KR20010015821A - Semi-submersible structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A semi-submersible structure is provided that includes a pantoon 16 and carries one or more primary power sources, such that the primary power source 22 is located within the pantoon 16. The structure 10 is a semi-submersible excavation device having a deck supported by two pairs of pillars 14, 15, with each pair of pillars being carried by each pantoon 16. The main power source supports the device, and the fuel tanks 34 and 36 are also located in Pantun. For the main power source, ducts of exhaust gas and air are provided in the columns 14, 15, and the air inlet duct 40 is overcompressed by forcing air into the duct. An extraction device is provided for driving the gas through the second outlet duct 44 to prevent back pressure formation. Integral devices are provided in the ducts 40 and 44 to prevent the entry of explosive gases and to ensure that water cannot enter the ducts.

Description

Semi-submersible structure {SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE STRUCTURE}

The energy required to operate the semi-submersible rig is provided by the engine, especially an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine known as the main power source. The main power source provides the electrical energy required for the main operation of the drilling rig, for example oil well drilling, lighting or heating work, and for operation of the machinery located on the deck. A plurality of main power sources are provided on the deck, such power sources bring considerable noise and vibration to the deck and occupy a fairly large area on the deck.

The present invention relates to a semi-submersible structure, such as an excavation device, in particular for positioning the main power source in the structure.

1 is a perspective view of a semi-submersible drilling rig having two pantoons and four columns.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the column cut away so that the pantoon top surface is shown cut away to show the location of the main power source.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a column and a pantoon.

According to the invention, there is provided a semi-submersible structure comprising pontoon means and carrying at least one main power source, said main power source being located in the phantoon device.

The pantoon apparatus includes a plurality of pantoons, at least one of which is a main power source. Positioning the main power source in the phantom device has the advantage that the structure designed to reduce the noise or vibration in the deck of the drilling rig, to secure space for additional equipment, the area of the deck is reduced.

The invention is particularly suitable for semi-submersible drilling rigs comprising a deck supported on two pairs of pillars, each pair of pillars being carried by each pantoon.

Since multiple primary power sources are needed, each pantoon will carry multiple primary power sources, and engines supporting devices such as associated power generation and distribution machines are preferably located in the pantoons. This also reduces noise on the deck and frees up additional space.

The fuel tank for the main power source is preferably located in the pantoon and connected to the fuel supply means for pumping fuel to the main power source.

The fuel supply includes a back-up gravity fuel supply for supplying fuel to the main power source when fuel delivery / pumping is interrupted. `

By moving the main power source to the pantoons, it is necessary to adequately ventilate and cool the main power source. Exhaust gas and air ducts for the main power source are provided in the pillars of the structure. Two or more outlet ducts and one inlet duct (air intake duct, heated air removal first outlet duct, engine exhaust gas removal second outlet duct) are preferred. Each main power source is preferably provided with two outlet ducts and one inlet duct.

Because of the column length, the duct should be large enough to maintain adequate airflow despite frictional losses.

By overcoming the frictional effect, the air intake duct is preferably overcompressed by forcing the air into the duct using a fan or blower, and a back pressure that impedes and impedes the operation of the main power source. Extraction means for driving the gas through the exhaust duct by preventing the formation of is provided in the structure.

It is preferred that the duct be provided with an integral device to prevent the entry of explosive gases and to ensure that water cannot enter the duct if the drilling rig is out of balance.

Because of placing the main power source in Pantun, the air around the main power source is relatively cool compared to the air from the inlet duct. Therefore, it is preferable that the air inlet duct lowers the moisture content and provides a means for cooling the air in order to reduce the condensation effect when the inlet air reaches the main power source.

Instead of preferentially cooling the main power source through the air stream, the cooling required for the main power source can be achieved through a closed loop heat exchanger with a combination of sea water / fresh water cooling heat exchanger.

In order to maintain access to the main power source, a pantoon reaching elevator can be provided on the pillar of the semi-submersible structure, the elevator size being set so that the section of the main power source can be moved for maintenance.

