Methods and system for processing of drilling fluid
AssigneeAGR Services AS
InventorPer Espen Edvardsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and a system are described for processing of drilling fluid from a drilling hole (10) in an underwater well to a floating drilling rig or drilling vessel, comprising a sealing device (12) connected to a well head, a pump module (14) to transport drilling fluid, a treatment plant for treatment of drilling fluid, or a storage installation. Before a blow-out valve is connected to the well head and before a riser is connected between the drilling hole and the floating drilling rig or drilling vessel, the pump module (14) placed on the ocean bed transports drilling fluid from the drilling hold (10) on the ocean bed to the floating drilling rig or drilling vessel.
Claims7
A system for processing drilling fluid during top-hole drilling in underwater drilling operations comprising:
- a sealing device for mounting over a drilling hole in sealed relation to the surroundings seawater to prevent leakage of drilling fluid from the drilling hole;
- a floating drilling vessel having at least one of a treatment plant for treating drilling fluid and a storage installation to receive drilling fluid;
- at least one pump module spaced from and connected to said sealing device to effect a differential pressure therein for pumping drilling fluid from said sealing device upwardly to said at least one of said treatment plant and said storage installation on said vessel;
- and
- a line extending from said pump module upwardly to said at least one of a treatment plant and a storage installation on said vessel to convey the drilling fluid from said pump module to said at least one of a treatment plant and a storage installation on said vessel.
A method of processing drilling fluid from a drilling hole in an ocean bed during top-hole drilling before a blowout preventer is installed and a riser connected between the blowout preventer and a drilling vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
- mounting a sealing device over the drilling hole in sealed relation to the surroundings seawater;
- mounting at least one pump module in spaced relation to and connected to said sealing device to effect a differential pressure therein;
- providing an outlet pressure for the drilling fluid based on said differential pressure and the specific weight of mud to be transported and the ocean depth;
- and
- pumping drilling fluid from the sealing device into a line extending upwardly to at least one of a treatment plant and a storage installation on a said floating drilling vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.