm.-hn, however, shift the center of gravity of the conic in such a way upwards that there is a risk of capsizing or overturning the entire Bohrphiiilor.11 in rough seas. . ...,. . .

For this reason it was crlordcrlieh who exported b-iren columns each made up of several by connecting devices connectable connector sections to b.iden by the length of the over the deck of Bohrpk.itform Visible pillars by removing pillars To be shortened so that a safe messing up of the drilling platform from one place to another is guaranteed. .

From the DS-PS 36 28 366 cmc is buoyant Drilling platform with retractable pillars bckanni. each consist of at least two column sections that can be connected by connecting devices, jotk Connection device is made of a Mulleneleiik-ni and a Sieckelcment composed by radially adjustable, in an annular groove of the .Steckclement engaging locking segments can be locked to one another in the axial direction. This well-known Execution has the disadvantage that both the vertical i.e. forces running in the axial direction of each column as well as the lateral loads on the columns only have to be transmitted by the locking segments, which is why a very high Are exposed to stress. However, this is not just at a transfer of forces is disadvantageous, but also in the case of dismantling, since «lic Vemegelungsseg · menia often get stuck because of their high levels of stress. The known embodiment therefore requires a very high level of accuracy and thus expensive manufacture.

The invention is based on the object for a floating drilling platform of the type described at the outset Kind of a connection device composed of a socket element and a plug element to create, which distributes the vertical and lateral loads in such a way that the main crawl unmii directly between the individual column sections wear and the locking segments are kept free from high loads, so that not only damage the locking segments prevent but also simplifies dismantling and assembly

To solve this problem it is proposed according to the invention that the Muffenelemenl and there. Plug element with at least two spaced apart arranged annular, vertical contact surfaces with in relation to the length of the connecting device small width are provided.

These annular contact surfaces allow a Perfect transmission of the lateral forces without the locking elements being stressed. The short axial extent of the contact surfaces results in quick assembly and disassembly of the Column sections, as already after a short axial Movement of the socket element relative to the plug element is sufficient play available so that Difficulties in assembly or disassembly can arise due to tight fits riic'ni.

GcmiiIJ a further feature of the lirlindunp r ^f olgi the iixitilc situation between the socket element and the Steckelemcnl by a frontal fliiclie of the Murfenelenientes. which is attached to .'iner. '»chillier des stckelemenics. As a result, the locking segments are also enllasiei from axial compressive forces within the .Siluleruibschniiie. so that this locking segment has the task of preventing an unintentional separation of the column sections. ro

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, one of the annular contact surfaces is the Muffenelenienies near the open edge of the same and the other is arranged close to the locking segments, thereby despite the small axial width the contact surface enables the transmission of high forces.

'In a further development of the invention *' / it is proposed that between the locking segments each have a guide wedge with essential [jaraliel Guide surfaces arranged to each other and parallel to the direction of movement of the respective locking segment to arrange. These guide wedges make it easier for you to move the locking segment Unlock η or lock the column section. so that eii.e actuation of each locking segment sufficient by an actuator. According to expanse Ren features of the invention are the locking segments in the locking system by glultwundige. locking pins sealed to the socket member and in the retracted position locking screws engaging in threaded holes in the locking segments are advantageous Manner fesilegbi »: Both the interlocking styles as The locking screws also ensure that the locking segment is properly fixed in the respective Position.

In order to prevent water from entering the quick connector, there is a space between the end face of the socket element and the shoulder of the plug element in a seal. Finally, with the invention one is arranged in the Mulfenelcmeni Proposed partition, with the help of which a lubricant chamber is formed into the lubricant through the column section from above filled in: can to ensure the mobility of the locking segments.

In the drawing is an embodiment of the invention shown, namely shows

F 1 g. 1 is a diagram of a drilling platform, the columns of which have been lowered into the operating position,

F i g. 2 a diagram of a corner of the drilling platform, which has a column in the raised state and the detachable portion of the column is shown in phantom.

Fi g. 3 shows a vertical section through the inventive Connecting device and

4 shows a cross section through the connecting device according to section line 4-4 in F 1 g. 3.