In the above-described embodiment and variations of the present invention, possible applications and advantages will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

1 shows a state in which the semi-submersible drilling device 10 according to the present invention is operated. The excavation device 10 includes a deck area 12 attached to two pantoons 16 through two rear pillars and two front pillars. The pillars 14, 15 and the pantoon 16 are connected and reinforced by four cross-reinforced struts 20. The pantoon 16 is twice the depth of the pantoon provided in a typical six column type drilling rig of comparable size, and the drilling rig 10 is described in British Patent Application No. 9724063, filed November 15, 1997. With the improved ballasting system described. By providing nearly two times the normal pantoon depth and having the same horizontal cross-sectional area, the buoyancy of the drilling rig is inferior.

As shown in FIG. 2, the six diesel engines constitute the main power source 22 located inside the pantoon 16 (three in each pantoon) in the engine zone in which it is operated. Associated power generation and distribution shift gears and machines 26, 30 associated with the main power source are located similar to the interior of the pantoon 16 in the zone 32. The fuel tanks 34, 36 are piped to the main power source and are located in the pantoon 16.

The location of the auxiliary power inside the main power source 22 and the pantoon 16 frees up the space of the deck and eliminates the main sources of noise and vibration from the deck area 12. By moving the heavy weight from the deck to the pantoon, the point of efficient lowering of the center of gravity of the drilling device 10, the increased stability, and the fact that it is possible to add a heavy machine to the deck area 12 without considering stability Worth it. In addition, by placing the main power source, associated power generation and distribution shift gears and machines in the pantoons, the diversification of the deck volume is increased and the metal weight of the ship in a given arrangement is reduced.

Although the number of main power sources can be selected according to the power required of the drilling rig, three main power sources 22 are shown in each pantoon 16. An elevator 40 is located inside each front column 15 to facilitate access from the deck 12 to the main power source 22, the size of the elevator being partially disassembled from the pantoon 16 for maintenance or replacement. It is suitably set so that the movement of the power source 22 is possible. Connections (not shown) are provided between the engine rooms via struts 20 connecting the pillars 14, 15. This ensures that if an electrical error occurs in one pantoon, the electrical energy can still be valid from the other pantoon.

3 is a detailed cross-sectional view through the pantoon 16, showing a main power source 22 located within the pantoon 16. As shown in FIG. The main power source is a common main power source as used in the drilling rig, but additional air and exhaust ducts are needed to ensure proper ventilation and cooling of the engine compartment 24. A typical air inlet duct 40, an air outlet duct 42 and an outlet duct 44 are preferably provided along at least three of each duct for each engine zone, but along the interior space of the column 15. It is shown to pass through.

The air inlet duct 40 provides the air necessary for combustion and consists of a continuous arrangement of coarse and fine filters. In order to ensure proper air flow, the air sent by the duct 40 to the engine zone 24 to supply the main power engine 22 and to cool the engine room 24 is fanned in the deck area 12. Overcompression by air or blower. The air intake duct is large enough to prevent frictional losses that prevent air from reaching the engine compartment. Since the engine room 24 is inside the pantoon, not the deck surface, it is cooled by the air to the deck due to the surrounding seawater. Thus, the air entering through the duct 40 is dried to remove moisture, as well as to reduce the amount of condensation in the engine room 24 when relatively warm air meets the relatively cold air in the engine compartment 24. It is dried by an apparatus (not shown).

If desired, additional forced ventilation may be provided to the engine room 24 via an air inlet duct 40 or an additional duct (not shown). Again, air is provided through coarse and fine filters and supplied to adequately remove excess / wasting heat generated by all additional propulsion or machinery as well as the main power source 22 and associated machinery.

The air inlet and vent duct actuators are arranged in a shape that ensures proper air flow to prevent heat, steam, and moisture from accumulating inside the engine compartment 24. Ventilation exhaust is returned through the duct actuation and exhausted to a safe area.

The inlet 46 of the duct 40 is located in the duct area 12 and is located along the side of the deck box to direct air from a safe area without being obstructed by the main deck area.

In order to maintain the flow of air through the engine zone 24, a warm air outlet duct 42 is led to the outlet 50 behind the column 15. The outlet duct 42 has an insulating sleeve to prevent heat from causing additional heating action in the engine room 24.

