Systems and methods for controlling flow from a wellbore annulus

A rotating control device for sealing an annulus extending from a subterranean wellbore, comprising:

• an outer housing including a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the inner surface defines a throughbore extending axially through the outer housing, and wherein the outer housing includes a first passage extending from the inner surface to the outer surface and a second passage extending from the inner surface to the outer surface;
• and
• a seal assembly disposed within the outer housing and configured to seal against a rotating tubular member extending axially through the throughbore of the outer housing, wherein the seal assembly comprises an inner housing including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end of the inner housing, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end of the inner housing, wherein the inner housing includes a first passage extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the inner housing and a second passage extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the inner housing;
• wherein the first passage of the outer housing is in fluid communication with the first passage of the inner housing, and wherein the first passage of the outer housing and the first passage of the inner housing are configured to supply a lubricating fluid to a bearing chamber of the inner housing;
• wherein the second passage of the outer housing is in fluid communication with the second passage of the inner housing, and wherein the second passage of the outer housing and the second passage of the inner housing are configured to receive the lubricating fluid from the bearing chamber.

A rotating control device for sealing an annulus extending from a subterranean wellbore, comprising:

• an outer housing including a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the inner surface defines a throughbore extending axially through the outer housing;
• a seal assembly disposed within the outer housing and configured to seal against a rotating tubular member extending axially through the throughbore of the outer housing, wherein the seal assembly comprises an inner housing including a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the inner housing, an inner surface extending axially from the first end of the inner housing to the second end of the inner housing, and an outer surface extending from the first end of the inner housing to the second end of the inner housing;
• a first proximity sensor disposed along the inner surface of the outer housing;
• and
• a first sensor element disposed along the outer surface of the inner housing;
• wherein the first proximity sensor is configured to measure the rotational speed of the seal assembly in response to rotation of the seal assembly in the outer housing.

A method for sealing an annulus of a marine riser with a rotating control device (RCD), the method comprising:

• (a) coupling an outer housing of the RCD to the marine riser;
• (b) lowering a seal assembly into the outer housing of the RCD after (a), wherein the seal assembly is configured to seal against a drillstring extending through the outer housing and the marine riser;
• and
• (c) extending a plurality of locking pins radially inward from the outer housing into a receptacle in an outer surface of the seal assembly after (b) to secure the seal assembly within the outer housing.