scholarly journals Antarctic subglacial drilling rig: Part I. General concept and drilling shelter structure

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Pavel Talalay ◽  
Youhong Sun ◽  
Xiaopeng Fan ◽  
Nan Zhang ◽  
Pinlu Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic System ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Test Site ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Zhongshan Station ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Drilling Equipment ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Sediment Deformation

Abstract Drilling to the bedrock of ice sheets and glaciers offers unique opportunities for examining the processes occurring in the bed. Basal and subglacial materials contain important paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental records and provide a unique habitat for life; they offer significant information regarding the sediment deformation beneath glaciers and its effects on the subglacial hydraulic system and geology. The newly developed and tested Antarctic subglacial drilling rig (ASDR) is designed to recover ice and bedrock core samples from depths of up to 1400 m. All of the drilling equipment is installed inside a movable, sledge-mounted, temperature-controlled and wind-protected drilling shelter and workshop. To facilitate helicopter unloading of the research vessel, the shelter and workshop can be disassembled, with individual parts weighing <2–3 tons. The entire ASDR system weighs ~55 tons, including transport packaging. The ASDR is designed to be transported to the chosen site via snow vehicles and would be ready for drilling operations within 2–3 d after arrival. The ASDR was tested during the 2018–2019 summer season near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica. At the test site, 2-week drilling operations resulted in a borehole that reached bedrock at a depth of 198 m.

The optical behaviour of snow during a melting season at Ny Ålesund (Svalbard, Norway)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Salzano ◽  
Christian Lanconelli ◽  
Giulio Esposito ◽  
Marco Giusto ◽  
Mauro Montagnoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Optical Behaviour ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Snow Cover Area ◽  
Significant Information

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Polar areas are the most sensitive targets of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;climate change and the continuous monitoring of the cryosphere represents a critical issue. The satellite remote sensing can fill this gap but further integration between remotely-sensed multi-spectral images and field data is crucial to validate retrieval algorithms and climatological models. The optical behaviour of snow, at different wavelengths, provides significant information about the micro-physical characteristics of the surface and this allow to discriminate different snow/ice covers. The aim of this work is to present an approach based on combining unmanned observations on spectral albedo and on the analysis of time-lapse images of sky and ground conditions in a&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;n &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Ar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;c&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;tic &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;test-site &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;(Svalbard, Norway). Terrestrial photography can provide, in fact, important information about the cloud cover and support the discrimination between white-sky or clear-sky illuminating conditions. Similarly, time-lapse cameras can provide a detailed description of the snow cover, estimating the fractional snow cover area. The spectral albedo was obtained by a narrow band device that was compared to a full-range commercial system and to remotely sensed data acquired during the 2015 spring/summer period at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Amundsen - Nobile&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; Climate Change Tower (Ny &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;#197;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;lesund). The results confirmed the possibility to have continuous observations of the snow surface (microphisical) characteristics and highlighted the opportunity to monitor the spectral variations of snowed surfaces during the melting period. It was possible, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;therefore,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; to estimate spectral indexes, such as NDSI and SWIR albedo, and to found interesting links between both features and air/ground temperatures, wind-speed and precipitations. Different melting phases were detected and different processes were associated with the observed spectral variations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Drilling Riser Disconnection Challenges in Ultra-Deep Water

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Diezel ◽  
Germain Venero ◽  
Victor Gomes ◽  
Leandro Muniz ◽  
Rafael Fachini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Good Representation ◽  
Regular Wave ◽  
Computational Simulations ◽  
Successful Operation ◽  
Dynamic Positioning System ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Wave Approach ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
The Time Domain

With the extension of the offshore drilling operations to water depths of 10,000 ft and beyond, the technical challenges involved also increased considerably. In this context, the management of the riser integrity through the application of computational simulations is capital to a safe and successful operation — particularly in harsh environments. One of the main challenges associated with keeping the system under safe limits is the recoil behavior in case of a disconnection from the well. The risk that an emergency disconnect procedure can take place during the campaign is imminent, either due to failure of the dynamic positioning system or due to extreme weather in such environments. Recent work [1] in the field of drilling riser dynamic analysis has shown that the recoil behavior of the riser after a disconnection from the bottom can be one of the main drivers of the level of top tension applied. Tension fluctuations can be very large as the vessel heaves, especially in ultra-deep waters where the average level of top tension is already very high. In order to be successful, a safe disconnection must ensure that the applied top tension is sufficient for the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) to lift over the Blow-Out Preventer (BOP) with no risk of interference between the two. This tension should also not exceed a range in which the riser will not buckle due to its own recoil, that the telescopic joint will not collapse and transfer undesirable loads onto the drilling rig or that the tensioning lines will not compress. A good representation of such behavior in computational simulations is therefore very relevant to planning of the drilling campaign. A case study is presented herein, in which a recoil analysis was performed for a water depth of 11,483ft (3,500m). Numerical simulations using a finite element based methodology are applied for solving the transient problem of the riser disconnection in the time domain using a regular wave approach. A detailed hydro-pneumatic tensioning system model is incorporated to properly capture the effect of the anti-recoil valve closure and tension variations relevant during the disconnection. A reduction of conservativism is applied for the regular wave approach, where the maximum vessel heave likely to happen in every 50 waves is applied instead of the usual maximum in 1000 waves approach. ISO/TR 13624-2 [4] states that using the most probable maximum heave in 1000 waves is considered very conservative, as the event of the disconnection takes place in a very short period of time. The challenges inherent to such an extreme site are presented and conclusions are drawn on the influence of the overall level of top tension in the recoil behavior.

