BLAST, FIRE, AND HYDROCARBON CAPTURE AND PROTECTION SYSTEMS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/844,740, filed July 10, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to blast, fire, and hydrocarbon capture and protection systems for drilling rigs. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to lightweight blast and fire protection systems for drilling rigs that are capable of diverting the flow of hydrocarbons from a blowout and associated methods.

[0003] During the drilling of production wells, conditions may arise which cause an influx of hydrocarbons into the wellbore. Normally a blowout preventer (BOP) and associated equipment and procedures may be utilized to safely limit the influx of hydrocarbons into the wellbore and to safely circulate the hydrocarbons out of the wellbore in a controlled manner. Should the BOP or other equipment completely fail, an uncontrolled flow of hydrocarbons could occur from the wellbore. This is commonly called a blowout.

[0004] Some blowouts maybe contained by installing a capping stack, which is a separate BOP, above the wellhead or the original failed BOP. The capping stack may then be closed, thus controlling the well.

[0005] In some blowouts, the BOP and wellhead equipment may be destroyed or the well may catch fire. In such cases, it may be difficult to contain the blowout by closing valves or other blowout preventers at the surface. Other methods to contain the blowout may be utilized in such cases. A common practice in controlling such a blowout is to drill a relief well which intercepts the formation feeding the blowout. However, while drilling the relief well, oil and gas may continue to be spilled into the environment.

[0006] It is desirable to provide a system that prevents the spillage of oil and gas from a wild well into the environment. SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure relates generally to blast, fire, and hydrocarbon capture and protection systems for drilling rigs. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to lightweight blast and fire protection systems for drilling rigs that are capable of diverting the flow of hydrocarbons from a blowout and associated methods.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a blast and fire protection derrick comprising: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig.

[0009] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an integrated drilling and production platform comprising: a blast and fire protection derrick, wherein the blast and fire protection derrick comprises: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig; control equipment disposed within the blast and fire protection derrick; and a riser connected to the control equipment.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a drilling system comprising: an integrated drilling and production platform, wherein the integrated drilling and production platform comprises: a blast and fire protection derrick, wherein the blast and fire protection derrick comprises: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig; and control equipment; a well head; and a riser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A more complete and thorough understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is an illustration of blast and fire protection derrick in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 is an illustration of an integrated drilling and production platform in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 is an illustration of a drilling system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure relates generally to blast, fire, and hydrocarbon capture and protection systems for drilling rigs. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to lightweight blast and fire protection systems for drilling rigs that are capable of diverting the flow of hydrocarbons from a blowout and associated methods.

[0017] There may be several potential advantages to blast, fire, and hydrocarbon capture and protection systems discussed herein. In certain embodiments, the blast, fire, and hydrocarbon capture and protection systems described herein prevent the spillage of oil and/or gas from a wild well into the environment.

[0018] Referring now to Figure 1, Figure 1 illustrates a blast and fire protection derrick 100. In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may comprise a drilling rig 101. Examples of suitable drilling rigs include land rigs, platform rigs, jack-up rigs, drillship rigs, submersible rigs, and semi-submersible rigs.

[0019] In certain embodiments, drilling rig 101 may be constructed of an explosion proof material. Examples of suitable explosion proof materials include steel, Kevlar, and other high strength and high erosion and penetration resistant materials. In certain embodiments, the geometry and dimension of drilling rig 101 may be non-standard, such that they increase the effectiveness of the capture ability of the blast and fire protection derrick 100 while maintaining its primary drilling functionality. In certain embodiments, the dimensions and geometry of drilling rig 101 may be adjusted to minimize the risk of ignition and to maximize the capability to capture the oil. In certain embodiments, the drilling rig 101 may be taller than conventional drilling rigs in order to increase the efficiency of oil capture. In certain embodiments, the drilling rig may be cylindrical to better resist damage from a potential blast.

[0020] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise a roof 110, a flare tip 120, and one or more deflection plates 130.

[0021] In certain embodiments roof 110 may be a collapsible roof. In certain embodiments, roof 110 may be constructed out of steel. In certain embodiments, roof 110 may be designed so that is capable of collapsing during a blowout due to the overpressure of the oil & gas generated by the blowout and/or by the overpressure from an explosion inside blast and fire protection derrick 100. In certain embodiments, roof 110 may capable of being remotely collapsed by an operator during a blowout.

[0022] When not in a fire suppression mode, roof 110 may hold deflection plates 130 in place. When in a fire suppression mode, roof 110 may be partially or completely removed from blast and fire protection derrick 100 allowing deflection plates 130 to rotate and cover the top of blast and fire protection derrick 100.

[0023] In certain embodiments, flare tip 120 may comprise any flare tip capable of providing a controlled burn of an oil and gas mist. The selection of the particular flare tip may depend on the particular oil/gas ratio of the well. Examples of suitable flare tips include pipe flares, sonic flares, coanda tip flares, steam assisted flare tips, air assisted flare tips, enclosed flares, endothermic flares, and liquid burners. In certain embodiments, flare tip 120 may be may be installed on the top of blast and fire protection derrick 100. In other embodiments, flare tip 120 may be installed on the outside of blast and fire protection derrick 100.

[0024] In certain embodiments, one or more deflection plates 130 may be installed within blast and fire protection derrick 100. In other embodiments, one or more deflection plates 130 may be installed outside blast and fire protection derrick 100. In certain embodiments, deflection plates 130 may be constructed out of an explosion proof material. In certain embodiments, deflection plates 130 may be constructed of steel, Kevlar, or other high erosion resistant materials. In operation, deflection plates 130 are capable of diverting oil from a blowout downward to a spillway system 170.

[0025] During a blowout, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may be capable of capable of burning gas flowing from a well in a controlled manner while at the same time diverting oil flowing from the well where it may ultimately be offloaded via a tanker vessel or an oil export pipeline, injected into a well, or disposed of by other means.

[0026] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise an automatic pipe handling hatch 140. Automatic pipe handling hatch 140 may serve as a door to insert and remove pipe from the blast and fire protection derrick 100. In certain embodiments, automatic pipe handling hatch 140 may ensure an airtight enclosure inside the blast and fire protection derrick 100 thus minimizing the likelihood of fire and explosion.

[0027] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise an emergency evacuation system 150. In certain embodiments, emergency evacuation system 150 may allow personal to safely evacuate the drill site. In certain embodiments, emergency evacuation system 150 may comprise an accommodation module.

[0028] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise an HVAC & fire protection system 160. In certain embodiments, the HVAC & fire protection system 160 may include a water deluge, an inert gas suppression system, and/or an exhaust gas suppression system. In certain embodiments, HVAC & fire suppression system 160 may be installed in the blast and fire protection derrick 100 to minimize the risk of ignition. The HVAC & fire suppression system may provide a means to minimize the risk of explosion and fire and to extinguish a fire if already in process. For example, during a blowout, the HVAC may be stopped and the fire suppression system may be activated to displace any oxygen within blast and fire protection derrick 100. In certain embodiments, HVAC & fire suppression system 160 may be activated only after personal has evacuated the area.

[0029] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise spillway system 170. In certain embodiments, spillway system 170 may comprise a dedicated draining system that may channel oil to a temporary storage. In certain embodiments, spillway system 170 may be a conduit connected to a bottom of drilling rig 101. In certain embodiments, the temporary storage may be located at or away from the blast and fire protection derrick 100.

[0030] In certain embodiments, blast and fire protection derrick 100 may further comprise safety systems to de-energize electrical circuits to prevent ignition and specialized equipment to minimize the use of electrical equipment in the vicinity of the wellbore.

[0031] Referring now to Figure 2, Figure 2 illustrates an integrated drilling & production platform 200. In certain embodiments, integrated drilling & production platform 200 may comprise blast and fire protection derrick 210, control equipment 220, and riser 230.

[0032] Blast and fire protection derrick 200 may comprise the same features discussed above with respect to blast and fire protection derrick 100.

[0033] In certain embodiments, control equipment 220 may comprise a blow out preventer, a diverter system, a Christmas tree, and/or other valves and systems such as onboarding valves, flowline valves, and/or pipeline valves.

[0034] Riser 230 may be a riser from a well. In certain embodiments, the well may be an oil and gas production well, a water injection well, a disposal well, a surface well, a subsea well, or a relief well.

[0035] Referring now to Figure 3, Figure 3 illustrates a drilling system 300. In certain embodiments, drilling system 300 may comprise an integrated drilling and production platform 310, well head 320, and riser 330.

[0036] Integrated drilling and production platform 310 may comprise the same features discussed above with respect to integrated drilling and production platform 200. In certain embodiments, riser 330 may connect well head 320 to integrated drilling and production platform 310.

[0037] Drilling system 300 may further comprise a gravity based substructure 340. Gravity based substructure may be a honeycomb structure. In certain embodiments, gravity based substructure 340 may support integrated drilling and production platform 310 and may be disposed on seafloor 350. In certain embodiments, riser 330 may be disposed within a hollow center of gravity based substructure 340. In certain embodiments, oil passing through the spillway system of the integrated drilling and production platform 310 may be temporarily stored within the hollow center of gravity based substructure 340. In certain embodiments, not illustrated, integrated drilling and production platform 310 may be disposed within a hollow center of gravity based substructure 340.

[0038] In certain embodiments, drilling system 300 may further comprise a well riser separation tool 360. Well riser separation tool 360 may be any riser separator tool that is capable of severing riser 330. In certain embodiments, well riser separation tool 360 may be disposed around a portion of riser 330 disposed within the hollow center of gravity based substructure 340. In certain embodiments, not illustrated, well riser separation tool 360 may be disposed at the drilling rig level. In operation, well riser separation tool 360 may sever riser 330 allowing hydrocarbons to discharge within the hollow center of gravity based structure 340 safely away from integrated drilling and production platform 310. Hydrocarbons from riser 330 may flow upward within the hollow center of gravity based substructure 340 allowing the gas and oil to separate. The gas may then flow through a capture and venting system or a flare system. The oil may gather on the top of the water within gravity based substructure 340 where it may be temporarily stored subsequent offloading via a tanker vessel, oil export pipeline, injected to a well, or other means.

[0039] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a blast and fire protection derrick comprising: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig.

[0040] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an integrated drilling and production platform comprising: a blast and fire protection derrick, wherein the blast and fire protection derrick comprises: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig; control equipment disposed within the blast and fire protection derrick; and a riser connected to the control equipment.

[0041] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a drilling system comprising: an integrated drilling and production platform, wherein the integrated drilling and production platform comprises: a blast and fire protection derrick, wherein the blast and fire protection derrick comprises: a drilling rig; a roof covering the drilling rig; and one or more deflection plates disposed within the drilling rig; and control equipment; a well head; and a riser.

[0042] While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible.

[0043] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.