Rotating control device docking station
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsThomas F. Bailey, Don M. Hannegan, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for converting a drilling rig between conventional hydrostatic pressure drilling and managed pressure drilling or underbalanced drilling using a docking station housing mounted on a marine riser or bell nipple. This docking station housing may be positioned above the surface of the water. When a removable rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched with the docking station housing, the system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with active seals.
Claims41
A method for conversion between hydrostatic pressure drilling and controlled pressure drilling, comprising the steps of
- positioning a housing above a borehole;
- removably latching an oilfield device with said housing from a remote location for controlled drilling;
- remotely unlatching said oilfield device from said housing;
- removing said oilfield device from said housing;
- and
- removably latching a protective sleeve with said housing from a remote location for hydrostatic pressure drilling.
A method for conversion between hydrostatic pressure drilling and controlled pressure drilling, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a housing above a marine riser;
- remotely latching an oilfield device with said housing for controlled pressure drilling;
- providing a first port below said oilfield device;
- positioning a first pressure control device in fluid communication with said first port;
- remotely unlatching said oilfield device from said housing;
- removing said oilfield device from said housing;
- and
- remotely latching a protective sleeve with said housing for hydrostatic pressure drilling.
A method for conversion between hydrostatic pressure drilling and controlled pressure drilling, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a housing having a retainer member above a borehole;
- remotely retaining an oilfield device with said housing retainer member;
- remotely releasing said oilfield device with said housing retainer member;
- removing said oilfield device from said housing;
- and
- remotely retaining a protective sleeve with said housing retainer member after the step of removing said oilfield device.
A method for conversion between hydrostatic pressure drilling and controlled pressure drilling, comprising the steps of:
- mounting a housing above a blowout preventer on a marine riser;
- remotely latching an oilfield device with said housing;
- providing a first port below said oilfield device and above said blowout preventer;
- positioning a first pressure control device in fluid communication with said first port;
- remotely unlatching said oilfield device from said housing;
- removing said oilfield device from said housing;
- and
- remotely latching a protective sleeve with said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.