Oil and Gas Intellectual Competition 2016

OIL RIG DESIGN COMPETITION( DESIGN BLUEPRINT )

Team Members

Derek Chung Zhong KangChoo Ee Wen

Prakash S/O Neela MehanMatt Tiew Tje Wei

Alfred She Jian RongNo Title Page

1. Catalog 3

2. Introduction

(i) General Introduction

(ii) ALPHA-Q Semisubmersible Oil Rig

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ALPHA-Q SEMI-

SUBMERSIBLE OIL RIG

3. Rig Price and Equipment Specification 14

4. Applicable Sea Condition 18

5. Hydrological Situation 19

6. Water Depth 20

7. Positioning and Shift System 21

8. Features of Oil Rig

(i)Working Area

(ii) Accommodation and Recreation

(iii) Safety Features

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9. Stability of Oil Rig 27

10. Innovation Point 31

Content

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Rig Name: ALPHA-QRig Manager: Alpha OffshoreRig Owner: Alpha OffshoreCompetitive Rig: YesRig Type: SemisubSemisub Generation:

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Rig Design: Alpha New Era EnhancedDrilling Depth: 8,000 ft

RIG DIMENSIONLength :Breadth :Depth :Columns :

Pontoons :

112.0 m68.0 m34.0 m4 Corner Column 10.0m diameter , 4 Intermediate Column 7.0m diameter , 4 Stability Column2 112m x 13m x 7m

RIG EQUIPMENTDerrick: Dreco 170' x 48' x 46';

Capacity: 2,000,000 lbsDrawworks: National Oilwell 2040

UDBEL 4,000 HPMud Pumps: 3 x National Oilwell FC-

2200, 2200 HP; 1 x National Oilwell FB-1600 HP Triplex, 1600 HP

Top Drive: National Oilwell PS2-1000, 1100 HP

Rotary Table:

Travelling Block :Shale Shaker :

National Oilwell 60.5 in. diameter Model T6050 1,250,000 lb rating Top of Rotary Table to Bottom of Barge 152 Ft.National Oilwell 650 ton , 7x60’’4 x Thule

\

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Rig Data

Alpha-Q Design Plan

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TOP VIEW, BOTTOM VIEW

FRONT VIEW, BACK VIEW

LEFT VIEW , RIGHT VIEW

3D VIEW

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IntroductionGeneral Introduction

1) What is semi-submersible oil rig ?

A semi-submersible oil rig is a specialised marine vessel used in a number of specific

offshore roles such as offshore drilling rigs, safety vessels, oil production platforms, and

heavy lift cranes. They are designed with good stability and seakeeping characteristics.

2) What is its characteristics ?

(a) A semi-submersible obtains its buoyancy from ballasted, watertight pontoons located

below the ocean surface and wave action. The operating deck can be located high above the

sea level due to the good stability of the design, and therefore the operating deck is kept well

away from the waves. Structural columns connect the pontoons and operating deck.

(b) With its hull structure submerged at a deep draft, the semi-submersible is less affected by

wave loadings than a normal ship. With a small water-plane area, however, the semi-

submersible is sensitive to load changes, and therefore must be carefully trimmed to maintain

stability. Unlike a submarine or submersible, during normal operations, a semi-submersible

vessel is never entirely underwater.

(c) A semi-submersible vessel is able to transform from a deep to a shallow draft by de-

ballasting (removing ballast water from the hull), and thereby become a surface vessel. The

heavy lift vessels use this capability to submerge the majority of their structure, locate

beneath another floating vessel, and then de-ballast to pick up the other vessel as a cargo.

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Advantages Disadvantages

1.Semi-submersible can achieve good (small)

motion response and , therefore , can be more

easily positioned over a well template for

drilling

1. Pipeline infrastructure or others mean is

required to export produced oil

2. Semi-submersibles allow for a large

number of flexible risers

2. Building schedules for semi-submersibles

are usually longer than jack-up rigs

3. Large deck area 3.Limited deck load ( low reserve buoyancy)

4. Low initial and operating cost 4.Expensive to move in large distance .

5.Variable deck load (VDL) or well-

consumable load-carrying ability

5. Structural fatigue

6. Semi-submersible have ballast tank that

can store water or release water to adjust the

depth they are going to submerge in seawater

.

