US 10,094,187 B2Granted

Collector circuit for drilling fluid circulation system and method for diverting the circulation of the fluid

AssigneeDrillmec S.P.A.

InventorStefano Ferrari

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Abstract

A collector circuit and associated circulation process, for intercepting and selectively diverting, at least partially, a fluid flow continuously flowing in a fluid circulation system, for drilling rigs. The collector includes a first sub-circuit with a first duct, with a first valve, and a second duct with a second valve; and; a second sub-circuit; The first sub-circuit, depending on the operating configurations of the first valve and the second valve, is adapted to allow the transit of the fluid flow in the first duct, and selectively divert fluid flow towards the second duct. The second sub-circuit is fluid-dynamically connected to the second duct of the first sub-circuit for receiving fluid flow, diverted by the first sub-circuit, and directing it towards a first outlet of the second sub-circuit. The second sub-circuit and the first sub-circuit are independent, and the second sub-circuit is removable from the collector circuit.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A collector circuit for intercepting and selectively diverting, at least partially, a fluid flow, which is continuously flowing in a fluid circulation system directed to the bottom of a drilling well through drilling pipes, for drilling rigs;

said collector comprises:
a first sub-circuit comprising:
at least one first duct, comprising at least one first valve, and
at least one second duct, comprising at least one second valve;
at least one second sub-circuit;
said first sub-circuit, depending on the operating configuration of said at least one first valve and said at least one second valve, is adapted to:
allow the transit of said fluid flow in said at least one first duct, and
selectively divert at least one portion of said fluid flow towards said at least one second duct;
said at least one second sub-circuit is fluid-dynamically connected to said at least one second duct of the first sub-circuit for receiving at least one portion of the fluid flow, diverted by said first sub-circuit, and directing the at least one portion of the fluid flow towards at least one first outlet of the second sub-circuit;
said at least one second sub-circuit and said first sub-circuit are independent of each other, and said at least one second sub-circuit is removable from the collector circuit;
wherein:
said at least one second sub-circuit comprises at least one valve for regulating said at least one portion of fluid flow directed towards said at least one first outlet;
said first sub-circuit comprises at least one first depressurization circuit;
said second sub-circuit comprises at least one second depressurization circuit;
said first depressurization circuit is independent of said second depressurization circuit.

12 more elements

A fluid circulation system for continuously feeding a fluid flow to the bottom of a drilling well through drilling pipes being made by a drilling rig;

said circulation system comprises:
a main circuit, in which said fluid flow runs, comprising at least one main pump, said main circuit being adapted to be connected to a top drive of a drilling rig;
at least one secondary circuit, in which said fluid flow may run, adapted to be connected to a radial aperture comprised in drilling pipes of the drilling rig;
a collector circuit for intercepting said first flow circulating in said main circuit and diverting said first flow towards said at least one secondary circuit, for obtaining continuous circulation of the fluid flow towards the bottom of a drilling well through drilling pipes;
wherein said collector circuit comprises:
a first sub-circuit comprising:
at least one first duct, comprising at least one first valve, and at least one second duct, comprising at least one second valve;
at least one second sub-circuit comprising at least one valve for regulating said at least one portion of fluid flow directed towards at least one first outlet;
said first sub-circuit, depending on the operating configuration of said at least one first valve and said at least one second valve, is adapted to:
allow transit of said fluid flow in said at least one first duct, and selectively divert at least one portion of said fluid flow towards said at least one second duct;
said at least one second sub-circuit is fluid-dynamically connected to said at least one second duct of the first sub-circuit for receiving at least one portion of the fluid flow, diverted by said first sub-circuit, and directing the at least one portion of the fluid flow towards said at least one first outlet of the second sub-circuit;
said at least one second sub-circuit and said first sub-circuit are independent of each other, and said at least one second sub-circuit is removable from the collector circuit.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/112,117Filed 12 Jan 2015
Priority: IT TO2014A002416 Jan 2014
Published: US 2016/0340990 A124 Nov 2016
Granted: 9 Oct 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

E21B 21/106
Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems: valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves
E21B 21/019
Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes: arrangements for maintaining circulation of drilling…
E21B 21/08
Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor: controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid,…
E21B 21/10
Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor: valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems