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Springs play a vital role in the reliability and safety of offshore drilling equipment. Out at sea, drilling components must withstand extreme conditions including corrosive saltwater, high pressures, and constant vibration.
As a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty industrial springs, here at Lesjöfors, we have extensive experience in engineering custom spring solutions that meet the rigorous demands of offshore drilling operations for the oil and gas industry. Continual investment in our facilities and services keeps us at the leading design edge of quarry and mining machinery springs manufacturing.
Here we discuss how springs are used to overcome offshore drilling challenges and the important (and varied) role of springs in offshore drilling operations.
The quality, accuracy and performance delivered through our progressive spring design and manufacture is exceptional. That’s why we’re trusted by buyers and mining procurement teams across the world. From tension springs in blow-out preventers to compression springs in drill string shock absorbers, properly designed spring components are essential for maintaining equipment integrity and preventing costly downtime on offshore oil and gas rigs. Springs are integral components across numerous critical systems in offshore drilling equipment for a number of reasons:
For all these applications, springs must be manufactured from high-grade materials like Inconel or duplex stainless steel to resist corrosion in the harsh marine environment.
The accuracy and precision of coil spring design, development, and manufacturing can make all the difference in achieving optimal performance and safety in offshore drilling operations. We perform rigorous tests to ensure they maintain their mechanical properties in the demanding and high-stakes world of offshore drilling.
The foundation of any offshore drilling operation relies on a complex system of interconnected equipment, each component precisely engineered to withstand extreme conditions. Understanding these core components is essential for drilling operators and equipment manufacturers alike.
The drill string assembly forms the backbone of offshore drilling operations, extending from the surface drilling platform to the seafloor and beyond. This system comprises drill bits that cut through rock formations, drill pipes that transfer rotational force and drilling fluid, and drill collars that provide necessary weight and stability to the drilling assembly.
The incorporation of spring technology in drill bits and collars is crucial for optimal drilling performance. In roller cone bits, specialised bearing springs maintain proper preload on the bearing assemblies, ensuring smooth rotation of the cutting structures. Spring-loaded shock subs, positioned above the drill bit, contain heavy-duty compression springs that absorb axial vibrations and impact loads. These springs help prevent premature bit wear and extend the life of bottomhole assembly components.
The drilling line is a critical hoisting component in offshore drilling operations, consisting of high-strength wire rope that runs through the crown block and travelling block system. The drilling line's integrity is paramount to safe operations, requiring regular inspection and replacement based on ton-mile calculations to prevent catastrophic failure.
Spring components play a crucial role in managing the immense forces experienced by drilling line systems in offshore drilling. The crown block assembly incorporates specialised compression springs in its deadline anchor system, which monitors line tension and provides a controlled response to sudden load changes.
The swivel is a crucial piece of drilling equipment that serves as the main suspension point for the drill string while enabling rotation and fluid transmission. This sophisticated component connects the non-rotating hoisting system to the rotating drill string, allowing drilling fluid to be pumped down through the drill pipe while supporting immense hanging loads.
Spring components are fundamental to the swivel's sealing systems, particularly in maintaining the integrity of the wash pipe assembly. The swivel's thrust-bearing assembly incorporates specialised disc springs arranged in specific configurations to handle the tremendous axial loads while allowing smooth rotation. In the packing assembly, multiple compression springs work together to maintain optimal sealing pressure on the packing elements, automatically compensating for wear to extend service life.
The kelly is a vital component in the drilling system, serving as the primary mechanical link that transfers rotary motion from the rotary table to the drill string. Modern kellys are designed to handle enormous torque loads while maintaining perfect alignment with the wellbore, making them essential for maintaining drilling accuracy and efficiency in offshore operations.
Spring systems help maintain optimal performance and safety during drilling operations. Specialised compression springs are integrated into the kelly drive bushing to provide controlled vertical movement while maintaining constant contact with the kelly bar. The kelly bushing's spring-loaded rollers utilise precision-engineered torsion springs to maintain consistent contact pressure against the kelly's drive faces.
Sand pumps are an essential piece of equipment in offshore drilling operations. They are used for removing accumulated sand, cuttings, and debris from the wellbore. These specialised pumping systems help maintain wellbore integrity and prevent equipment damage by efficiently clearing debris that can accumulate at the bottom of the hole during drilling operations.
Spring components are crucial to the reliable operation of sand pump valve assemblies, where they control the precise timing and movement of various valve mechanisms. Heavy-duty compression springs are utilised in the foot valve assembly to ensure positive sealing when the pump is lifted, preventing collected debris from falling back into the wellbore.
The mud pump and mud tank system forms the circulatory backbone of offshore drilling operations, delivering and processing drilling fluid that cools the drill bit, carries cuttings to the surface, and maintains wellbore stability.