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ALPHA-Q Semi-submersible Oil Rig

Figures above show the design of our Alpha-Q Semisubmersible Oil Rig

Figure above illustrates that our semi-submersible rig consists of several components.

The area above the columns is the topside, where operation equipment, accommodations,

drilling derrick and drilling deck is located. The columns are supporting the topside and

provide the rig with sufficient air gap between the water surface and the deck.

The columns are also used for ballasting and storage of various bulk loads, such as

mud and fuel. The number of columns varies from four to eight columns, dependent on the

stability requirements and variable deck load (VDL) capacity required.

In the lower part of the hull structure the pontoons are connected to the columns. The

pontoons main function is to provide the rig with sufficient buoyancy and act as catamaran

hulls during transit. This part of the hull is also used to store mud, fuel and the majority of the

water ballast. Our rigs are typically designed with two pontoons connecting all the columns.

The hull is usually equipped with some kind of bracing between the pontoons and columns in

order to enhance the structural integrity of the rig. The bracing can be arranged in various

configurations, dependent on the environmental loads governing in the operating area.

Our rig is typically designed for three different draft configurations which are the

operational, survival and transit draft. In the operating condition the draft is at the maximum

magnitude. This gives low pressure variation on the pontoons which ensures favourable

motions that is required during the operations, because severe response may damage valuable

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equipment. If extreme weather approaches, the rig will halt operations and de-ballast to

increase the air gap from the water surface to the rig. The increase in air gap will prevent

slamming of waves into the deck structure. Slamming can damage the deck and destroy

equipment and should not occur. In the transit condition the pontoons act as catamaran hulls

and they are not totally submerged. The large water-plane area will give the rig the necessary

stability for the transit.

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Rig Price and Equipment Specification

Cost of our semi-submersible rig: $1.005 billion including work capital

Drilling equipment

Derrick Dreco 170 ft. high, 48 ft. x 46 ft. base, 2.0×106 lbs load capacity

Draw works National Oilwell 2040 UDBEL 4,000 HP

Rotary National Oilwell 60.5 in. diameter Model T6050 1,250,000 lb

rating Top of Rotary Table to Bottom of Barge 152 ft.

Top Drive National Oilwell PS2-1000, 1100 HP

Traveling

Block

Maritime Hydraulics 650 ton, 7 x 60"

Hook N/A

Swivel N/A

Drillpipe 15,500 ft. 5", 2500 ft. 5 1/2", 25 jts 5" Hevi-Wate Drillpipe

Drill Collars 9-1/2", 8", 6-1/2", 4-3/4"

Pipe Handling National Oilwell 3-arm pipe handling/racking system

Motion

Compensator

National Oilwell 270/20 crown mounted 20 ft. stroke 600,000 lbs

heave compensator

Mud Pumps 3 x National Oilwell FC-2200, 2200 HP; 1 x National Oilwell FB-

1600 HP Triplex, 1600 HP

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MainDimensions/ Draft/ Displacement

Length 125 m

Width 110 m

Height 101 m (excluding flare boom)

Columns 4 Corner columns of 10.0 m in diameter, 4 Intermediate

Columns of 7.0 m in diameter and 4 Stability Columns

Pontoons 2 pontoons of 112 m x 13 m x 7 m

Operating Draft 20.0 m

Ocean Transit

draft

6.8 m

Storm Draft 16.0 m

Operating Disp 28,865 tonnes

Ocean Transit

Disp

21,448 tonnes

Operating Parameters

Max Water Depth 1800 ft

Max Drilling Depth 30,000 ft.

Transit Speed 6 knots

Operating Conditions Drilling maximum heave 4.5 m with riser

connected.

Storm Conditions Unlatched 8m

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Capacities

VDL - Operating 4,300 tonnes

VDL - Storm 4,300 tonnes

VDL - Ocean Transit 3,350 tonnes

Liquid Mud 3296 bbls (524m³)

Bulk Mud 303 m³

Bulk Cement 303 m³

Sack Material 110m²

Drillwater 10611 bbls (1687m³)

Potable Water 2503 bbls (398m³)

Fuel Oil 8227 bbls (1308m³)

Subsea Systems

BOP CIW 18-3/4" 15 ksi H2S Service. 2 x CIW UII double rams

preventers,

2 x 10,000 psi WP annular preventers

LMRP Cooper 18-3/4" hydraulic connector

BOP Handling 1 x 220 ton SWL BOP transporter

Mooring

Winches 2 x Norwinch triple Forward, 2 x

Norwinch double Aft

Wire/Chain 8 x 76mm dia K4 x 1,700. Breaking

strain 613 ton

Anchors 8 ea x 15 tonne Stevpris

Others  

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Craning 3 National Oilwell OC-L Crane with

elevation of 35 m – 60 m

Main Power 2 x 3060 BHP Nohab diesel (2,100 kW)

max continuous load, 2 x 4080 BHP

Nohab diesel (2,800kw) max continuous

load.

