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Wellbore annular pressure control system and method using accumulator to maintain back pressure in annulus

a control system and annulus technology, applied in the direction of earth drilling, fluid removal, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of increasing the duty cycle and increasing the size of the primary pump

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-29
SMITH INT INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system and method for controlling the pressure in the space between the drill string and the wellbore during drilling. This is achieved by using a primary pump to pump drilling fluid through the drill string and into the annular space, and a fluid back pressure system to selectively maintain pressure therein. This system can help to prevent damage to the wellbore and improve the efficiency of drilling.

Problems solved by technology

However, such systems require either increasing the duty cycle of the primary pump, or increasing the size of the primary pump.

Method used

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  • Wellbore annular pressure control system and method using accumulator to maintain back pressure in annulus
  • Wellbore annular pressure control system and method using accumulator to maintain back pressure in annulus

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013]An example drilling system including an example back pressure system according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1. A drilling rig 14 or similar hoisting device suspends a drill string 10 in a wellbore 11 being drilled through subsurface rock formations 13. A drill bit 12 is coupled to the lower end of the drill string 10, and is rotated by the drill string 10. Drill string rotation is enabled either by an hydraulic motor (not shown) coupled in the drill string 10 or by equipment such as a top drive 16 suspended in the drilling rig 14. Application of some of the weight of the drill string 10 to the bit 12 and the rotation imparted to the bit 12 cause the bit 12 to drill through the formations 13, thereby extending the length of the wellbore 11.

[0014]At the Earth's surface, a primary pump (“mud pumps”) 26 lifts drilling fluid (“mud”) 34 from a tank or pit 24 and discharges the mud 34 under pressure through a standpipe and flexible hose 31 to the top drive 16. The ...

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Abstract

A system for controlling wellbore annulus pressure during the drilling of a subterranean formation includes a drill string extending into a wellbore. A primary pump is configured for selectively pumping a drilling fluid through the drill string and into an annular space created between the drill string and the wellbore. A fluid discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the annular space for discharging the drilling fluid to a reservoir. A fluid back pressure system is connected to the fluid discharge conduit configured to selectively maintain pressure therein. The fluid back pressure system includes a fluid choke, a back pressure source and an accumulator hydraulically coupled between the back pressure source and the discharge conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 148,083 filed Jan. 29, 2009.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OF DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The invention relates generally to the field of wellbore drilling using annular pressure control systems. More specifically, the invention relates to back pressure systems including an accumulator to maintain back pressure.[0005]2. Background Art[0006]U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,891 issued to van Riet and commonly owned with the present invention describes a system for controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a wellbore through subterranean formations. The system includes a drill string extending into the wellbore. The drill string typically includes a bottom hole assembly made up of a drill bit, sensors, and a telemetry system capable of receiving and transmitting sensor data. Sensors disposed in the...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B43/16E21B43/00
CPCE21B21/08E21B21/106
Inventor REITSMA, DONALD G.FRINK, PHILCOUTURIER, YAWAN
Owner SMITH INT INC
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