Drilling method
AssigneeCoupler Developments Limited
InventorLaurence John Ayling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.
Claims33
A coupler for adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string while continuing to flow drilling fluid down the drill string comprising:
- (a) casing means for defining a chamber;
- (b) valve means for dividing said chamber into upper and lower portions and for placing said upper and lower portions in fluid communication when said valve is open;
- (c) inlet and outlet means for flowing drilling fluid into and out of said chamber;
- (d) first gripping means for gripping said tubulars;
- (e) second gripping means for gripping said drill string;
- and
- (f) said first and second gripping means being radially movable into and out of engagement with said tubulars and said drill string, respectively.
An apparatus for adding and removing tubulars to and from a drill string while continuing to flow drilling mud down the string into a bore hole, comprising:
- (a) a casing forming a pressure chamber and including fluid passage means for flowing drilling mud into said chamber;
- (b) said chamber having a top and bottom;
- (c) high pressure seals positioned at said top and bottom of said chamber capable of withstanding the pressure of said drilling mud in said chamber;
- (d) first radially movable grips for gripping said tubular;
- (e) second radially movable grips for gripping said drill string;
- and
- (f) rotary means for rotating said tubular and said drill string with respect to each other while continuing to flow drilling mud into said chamber and down said drill string into the bore hole.
A coupler for adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string while continuing to flow drilling fluid down the drill string comprising:
- (a) casing means for defining a chamber;
- (b) valve means for dividing said chamber into upper and lower portions and for placing said upper and lower portions in fluid communication when said valve is open;
- (c) inlet and outlet means for flowing drilling fluid into and out of said chamber through said drill string;
- (d) first gripping means for gripping said tubulars;
- (e) second gripping means for gripping said drill string;
- (f) said first and second gripping means being slips radially movable into and out of engagement with said tubulars and said drill string, respectively.
A system for adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string while continuing to flow drilling fluid down the drill string comprising:
- (a) casing means for defining a chamber;
- (b) valve means for dividing said chamber into upper and lower portions and for placing said upper and lower portions in fluid communication when said valve is open;
- (c) inlet means for flowing drilling fluid into said chamber and out of said chamber;
- (d) first gripping means for gripping said tubulars;
- (e) second gripping means for gripping said drill string;
- (f) at least one of said first and second gripping means being radially movable into and out of engagement with one of said tubulars and said drill string.
A system for adding or removing tubular to and from a drill string while continuing to flow drilling fluid down the drill string comprising:
- (a) casing means for defining a chamber;
- (b) valve means for dividing said chamber into upper and lower portions and for placing said upper and lower portions in fluid communication when said valve is open;
- (c) inlet and outlet means for flowing drilling fluid into and out of said chamber;
- (d) gripping means for gripping said drill string;
- and
- (e) radially movable seal means for engaging and disengaging said tubulars or said drill string.
A method of connecting and disconnecting a tubular to and from a drill string comprising:
- (a) inserting the ends of a tubular and a drill string into a chamber;
- (b) engaging said tubular and said drill string with first and second gripping means;
- (c) radially moving portions of a seal within said chamber to divide said chamber into upper and lover portions;
- (d) rotating at least one of said gripping means relative to the other to join said tubular and drill string together or remove such joinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.