Moonpool 80 x 23.5 ft. (24.4m x 7.16m)

Helideck Certified for Boeing BV 234

Chinook/S61 Sikorsky

Accommodations 116 persons w/ 2 berth sick bay

Control System Hydraulic with acoustic back up

Applicable Sea ConditionSalinity

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The salinity of water varies considerably throughout the world’s ocean. Although seawater’s

salinity can reach up to almost 40% in some areas, the average salinity of seawater is only

approximately 3-4%. Our platform is compatible with seawater which have salinity level up

to 30% as the platform is made up of nickel-copper alloy (about 67% Ni – 23% Cu), that is

resistant to salt and caustic solutions at the same time.

pH

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Pure water is said to be neutral but

the pH of seawater is about 8, although it varies slightly throughout the world. Most of the

materials of our platform which are in contact with the seawater is mainly covered by nickel-

copper alloy. Basically it can operate in the range of average pH of seawater. Therefore, our

platform is suitable to be placed in seawater with that range of pH.

Density

Seawater is more than 800 times denser than air. This high density is related to salinity and

temperature and means that objects might sink in freshwater are able to float in seawater. In

order to float according to the density of the seawater, our platform will take in and displace

seawater accordingly. At the same time, our platform’s density is significantly high enough

and suitable to be used in seawater which have high density.

Tides

Tides are actually caused by the interaction of the forces of the sun and moon; in most places

tides occurs twice daily. Although it has no significant effect on the platform, the pre-

determined depth of the platform will be altered automatically with the aid of water level

detector. Therefore, the platform can be used without any problem in seawater with tides.

Hydrological Situation

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Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water

on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and

environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is a hydrologist, working

within the fields of earth or environmental science, physical geography, geology or civil and

environmental engineering. Hydrology is subdivided into surface water hydrology,

groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology), and marine hydrology. Domains of hydrology

include hydrometeorology, surface hydrology, hydrogeology, drainage basin management

and water quality, where water plays the central role.

Hydrological situation including the sea wave, water temperature and as well as stability and

mobility of sea water

• Sea wave

Sea waves are caused by the wind. Our platform can withstand a number of waves such as

waves that are 1/20 of their wavelength. Next is the breaking wave, where the wave unable to

support its top and cause it to collapse, and the ratio of wave height to wave length exceeds

0.07. Then, internal waves which forms at the boundary between water layers of different

densities, normally moving slowly. Our platform is built with strong metal material such as

stainless steel which can withstand all those waves.

• Water temperature

Water temperature is the temperature near the sea surface. The water temperature change

constantly, following the air above it. The global average water temperature is 16.1°C. On a

calm day, the temperature can varies by 6°C. For a tropical cyclones, the water temperature is

at 26.5°C. Hence , our platform is designed to withstand the temperature around -10°C to

60°C, which means that water temperature is not a problem for our oil rig.

• Stability and mobility

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Sea water is constantly moving with the sea wave mentioned. This can cause the rig to swing

and maybe dangerous to all the crews. Our oil rig overcome this problem by using the anchor

anchored to the seabed to improve its stability. While for the mobility, we need the water

mobility to help the rig to move to a new location, this will reduce the fuel used by the tug

boat.

Water DepthOur platforms have hulls (columns and pontoons) of sufficient buoyancy to cause the

structure to float, and also sufficient weight to keep the structure upright. Our Alpha-Q semi-

submersible platforms can be moved from place to place and can be ballasted up or down by

altering the amount of flooding in buoyancy tanks. They are generally anchored by

combinations of chain, wire rope or polyester rope, or both, during drilling and/or production

operations, though they can also be kept in place by the use of dynamic positioning. Thus ,

our semi-submersible platform can be used in water depths from 60 to 3,000 metres (200 to

10,000 ft).

