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US 10,480,256 B2Granted
Riser system for coupling selectable modules to the riser
AssigneeEnhanced Drilling AS
InventorsRoger Sverre Stave, John Cohen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drilling riser system includes a plurality of interchangeable dockable modules having sealable hydraulic connections configured to connect to a module docking structure disposed in at least one specific segment of a drilling riser and to seal the hydraulic connections. Each of the interchangeable dockable modules includes at least one of an hydraulic termination or connection to an hydraulic device for each of a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the and at least one auxiliary line associated with the riser.
Claims15
A drilling riser system comprising:
- at least a first interchangeable dockable module having sealable hydraulic connections and configured to connect to a module docking structure disposed in at least one specific segment of a drilling riser and to seal the hydraulic connections;
- wherein the at least a first interchangeable dockable module comprises, one of the sealable hydraulic connections to each of a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the drilling riser above a rotating control device and at least one auxiliary line associated with the drilling riser, the first interchangeable dockable module comprising a fluid pump, and a plurality of valves enabling the at least a first interchangeable dockable module to be configurable to perform any of pressurized mud cap drilling, mud lift drilling with open riser, mud lift drilling with closed riser and drilling with unlifted mud return;
- and
- wherein the at least a first dockable module comprises additional valves and a second fluid conduit coupled between a discharge of the fluid pump and the riser and in fluid communication with the riser below the rotating control device in the riser.
1 more element
A method for wellbore drilling, comprising:
- pumping drilling fluid into a drill string extending into the wellbore through a riser, the riser extending from a wellhead to a drilling platform on the surface of a body of water;
- sealing an annular space between the drill string and the riser using a rotating control device;
- returning drilling fluid from the wellbore from a fluid outlet disposed at a position between the bottom of the wellbore and a position of the rotating control device;
- maintaining a selected fluid pressure in the wellbore by (i) at least one of (A) restricting flow of fluid through the outlet and (B) pumping fluid from the fluid outlet to the drilling platform when the pumping drilling fluid is being performed and (ii) pumping fluid into the fluid outlet when the pumping drilling fluid is stopped such that the selected fluid pressure exceeds a hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid in the wellbore, wherein the pumping fluid into the fluid outlet comprises operating a pump module coupled to the riser, the pump module comprising a fluid pump, and a plurality of controllable valves enabling selective fluid connection of a fluid inlet or a fluid discharge of the fluid pump to the fluid outlet, and enabling selective fluid connection of the discharge of the fluid pump to an interior of the riser between either (i) the rotating control device and the drilling platform on the one axial side or (ii) a fluid line extending from the pump module to the drilling platform;
- and
- withdrawing fluid from the riser above the rotating control device in the riser and discharging the fluid into the riser below the rotating control device through the fluid outlet.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.