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EP 2 122 108 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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02.11.2016 Bulletin 2016/44 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 05.12.2007 |
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(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
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(86) |
International application number: |
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PCT/FI2007/050663 |
(87) |
International publication number: |
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WO 2008/068385 (12.06.2008 Gazette 2008/24) |
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(54) |
ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DRILLING
BOHRANORDNUNG UND -VERFAHREN
AGENCEMENT ET PROCÉDÉ DE FORAGE
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(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO
SE SI SK TR |
(30) |
Priority: |
08.12.2006 FI 20065782
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(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
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25.11.2009 Bulletin 2009/48 |
(73) |
Proprietor: Terramare OY |
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00440 Helsinki (FI) |
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(72) |
Inventor: |
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- KOLARI, Paavo
70110 Kuopio (FI)
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(74) |
Representative: Kolster Oy Ab |
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Iso Roobertinkatu 23
PO Box 148 00121 Helsinki 00121 Helsinki (FI) |
(56) |
References cited: :
WO-A1-2004/057148 FI-C- 96 356 JP-A- 2006 291 660 US-A- 3 190 378 US-B1- 6 761 231
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FI-A- 36 025 JP-A- 2006 104 766 SE-B- 320 343 US-A- 3 227 230
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to equipment according to the pream-ble of claim 1 for underwater
drilling and to a method according to the preamble of claim 16 for underwater drilling.
In particular, the invention relates to equipment comprising a drilling rig, drill
hammer, drill rod assembly formed of one or more interconnected drill rods and operationally
connected at the top end thereof to the drill hammer and comprising at the bottom
end thereof a drill bit and a drill pipe placed around the drill rod assembly and
supported to the drilling rig, the bottom end of the drill pipe being provided with
a ring bit, and to a method of drilling carried out using a drill rod assembly formed
of one or more drill rods connected to the drilling rig, the drill rod assembly being
operationally connected at the top end thereof to the drill hammer and comprising
at the bottom end thereof a drill bit, and by means of a drill pipe mountable around
the drill rod assembly and supported to the drilling rig, the bottom end of the drill
pipe being provided with a ring bit.
[0002] According to the prior art, underwater drilling is conventionally carried out using
a tophammer drill installed to a drilling rig that moves up and down in a stepless
manner. The drilling takes place by means of one or more drill bits installed to the
bottom end of a drill rod assembly consisting of one or more drill rods, while the
top end of the drill rod assembly is connected to the drill hammer. The bottom end
of the drilling rig is provided with a fixedly installed drill pipe that extends for
a predetermined distance, for about 2 metres for example, below the bottom end of
the rig and, the drill rod assembly being inserted through the pipe in such a manner
that when drilling through a layer of soil on top of a rock, the drill bit is slightly
below the bottom end of the drill pipe. The drill pipe is meant to prevent the layer
of soil on top of the rock from falling into the drilled hole and blocking the drill
hole. In other words, drilling is carried out through the drill pipe and once the
desired depth is reached, the drill rod assembly is lifted upwards in such a manner
that the drill bit rises above the top end of the drill pipe, the drill pipe thus
being vacant for the blast to be lowered into the drill hole. The drill pipe is thus
fixedly arranged in relation to the drilling rig, its downward movement being achieved
by moving the entire drilling rig downward.
[0003] An equipment for underwater drilling according to the preamble of independent claim
1 is disclosed in
US 32273230.
[0004] A rock or other hard material at the bottom of the sea is often covered with a varying
thickness of a softer soil through which the drill pipe is taken to prevent this softer
material from collapsing or falling into the drilled hole. Accordingly, the drill
bit is pressed downward by means of the drilling rig mass and the drill bit until
the drill pipe reaches the surface of the rock, the drilling being then continued
only by means of the drill bit installed to the drill rod assembly, while the drill
pipe stays in place. However, the softer layer of soil often contains stones or other
hard layers or materials, or the rock being drilled is fragmented, whereby the pushing
of the drill pipe through the softer layer of soil or the fragmented rock layer is
difficult and often extremely time-consuming or totally unsuccessful and thus drilling
cannot be carried out at the location concerned. It is also possible that the sea
bottom has to be dredged first to clean it by removing the layer of soil in question.
Clean dredging is a separate work phase and increases costs significantly.
[0005] To avoid this, it is known in the art to use drill pipes directly connected to the
drill hammer so as to carry out the drilling not only by means of the drill bit but
also with a ring bit installed to the drill pipe. It is not advantageous to attach
the drill pipe directly to the drill hammer, because it increases significantly the
number of work phases as the drill pipe has to be detached from the drill hammer during
the drilling, part of the drill rod assembly has to be disassembled for releasing
the drill pipe for charging, the detached drill rods have to be re-installed to the
drill rod assembly and the drill pipe re-attached to the drill hammer. Moreover, this
renders the equipment complex and expensive.
BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide equipment and a method that allow the
above problems to be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by means of equipment
according to the characterizing part of claim 1, the equipment being characterized
in that it further comprises connecting means for optionally connecting the drill
pipe to the drill rod assembly between the drill hammer and the drill bit, the drill
rod assembly and the drill pipe thus forming an operational unit for transferring
the rotational and/or impact energy of the drill hammer from the drill rod assembly
to the drill pipe, and for releasing the connection between the drill pipe and the
drill rod assembly, whereby the rotational and/or impact energy received by the drill
rod assembly from the drill hammer is not transferred to the drill pipe. Further,
the object of the invention is achieved by a method according to the characterizing
part of claim 16, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of
[0007] inserting the drill rod assembly with the drill bit first into the drill pipe while
the drill pipe is locked to the drilling rig;
[0008] connecting the drill pipe to the drill rod assembly between the bottom end of the
drill rod assembly and the drill hammer in such a way that the rotational and impact
energy received by the drill rod assembly from the drill hammer is transferable to
the drill pipe;
[0009] lowering the drill rod assembly together with the drill bit attached to the bottom
end thereof and the drill pipe together with the ring bit attached to the bottom end
thereof to the sea bottom;
[0010] opening the locking between the drill pipe and the drilling rig;
[0011] switching on the drill hammer in order to begin the drilling by means of the drill
bit installed to the bottom end of the drill rod assembly and the ring bit installed
to the bottom end of the drill pipe when the drill bit and the ring bit touch the
sea bottom;
[0012] continuing the drilling until the drill pipe reaches the surface of a rock or a predetermined
distance into the sea bottom;
[0013] switching off the drill hammer, locking the drill pipe to the drilling rig in such
a way that the rotation and movement thereof in relation to the drilling rig is prevented,
and opening the connection between the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe; and
[0014] switching on the drill hammer again and continuing the drilling by means of the drill
rod assembly and the drill bit into a predetermined depth by feeding the drill rod
assembly through the drill pipe locked to the drilling rig.
[0015] The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0016] The invention is based on the idea that the drill pipe and the drill rod assembly
are made operationally interconnectable and disconnectable to allow drilling to be
carried out either simultaneously by means of a drill bit provided at the bottom end
of the drill pipe assembly and a drill pipe ring bit installed around the drill pipe
assembly, or by using only the drill bit provided at the bottom end of the drill pipe
assembly by feeding the drill pipe assembly through the drill pipe locked to the drilling
rig. When interconnected, the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe thus form an operational
assembly that provides a simple and economic means for drilling through the soil,
irrespective of the layers of soil. In the inventive connection achieved between the
drill rod assembly and the drill pipe the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe do
not need to lifted up to connect or disconnect them, but they may be connected and
disconnected when the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe are in their operational
positions. Preferably the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe may be connected and
disconnected by rotating the drill rod in relation to the drill pipe. Hence a hole
may be drilled to the bottom of the sea by using first the drill bit on the drill
rod assembly and the ring bit on the drill pipe connected to the drill rod assembly
for receiving the impact and rotational energy of the drill hammer, the drill rod
assembly and the drill pipe thus forming an operational unit. When the drilling has
reached a desired depth, the drill pipe may be disconnected and released from the
drill rod assembly, and the drilling may be further continued by means of the drill
bit while the drill rod assembly moves through the drill pipe, without changing the
configuration of the drill rod assembly. This is possible when the connecting means
comprise a rod adapter on the drill rod assembly, a pipe adapter on the drill pipe
and an intermediate sleeve arranged to set between the rod adapter and the pipe adapter
so as to allow the rod adapter to be connected to the pipe adapter by means of the
intermediate sleeve, the intermediate sleeve transferring the rotational and impact
energy of the drill hammer to the pipe adapter and further to the ring bit at the
bottom end of the drill pipe, and, correspondingly, to allow the connection to the
pipe adapter to be released, whereby the rotational and/or impact energy received
by the drill rod assembly from the drill hammer is not transferred to the drill pipe.