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Positioning System and Shift System

Positioning System

Semi-submersible is named so because they have two enormous pontoons that can be

filled or drained of sea water to ballast the rig up and down. While drilling, the pontoons and

columns fill with water to sink to a lower depth, providing stability while keeping the

facilities high and dry. High stability is obtained by placing the columns far apart. High

stability allows the rig to support more equipment and weight.

Catenary mooring system is used for mooring system because the anchors are simple

low-cost and its installation is easy and simple. The mooring system makes the rig flexible

enough to allow side-to-side motion, which helps absorb the stress of waves and wind. The

type of anchor chosen is gravity anchor because it suitable for any soil condition provided the

bottom is flat. The mooring system and anchor is needed to fix the rig at one location and

prevent the rig from moving while drilling.

Dynamic positioning system uses several large directional thrusters are installed on

the pontoon section to maintain the rig position according to the Global Positioning System

(GPS) receivers and sonar beacons. Because the wellbore is extremely precise, it is very

important to keep the wellbore in position.

Shift System

While in transit, the pontoons and columns are de-ballasted so that the rig rises to water

surface. Floating on water made the transportation much easier due to the natural buoyancy

force provide by the sea water. Engines and turbines are installed into our rig to produce the

propulsion force to move the rig from one location to another. Turbines suck the water

present in front of it and throw it backwards. By pushing the water to back, the propeller will

produce a thrust which moves the rig forward. Beside, tugboats are used to tow the rig to

speed up the transportation. GPS also used in transporting system to pin point the location of

oil field and move toward it. Dual frequency signal is used to improve accuracy of GPS.

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Features of Our Oil Rig

Working Area

A. Derrick

The structure used to support the crown blocks and the drill string of a drilling rig. Our

derrick is pyramidal in shape, and offer a good strength-to-weight ratio. If the derrick design

does not allow it to be moved easily in one piece, special ironworkers must assemble them

piece by piece, and in some cases disassemble them if they are to be moved.

B. Pipe Rack

Single elevated truss-like structures having rectangular cross sections. The pipe rack supports

drillpipe, drill collars or casing above the ground. These structures are used in pairs located

about 20 ft apart and keep the pipe above ground level and closer to the level of the catwalk.

Pipe stored horizontally on the pipe racks can have its threads cleaned and inspected and the

rig crew may roll the pipe from one end of the pipe racks to the other with relative ease. The

pipe racks are usually topped with a wooden board so as to not damage pipe, especially

casing, as it is rolled back and forth along the racks. When large amounts of pipe are stored,

wooden sills are placed between the layers of pipe to prevent damage.

C. Crane barge

A large barge, capable of lifting heavy equipment onto offshore platforms. Also known as a

"derrick barge".

D. Flare Boom

A flare boom, alternatively known as a flare stack, is used for burning off flammable gas

released by pressure relief valves during unplanned over-pressuring of plant equipment. A

great deal of gas flaring at many oil and gas production sites has nothing to do with

protection against the dangers of over-pressuring industrial plant equipment. When petroleum

crude oil is extracted and produced from onshore or offshore oil wells, raw natural gas

associated with the oil is produced to the surface as well. Especially in areas of the world

lacking pipelines and other gas transportation infrastructure, vast amounts of such associated

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gas are commonly flared as waste or unusable gas. The flaring of associated gas may occur at

the top of a vertical flare stack .

E. Fuel Tank

A fuel tank is a safe container for flammable fluid , in which the fuel is stored and or released

into an engine .Our fuel tank allow or provide the following:

(i) Storage of fuel: the system must contain a given quantity of fuel and must avoid

leakage and limit evaporative emissions.

(ii) Filling: the fuel tank must be filled in a secure way, without sparks.

(iii) Provide a method for determining level of fuel in tank, gauging (the remaining

quantity of fuel in the tank must be measured or evaluated).

(iv) Venting (if over-pressure is not allowed, the fuel vapors must be managed through

valves).

(v) Feeding of the engine (through a pump).

(vi) Anticipate potentials for damage and provide safe survival potential.

F. Water Tank

A water tank is a container for storing water. Water is used for domestic usage and also act as

an important material in making drilling fluid .

G. Prime Mover

The source of power for the rig location. On modern rigs, the prime mover consists of one to

four or more diesel engines. These engines commonly produce several thousand horsepower.