Spring technology is integral to multiple critical functions within mud pump operations. In the pump's fluid end, robust spring-loaded valve assemblies control the precise timing of suction and discharge cycles.
A degasser is a critical piece of safety equipment in offshore drilling operations, designed to efficiently remove entrained gas from the drilling fluid system. This separation prevents hazardous gas accumulation on the drilling platform and maintains proper mud properties for continued drilling. Effective gas removal is essential for maintaining well control and protecting surface equipment from potentially explosive conditions.
The centrifugal degasser uses rotational force to separate gas from drilling fluid through centrifugal action. Operating at high speeds, typically between 1,000-1,500 RPM, the system forces gas-cut mud against the vessel wall, allowing liberated gas to escape through the centre while the cleaned mud exits at the bottom.
Vacuum degassers employ negative pressure to remove entrained gas from drilling fluids. This system is especially effective at removing smaller gas bubbles and dissolved gases that might be missed by centrifugal systems, making it an essential component for maintaining precise mud weight control.
Spring mechanisms play a vital role in both centrifugal and vacuum degasser valve assemblies. High-performance compression springs are used in pressure relief valves to maintain consistent operation under varying pressure conditions.
The shale shaker is the primary solids control equipment in offshore drilling operations, serving as the first line of defence in removing drill cuttings from the drilling fluid.
Spring technology plays a crucial role in both generating and controlling the intense vibrations required for effective shale shaker operations. Linear motion springs create the precise vibratory movement patterns needed for optimal screening performance. These springs must maintain consistent frequency and amplitude despite continuous operation under heavy loads and exposure to corrosive drilling fluids and have an important role in offshore drilling equipment.
The rotary table is a fundamental component of offshore drilling processes, providing the primary rotational force to the drill string through the kelly and master bushing assembly. This robust mechanical system must deliver consistent torque while handling loads that can exceed 1,000,000 foot-pounds.
Spring components are essential to the safe and reliable operation of rotary table locking systems. Heavy-duty compression springs are integrated into the master bushing locking mechanisms to ensure positive engagement and prevent unintended rotation during pipe handling operations.
The top drive system represents a significant advancement in drilling technology, replacing traditional kelly and rotary table setups in modern offshore rigs. These sophisticated units combine electric or hydraulic motors with an integrated swivel, allowing continuous rotation of the drill string while enabling pipe handling and fluid circulation.
Spring components are fundamental to multiple safety systems within the top drive assembly. The pipe handler's safety latch mechanism incorporates high-capacity compression springs that maintain consistent gripping force while allowing controlled release when necessary. Spring-loaded shock absorbers in the guide rail system help dampen vibrations and protect sensitive electronic components from damage during normal operations.
The derrick is the towering steel framework that defines the offshore drilling rig's skyline, typically standing between 140 and 200 feet high. This massive structure supports the hoisting equipment, drilling machinery, and pipe-racking systems while withstanding enormous dynamic loads and harsh environmental conditions.
Springs play a vital role in the derrick's tensioning and stability systems. Large-scale compression springs are integrated into the derrick's guy-line tensioners, maintaining optimal tension despite varying wind loads and structural movement.
The Blowout Preventer (BOP) stands as the last line of defence against catastrophic well control events in offshore drilling operations. This critical safety system consists of multiple redundant ram and annular preventers capable of sealing the wellbore under extreme pressure conditions.
Spring technology is crucial to the reliable operation of BOP hydraulic systems. High-capacity compression springs are utilised in the hydraulic accumulators, providing stored energy for emergency BOP activation even if primary power systems fail. These springs must maintain their performance characteristics despite long periods of inactivity and exposure to extreme subsea conditions.
As a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty springs for offshore drilling equipment, Lesjöfors brings decades of specialised expertise to this demanding industry. Our advanced manufacturing facilities are specifically equipped to produce the high-performance springs required in critical offshore applications, from massive compression springs for top drive systems to precision valve springs for mud pumps.
Our engineering team specialises in developing custom spring solutions that withstand the harsh conditions of offshore environments. We maintain comprehensive in-house testing facilities that simulate extreme operating conditions, ensuring our springs meet the rigorous demands of subsea applications.
Our expertise extends to working with high-performance materials specifically chosen for their superior corrosion resistance and fatigue properties in marine environments. We work with a diverse range of steels, copper and titanium alloys, as well as super alloys, including Inconel, Hastelloy and Nimonic. We hold one of the largest global stocks of chrome silicon and chrome vanadium wire anywhere in the world.
If you’re looking for springs for your offshore drilling equipment, we guarantee spring solutions that will optimise your performance and success. Our international teams speak your language so get in touch and we’ll speak the spring language you want to hear.
We are world-leading heavy duty spring manufacturers, delivering the greatest expertise in compression, torsion and tension spring manufacturing.
Delivering impact to every industry, we guarantee spring solutions that will optimise your performance and success.