[0017] An advantage of the method and system of the invention is that they provide an easy
and simple means for providing a connection between a drill pipe and a drill rod assembly
and for releasing the connection in a short period of time in a situation where a
rock or other hard material at the bottom of the sea is covered with a soft and less
homogeneous layer of soil. Moreover, the structure of the equipment of the invention
is simple and easy to service, because it does not contain complex parts. In addition,
all the parts may be made easily replacable, which allows the connecting means to
be changed according to a particular drill rod or drill pipe or damaged parts thereof
to be rapidly replaced. Further still, the charging of a drill hole with explosive
becomes significantly faster, because a shorter drill pipe may be used than in the
prior art, which means that the drill rod assembly does not need to be lifted up all
the way nor to be dismantled as is the case with a drill pipe that extends to the
drill hammer, but it suffices to raise the drill bit above the top end of the drill
pipe for emptying the drill pipe for the charging. The accelerated drilling time brings
costs savings.
BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE FIGURES
[0018] In the following the invention will be described in greater detail in connection
with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1A is a schematic view of a first phase of a method of the present invention
in which the drill rod assembly is connected to the drill pipe and the drilling is
carried out by means of both the drill bit on the drill rod assembly and the ring
bit on the drill pipe;
Figure 1 B is a schematic view of a second phase of the present invention in which
the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe are disconnected and the drilling is continued
by means of the drill bit through the drill pipe;
Figure 1 C is a schematic view of a third phase of the method of the invention in
which the drill rod assembly is lifted from the drilled hole, while the drill pipe
stays in place;
Figure 1 D is a schematic view of fourth phase of the method of the invention in which
the drilled hole is charged with explosive;
Figure 1 E is a schematic view of a fifth phase of the method of the invention in
which the drill pipe is lifted from the drilled hole and a primer cable is guided
up from the hole;
Figure 1 F is a schematic view of a sixth phase of the method of the invention in
which the drilling equipment has been taken to a new location for drilling the next
hole;
Figure 2A is a partial view of connecting means between a drill rod assembly and a
drill pipe according to an embodiment;
Figure 2B shows the parts of the connecting means of Figure 2A interconnected.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference is made to Figure 1A, which illustrates an example of drilling equipment
of the invention to be used for underwater drilling. In the situation of Figure 1A
the drilling to be carried out using the equipment and method of the invention is
just about to begin. According to Figure 1A a drilling platform 32 or a similar support
structure is provided with a drilling rig 2 mounted to and supported by the platform.
The drilling rig 2 is mounted to the drilling platform 32 so that it is movable up
and down to allow the drilling rig 2 to be moved both in a horizontal and a vertical
relation to the drilling platform 32. Further, installed to the drilling rig 2 there
is a drill hammer 4, which is installed to the drilling rig 2 so as to be movable
in a vertical direction in relation to the drilling rig 2. The drill hammer 4 in this
embodiment used as an example is a tophammer drill.
[0020] Drilling is carried out via a drill rod assembly 8, which is operationally connected
to the drill hammer 4 and may consist of one or more drill rods 6. The drill rods
6 are interconnected by means of a screw joint, for example, that may comprise GT-60
threads. The bottom end of the drill rod assembly is provided with a drill bit 10,
also known as a pilot bit, to be used for the actual drilling of the hole. The top
end of the drill rod assembly 8 is further operationally connected to the drill hammer
4 that provides the drill rod assembly 8 and thereby the drill bit 10 the rotational
and impact energy needed in the drilling. The drill bit 10 may be any drill bit suitable
for a particular drilling to be carried out.
[0021] In addition, mounted to the bottom end of the drilling rig 2 or to the vicinity of
the bottom end there is a drill pipe 12, which may consist of one long uniform drill
pipe or two or more interconnected drill pipe parts. The drill pipe parts may be interconnected
by means of a screw joint, for example, or a similar joint. The bottom end of the
drill pipe 12 is provided with a ring bit 14 for drilling a hole. The ring bit may
be any ring bit suitable for a particular drilling to be carried out. The drill pipe
12 is dimensioned so as to allow the both the drill bit 10 and the drill rod assembly
8 to inserted through the drill pipe 12 and to be moved inside the drill pipe 12 in
relation to the drill pipe 12. The drill pipe 12 of the invention is mounted to and
supported by the drilling rig 2 in such a way that the drill pipe 12 may be moved
in a vertical direction, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the drilling rig 2
in relation to the drilling rig 2 and rotated about its longitudinal axis in relation
to the drilling rig 2 by means of the ring bit 14 for drilling to be enabled. The
movability of the drill pipe 12 may be achieved by means of support bearings, rail
means or other similar means. The drilling rig 2 is further provided with gripping
means 30 to allow the drill pipe 12 to be locked to the drilling rig 2, when desired,
to render the drill pipe 12 fixed in relation to the drilling rig and unable to move
in the longitudinal direction of the drilling rig 2 or to rotate in relation to the
drilling rig 2. Alternatively, the gripping means 30 may be implemented so that they
prevent the movement of the drill pipe in relation to the drilling rig, but allow
the pipe to rotate in relation to the drilling rig, or, on the contrary, allow the
drill pipe to move in relation to the drilling rig and prevent the rotation thereof.
The gripping means 30 may comprise curved claws, tongs or similar grippers to be placed
around the drill pipe 12, for example. The gripping means 30 are preferably implemented
so that they can be operated from the drilling platform 32 or from a practical control
site.
[0022] With further reference to Figure 1A, the rock 5 or other similar hard matter on the
bottom of the sea is often covered by a softer layer of soil 3. Therefore, when a
hole is to be drilled to the sea bottom 1, it is to be taken into account that if
the drill bit 10 and the drill pipe 12 are lifted from the drilled hole, the hole
is filled with soil collapsing or falling into the hole from the layer of soil 3.
For this reason the drill pipe 12 must be left into the hole to keep the hole clean
for charging with the explosive. Often this layer of soil 3 comprises not only soft
soil but also rocks or other loose hard objects and therefore in many cases the drill
pipe 12 cannot be taken through the layer of soil simply by pushing. In this case
drilling by means of a drill pipe 12 is advantageous, because it allows these hard
areas to be penetrated.
[0023] According to the present invention the drilling equipment is provided with connecting
means 15 to interconnect the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12. By interconnecting
the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12 and by supporting the drill pipe 12
to the drilling rig 2 in a movable and rotatable manner the rotational and impact
energy subjected by the drill hammer 4 to the drill rod assembly 8 can be transferred
to the drill pipe 12, whereby drilling may be carried out by means of both the drill
bit 10 mounted to the drill rod assembly and the ring bit 14 mounted to the drill
pipe 12. In practice the connection between the drill pipe 12 and the drill rod assembly
8 means that they form an operational unit jointly receiving the same rotational and
impact energy from the drill hammer. A further essential aspect of the invention is
that the drill pipe 12 is connected to the drill rod assembly 8 between the drill
hammer 4 and the drill bit 10, the length of the drill pipe 12 thus being substantially
shorter than the corresponding length of the drill rod assembly 8. The drill pipe
12 may be shorter than the drill rod assembly 8, because the layer of soil 3 on top
of the rock 5 usually has a limited thickness and because the drill pipe 12 is connected
to the drill rod assembly 8 between the ends thereof.
[0024] The connecting means 15 are preferably implemented in such a way that the drill pipe
12 and the drill rod assembly 8 may be interconnected and disconnected without having
to lift up the drill rod assembly and/or the drill pipe 12. In other words, the connecting
means 15 are implemented so that the connection between the drill pipe 12 and the
drill rod assembly 8 may be implemented and released while the drill rod assembly
8 and the drill pipe 12 and, correspondingly, the drill bit and the ring bit are in
their operating position, i.e. in the water and/or lowered to the sea bottom 1. In
the present application it is to be taken into account that 'sea bottom 1' refers
to any bottom underneath the water of a water area. According to a preferred embodiment,
the connecting means 15 are implemented so that the connection between the drill pipe
12 and the drill rod assembly 8 may be made and released by rotating the drill rod
assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12 in relation to each other. This means that the connection
may be achieved for example by rotating the drill rod assembly 12 in a first direction
of rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof in relation to the drill pipe, in
which case this first direction of rotation may correspond to a normal direction of
drill rotation used during drilling. Correspondingly, the connection may be opened
by rotating the drill rod assembly 8 in relation to the drill pipe 12 in a second
direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. The drill rod assembly
8 may be rotated by means of the drill hammer 4 or by some other means of rotation.
