Rotating Control Device Wear Reduction via Segmented Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling systems face challenges in managing pressure and flow of drilling fluids, particularly in softer seabed locations, leading to wear on sealing elements and potential well instability during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A rotating control device (RCD) system with multiple RCDs positioned along the wellbore, controlled in a coordinated manner to facilitate passage of drill string joints while maintaining a seal, using actuator systems and sensors to adjust sealing elements between sealing and withdrawn configurations to reduce wear and manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single RCD is used to seal around the drill string, then the device complexity is low, but the sealing element experiences excessive wear and potential well instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides a single sealing function into multiple RCDs positioned at different locations along the wellbore. Each RCD has its own sealing element that can be independently controlled, distributing the wear across multiple components rather than concentrating it on one sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls multiple RCDs in coordination, allowing sealing elements to be positioned at different radial locations at different times. This dynamic coordination enables the drill string to pass through while maintaining continuous sealing, reducing wear on individual sealing elements.
2Reliability
If the sealing element maintains constant contact with the drill string to seal, then fluid flow is effectively blocked, but wear on the sealing element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system periodically adjusts the position of sealing elements between sealing and withdrawn configurations based on the position of the drill string. Multiple RCDs are activated in sequence as the drill string progresses, providing continuous sealing while allowing individual sealing elements to rest periodically, reducing wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple RCDs as intermediaries to maintain sealing. When one sealing element is withdrawn to reduce wear, another RCD's sealing element acts as an intermediary to maintain the seal, ensuring continuous fluid flow control without excessive wear on any single sealing element.
3Reliability
If multiple RCDs are used with coordinated control, then wear on sealing elements is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect the position of the drill string and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system coordinates the activation and deactivation of multiple RCDs, automatically managing the complexity of controlling multiple sealing elements without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating control device (RCD) system includes a first RCD comprising a first body and a first sealing element within the first body and a second RCD comprising a second body a second sealing element within the second body. The RCD system also includes a controller that is configured to control a first actuator assembly to adjust the first RCD to a withdrawn configuration in which the first sealing element is not positioned to seal about a tubular and to control a second actuator assembly to maintain the second RCD in a sealing configuration in which the second sealing element is positioned to seal about the tubular while the first RCD is in the withdrawn configuration.