Rotating Control Device, Cool Fluid Circulation System And Methods Of Operation
AssigneeEnhanced Petroleum Services Partnership
InventorsChad Orval Mitchell, Randolph John Fasick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for cooling a Rotating Control Device (RCD) and RCD insert during drilling operations are described. The system includes a body for connection between the RCD and a hot drilling fluid return outlet of a well head, the body including an inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert and an outlet for removing partially warmed drilling fluid. During operation, cool drilling fluid is circulated through the inlet and outlet such that cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid recovered from the well in a buffer zone adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet.
Claims13
A cool fluid circulation system (CFCS) for circulating cool drilling fluid across a rotating control device (RCD) and RCD insert operatively connected to a well head having a hot drilling fluid return outlet, the CFCS comprising:
- a body for operative connection between the RCD and the hot drilling fluid return outlet at the well head, the body including an inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert and an outlet for removing partially warmed drilling fluid;
- wherein the cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid in a buffer zone adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet.
A system for circulating cool drilling fluid across a rotating control device (RCD) and RCD insert operatively connected to a well head having a hot drilling fluid return outlet, the CFCS comprising:
- a body for operative connection between the RCD and the hot drilling fluid return outlet at the well head, the body including an inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert and an outlet for removing partially warmed drilling fluid;
- wherein the cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet;
- and
- a cool drilling fluid circulation system operatively connected to the inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid into the inlet and for removing partially warmed drilling fluid from the outlet.
A method for circulating cool drilling fluid across a rotating control device (RCD) having an RCD inlet and an RCD outlet and RCD insert, the RCD operatively connected to a well head having a hot drilling fluid return outlet, the method comprising the step of:
- circulating a volume of cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert through the RCD inlet and outlet wherein the cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.