# US 12,007,264 B1 · System and method for reducing gas break out in MPD metering with back pressure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,264 B1 - Document ID: US12007264B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/194,973 - Filed: 2023-04-03 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-17 - Assignees: Pruitt Tool & Supply Co. - Applicants: Pruitt Tool & Supply Co. - Inventors: Martyn Parker; Benjamin Micah Spahn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007264B1 ## CPC - G01F 1/845: {arrangements of measuring means, e.g., of measuring conduits} - E21B 21/08: Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure (valve arrangements therefor E21B21/10) - E21B 21/106: {Valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves (valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019)} - G01F 1/8409: {constructional details} - G01F 15/005: {Valves (valves in general F16K)} - G05D 16/2013: {using throttling means as controlling means} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES ## Abstract A system and method of maintaining back pressure located downstream of the flow meter maintains the pressure downstream of the flow meter in relation to the surface back pressure (SBP). At least one flow control device is located downstream of the flow meter. The flow control device (the BPV) automatically maintains the downstream pressure to less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of the surface back pressure. A pressure regulator sets the back pressure to allow for a standalone device. Additional valves allow adjustment of the back pressure and allow for pressure relief and full flow bypass. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A back pressure system for reducing gas break out of a drilling fluid in a flow meter installed in managed pressure drilling (MPD) metering with back pressure wherein the drilling fluid flows downstream from the flow meter to the back pressure system, the system comprising: a first flow control device located downstream of the flow meter wherein the first flow control device is adjustable to apply back pressure on the flow meter; a pressure regulator that sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device, wherein the pressure regulator adjusts the first flow control device based upon a pressure measured downstream of the flow meter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a second flow control device located downstream of the flow meter wherein the second flow control device is positioned in parallel to the first flow control device wherein the second flow control device opens to provide a bypass around the first flow control device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 further comprising: a relief valve located downstream of the flow meter wherein the relief valve is positioned in parallel to the first flow control device and the second flow control device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the pressure regulator sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device to less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of a surface back pressure upstream of the flow meter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: an actuator that opens and closes the first flow control device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 further comprising: a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that sets a pressure control set point for the back pressure applied by the first flow control device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the SCADA system sets the pressure control set point at less than or equal to fifty percent of the pressure of a flow control device of a managed pressured drilling system located upstream of the flow meter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the first flow control device is a fail open flow control device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein the second flow control device closes to direct the drilling fluid to the first flow control device, wherein the first flow control device adjusts an opening in the first flow control device to apply back pressure to the flow meter. ### Claim 10 A back pressure system for reducing gas break out of a drilling fluid in a flow meter installed in managed pressure drilling (MPD) metering with back pressure wherein the drilling fluid flows downstream from the flow meter to the back pressure system, the system comprising: a first flow control device located downstream of the flow meter wherein the first flow control device is adjustable to control back pressure on the flow meter; a pressure regulator that sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device, wherein the pressure regulator sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device to less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of a surface back pressure upstream of the flow meter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 further comprising: an inlet located downstream of the flow meter; a second flow control device located downstream of the inlet wherein the second flow control device is positioned in parallel to the first control device, wherein the second flow control device opens to provide a bypass around the first flow control device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 further comprising: a relief valve located downstream of the inlet, wherein the relief valve is positioned in parallel to the first flow control device and the second flow control device wherein the relief valve provides relief for the first flow control device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 further comprising: a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that sets a pressure control set point for the back pressure applied by the first flow control device, wherein the SCADA system sets the pressure control set point at less than or equal to fifty percent of the pressure of a flow control device of a managed pressured drilling system located upstream of the flow meter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein the first flow control device is a fail open flow control device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the second flow control device closes to direct the drilling fluid to the first flow control device, wherein the first flow control device adjusts an opening in the first flow control device to apply back pressure to the flow meter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the first flow control device closes to direct the drilling fluid through the second flow control device to bypass the first flow control device and avoid applying back pressure to the flow meter via the first flow control device. ### Claim 17 A back pressure system for reducing gas break out of a drilling fluid in a flow meter installed in managed pressure drilling (MPD) metering with back pressure wherein the drilling fluid flows downstream from the flow meter to the back pressure system, the system comprising: a first flow control device located downstream of the flow meter wherein the first flow control device is adjustable to apply back pressure on the flow meter; a pressure regulator that sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device; a bypass path that provides a path for the drilling fluid that bypasses the flow meter and the first flow control device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 further comprising: a second flow control device located downstream of the flow meter wherein the second flow control device is positioned in parallel to the first flow control device wherein the second flow control device is configured to open and close to allow flow through the bypass path; a relief valve located downstream of the flow meter wherein the relief valve is positioned in parallel to the first flow control device and the second flow control device wherein the relief valve provides relief for the first flow control device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the pressure regulator sets the back pressure applied by the first flow control device to less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of a surface back pressure upstream of the flow meter.