Application of Mode Superposition Method in the Recoil Response of Deepwater Drilling Risers after Emergency Disconnection

Abstract

How to effectively control the recoil response after an emergency disconnection is one of the core technical problems in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of a deepwater drilling riser. Currently, the theoretical analysis is based on a discretization model or numerical simulation, which ignores the continuity of the riser system and the coupling effects of load acting on the riser. To address this problem further, in this paper, we establish a mechanical model and control equation with infinite degree of freedom for riser recoil response, where the heave motion of the floating drilling platform, seawater damping, and the viscous resistance of drilling fluid discharge were taken into account. In addition, the correctness of the model and solving approach are verified against the Orcaflex software. On this basis, the influence of wave period, wave height, initial phase angle, and tension coefficient on the recoil characteristics are discussed. The success of riser emergency disconnection is related to the clearance between the lower marine riser package (LMRP) and the blowout preventer (BOP) and the axial force distribution of the riser. The influence of the above-mentioned factors on the riser recoil response is also complicated. On the basis of the assumptions put forward and the model established, some quantitative conclusions are drawn. This study is of reference significance for safety control of riser emergency disconnection operation.