The floating drilling platform IO carries a large number of columns 12, which can be lifted and lowered with the help of a floating device, not shown. The columns 12 are generally seen mn a foot 13 to rest on the seabed Ii to keep the drilling platform 10 in its operating position above the water level VVzu.

With the exception of a derrick 14, the pipe equipment usually arranged on the drilling platform 10 is not shown since it is not part of the present invention each includes a conventional rack segment 18 for moving each column 12 up and down through openings in drilling platform 10. Although three columns 12 are preferably provided, the floating drilling platform 10 can also have four or more columns 12

Each tubular element 16 has at least one removable Section 16 «provided with the one below Section 16 /> using a in great detail in fig. 3 and 4 shown connector / is connected.

In the I all, in which each column 12 more al ;, a Has pipe element 16, the connection of the pipe elements 16 is carried out by horizontal stubs 28, Diago naliriiger 30 and (if one column in all four Corners is provided) Horizontal diagonal struts 32 as part of the trellis construction. The Vcr binders / for each column 12 are preferably formed identically, so that only a single connector / in nllcn Details will have to be described.

spring Vubindei / consists of a plug-in element 20 and a Muflenelemeni 22, which are designed so that "leave a circumferential shoulder 24 of the plug element 20 of the removable section 16 in the locked position ;; is mounted on a circumferential end face 26 of the sleeve element 22 and absorbs all pressure forces that occur when the column 12 is set up on the seabed B in the working position of the drilling platform 10. Dr. Uifenelement 22 ha: on its inner surface two contact surfaces 22a and 22b separated from one another in the longitudinal direction. which have a smaller diameter than the inner diameter 22c, the diameter of the contact surface 22o being smaller than the diameter of the contact surface 22a for a purpose to be described elsewhere. These annular contact surfaces 22a and 22ώ are short with respect to the total length of the connector /. In the case of a connector / with a total length of about 1.5 meters, the axial length of each of the annular contact surfaces 22; ϊ and 22 £> only about 5 to 8 cm, each contact surface 22a or 22Z> is aligned with a drawn counter surface 20a or 20 / j formed on the surface 20c of the male element 20 of the connector /. The OBE-e annular abutment surface 22a is preferably located near the open end of the sleeve member 22. Below and possible next to the lowermost Anlagefiäche 226, an annular groove 22d is formed in the sleeve member 22, Jie nv of Aufnah-: identical locking elements 34,36 and 38, and of Fubrungskciien 40 is used, the latter being arranged so that they prevent any lateral movement of the locking segments 34, 36 and 38, as will be described elsewhere in a ... / one.

The plug element 20 of the connector has an annular groove 20d which is aligned with the groove 22J when the column is connected and which receives the locking segments 34, 36 and 38 arranged in the annular groove 22t / of the socket element when the connection is made and locked.

During the assembly of the connector / the annular mating surfaces 20a and 20.6 of the plug element 20 rest against the annular Aiilagcfiächcrs 22a and 22b , so that all acting on a column 12 side forces, the

are caused by water or wind blows against the drilling platform 10 or against the columns 12, on this Areas are distributed so that they affect substantially the full length of the connector / and prevent a concentration of forces in any part of the connection. Is the connector / mounted, it is protected against the ingress of water into the connection point by a seal 54, the is preferably arranged in an annular groove 26 // in the upper end face 26 of the Muffenelernents 22, sealed.

In Fig. 4 is the locking device 34 in its locked position and the locking segment 36 in its fully retracted, i.e., fully retracted position. H. unlocked Position. The locking segment 38 is in an intermediate position shown, in which it is actuated by one of a corresponding drive, not shown Shaft 56 is withdrawn from the annular groove 20c / of the Steckclcmcnls 20. The locking cgmcnt 34 is by a locking pin 58 which is leaked through an opening 60 in the sleeve element 22. secured. At least a portion of the opening 60 is threaded that receives the locking pin 58. Upon connection of the connector / for normal use, each of the locking segments 34,36 and 38 by an identical or similar pin 58 in the locking pin used for segment 34 ment held. When the connector is installed, the opening 60 is sealed against water with a seal 62, soft is expediently mounted on the pin 58. the one with one of the internal threads of the opening 60 corresponding external thread 58 /; provided isi.