Typically, the diesel engines are connected to electric generators. The electrical power is then

distributed by a silicon-controlled-rectifier (SCR) system around the rigsite. Our rigs convert

diesel power to electricity , which known as diesel electric rigs. The designs transmit power

from the diesel engines to certain rig components (drawworks, pumps and rotary table)

through a system of mechanical belts, chains and clutches.

H. Dog House

The steel-sided room adjacent to the rig floor, usually having an access door close to the

driller's controls. This general-purpose shelter is a combination tool shed, office,

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communications center, coffee room, lunchroom and general meeting place for the driller and

his crew. It is at the same elevation as the rig floor, usually cantilevered out from the main

substructure supporting the rig.

I. Mud Pit

A large tank that holds drilling fluid on the rig or at a mud-mixing plant. On most offshore

rigs, pits are constructed into the drilling vessel and are larger, holding up to 1000 barrels.

Circular pits are used at mixing plants and on some drilling rigs to improve mixing efficiency

and reduce dead spots that allow settling.

J. Shale Shaker

The very important device on the rig for removing drilled solids from the mud. This vibrating

sieve is simple in concept, but a bit more complicated to use efficiently. A wire-cloth screen

vibrates while the drilling fluid flows on top of it. The liquid phase of the mud and solids

smaller than the wire mesh pass through the screen, while larger solids are retained on the

screen and eventually fall off the back of the device and are discarded. Hence, the drilling

crew should seek to run the screens (as the wire cloth is called), as fine as possible, without

dumping whole mud off the back of the shaker. Our oil rigs are fitted with four or more

shakers, thus giving more area of wire cloth to use, and giving the crew the flexibility to run

increasingly fine screens.

K. Ballask Tank

A ballast tank is a compartment floating structure that holds water. Ballast tanks are also

integral to the stability and operation of deep-water offshore oil platforms The ballast

facilitates hydrodynamic stability by moving the centre-of-mass as low as possible, placing it

beneath the air-filled buoyancy tank.

L. Anchor

An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body

of water to prevent the platform from drifting due to wind or current.

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Accommodation and Recreation

For the accommodation , we provided comfortable living conditions for workers. In

many cases, quarters are on par with those found on major cruise ships -- featuring private

rooms, satellite TV and even gym, sauna and recreation facilities , with all connected with

Wifi . The food on-board also tends to be above average -- and available 24 hours a day.

After all, work on an oil rig continues day and night, with employees working rotating

schedules of daytime and night-time shifts.

Besides , around the accommodation area , we have provide outdoor sport facilities ,

such as basketball court , tennis court , swimming pool , and others . Futhermore , we also

have a hospital , to provide medical treatment to those who sick and feel uncomfortable .

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Safety Features

A. Blowout Preventer

A large valve at the top of a well that may be closed if the drilling crew loses control of

formation fluids. By closing this via hydraulic actuators, the drilling crew usually regains

control of the reservoir, and procedures can then be initiated to increase the mud density until

it is possible to open the BOP and retain pressure control of the formation. Since BOPs are

critically important to the safety of the crew, the rig and the wellbore itself, BOPs are

inspected, tested and refurbished at regular intervals determined by a combination of risk

assessment, local practice, well type and legal requirements. BOP tests vary from daily

function testing on critical wells to monthly or less frequent testing on wells thought to have

low probability of well control problems.

B. Helipad

A helipad is a landing area or platform for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate

on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard

surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can land safely.

C. Safety Boat

Provide emergency escape for the crews on the platform if some undesirable problems

happen .

D. Flame Detector

Flame detector will be installed in everywhere around the oil rig and connected with alarm .

Once the temperature rise above certain degree Celcius (due to fire or some disaster) , the

alarm will turn on and alert the people around that something had happen .

E. Water Level Detector

The water level detector is installed at the side of the platform . It will measure how deep the

oil rig submerge in sea water all the time and show the statistic in computer . Once the oil rig

is over-weight and cause the rig submerge into a deep of dangerous zone , it will activate the

alarm and remind the worker in charge to take action . During this time , they must send the

crude oil out of the rig to reduce the burden act on the rig , to make it submerge into a depth

of safety zone .

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F. Parachute Safety Jacket

During emergency cases, worker may have to jump directly into the sea from the 15m height.

With only the normal jacket, the worker will probably get injured, but with the parachute

safety jacket, the impaction time can be lengthened and injuries are greatly reduced.

