Separation of evolved gases from drilling fluids in a drilling operation
OwnerMatt Swartoutinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid handling system for drilling cuttings utilizes a constant and gravity managed liquid level between a substantially atmospheric separator and a shale shaker. Substantially all of the gas entrained in the cuttings is evolved and passed to a flare for preventing evolution of the gas at the shale shaker. Solids from the separator are combined with liquid recirculation from and returning to the shale shaker. Optionally, a vacuum degasser is positioned between the separator and the shale shaker and separated gases are passed from the degasser to the flare. This method and system is particularly applicable to balanced, underbalanced and air drilling operations where the flow of gas is intermittent and unpredictable.
Claims17
A system for handling drilling fluids including drilling cuttings returned from a wellbore during drilling, the fluids further comprising an intermittent and unpredictable flow of gaseous hydrocarbons entrained therein, the system comprising:
- a vertical separator for receiving drilling fluids from the wellbore further comprising:
- a liquid volume having a liquid level control,
- a stagnant zone of liquid for separating the entrained gaseous hydrocarbons from the drilling fluids;
- a gas outlet for discharging evolved gaseous hydrocarbons at substantially atmospheric pressure therefrom;
- a liquid outlet for discharging substantially gas free liquids therefrom,
- a solids outlet for gravity discharging substantially gas free drilling solids therefrom, and
- a shale shaker for receiving substantially gas free drilling solids and substantially gas free liquids discharged from the separator and for further separating the drilling solids from the liquids;
- and
- a recirculation line for flowing substantially gas free separated liquids from the shale shaker past the solids outlet of the separator wherein the substantially gas free drilling solids discharging from the solids outlet join the substantially gas free liquids for circulation to the shale shaker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.