Each of the locking segments 34, 36, 38 has a Ciewindcbohrung 52. which, in the locking position, is aligned with the opening 60 for receiving the locking pin 58 and with the shaft 56 of the tool for withdrawing the locking segment from the ring groove 20d . The internal thread of the (Jewindeboh stanchions 52 coincides with the external thread of the wilt 56, so that this shaft 56 on each of the locking segments 34, 36 and 38 in the direction shown in FIG. 4 for the locking segment 38 to retract each of these Segments from the annular groove 2Or / into the annular groove 22c / b / w. The locking position in the annular groove 20c / can be used to advance each segment from the annular groove 22dm.

The locking segment 36 is held in its locking position by a locking screw 64 in one of the openings. The locking screw 64 has an internal thread for engaging the threaded bore 52 in the locking segment and an external thread for screw connection with a thread in the opening 60. Each locking segment is lockable in its retracted position, so that this segment can be removed and attached to the connector is completely pulled out of the annular groove 2Od. The lateral extension of the locking segments 34.36 and 38 is such that each segment engages in its locking position in both annular grooves 22c and 20d .

The vertical height of each locking segment 34, 36 and 38 is less than the vertical height of the annular groove 20d, so that the upper surface 34 «? of segment 34, as shown in FIG. 3 shown, is offset below the upper annular surface 20c of the annular groove 20d . Due to this construction, vertical compressive forces that act on each column cannot act on the structurally relatively weak segments 34, 36, 3S compared to the tubular elements 16.-;, 166, but rather are due to the load-bearing contact between the Schuller 24 and the end face 26 received by the pillars themselves. The segments 34, 36, 38 are only exposed to the vertically upwardly directed forces or tensile stresses when the columns 12 are pulled up relative to the platform 10, these loads being far less than the pushbuttons, so that they are more satisfactory from the segments Way can be recorded without deforming or damaging the same. Since the segments 34, 36, 38 are prevented from being subjected to pressure loads, the risk of deformation or even shearing and thus the risk of the segments being difficult or impossible to retract when the connector is dismantled can be avoided.

The Verriegeiungssegmcnte 34, 36 and 38 are guided by the guide wedges 40 and against the side Movement secured: the guide wedges 40 are arranged in the annular groove 22c / and on the sleeve element 22 in any suitable manner, for example with pins 66 which are inserted through holes 72 in the muffle element, are attached.

The guide wedges 40 can be formed in one piece with the sleeve element 22, so that the annular groove 22c is shaped like a segment and represents a slot 22 'for each of the segments 34, 36, 38. The guide wedges 40 have surfaces 40 // and 40/5 (facing the locking segment 38 for the purpose of illustration), which are opposite one another, are arranged essentially parallel to one another and run in the direction of movement of the locking segment 38 in order to allow lateral movements of the locking segment 38 to prevent this if this is caused by contact with surfaces 38 <7 and iSb on the interlocking frame! 38 in and out of engagement with the annular groove 20c / ge'angl. When using the connector /, the locking segments 34, 36 and 38 are secured within the annular groove 22c / in their retracted position and held (as shown in FIG. 4 for the segment 36) by the locking bolts 64 before connection. The plug element 20 is pushed into the sleeve element 22 until the shoulder 24 of the sleeve element 20 comes to rest on the end face 26 of the sleeve element 22 and is carried or supported by it. In this position, the annular opposing surfaces 20 'coincide; and 20b of the plug element 20 mil the ring-shaped surface sections 22, 7 or 22 dcs sleeve elements 22. The edges of these surfaces are preferably beveled in order to ensure the unimpeded introduction of the plug element 20 into its mounting position within the sleeve element 22.

As soon as the plug element 20 has been pushed into the Muffcnelement, the locking screws 64 removed and the locking segments 34, 36 and 38 by using suitable drive means by the Shaft 56 moved into the annular groove 22c / of the Steckelcmcnts 22. Then the shaft 56 is removed from the segments 34, 36 and 38 and the locking pin 58 through the openings 60 into the holes 52 without screwing them, but with engagement of the external thread 58a introduced into the openings 60, so that the Sleckelement 20 within the Muffenelemcnts is locked.