Stability of Oil Rig The stability of a marine vessel is strongly dependent on the outer geometry and weight

distribution. When a rig is subjected to forces from wave, wind and currents the forces will

create a heeling moment which will affect the heeling angle of the rig. The stability can be

interpreted as the ability to withstand heeling moments and return to the upright position after

the external forces subdue. Figure 1 illustrates the most important stability features of a

marine vessel.

Figure 1 : Important stability properties

Where :

G = Centre of Gravity

M = Metacentre

B = Centre of Buoyancy

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The metacentre(MC) can be interpreted as the intersection between the center line and

the vertical line through the centre of buoyancy (COB). For heeling angles smaller than 10

degrees it is assumed that the sum of the buoyancy forces will act through the MC. For larger

heeling angles the MC will tend to move due to considerably changes in the geometry of the

water-plane area.

When a rig floats in the upright position the COB is directly below the centre of

gravity (COG). If the rig is subjected to heeling moments it will start to heel and the centre of

buoyancy will shift towards the direction of the heeling. The sum of the buoyancy forces

acting along the line between the COB and the MC and the forces of gravity acts along

different axes. This creates a righting moment which increases as the heeling angle grows.

When the righting moment is equal or larger to the heeling moment, the vessel will stop the

heeling motion and subsequently return to the upright position once the environmental loads

diminish. The righting moment is calculated using equation (I)

The arm length of the righting moment (GZ) can be calculated through equation (II) once the

location of the MC and the COG is known.

For all marine vessels, the requirement for floating without capsizing is to have a metacentric

height (GM value) greater than zero. A negative GM value implies that the MC is located

below the COG which will give a negative righting moment. This implies that the righting

moment will act in the same direction as the heeling moment. The GM value is given by

equation (III)

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The GM values have a serious impact on the overall performance of the oil rig. Too high GM

values will give large righting moments, resulting in increased accelerations in pitch and roll.

This will increase the response in pitch and roll, and create short rolling periods which are

uncomfortable for the crew. On the other hand, too low GM values will make the vessel

vulnerable to large heeling moments. To calculate the GM value it is necessary to define the

variables given in equation (III). The distance between the COB and the MC is given by

equation (IV)

Furthermore, it is important to account for the free surface effects when stability calculations

are performed. Most marine vessels use water ballast to control the draft and the trim. Rigs

usually carry other liquids such as fuels, chemicals and drilling mud. When a vessel with

liquid cargoes or ballast starts to heel, the liquids in the tanks will translate in the direction of

the heeling. This causes a translation of the COG towards the heeling side. The result is that

the arm of the righting moment will be reduced and the overall stability of the vessel is

deteriorated. The free surface effects are often accounted for by raising the COG to a new

imaginary COG which will give a more realistic picture of the vessels stability. The

mathematical expression for the raising of COG is given by equation (VII) .

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It is important to notice that totally empty and full tanks not will affect the stability of

the vessel. If a compartment is full or empty, no movements of liquids are allowed. Due to

the geometry, semi-submersible rigs usually have robust stability. Engineers can adjust the

GM values by altering the geometry of the platform early in the design phase.

If engineers want to raise the transversal GM values they can increase the distance

between the pontoons. Similarly, an increase in the distance between the columns will

increase the longitudinal GM values and enhance the longitudinal stability. Larger water-

plane area will also strengthen the stability of the rig. It is also possible to alter the centre of

gravity to some extent using water ballast. The engineers will design the hull structure so the

rig can carry VDL stated in the functional requirements. Loading of cargo onto the deck will

raise the COG towards the deck, thereby reducing the GM value. This explains why stability

requirements often are limiting the VDL capacity of a rig. To compensate for the raising of

the COG the engineers will usually concentrate the ballast water in the pontoons, limiting the

raising of the COG.

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Innovation Points

(i) Piezo (electric) assembly generator

Electric charge will accumulate in piezo ceramics or crystal and create

piezoelectricity in response to applied mechanical stress. The piezoelectric effect is also

known as the linear electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and the electrical

state in crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry. 

However, the piezoelectric effect is actually a reversible process in which the

materials that exhibit the direct piezoelectric effect (the internal generation of electrical

charge resulting from an applied mechanical force) also exhibit the reverse piezoelectric

effect (the internal generation of a mechanical strain resulting from an applied electrical

field).