Alternatively, other type of connecting means may be used, such as pin connecting
means or bolt connecting means. What is essential is that the connecting means may
be operated without lifting the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12 from the
water.
[0025] Figures 2A and 2B show a solution according to the present invention for interconnecting
the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12. According to Figure 2A the connecting
means comprise a rod adapter 16 connectable to the drill rod assembly 8 by a screw
coupling. The rod adapter 16 may be fastened between two drill rods 6 of the drill
rod assembly 8. In Figure 2A the drill rod 6 is provided with an external thread 7
and the rod adapter with a corresponding internal thread 17, the other end of the
rod adapter 16 being, correspondingly, provided with an external thread 9, which engages
with the inner thread of the next drill rod (not shown). Alternatively, the rod adapter
16, may be integrally implemented into the drill rod assembly 8 or into one of its
drill rods 6. On its outer surface the rod adapter 16 comprises protrusions or shoulders
22 protruding from its surface. In a particular case the shoulders 22 may be replaced
by threads, or by recesses formed to the outer surface of the rod adapter 16. In addition,
the connecting means comprise an intermediate sleeve 20 arranged and dimensioned in
such a way that when arranged around the drill rod assembly 8, it is capable of sliding
thereon. The inner surface of the intermediate sleeve 20 is provided with protrusions
or shoulders 24. The shoulders 24 of the intermediate sleeve 20 and the shoulders
22 of the rod adapter 16 are arranged so as to allow the intermediate sleeve 20 to
be connected to the rod adapter 16 by bringing the intermediate sleeve 20 and the
rod adapter 16 into contact with each other while the intermediate sleeve 20 is installed
around the rod adapter 16 and by rotating the intermediate sleeve 20 and the rod adapter
16 with respect to each other. As a result, the shoulders 22 and 24 of the rod adapter
16 and the intermediate sleeve 20 become interconnected, which prevents the intermediate
sleeve 20 from moving with respect to the rod adapter 16 in the direction of the longitudinal
axis of the rod adapter 16. Moreover, the shoulders 22 and 24 are shaped in such a
way that no matter what the position of the intermediate sleeve 20, it cannot slide
entirely over the rod adapter 16 and below the rod adapter 16.
[0026] The connecting means further comprise a pipe adapter 18 preferably implemented at
the top of the drill pipe 12 or to the vicinity thereof. The pipe adapter 18 may be
a tubular part attached to the top end of the drill pipe 12 by welding, screw coupling
or by some other means. Alternatively, the pipe adapter 18 may be integrally formed
into the drill pipe 12. The inner surface of the pipe adapter 18 is provided with
protrusions or shoulders 28 formed in such a way that they are capable of locking
to the shoulders 26 on the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve 20, when the intermediate
sleeve 20 and the pipe adapter 18 are brought into contact with each other and the
intermediate sleeve 20 and the pipe adapter 18 are rotated with respect to each other.
As a result, the shoulders 28 and 26 of the pipe adapter 18 and the intermediate sleeve
20 become interconnected, whereby the movement of the intermediate sleeve 20 and also
that of the rod adapter 16 and the drill rod assembly 8 in relation to the pipe adapter
18 is prevented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipe adapter 18 and
the drill pipe and also that of the drill rod assembly 8. Moreover, the shoulders
28 and 26 are shaped in such a way that no matter what the position of the intermediate
sleeve 20, it cannot slide entirely over the pipe adapter 18 and, therefore, when
the intermediate sleeve 20 is in place, the rod adapter 16 cannot slide entirely through
the pipe adapter 18 either. In addition, the pipe adapter 18 and/or its shoulders
28 are dimensioned and arranged in such a way that when the intermediate sleeve 20
is not on the rod adapter 16, the rod adapter 16 and the drill rod assembly 8 are
able to slide through the pipe adapter 18. In Figure 2B these connecting means of
the embodiment disclosed above are in the connected position.
[0027] As shown in Figure 2B, when the connecting means area in a locked state, the horizontal
shoulders of the rod adapter 16, the horizontal shoulders of the intermediate sleeve
20 and the horizontal shoulders of the pipe adapter 18, or the counter surfaces of
these shoulders, become set one after the other and against each other in such a way
that they are unable to move in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction
of the drill pipe 12 and the drill rod assembly 8, thereby transmitting the impact
energy subjected to the drill rod assembly 8 to the drill pipe 12. Moreover, the vertical
shoulders of the rod adapter 16, the vertical shoulders of the intermediate sleeve
20 and the vertical shoulders of the pipe adapter 18 are in a locked state against
each other, whereby when the drill rod assembly 8 is rotated in the direction of the
drilling rotation, i.e. in a first direction of rotation, they become pressed against
each other and thereby transfer the rotational energy supplied to the drill rod assembly
8 further to the drill pipe 12.
[0028] Further, the connecting means of Figures 2A and 2B are implemented so as to allow
the connection between the rod adapter 16 and the pipe adapter 18 to be opened or
released by rotating the rod adapter 16 and the intermediate sleeve 20 in relation
to the pipe adapter 18 in a direction opposite to the direction of drilling rotation,
i.e. in a second direction of rotation. Before this the drill pipe 12 can be locked
to the drilling rig using the above-mentioned gripping means 30 to hold the drill
pipe 12 in place in relation to the drill rod assembly 8. After the rod adapter 16
and the intermediate sleeve 20 have been rotated, the intermediate sleeve 20 and the
rod adapter 16 are rotated in relation to each other to open the connection between
them, and the intermediate sleeve 20 is gripped with the lifting means to lift it
above the rod adapter 16, whereby it is no longer able to connect to the rod adapter
16. This allows the drill rod assembly 8 to be moved downward through the intermediate
sleeve 20 and the pipe adapter 18.
[0029] According to the above, the invention also comprises a novel method for carrying
out underwater drilling. In the following the method of the invention is disclosed
with reference to Figures 1A - 1F. Figure 1A shows the initial situation at the start
of a new drilling. Before the situation shown in Figure 1A, the drill rod assembly
8 has been provided with the rod adapter 16, the drill pipe 12 with the pipe adapter
18, and the intermediate sleeve 20 has been inserted above the rod adapter 16 on the
drill rod assembly 8. The drill rod assembly 8 and, at the same time, also the rod
adapter 16 and the intermediate sleeve 20 are then lowered and rotated in relation
to the drill pipe 12, which in this case is locked to the drilling rig 2 by gripping
means 30. As a result of the lowering and rotation of the drill rod assembly 8, the
rod adapter 16 and the intermediate sleeve 20 engage with each other and with the
pipe adapter 18. Alternatively, the intermediate sleeve 20 and the rod adapter 16
may have been interconnected in advance. The connecting means are implemented to the
drill rod assembly 8 and to the drill pipe 12 in such a way that when they are interconnected,
the drill bit 10 at the bottom of the drill rod assembly penetrates for a predetermined
distance below the bottom end of the drill pipe 12 and the ring bit 14 installed thereto.
[0030] When the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill pipe 12 have been interconnected, the
locking between the drill pipe 12 and the drilling rig 2 is opened, and the drill
pipe 12 remains supported by the drilling rig 2 in such a way that the drilling rig
12 is capable of moving in a longitudinal direction in relation to the drilling rig
2 and to rotate about its longitudinal axis in relation to the drilling rig 2. To
start the drilling, the drilling rig 2 is lowered downward and the rotational and
impact functions of the drill hammer 4 are switched on, whereby the drilling takes
place by means of a drill bit 10 installed to the drill rod assembly 8 and the ring
bit 14 installed to the drill pipe 12, the rotational and impact energy of the drill
hammer 4 being transmitted via the connecting means 15 to the drill pipe and further
to the ring bit 14. The drilling carried out by means of the drill bit 10 and ring
bit 14 continues until the drill pipe 12 and the ring bit 14 installed thereto have
been drilled through the soil layer 3 on the rock 5 and/or for some distance into
the rock 5.