scholarly journals Research on the Hydraulic System of Double Power Heads in Anchor Drilling Rig

2019 ◽  
Vol 242 ◽  
pp. 032024
Author(s):  
Ning Zhang ◽  
Youzhen Zhang ◽  
Junjie Shao ◽  
Zhitao Kan
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic System ◽  
Drilling Rig

scholarly journals The origin of till sequences by subglacial sediment deformation beneath mid-latitude ice sheets

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Boulton
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Glacial Cycle ◽  
Erosion And Deposition ◽  
The North ◽  
Sediment Deformation ◽  
Source Materials ◽  
The Last Glacial

A theory of erosion and deposition as a consequence of subglacial sediment deformation over beds of unlithified sediment is reviewed and applied to large-scale till sequences formed on the southern flanks of the North American and British and European ice sheets during the last glacial cycle. The distribution of till thickness, till lithology in relation to source materials and intra-till erosion surfaces along a flowline in the Michigan lobe of the North American ice sheet are shown to be compatible with the deformational theory but not with other modes of till genesis. It is then demonstrated, in the case of the British ice sheet, how the assumption of a deformational origin for tills can be used to infer time-dependent patterns of ice-sheet dynamic behaviour. By reference to an example from the Netherlands, it is argued that many till sequences interpreted as melt-out tills are more likely to have formed by subglacial sediment deformation.

Drilling Cutting Analysis to Assist Drilling Performance Evaluation in Hard Rock Hole Widening Operation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiyan Ahmed ◽  
Yingjian Xiao ◽  
Jeronimo de Moura ◽  
Stephen D. Butt
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Rotary Drilling ◽  
Pilot Hole ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Drilling Performance ◽  
Drilling Parameters ◽  
Weight On Bit ◽  
Drilling Operations

Abstract Optimum production from vein-type deposits requires the Narrow Vein Mining (NVM) process where excavation is accomplished by drilling larger diameter holes. To drill into the veins to successfully extract the ore deposits, a conventional rotary drilling rig is mounted on the ground. These operations are generally conducted by drilling a pilot hole in a narrow vein followed by a hole widening operation. Initially, a pilot hole is drilled for exploration purposes, to guide the larger diameter hole and to control the trajectory, and the next step in the excavation is progressed by hole widening operation. Drilling cutting properties, such as particle size distribution, volume, and shape may expose a significant drilling problem or may provide justification for performance enhancement decisions. In this study, a laboratory hole widening drilling process performance was evaluated by drilling cutting analysis. Drill-off Tests (DOT) were conducted in the Drilling Technology Laboratory (DTL) by dint of a Small Drilling Simulator (SDS) to generate the drilling parameters and to collect the cuttings. Different drilling operations were assessed based on Rate of Penetration (ROP), Weight on Bit (WOB), Rotation per Minute (RPM), Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE) and Drilling Efficiency (DE). A conducive schedule for achieving the objectives was developed, in addition to cuttings for further interpretation. A comprehensive study for the hole widening operation was conducted by involving intensive drilling cutting analysis, drilling parameters, and drilling performance leading to recommendations for full-scale drilling operations.

Innovative Ice Protection for Shallow Water Drilling: Part I — Presentation of the Concept

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Gu¨rtner ◽  
Ove Tobias Gudmestad ◽  
Alf To̸rum ◽  
Sveinung Lo̸set
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Modular Concept ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Drifting Ice ◽  
Ice Impacts ◽  
Jack Up ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Ice Period

Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons in the shallow waters of the Northern Caspian Sea arise the need for intensive drilling activities to be carried out in the near future in order to explore the potentials. Experience with mobile drilling units in the seasonally ice infested waters solely originates from the current drilling campaign of the Sunkar drilling barge at Kashagan and Kalamkas. However, with increased drilling activities upcoming, innovative drilling concepts are desirable due to the objective of maintaining drilling operations during the ice period with conventional non-ice-resistant drilling platforms. Hence, this paper suggests the employment of external Shoulder Ice Barriers (SIBs) to protect a conventional jack-up drilling rig from the hazards of drifting ice in shallow water. The SIB’s design is suggested to increase the ice rubble generation at the ice facing slope and thereby provide sufficient protection from drifting ice impacts. The modular concept of the SIB makes it possible to deploy each module in a floating mode to site, whereupon they are ballasted and connected to each other, forming a sheltered position for the jack-up. Subsequent to the termination of the drilling campaign the SIB modules may be retrieved by de-ballasting and tow out, without having significant impact on the environment. This paper presents, on a technical feasible level, the concept of ice protection in shallow water by means of SIBs.

scholarly journals Structural Development for Well Service Activity in Limited Capacity Platform

2018 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
pp. 05007
Author(s):  
Marciela Esa Dewa ◽  
Muhammad Arifin ◽  
Eki Primudi
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Limited Capacity ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Drilling Equipment ◽  
Additional Equipment ◽  
Engineering Study ◽  
Service Activities ◽  
Service Activity

The idea is to replace drilling rig, which is utilized for work over/well services activities, with working barge. The challenge comes from the operation and structural platform capacity since the majority of PHE WMO wellhead platform has limited capacity issue and braced monopod type. To minimize the risk of drilling equipment placed on the platform, engineering study is proposed to ensure the reliability of the platform. The process and method of operation during well service activity will also be developed. The proposed mitigation includes: Global Structural Check for Platform Integrity, Local Structural Check for Strengthening, Localized load for Additional Equipment, and Weather-Time-Frame Constraint. Using the proposed methods, PHE WMO can ensure the platform integrity and ensure SAFETY during well service activities.

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