Emissions from the main power source are routed to the main deck level through protected exhaust manifolds and ducts 24. Protective arrangements are designed to minimize the heat released from machine spaces, voids, columns, etc.

All inlets to the engine room 24, such as the intakes 46, outlets 50, and exhaust ducts, are connected to the equipment necessary to ensure that the splash caused by wind / waves does not interfere with the ducts. It is connected to the equipment necessary to ensure the watertightness of the engine, and the engine section 24 containing the main power source 22 is connected to the necessary equipment in case of submersion or gas intrusion. The exhaust duct 44 also consists of means for isolating the main power source exhaust manifold in the case of down flooding or spark arresting facilities. Exhaust air is not treated or filtered.

Fuel is supplied to the main power source by fuel tanks 34 and 36 and connected to the supply line. The fuel is initially loaded by the fuel loading system to the main deck height and stored in the main fuel tank located in each pantoon 16. Fuel from the tank is pumped, treated / filtered and stored in a secondary tank (day tank) 36 periodically as needed. The day tank extends above the engine and the fuel treated from the secondary tank 36 is pumped to the required engine through a supply line path with an internal line filter. Fuel supplied to the engine more than necessary is returned to the secondary storage tank 36 via the fuel return line. All fuel tanks have an outlet at the height of the main deck.

If the fuel pump system cannot be operated, fuel is delivered to the required engine 22 by gravity. This action is achieved through a secondary fuel supply line (not shown) that flows some internal line filters, which is typically accomplished by a closed electric solenoid valve powered by the engine / power management system (automatic or manual). Occurs when lost (discontinued) or when energy is lost by manual operation.

Control of the main power source 22 in the pantoon 16 is achieved through an engine and power management system organized into automation facilities, remote manual operation of the engine as well as alarm and supervisory functions. The system is designed not only to initiate emergency shutdown by isolating the fuel, air and exhaust ducts necessary to ensure that the rig assembly is maintained, but also to selectively start or turn off the required main power source 22.

Claims (16)

A semi-submersible structure comprising a pantoon device for operating at least one main power source, wherein the power source is located in the pantoon device. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein the phantom device includes a plurality of phantoons, at least one of which is a main power source. 3. The semi-submersible structure of claim 2, wherein each pair of pillars is carried by each pantoon, and includes a deck supported by two pairs of pillars. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein each pantoon carries a plurality of main power sources. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein a main power source for supporting the facility is located inside the pantoon. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank for the main power source is located in the pantoon device and is connected to a fuel supply device for pumping fuel to the main power source. The semi-submersible structure of claim 6, wherein the fuel supply includes a back-up gravity fuel supply for supplying fuel to the main power source. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein ducts for exhaust gas and air for the main power source are provided in one or more pillars connecting the pantun apparatus to the deck. 9. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 8, wherein at least two outlet ducts and one inlet duct are provided. 10. A semi-submersible structure according to claim 9, wherein two outlet ducts and two inlet ducts are provided for each main power source. 10. The semi-submersible structure of claim 9, wherein the duct includes an inlet duct for removing heated air, a first outlet duct for removing heated air, and a second outlet duct for removing engine emissions. . 12. The vane of claim 11, wherein the air inlet duct is overcompressed by forcing air into the duct, and an extraction device is provided to drive the gas through the second outlet duct to prevent the formation of back pressure. Submersible structures. 10. The semi-submersible structure of claim 9, wherein an integrated device is provided in the duct to prevent the entry of explosive gas and to prevent water from entering the duct. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the air from the inlet duct provides a means to cool the air or to lower the moisture content to reduce the effect of condensation effects when the aspirated air reaches the main power source. Submersible structures. The semi-submersible structure of claim 1, wherein cooling for the main power source is effected through a closed loop heat exchanger having a combination of sea water / fresh water cooling heat exchanger. The semi-submersible structure according to claim 1, wherein an elevator for reaching the pantoon is provided on a column connecting the pantoon apparatus to the deck, and the size of the elevator is set to enable movement of a section of the main power source for maintenance. .