[0031] When the drill pipe reaches the rock 5, as disclosed above, the drill hammer 4 is
switched off and the drill pipe 12 is fixedly locked to the drilling rig 2 by gripping
means 30 so that the movement and rotation of the drill pipe 12 in relation to the
drilling rig 2 is prevented. Next, the connection between the drill pipe 12 and the
drill rod assembly 8 is released while the drill pipe 12 is kept in place in the drilled
hole. The connection may be opened by rotating and lifting the drill rod assembly
8, whereby the intermediate sleeve 20 is disconnected from the rod adapter 18. The
rotation is preferably carried out in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation
of the drilling. The rotating of the drill rod assembly 8 then continues in the direction
opposite to the direction of rotation of the drilling until the vertical surfaces
of the inner shoulders of the intermediate sleeve 20 and the vertical shoulders of
the rod adapter 16 come into contact with each other. The intermediate sleeve 20 is
then lifted up at least above the vertical shoulders of the rod adapter 16 by lifting
means that grab the intermediate sleeve 20 by means of a lifting fork or shoulders
and hold it in place for as long as necessary. The lifting means may comprise a hydraulic
cylinder and/or a lifting fork or some other structure. In that case the lifting fork
may be coupled to a vertically operating hydraulic cylinder.
[0032] However, it is to be noted that the connection may be released or it may open also
so that first opens the connection between the rod adapter 16 and the intermediate
sleeve 20 and only then the connection between the intermediate sleeve 20 and the
pipe adapter 18. The order in which the connection opens is influenced by the difference
in the frictions between the intermediate sleeve 20 and the rod adapter 16 and between
the intermediate sleeve 20 and the pipe adapter 18 and the fact that the unwinding
force to the connection comes from the inside through the rod adapter.
[0033] After the connection has been opened the drill hammer 4 is switched on again and
drilling continues only by means of the drill rod assembly 8 and the drill bit 10
installed thereto, as shown in Figure 1 B. When there is no connection, the drill
pipe 12 stays in place and the drill rod assembly 8 moves downward through the drill
pipe 12, the rod adapter 16 coming along as a part of the drill rod assembly 8. When
a hole of a desired depth has been drilled into the rock 5, the drill rod assembly
8 is lifted up by means of the lifting mechanism of the drill hammer 4, for example,
to a sufficient height to extract the drill bit 10 entirely from the drill pipe 12
as shown in Figure 1 C. As the drill rod assembly 8 is lifted up the intermediate
sleeve 20 on the rod adapter 16 rises with it. The drill pipe 12 is further kept in
place to prevent the soil layer 3 from falling into the drilled hole 34.
[0034] When the drill rod assembly 8 has been lifted above the drill pipe 12, the drill
pipe 12 is empty and the drilled hole 34 may be charged with explosive through the
drill pipe 12, as shown in Figure 1 D, by means of charging devices 38. The charging
may be carried out manually or by pumping the explosive into the hole 34. Before the
explosive is lowered into the hole 34, a primer is placed therein.
[0035] After the charging the drilling rig 2, and with it the drill pipe 12, are lifted
to the upper position and the fuse 36 extending from the hole 34 is lifted onto the
drilling rig 32 and combined with other blasting cables possibly used, as shown in
Figure 1 E. Finally, the explosive charge may be detonated for excavating the rock.
Alternatively, a plural number of holes may be drilled and charged and all the drilled
holes may be exploded simultaneously. The work then proceeds to a new drilling point
and the method starts from the beginning, as shown in Figure 1F . It is to be noted
that the drilling rig may comprise one or more drilling apparatuses of the invention
to allow a plural number of holes to be drilled and charged simultaneously.
1. Equipment for underwater drilling, the equipment comprising a drilling rig (2), drill
hammer (4), drill rod assembly (8) formed of one or more interconnected drill rods
(6) and operationally connected at the top end thereof to the drill hammer (4) and
comprising at the bottom end thereof a drill bit (10) and a drill pipe (12) placed
around the drill rod assembly (8) and supported to the drilling rig (2), the bottom
end of the drill pipe (12) being provided with a ring bit (14), connecting means (15)
for optionally connecting the drill pipe (12) to the drill rod assembly (8) between
the drill hammer (4) and the drill bit (10) for transferring the rotational and/or
impact energy of the drill hammer (4) from the drill rod assembly (8) to the drill
pipe (12), and for releasing the connection between the drill pipe (12) and the drill
rod assembly (8), whereby the rotational and/or impact energy received by the drill
rod assembly (8) from the drill hammer (4) is not transferred to the drill pipe (12),
characterized in that the connecting means (15) comprise a rod adapter (16) on the drill rod assembly (18),
a pipe adapter (18) on the drill pipe (12) and an intermediate sleeve (20) arranged
to set between the rod adapter (16) and the pipe adapter (18) so as to allow the rod
adapter (16) to be connected to the pipe adapter (18) by means of the intermediate
sleeve (20), the intermediate sleeve (20) transferring the rotational and impact energy
of the drill hammer (4) to the pipe adapter (18) and further to the ring bit (14)
at the bottom end of the drill pipe (12), and, correspondingly, to allow the connection
to the pipe adapter (18) to be released, whereby the rotational and/or impact energy
received by the drill rod assembly (8) from the drill hammer (4) is not transferred
to the drill pipe (12).
2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (15) are implemented so as to allow the drill pipe (12) to be
connected to the drill rod assembly (8) and the connection to the drill rod assembly
(8) to be released by rotating the drill rod assembly (8) in a first and, correspondingly,
second direction of rotation in relation to the drill pipe (12).
3. Equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the first direction of rotation for connecting the drill pipe (12) to the drill rod
assembly (8) corresponds to the normal drilling direction of rotation of the drill
rod assembly (8) and the second direction of rotation for releasing the connection
between the drill pipe (12) and the drill rod assembly (8) is a direction of rotation
opposite to the first direction of rotation.
4. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rod adapter (16) is a separate piece installed between two successive drill rods
(6) of the drill rod assembly (8), or that the rod adapter (16) is implemented integrally
with a drill rod (6).
5. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rod adapter (18) is a separate intermediate tube attached to the top end of the
drill pipe (12) or that the pipe adapter (18) is implemented integrally with the top
end of the drill pipe (12) or to the vicinity thereof.
6. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate sleeve (20) is dimensioned to be at least partly placeable inside
the drill pipe (12), to be movable around the drill rods (6) and to be able to at
least partly receive the rod adapter (16) therein.
7. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer surface of the rod adapter (16) comprises shoulders (22) or threads arranged
to connect with shoulders (24) or threads provided on the inner surface of the intermediate
sleeve (20), when the drill rod assembly (8) is rotated in the first direction of
rotation in relation to the intermediate sleeve (20), the rod adapter (16) thus locking
the intermediate sleeve (20) to the drill rod assembly (8) in the axial direction
thereof and in the first direction of rotation.
8. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve (20) comprises shoulders (26) or threads
arranged to connect with shoulders (28) or threads provided on the inner surface of
the pipe adapter (18), when the intermediate sleeve (20) is rotated in the first direction
of rotation in relation to the drill pipe (12), whereby the intermediate sleeve (20)
becomes locked to the drill pipe (12) in the axial direction thereof and in the first
direction of rotation.
9. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rod adapter (16) and the pipe adapter (18) and the drill pipe (12) are dimensioned
so that the drill rod assembly (8) and the rod adapter (16) are movable through the
pipe adapter (18) and the drill pipe (12).
10. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the equipment comprises lifting means for lifting the intermediate sleeve (20) upwards
around the drill rod assembly (8) while the locking between the intermediate sleeve
(20) and the rod adapter (16) is released.
