MATTHEWS~DANIEL

MINIMIZING RISKS FOR JACK-

JACK-UP RIGS
WHEN
PRELOADING ON LOCATION

Presented by:

S. Douglas Devoy
MatthewsDaniel
att e s a e
Houston, Texas
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

PRELOADING HAS PROVEN TO POSE THE

GREATEST RISK DURING THE FINAL
JACK-UP RIGS SUSTAIN PUNCH-THROUGHS
STAGES OF THE RIG MOVE!
IN ALL AREAS OF THE WORLD
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Definition of Preloading of Jack-

Jack-Up Rig

Preloading consists of taking large

volumes of salt water into designated
preload tanks
tanks, greatly increasing the
overall weight of the rig.
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Definition of Preloading of Jack-

Jack-Up Rig

This additional weight results in the

spud cans penetrating deeper into the
soil profile in order to reach soils with
adequate strength to support the rig.
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Rig Preloading on Location

MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Risk Mitigation Measures For Preloading

Location Approval
 Detailed Geotechnical Analysis
y /
Punch--Through Study
Punch
 Recommendations for Preloading Air Gap
 Recommendations for Close Monitoring of Leg
Loads and Penetrations
 Recommendation for Action if Penetrations are
Different than Predicted
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Preloading Risk Level Assessment

R
Recommendation
d ti for
f Air
Ai Gap
G During
D i Preloading
P l di

Normal to
Normal Caution Maximum 3
3-5’
5’
Maximum Air Gap

Special Caution Minimal Air Gap Maximum 0-2’

N t tto E
Not Exceedd 0’ to
t
Extreme Caution 0’ Air Gap or Draft
Draft
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Rig Arrives on Location

Initial Penetrations Taken
5’ Air Gap

Limited
Li it d Soils
S il Information
I f ti . . .
Generic Location Approval . . .
No Preloading Program. . .
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Maximum preload water onboard

Even penetrations on all 3 legs
All useful work completed for this stage
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Dump preload water

Rig jacked back to 5’ air gap
Prepare for next preload cycle

UNIT RE-ELEVATED
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Near end of preloading cycle

Legs at even penetration
Rig at 5
5’ air gap
MATTHEWS~DANIEL
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

CASE STUDY

Jack Up Rig Punch

Punch--Through
Middle East
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Information Developed Prior to Rig Move

MWS Location Approval

 Detailed Soils Analysis

y conducted by
y
Geotechnical Expert

 Punch
Punch--Through Predicted

 Preload in Water Recommended

 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Rig Move Plan Agreed Prior to Siting

(Two--Stage Preloading)
(Two

1. Preload in Water to 100%

2. Followed by Preload at Minimal Air Gap to 100%

 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Findings
 Leg
g Penetration Curve showed ‘punch-
‘punch
p -through’
g
 Initial penetrations were different than predicted
(5’ vs. anticipated
ti i t d 9-
9-14’)
 First stage of preload conducted at draft with no
settlement of legs
 Rig raised to 5’
5 air gap in final stages of preload
 Port leg punch
punch--through occurred at 91% preload
MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Failure in System

Agreed Rig Move Procedures

Superseded by Rig Mover

Preloading
g Conducted at 5’ Air Gap
p
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Lessons Learned
 Communication is very important between all
parties engaged in preloading operation.
 It is important to keep accurate measurements
of leg loads and penetrations.
 When the soils do not behave as Leg
Penetration Curve
C predicts, EXTREME Caution
C
is advised. Lower air gap = less damage.
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Accurate
Measurement
of Spud Can
L d and
Load d
Penetration
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

Case Study

Estimated
P
Punch
h
Through

5’ Ai
Air G
Gap
 MATTHEWS~DANIEL

R
Recommendations
d ti to
t Reduce
R d Risk
Ri k D
During
i P Preloading
l di

Utilize JRC Scope of Work for Rig Moves

MWS to issue Location Approval with Geotechnical Input

Punch-Through Risk and Recommended

Punch-
Preloading Air Gap to be in MWS Approval