| dc.description.abstract | This thesis focusses on the development of a new conceptual Drum Cage Unit (DCU) which will ease and reduce the cost of wireline well intervention. Well intervention is an important part of the petroleum industry assuring safety and satisfactory production levels. The task is provided by Rogaland Teknikk AS (RT).
The goal of the development is to smoothen the operation, cut lifting steps and the number of peoples needed to perform a wireline drum change offshore. A major task of the thesis work is to develop a new brake system that is to be part of the DCU. This system provides extra safety and solve the problem of brake release in the case of remote winch operation. Different concepts are explored, and a final is selected by a concept development methodology. The final concept of the DCU and brake system is then further developed, and a 3D model is created in SolidWorks. The final DCU primary structure is then analysed to be in line with the DNV 2.7-1 standard. Both Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and manual calculations are performed to assure sufficient structural integrity of both the primary structure and the brake system. Different parts are optimized based on the FEA results in an iterative process. The final is then implemented to an already existing RT winch model, and necessary changes needed is evaluated. The most important result is that the unit, with brake system, has been developed to a detailed conceptual stage. Little work is needed before prototyping can start, and the areas of further development given. Some key results are stated below:
1. Different concepts are explored and the most promising is selected. It is found that the final concept will save time, cost, and non-productive time.
2. The WLW will have to be 13 ft compared to the initial 12 ft design. The drive system and some other features of the winch will also have to be slightly moved when implementing the DCU concept.
3. Only a few areas need further attention before prototyping and testing can take place, these are specified at the end of the thesis.
The conclusion of the work is that the concept can be implemented to a future RT wireline winch (WLW) with some modifications to the existing winch model. The new brake system will also introduce a new level of safety to the operation, and it solves the problem of brake release of a remotely operated WLW. The DCU combined with the new brake system can be a key feature of the new RT WLW. | |