11. A method for underwater drilling, the drilling according to the method being carried
out using a drill rod assembly (8) formed of one or more drill rods (6) connected
to a drilling rig (2), the drill rod assembly (8) being operationally connected to
a drill hammer (4) and comprising at the bottom end thereof a drill bit (10), and
by means of a drill pipe (12) mountable around the drill rod assembly (8) and supported
to the drilling rig (2), the bottom end of the drill pipe (12) being provided with
a ring bit, the method comprising the steps of
inserting the drill rod assembly (8) with the drill bit (10) first into the drill
pipe while the drill pipe (12) is locked to the drilling rig;
connecting the drill pipe to the drill rod assembly (8) between the bottom end of
the drill rod assembly and the drill (4) in such a way that the rotational and impact
energy received by the drill rod assembly from the drill hammer is transferable to
the drill pipe;
lowering the drill rod assembly (8) together with the drill bit (10) attached to the
bottom end thereof and the drill pipe (12) together with the ring bit attached to
the bottom end thereof to the sea bottom;
opening the locking between the drill pipe and the drilling rig;
switching on the drill hammer (4) in order to begin the drilling by means of the drill
bit installed to the bottom end of the drill rod assembly (8) and the ring bit installed
to the bottom end of the drill pipe when the drill bit (10) and the ring bit touch
the sea bottom;
continuing the drilling until the drill pipe (12) has reached the surface of the rock
or bored into the sea bottom for a predetermined distance;
switching off the drill hammer, locking the drill pipe to the drilling rig (2) in
such a way that the rotation and movement thereof in relation to the drilling rig
(2) is prevented, and opening the connection between the drill rod assembly and the
drill pipe; and
switching the drill hammer (4) on again and continuing the drilling by means of the
drill rod assembly (8) and the drill bit (10) into a predetermined depth by feeding
the drill rod assembly (8) into the drilling rig (2) through the locked drill pipe,
characterized in that the connection implemented between the drill rod assembly (8) and the drill pipe
(12) by means of the connecting means is optionally produced by rotating the drill
rod (8) of the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe in a first direction of rotation
in relation to the drill pipe (12) in a second direction of rotation in such a way
that the rod adapter (16) on the drill rod assembly and the intermediate sleeve (20)
placed between the pipe adapter (18) and the rod adapter (16) on the top end of the
drill pipe (12) both rotate in relation to the pipe adapter for connecting the intermediate
sleeve (20) and thereby the rod adapter to the pipe adapter, and in that the connection implemented between the drill rod assembly (8) and the drill pipe
by means of the connecting means is optionally opened by rotating the drill rod assembly
(8) of the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe in a second direction of rotation
in relation to the drill pipe in a second direction in such a way that the rod adapter
(16) on the drill rod assembly (8) and the intermediate sleeve (20) placed between
the pipe adapter and rod pipe adapter on the top end of the drill pipe (12) both rotate
in relation to the pipe adapter (18) for disconnecting the intermediate sleeve (20)
and thereby the rod adapter (16) from the pipe adapter
12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the first direction of rotation corresponds to the normal direction of rotation of
the drill rod assembly and the second direction of rotation for releasing the connection
between the protective tube and the drill rod assembly is a direction of rotation
opposite to the first direction of rotation.
13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that when the drill rod assembly is being connected to the drill pipe the shoulders or
threads on the outer surface of the rod adapter are connected to the shoulders or
threads on the inner surface of the intermediate sleeve by rotating the drill rod
assembly in first direction of rotation in relation to the intermediate sleeve, and
the shoulders or threads on the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve connect with
the shoulders or threads on the inner surface of the rod adapter when the intermediate
sleeve is rotated in the first direction of rotation in relation to the drill pipe,
whereby the intermediate sleeve becomes locked to the drill pipe in the direction
of its axis and in the first direction of rotation.
14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, characterized in that to release the connection between the drill rod assembly and the drill pipe, the
intermediate sleeve is lifted upwards along the drill rod assembly to a position above
the rod adapter.
15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 14, characterized in that when the drill pipe is connected to the drill rod assembly, the drilling rig is arranged
to support the drill pipe in such a way that in relation to the drilling rig the drill
pipe is rotatable and movable in the longitudinal direction of the drilling rig.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 15, characterized in that it comprises the steps of
installing the intermediate sleeve (20) around the rod adapter on the drill rod assembly
before the drill rod assembly (8) is placed into the drilling position inside the
drill pipe;
inserting the drill rod assembly (8) rod will with the drill bit (10) first into the
drill pipe, while the drill pipe (12) is locked to the drilling rig, so that the drill
bit (10) reaches a position at a predetermined distance below a ring bit installed
to the bottom end of the drill pipe;
interconnecting the drill pipe (12) and the drill rod assembly (8) by means of the
pipe adapter (18) on the drill pipe, the rod adapter (16) on the drill rod assembly
and the intermediate sleeve (20) to be placed between them in such a way that the
rotational and impact energy delivered to the drill rod assembly (8) by the drill
hammer is transmitted from the drill rod to the drill pipe;
lowering the drill bit (10) connected to the drill rod assembly and the ring bit connected
to the drill pipe and the drilling rig to the bottom of the sea while the drill pipe
is locked in relation to the drilling rig and the drill rod assembly and the drill
pipe are interconnected into a single functional unit;
releasing the locking between the drilling rig and the drill pipe;
switching on the drill hammer (4) to begin the drilling by means of the drill bit
(10) installed to the bottom end of the drill rod assembly and the ring bit installed
to the bottom end of the drill pipe to penetrate a layer of soil covering a rock or
other hard surface until the ring bit comes into contact with the rock or other hard
surface or reaches a predetermined drilling depth inside the rock or other hard surface;
switching off the drill hammer, locking the drill pipe to the drilling rig with the
gripping means in such a way that the rotation and movement thereof in relation to
the drilling rig is prevented and releasing the connection between the drill rod assembly
and the drill pipe;
switching on the drill hammer again and continuing the drilling by means of the drill
rod assembly and the drill bit to a predetermined depth by taking the drill rod assembly
through the drill pipe locked to the drilling rig;
switching off the drill hammer and lifting the drill rod assembly upwards until the
drill bit is above the top end of the drill pipe as the intermediate sleeve rises
with the drill rod assembly on the rod adapter, the drilled hole being then charged
with explosive through the drill pipe; and
lifting the drilling rig to its upper position and moving to the next drilling location.
1. Ausrüstung zum Unterwasserbohren, die Ausrüstung umfassend einen Bohrturm (2), Bohrhammer
(4), Bohrstangenanordnung (8) gebildet von ein oder mehreren miteinander verbundenen
Bohrstangen (6) und wirkverbunden an dem oberen Ende davon mit dem Bohrhammer (4)
und umfassend an dem unteren Ende davon ein Bohrwerkzeug (10) und ein Bohrrohr (12)
angeordnet um die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) und getragen von dem Bohrturm (2), wobei
das untere Ende des Bohrrohrs (12) mit einem Ringbohrer (14) versehen ist, Verbindungsmittel
(15) zum wahlweisen Verbinden des Bohrrohrs (12) mit der Bohrstangenanordnung (8)
zwischen dem Bohrhammer (4) und dem Bohrwerkzeug (10) zum Übertragen der Rotations-
und/oder Stoßenergie des Bohrhammers (4) von der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) zu dem Bohrrohr
(12), und zum Lösen der Verbindung zwischen dem Bohrrohr (12) und der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8), wobei die Rotations- und/oder Stoßenergie empfangen durch die Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) von dem Bohrhammer (4) nicht auf das Bohrrohr (12) übertragen wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsmittel (15) einen Stangenadapter (16) auf der Bohrstangenanordnung
(18), einen Rohradapter (18) auf dem Bohrrohr (12) und eine Zwischenhülse (20), angeordnet
zum Einstellen zwischen dem Stangenadapter (16) und dem Rohradapter (18), um zu ermöglichen,
dass der Stangenadapter (16) mit dem Rohradapter (18) mittels der Zwischenhülse (20)
verbunden werden kann, umfasst, wobei die Zwischenhülse (20) die Rotations- und Stoßenergie
des Bohrhammers (4) auf den Rohradapter (18) und weiter auf den Ringbohrer (14) an
dem unteren Ende des Bohrrohrs (12) überträgt bzw. ermöglicht, dass die Verbindung
mit dem Rohradapter (18) gelöst wird, wobei die Rotations- und/oder Stoßenergie, empfangen
durch die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) von dem Bohrhammer (4), nicht auf das Bohrrohr
(12) übertragen wird.
2. Ausrüstung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsmittel (15) so angewandt werden, das das Bohrrohr (12) mit der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) verbunden werden kann, und die Verbindung mit der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) durch
Drehen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) einer ersten bzw. zweiten Drehrichtung in Bezug
auf das Bohrrohr (12) gelöst werden kann.
3. Ausrüstung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Drehrichtung zum Verbinden des Bohrrohrs (12) mit der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) der normalen Bohrdrehrichtung der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) entspricht und die
zweite Drehrichtung zum Lösen der Verbindung zwischen dem Bohrrohr (12) und der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) eine Drehrichtung entgegengesetzt zu der ersten Drehrichtung ist.
4. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Stangenadapter (16) ein separates Teil ist, das zwischen zwei aufeinanderfolgenden
Bohrstangen (6) der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) installiert ist oder dass der Stangenadapter
(16) mit einer Bohrstange (6) einstückig ausgeführt ist.
5. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Stangenadapter (18) ein separates Zwischenrohr ist, befestigt an dem oberen Ende
des Bohrrohrs (12) oder dass der Rohradapter (18) einstückig mit dem oberen Ende des
Bohrrohrs (12) oder mit der Umgebung davon ausgeführt ist.
6. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zwischenhülse (20) dimensioniert ist, um zumindest teilweise im Inneren des Bohrrohrs
(12) angeordnet zu werden, um um die Bohrstangen (6) herum bewegbar zu sein, und um
in der Lage zu sein, zumindest teilweise den Stangenadapter (16) darin zu empfangen.
7. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußere Oberfläche des Stangenadapters (16) Schultern (22) oder Gewinde, angeordnet,
um mit Schultern (24) zu verbinden, oder Gewinde, vorgesehen an der inneren Oberfläche
der Zwischenhülse (20), umfasst, wobei wenn die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) in die erste
Drehrichtung bezüglich der Zwischenhülse (20) gedreht wird, der Stangenadapter (16)
somit die Zwischenhülse (20) mit der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) in der axialen Richtung
davon und in der ersten Drehrichtung verriegelt.
8. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußere Oberfläche der Zwischenhülse (20) Schultern (26) oder Gewinde, angeordnet,
um mit Schultern (28) zu verbinden, oder Gewinde, vorgesehen an der inneren Oberfläche
des Rohradapters (18), umfasst, wobei, wenn die Zwischenhülse (20) in die erste Drehrichtung
bezüglich des Bohrrohrs (12) gedreht wird, die Zwischenhülse (20) mit dem Bohrrohr
(12) in der axialen Richtung davon und in der ersten Drehrichtung verriegelt wird.
9. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Stangenadapter (16) und der Rohradapter (18) und das Bohrrohr (12) dimensioniert
sind, sodass die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) und der Stangenadapter (16) durch den Rohradapter
(18) und das Bohrrohr (12) bewegbar sind.
10. Ausrüstung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Ausrüstung Hebemittel umfasst, zum Heben der Zwischenhülse (20) nach oben um
die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) herum, während die Verriegelung zwischen der Zwischenhülse
(20) und dem Stangenadapter (16) gelöst wird.
11. Verfahren zum Unterwasserbohren, wobei das Bohren gemäß des Verfahrens ausgeführt
wird unter Verwendung einer Bohrstangenanordnung (8) gebildet von ein oder mehreren
Bohrstangen (6) verbunden mit einem Bohrturm (2), wobei die Bohrstangenanordnung (8)
mit einem Bohrhammer (4) wirkverbunden ist und an dem unteren ende davon ein Bohrwerkzeug
(10) aufweist, und mit Hilfe eines Bohrrohrs (12), befestigbar um die Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) herum und getragen von dem Bohrturm (2), wobei das untere Ende des Bohrrohrs (12)
mit einem Ringbohrer versehen ist, das Verfahren umfassend die Schritte
Einsetzen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) mit dem Bohrwerkzeug (10) zuerst in das Bohrrohr,
während das Bohrrohr (12) mit dem Bohrturm verriegelt ist;
Verbinden des Bohrrohrs mit der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) zwischen dem unteren Ende
der Bohrstangenanordnung und dem Bohrhammer (4) auf eine Weise, dass die Rotations-
und Stoßenergie, empfangen durch die Bohrstangenanordnung von dem Bohrhammer, auf
das Bohrrohr übertragbar ist;
Absenken der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) zusammen mit dem Bohrwerkzeug (10), befestigt
an dem unteren Ende davon und dem Bohrrohr (12), zusammen mit dem Ringbohrer, befestigt
an dem unteren Ende davon, auf den Meeresboden;
Öffnen der Verriegelung zwischen dem Bohrrohr und dem Bohrturm; Einschalten des Bohrhammers
(4), um mit dem Bohren mit Hilfe des an dem unteren Ende der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) installierten Bohrwerkzeugs und des Ringbohrers, installiert an dem unteren Ende
des Bohrrohrs, zu beginnen, wenn das Bohrwerkzeug (10) und der Ringbohrer den Meeresboden
berühren;
Fortfahren mit dem Bohren bis das Bohrrohr (12) die Oberfläche von Gestein erreicht
hat oder für eine vorgegebene Entfernung in den Meeresboden gebohrt hat;
Abschalten des Bohrhammers, Verriegelnd des Bohrrohrs mit dem Bohrturm (2), auf eine
Weise, dass Rotation und Bewegung davon bezüglich des Bohrturms (2) verhindert wird,
und Öffnen der Verbindung zwischen der Bohrstangenanordnung und dem Bohrrohr; und
wieder Einschalten des Bohrhammers (4) und Fortfahren mit dem Bohren mittels der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) und dem Bohrwerkzeugs (10) in eine vorgegebenen Tiefe mittels Zuführen der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) in den Bohrturm (2) durch das verriegelte Bohrrohr, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindung realisiert zwischen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) und dem Bohrrohr
(12) durch die Verbindungsmittel wahlweise erzeugt wird durch Drehen der Bohrstange
(8) der Bohrstangenanordnung und des Bohrrohrs in eine erste Drehrichtung bezüglich
des Bohrrohrs (12) in eine zweite Drehrichtung, auf eine Weise, dass der Stangenadapter
(16) der Bohrstangenanordnung und die Zwischenhülse (20), angeordnet zwischen dem
Rohradapter (18) und dem Stangenadapter (16) am oberen Ende des Bohrrohrs (12), sich
beide bezüglich dem Rohradapter drehen, zum Verbinden der Zwischenhülse (20) und dabei
den Stangenadapter mit dem Rohradapter, und dadurch dass die Verbindung realisiert
zwischen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) und dem Bohrrohr durch die Verbindungsmittel
wahlweise geöffnet wird durch Drehen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) der Bohrstangenanordnung
und des Bohrrohrs in eine zweite Drehrichtung bezüglich des Bohrrohrs in eine zweite
Richtung, auf eine Weise, dass der Stangenadapter (16) auf der Bohrstangenanordnung
(8) und die Zwischenhülse (20), angeordnet zwischen dem Rohradapter und dem Stangenadapter
an dem oberen Ende des Bohrrohrs (12) sich beide bezüglich des Rohradapters (18) drehen,
zum Lösen der Zwischenhülse (20) und somit des Stangenadapters (16) von dem Rohradapter
(18).
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Drehrichtung der normalen Drehrichtung der Bohrstangenanordnung entspricht
und die zweite Drehrichtung zum Lösen der Verbindung zwischen dem Schutzrohr und der
Bohrstangenanordnung, eine Drehrichtung entgegengesetzt zu der ersten Drehrichtung
ist.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn die Bohrstangenanordnung mit dem Bohrrohr verbunden ist, die Schultern oder
Gewinden an der äußeren Oberfläche des Stangenadapters mit den Schultern oder Gewinden
an der inneren Oberfläche der Zwischenhülse durch Drehen der Bohrstangenanordnung
in die erste Drehrichtung bezüglich der Zwischenhülse verbunden sind, und die Schultern
oder Gewinden an der äußeren Oberfläche der Zwischenhülse mit den Schultern oder Gewinden
an der inneren Oberfläche des Stangenadapters verbunden sind, wenn die Zwischenhülse
in die erste Drehrichtung bezüglich dem Bohrrohr gedreht wird, wobei die Zwischenhülse
mit dem Bohrrohr verriegelt wird in der Richtung ihrer Achse und in der ersten Drehrichtung.
14. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 11 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, um die Verbindung zwischen der Bohrstangenanordnung und dem Bohrrohr zu Lösen, die
Zwischenhülse nach oben gehoben wird entlang der Bohrstangenanordnung zu einer Position
über dem Stangenadapter.
15. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 11 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn das Bohrrohr mit der Bohrstangenanordnung verbunden ist, der Bohrturm ausgebildet
ist zum Tragen des Bohrrohrs auf eine Weise, dass bezüglich dem Bohrturm das Bohrrohr
in Längsrichtung des Bohrturms drehbar und bewegbar ist.
16. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 11 bis 15,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es die Schritte umfasst
Installieren der Zwischenhülse (20) um den Stangenadapter auf der Bohrstangenanordnung,
bevor die Bohrstangenanordnung (8) in die Bohrposition im Inneren des Bohrrohrs gebracht
wird;
Einsetzen der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) mit dem Bohrwerkzeug (10) zuerst in das Bohrrohr,
während das Bohrrohr (12) mit dem Bohrturm verriegelt ist, sodass das Bohrwerkzeug
(10) eine Position bei einem vorgegebenen Abstand unter dem Ringbohrer, installiert
an dem unteren Ende des Bohrrohrs, erreicht;
miteinander Verbinden des Bohrrohrs (12) und der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) mit Hilfe
des Rohradapters (18) auf dem Bohrrohr, des Stangenadapters (16) an der Bohrstangenanordnung
und die Zwischenhülse (20) zwischen ihnen angeordnet auf eine Weise, dass die Rotations-
und Stoßenergie, geliefert zu der Bohrstangenanordnung (8) durch den Bohrhammer, von
der Bohrstange zu dem Bohrrohr übertragen wird;
Absenken des Bohrwerkzeugs (10), verbunden mit der Bohrstangenanordnung, und den Ringbohrer,
verbunden mit dem Bohrrohr und dem Bohrturm, auf den Meeresboden, während das Bohrrohr
bezüglich des Bohrturms verriegelt ist, und die Bohrstangenanordnung und das Bohrrohr
miteinander zu einer einzelnen funktionalen Einheit verbunden sind;
Lösen der Verriegelung zwischen dem Bohrturm und dem Bohrrohr;
Einschalten des Bohrhammers (4), um mit dem Bohren mit Hilfe des an dem unteren Ende
der Bohrstangenanordnung installierten Bohrwerkzeugs (10) und des Ringbohrers, installiert
an dem unteren Ende des Bohrrohrs, zu beginnen, um eine Erdschicht, die einen Stein
oder andere harte Oberfläche zu durchdringen bis der Ringbohrer in Berührung mit dem
Stein oder anderen harten Oberfläche kommt oder eine vorgegebenen Bohrtiefe innerhalb
des Steins oder anderer harter Oberfläche erreicht;
Abschalten des Bohrhammers, Verriegelnd des Bohrrohrs mit dem Bohrturm mit dem Greifmittel
auf ein Weise, dass Rotation und Bewegung davon bezüglich des Bohrturms verhindert
wird, und Öffnen der Verbindung zwischen der Bohrstangenanordnung und dem Bohrrohr;
wieder Einschalten des Bohrhammers und Fortfahren mit dem Bohren mittels der Bohrstangenanordnung
und dem Bohrwerkzeugs bis zu einer vorgegebenen Tiefe mittels Führen der Bohrstangenanordnung
durch das mit dem Bohrturm verriegelte Bohrrohr;
Abschalten des Bohrhammers und Heben der Bohrstangenanordnung nach oben bis das Bohrwerkzeug
sich oberhalb des oberen Endes des Bohrrohrs befindet, während die Zwischenhülse sich
mit der Bohrstangenanordnung auf dem Stangenadapter nach oben bewegt, wobei das gebohrte
Loch dann durch das Bohrrohr mit Sprengstoff geladen wird; und
Heben des Bohrturms zu seiner obersten Position und Bewegen zu der nächsten Bohrstelle.
1. Equipement de forage sous-marin, l'équipement comprenant un appareil de forage (2),
un marteau perforateur (4), un ensemble de tiges de forage (8) formé d'une ou plusieurs
tiges de forage interconnectées (6) et raccordé en service à son extrémité supérieure
au marteau perforateur (4) et comprenant à son extrémité inférieure un outil de forage
(10) et un tube de forage (12) placé autour de l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et
supporté sur l'appareil de forage (2), l'extrémité inférieure du tube de forage (12)
étant pourvue d'un trépan annulaire (14), des moyens de raccordement (15) pour raccorder
éventuellement le tube de forage (12) à l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) entre le
marteau perforateur (4) et l'outil de forage (10) pour transférer l'énergie de rotation
et/ou d'impact du marteau perforateur (4) de l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) au
tube de forage (12) et pour libérer le raccordement entre le tube de forage (12) et
l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8), moyennant quoi l'énergie de rotation et/ou d'impact
reçue par l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) du marteau perforateur (4) n'est pas transférée
au tube de forage (12), caractérisé en ce que les moyens de raccordement (15) comprennent un adaptateur de tige (16) sur l'ensemble
de tiges de forage (18), un adaptateur de tube (18) sur le tube de forage (12) et
un manchon intermédiaire (20) aménagé pour effectuer un réglage entre l'adaptateur
de tige (16) et l'adaptateur de tube (18) afin de permettre le raccordement de l'adaptateur
de tige (16) à l'adaptateur de tube (18) au moyen du manchon intermédiaire (20), le
manchon intermédiaire (20) transférant l'énergie de rotation et d'impact du marteau
perforateur (4) à l'adaptateur de tube (18) et en outre au trépan annulaire (14) à
l'extrémité inférieure du tube de forage (12) et, de manière correspondante, pour
permettre de libérer le raccordement avec l'adaptateur de tube (18), moyennant quoi
l'énergie de rotation et/ou d'impact reçue par l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) depuis
le marteau perforateur (4) n'est pas transférée au tube de forage (12).
2. Equipement selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de raccordement (15) sont mis en oeuvre pour permettre au tube de forage
(12) de se raccorder à l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et de libérer le raccordement
avec l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) en faisant tourner l'ensemble de tiges de forage
(8) dans un premier et, de manière correspondante, dans un second sens de rotation
par rapport au tube de forage (12).
3. Equipement selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le premier sens de rotation pour raccorder le tube de forage (12) à l'ensemble de
tiges de forage (8) correspond au sens de rotation de forage normal de l'ensemble
de tiges de forage (8) et le second sens de rotation pour libérer le raccordement
entre le tube de forage (12) et l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) est un sens de rotation
opposé au premier sens de rotation.
4. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que l'adaptateur de tige (16) est une pièce séparée installée entre deux tiges de forage
successives (6) de l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) ou en ce que l'adaptateur de tige (16) est mis en oeuvre intégralement avec une tige de forage
(6).
5. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'adaptateur de tige (18) est un tube intermédiaire séparé fixé à l'extrémité supérieure
du tube de forage (12) ou en ce que l'adaptateur de tube (18) est mis en oeuvre intégralement avec l'extrémité supérieure
du tube de forage (12) ou se trouve à son voisinage.
6. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le manchon intermédiaire (20) est dimensionné pour pouvoir être placé au moins en
partie à l'intérieur du tube de forage (12) pour pouvoir être déplacé autour des tiges
de forage (6) et pour être à même de recevoir au moins en partie l'adaptateur de tige
(16).
7. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la surface externe de l'adaptateur de tige (16) comprend des épaulements (22) ou
des filets aménagés pour se raccorder aux épaulements (24) ou aux filets prévus sur
la surface interne du manchon intermédiaire (20) lorsque l'ensemble de tiges de forage
(8) est soumis à une rotation dans le premier sens de rotation par rapport au manchon
intermédiaire (20), l'adaptateur de tige (16) verrouillant donc le manchon intermédiaire
(20) à l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) dans sa direction axiale et dans le premier
sens de rotation.
8. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que la surface externe du manchon intermédiaire (20) comprend des épaulements (26) ou
des filets aménagés pour se raccorder aux épaulements (28) ou aux filets prévus sur
la surface interne de l'adaptateur de tube (18) lorsque le manchon intermédiaire (20)
est soumis à une rotation dans le premier sens de rotation par rapport au tube de
forage (12), moyennant quoi le manchon intermédiaire (20) se verrouille sur le tube
de forage (12) dans sa direction axiale et dans le premier sens de rotation.
9. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que l'adaptateur de tige (16) et l'adaptateur de tube (18) ainsi que le tube de forage
(12) sont dimensionnés de sorte que l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et l'adaptateur
de tige (16) puissent être déplacés à travers l'adaptateur de tube (18) et le tube
de forage (12).
10. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que l'équipement comprend des moyens de levage pour lever le manchon intermédiaire (20)
vers le haut autour de l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) tandis que le verrouillage
entre le manchon intermédiaire (20) et l'adaptateur de tige (16) est libéré.