Therefore, the sea wave moment that repeatedly hit the bottom or sides of our rig

would provide enough mechanical stress for our piezoelectric assembly generators to

generate adequate electricity to power up certain compounds of the rig if we locate the

assemblies at the locations stated. Hence, we believe that with the correct application of this

piezo stacks, the expenditures in electricity to power up the accommodation would be greatly

reduced.

(ii) Stream Driven Turbines

Marine current energy is one of the most exciting emerging forms of renewable

energy. Marine currents, which is also known as stream is unlike many other forms of

renewable energy, it is a consistent source of kinetic energy caused by regular tidal cycles

influenced by the phases of the moon. Moreover, the inherent predictability of tidal power is

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highly attractive for grid management, removing the need for back-up plants powered by

fossil fuels. Tidal turbines are installed on the seabed at locations with high stream current

velocities, or strong continuous ocean currents where they extract energy from the flowing

water.

The working principle of stream driven motors are quite simple. They are very much

like underwater windmills except the rotors are driven by consistent, fast-moving streams of

seawater. The submerged rotors with turbines harness the power of the marine currents to

drive generators, which in turn produce electricity. The turbines used are also simple,

efficient and robust in operation.

(iii) Solar energy generator

Every minute the sun bathes the Earth in as much energy as the world consumes in an

entire year. Since oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, they receive an

enormous amount of solar energy. It can be used to generate electricity to support the daily

usage in the accommodation area on the rig. Therefore, the use of solar energy in offshore

rigs is essential to avoid unnecessary expenditures. Solar radiation can be converted directly

to usable energy at offshore through a variety of technologies. Technologies used in our oil

rig includes concentrating solar power (CSP) technology and photonic technology.

CSP plants generate electric power by using mirrors to concentrate (focus) the sun's

energy and convert it into high-temperature heat. That heat is then channelled through a

conventional generator. The plants consist of two parts: one that collects solar energy and

converts it to heat, and another that converts the heat energy to electricity.

Whereas for the photonic technology, solar photonic technology absorbs solar

photons (particles of light that act as individual units of energy), and converts the energy to

electricity (as in a photovoltaic (PV) cell) or stores part of the energy in a chemical reaction

(as in the conversion of water to hydrogen and oxygen).

(iv) Water level detector

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This device utilises the principle of buoyancy by Archimedes in which a buoy is

placed in a tube and when the water level exceed the desired level due to a sudden loading of

the rig or a sudden increase in weight of the rig, the buoy would flow up, and complete the

electric circuit, hence activating the alarm to alert everyone about this emergency occurrence.

As we are all aware, semi-submersible apply the principle of submerging to a pre-

determined depth after being towed to the operating location before beginning any process of

drilling. Hence, it is indeed important to the rig to submerge to the exact pre-determined

depth precisely and this device would prevent any unwanted incident. This water level

detector would detect the precision and alarm the crew if accident happens.

(v) Flame detector

We made use of the components like thermistors and transistors in order to make a

device that can actually detect the presence of a sudden significant increase of temperature. It

works in such a way in which the very high resistance of thermistors would drop drastically

to an intensively low resistance in order to allow the flow of electric current to complete the

circuit under the effect of a significant increase in temperature. A case in point if any part of

the rig catches fire and this flame detector would be immediately activated, alerting the crews

so that instant action would be taken before any serious damage is made.

(vi) Silica Dust Collection System

The unique silica dust collection system not only greatly improves working conditions

for employees, but also improves public welfare. During high-rate fracturing, dusts and sands

are emitted and they affects man health as well as the environment. The flexible, highly

efficient system collects the emitted silica dusts at the three key areas of the fracturing

operation: during off-loading from transports, on the conveyor belt system and while sand is

dropped into the blender. Workers’ exposure to inhalable crystalline silica is dramatically

reduced, increasing employee safety as well as health, and dust generated during fracturing is

prevented from leaving the work site which significantly reduces the environmental impact.

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(vii) Intumescent Paint

The Intumescent Paint is applied to all the steel structure on the oil rig, instead of

using the normal paint. When the normal paint is exposed to the fire, they will melted and

evaporate, leaving the steel structure exposed to the fire and lastly the structure will be

collapsed. When the Intumescent Paint exposed to the fire, they will form huge carbon layer,

which can protect and insulate the steel structure from heating directly by the fire, up to an

hour.

(viii)

(ix)

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