A particular advantage in practical use

tion arises when the sections of the column 12 naph the end of the use of the platform 10 at one point and to relocate the same to be dismantled to another. The columns 12 are raised with the aid of the lifting device through the platform 10 to a height at which the connector can be reached by the workers. The locking pins 58 are removed and the shaft 56 of a corresponding power source is inserted into the holes 60 and (as shown for the segment 38) with the threaded bores 52 of the segments 34, 36, 38 screwed. The respective force factor then pulls each of the segments 34, 36, 38 out of its locked position in the annular grooves 20c / and 22c / into its unlocked position in the annular groove 22c / of the sleeve element 22. Each segment is now secured with a locking screw 64 in the annular groove 22c / (as shown for the segment 36). Another particular advantage comes into play here, since the only surfaces on which there is substantial contact between the plug-in element 20 and the Muffcnelemcnt 22 are in the area of the annular surface section 22 /; with the annular mating surface 20a and the annular surface section 226 with the annular mating surface 206. The sleeve element 20 only needs to be displaced over a short axial distance relative to the socket element 22 in order to be able to release the connector and to be able to easily remove it. This advantage is not available in pin and socket connectors, in which a substantial part of the surface of the connector is stored on the receiving element, since after a long period of use at one and the same point the connector becomes exposed as a result of corrosion or as a result of a disadvantageous influence of the connector Forces seized up. In many cases, such connectors require a great deal of time and effort to dismantle.

A further advantage that a connector / of the type described above offers over the known connectors and which contributes to the fact that it can be quickly assembled and disassembled, is that the built-in connector by filling the Muffcnclcments 22 with an appropriate lubricant, for example with Heavy oil or grease, which is received by a solid partition 70 welded to the inner surface 22f of the sleeve element 22 below the connector /. If the plug-in element 20 is inserted into the sleeve element 22, the lubricant fills the free spaces, for example the annular space between the surface 20c and the inner diameter 22c and the annular grooves 22c / and 20c /. This serves to further protect the connector against corrosion and makes it easier to dismantle.

For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings

Claims (8)

Patent claims: 1. Floatable Bohrplauform with extendable columns, each consisting of at least two Silulenabschnitlen connectable by connecting devices, each connecting device is composed of a Murfcnelement and a plug-in element, which can be locked together in the axial direction by radially adjustable locking segments engaging in an annular groove of the plug-in element , characterized in that the Muffenelemcnt (22) and the plug element (20) with at least two at a distance voncii other arranged annular, vertical contact surfaces (22 .- /, 22b; 20, '/, 20b) with in relation to the length of the connecting device direction of small width are provided. 2. Drilling platform according to claim I. characterized in that the axial position determination /.wi- ta »chen the socket element (22) and the plug-in element (20) takes place through an end face (26) of the socket element (22) which is attached to a shoulder ( 24) of the plug element (20) is applied. 3. Drilling platform according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the annular contact surfaces (22a, 22b) of the Muffenelementcs (22) is arranged near the open edge thereof and the other near the locking segments (34, 36, 38). 4. Drilling platform according to one of claims I to 3, characterized in that a guide wedge (40) with guide surfaces (40a) arranged essentially parallel to one another and parallel to the direction of movement of the respective locking segment (34, 36, 38) is arranged between each locking segment (34, 36, 38). 5. Drilling platform according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking segments (34, 36, 38) in the locking joint by smooth-walled ones opposite the socket element (22) sealed locking pins (58) can be fixed. 6. Drilling platform according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking segments (34, 36, 38) in the retracted position through threaded bores (52) of the locking segments (34, 36, 38) engaging locking screws (64) can be fixed. 7. Drilling platform according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by one between the end face (26) of the sleeve element (2?) And the shoulder (24) of the plug element (20) arranged seal (54) 8. drilling platform according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a sealed lubricant chamber arranged in the sleeve element (22) forming partition (70).