11. Procédé de forage sous-marin, le forage selon le procédé étant réalisé en utilisant
un ensemble de tiges de forage (8) formé d'une ou plusieurs tiges de forage (6) raccordées
à un appareil de forage (2), l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) étant raccordé en service
à un marteau perforateur (4) et comprenant à son extrémité inférieure un outil de
forage (10), et au moyen d'un tube de forage (12) qui peut être monté autour de l'ensemble
de tiges de forage (8) et supporté par l'appareil de forage (2), l'extrémité inférieure
du tube de forage (12) étant pourvue d'un trépan annulaire, le procédé comprenant
les étapes consistant à :
insérer l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) avec l'outil de forage (10) tout d'abord
dans le tube de forage tandis que le tube de forage (12) est verrouillé sur l'appareil
de forage ;
raccorder le tube de forage à l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) entre l'extrémité
inférieure de l'ensemble de tiges de forage et le trépan (4) de sorte que l'énergie
de rotation et d'impact reçue par l'ensemble de tiges de forage du marteau perforateur
puisse être transférée au tube de forage ;
abaisser l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) conjointement avec l'outil de forage (10)
fixé à son extrémité inférieure et le tube de forage (12) conjointement avec le trépan
annulaire fixé à son extrémité inférieure sur le fond de la mer ;
ouvrir le verrouillage entre le tube de forage et l'appareil de forage ;
se commuter sur le marteau perforateur (4) afin de commencer le forage au moyen de
l'outil de forage installé sur l'extrémité inférieure de l'ensemble de tiges de forage
(8) et le trépan annulaire installé à l'extrémité inférieure du tube de forage lorsque
l'outil de forage (10) et le trépan annulaire touchent le fond de la mer;
continuer le forage jusqu'à ce que le tube de forage (12) ait atteint la surface de
la roche ou ait perforé le fond de la mer sur une distance prédéterminée ;
décommuter le marteau perforateur en verrouillant le tube de forage sur l'appareil
de forage (2) de manière que sa rotation et son mouvement par rapport à l'appareil
de forage (2) soient empêchés et en ouvrant le raccordement entre l'ensemble de tiges
de forage et le tube de forage ; et
commuter le marteau perforateur (4) à nouveau et continuer le forage au moyen de l'ensemble
de tiges de forage (8) et l'outil de forage (10) sur une profondeur prédéterminée
en acheminant l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) dans l'appareil de forage (2) à travers
le tube de forage verrouillé,
caractérisé en ce que le raccordement mis en oeuvre entre l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et le tube
de forage (12) avec les moyens de raccordement est éventuellement produit en faisant
tourner la tige de forage (8) de l'ensemble de tiges de forage et le tube de forage
dans un premier sens de rotation par rapport au tube de forage (12) dans un second
sens de rotation de sorte que l'adaptateur de tige (16) sur l'ensemble de tiges de
forage et le manchon intermédiaire (20) placé entre l'adaptateur de tube (18) et l'adaptateur
de tige (16) à l'extrémité supérieure du tube de forage (12) tournent tous deux par
rapport à l'adaptateur de tube pour raccorder le manchon intermédiaire (20) et, ainsi,
l'adaptateur de tige à l'adaptateur de tube et en ce que le raccordement mis en oeuvre entre l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et le tube
de forage avec les moyens de raccordement est éventuellement ouverte en faisant tourner
l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et le tube de forage dans un second sens de rotation
par rapport au tube de forage dans un second sens de manière que l'adaptateur de tige
(16) sur l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) et le manchon intermédiaire (20) placé
entre l'adaptateur de tube et l'adaptateur de tige à l'extrémité supérieure du tube
de forage (12) tournent tous deux par rapport à l'adaptateur de tube (18) pour déconnecter
le manchon intermédiaire (20) et ainsi l'adaptateur de tige (16) de l'adaptateur de
tube (18).
12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le premier sens de rotation correspond au sens de rotation normal de l'ensemble de
tiges de forage et le second sens de rotation pour libérer e raccordement entre le
tube protecteur et l'ensemble de tiges de forage est un sens de rotation opposé au
premier sens de rotation.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 11 ou 12, caractérisé en ce que, lorsque l'ensemble de tiges de forage est raccordé au tube de forage, les épaulements
ou filets sur la surface externe de l'adaptateur de tige sont raccordés aux épaulements
ou filets sur la surface interne du manchon intermédiaire en faisant tourner l'ensemble
de tiges de forage dans un premier sens de rotation par rapport au manchon intermédiaire
et les épaulements ou les filets sur la surface externe du manchon intermédiaire se
raccordent aux épaulements ou aux filets sur la surface interne de l'adaptateur de
tige lorsque le manchon intermédiaire est soumis à une rotation dans le premier sens
de rotation par rapport au tube de forage, moyennant quoi le manchon intermédiaire
se verrouille sur le tube de forage dans la direction de son axe et dans le premier
sens de rotation.
14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 13, caractérisé en ce que, pour libérer le raccordement entre l'ensemble de tiges de forage et le tube de forage,
le manchon intermédiaire est soulevé vers le haut le long de l'ensemble de tiges de
forage dans une position située au-dessus de l'adaptateur de tige.
15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 14, caractérisé en ce que, lorsque le tube de forage est raccordé à l'ensemble de tiges de forage, l'appareil
de forage est aménagé pour supporter le tube de forage de sorte que, en relation avec
l'appareil de forage, le tube de forage puisse tourner et se déplacer dans la direction
longitudinale de l'appareil de forage.
16. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 15,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes consistant à :
installer le manchon intermédiaire (20) autour de l'adaptateur de tige sur l'ensemble
de tiges de forage avant que l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) ne soit placé en position
de forage à l'intérieur du tube de forage ;
insérer l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) avec l'outil de forage (10) tout d'abord
dans le tube de forage tandis que le tube de forage (12) est verrouillé sur l'appareil
de forage afin que l'outil de forage (10) atteigne une position à une distance prédéterminée
en dessous d'un trépan annulaire installé à l'extrémité inférieure du tube de forage
;
interconnecter le tube de forage (12) et l'ensemble de tiges de forage (8) au moyen
de l'adaptateur de tube (18) sur le tube de forage, l'adaptateur de tige (16) sur
l'ensemble de tiges de forage et le manchon intermédiaire (20) à placer entre eux
de manière que l'énergie de rotation et d'impact fournie à l'ensemble de tiges de
forage (8) par le marteau perforateur soit transmise de la tige au forage au tube
de forage ;
abaisser l'outil de forage (10) raccordé à l'ensemble de tiges de forage et au trépan
annulaire raccordé au tube de forage et à l'appareil de forage au fond de la mer tandis
que le tube de forage est verrouillé par rapport à l'appareil de forage et que l'ensemble
de tiges de forage et le tube de forage sont interconnectés en une seule unité fonctionnelle
;
libérer le verrouillage entre l'appareil de forage et le tube de forage ;
se commuter sur le marteau perforateur (4) pour démarrer le forage au moyen de l'outil
de forage (10) installé à l'extrémité inférieure de l'ensemble de tiges de forage
et le trépan annulaire installé à l'extrémité inférieure du tube de forage pour pénétrer
dans une couche de sol couvrant une surface rocheuse ou une autre surface dure jusqu'à
ce que le trépan annulaire vienne en contact avec la roche ou l'autre surface dure
ou atteigne une profondeur de perforation prédéterminée à l'intérieur de la roche
ou d'une autre surface dure ;
décommuter le marteau perforateur, verrouiller le tube de forage sur l'appareil de
forage avec le moyen de préhension de manière que sa rotation et son mouvement par
rapport à l'appareil de forage soient empêchés et libérer la connexion entre l'ensemble
de tiges de forage et le tube de forage ;
se commuter sur le marteau perforateur à nouveau et continuer le forage au moyen de
l'ensemble de tiges de forage et de l'outil de forage sur une profondeur prédéterminée
en prenant l'ensemble de tiges de forage à travers le tube de forage verrouillé sur
l'appareil de forage ;
se déconnecter du marteau perforateur et soulever l'ensemble de tiges de forage vers
le haut jusqu'à ce que l'outil de forage soit situé au-dessus de l'extrémité supérieure
du tube de forage lorsque le manchon intermédiaire s'élève avec l'ensemble de tiges
de forage sur l'adaptateur de tige, le trou foré étant ensuite
chargé d'explosifs à travers le tube de forage ; et
soulever l'appareil de forage dans sa position supérieure et le déplacer à l'emplacement
de forage suivant.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description