Riser running tool with automated alignment and load compensation

Abstract

A drilling riser running system includes an automated self-aligning system that can detect and correct when two riser joints are not properly aligned prior to contact between the joints. The system can also include a counter-weight load compensating system that can detect contact between riser joints when they are mis-aligned and reduce the effective load to reduce likelihood of damage resulting from the contact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drilling riser running system adapted to connect and run riser joints for use in a drilling process, the system comprising:
 a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and   an automated alignment system configured to automatically bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.   
     
     
         2 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 1  wherein the automated alignment system comprises a processing system configured to determine whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment. 
     
     
         3 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 2  wherein the processing system is further configured to:
 determine an appropriate corrective actuation amount that will bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment; and 
 instruct the top drive system and/or the riser running tool to rotate according to the determined corrective actuation amount. 
 
     
     
         4 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 1  wherein automated alignment system comprises a sensor system configured to detect the rotational position information of at least the bottom end of the first riser joint. 
     
     
         5 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 4  wherein the sensor system includes one or more optical sensors. 
     
     
         6 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 5  wherein at least one of the one or more optical sensors is configured to detect at least a position of a known landmark on at least the at least the bottom end of the first riser joint. 
     
     
         7 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 4  wherein the sensor system includes one or more sensors of a type selected from a group consisting of: optical, RFID, LiDAR, laser, ultrasonic, inductive, and magnetic. 
     
     
         8 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 1  further comprising a load compensation system configured to automatically reduce effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage. 
     
     
         9 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 8  wherein the load compensation system includes one or more hydraulic piston assemblies that are configured to sense load on the system and to adjust the load. 
     
     
         10 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the riser running tool. 
     
     
         11 . A drilling riser running system adapted to connect and run riser joints for use in a drilling process, the system comprising:
 a riser running tool configured to securely hold a first riser joint at a top end and with a top drive system above the riser running tool, to lower a bottom end of the first riser joint towards a top end of a second riser joint being held by its top end near a drill floor; and   a load compensation system configured to automatically reduce effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage.   
     
     
         12 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 11  wherein the load compensation system includes one or more hydraulic piston assemblies that are configured to sense load on the system and to adjust the load. 
     
     
         13 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 12  wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the riser running tool. 
     
     
         14 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 12  wherein the one or more hydraulic piston assemblies form part of the top drive system. 
     
     
         15 . A drilling riser running system according to  claim 11  further comprising an automated alignment system configured to automatically bring the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints. 
     
     
         16 . A method of running a riser system comprising:
 lowering a bottom end of a first riser joint towards a top end of a stationary second riser joint using a riser running tool suspended from a top drive system;   automatically detecting whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment; and   automatically bringing the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint into proper rotational alignment with each other prior to making contact between the first and second riser joints.   
     
     
         17 . A method of running a riser system according to  claim 16  wherein the detecting whether or not the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of the second riser joint are in proper rotational alignment comprises detecting with a sensor system, rotational position information of at least the bottom end of the first riser joint. 
     
     
         18 . A method of running a riser system according to  claim 17  wherein the sensor system includes one or more sensors of a type selected from a group consisting of: optical, RFID, LiDAR, laser, ultrasonic, inductive, and magnetic. 
     
     
         19 . A method of running a riser system according to  claim 16 , further comprising automatically reducing effective weight at the bottom end of the first riser joint in cases when contact between the bottom end of the first riser joint and the top end of a second riser joint may cause damage.