Rotating Reciprocating Swivel for Deepwater Drilling Fluid Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In deepwater drilling, there is a need to efficiently remove drilling fluid or mud from wellbores and risers while preventing intermixing with displacement fluid, allowing for rotation and reciprocation of the drill string to enhance removal and cleaning, especially in deep water depths where storage space is limited and fluid displacement occurs in multiple sections.
Innovation Solution
A swivel system with a sleeve or housing rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel, capable of separating drilling fluid into upper and lower sections, allowing for two-stage displacement under well control conditions, with a sealing system to resist fluid infiltration and a quick lock/unlock mechanism to manage longitudinal movement and rotation, preventing fluid intermixing and facilitating efficient fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drill string is rotated and reciprocated during displacement to enhance fluid removal and cleaning, then the cleaning efficiency and fluid removal effectiveness are improved, but the complexity of the displacement system increases due to the need for a swivel mechanism that allows rotation and reciprocation while maintaining sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string system is segmented into a stationary upper portion and a rotating lower portion, connected through a swivel mechanism. This segmentation allows the lower drill string to rotate and reciprocate for enhanced cleaning while the upper string remains stationary, managing the complexity through functional division
Solution Approach 2:
A swivel mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the stationary drill string and the rotating drill string. This intermediary allows rotational and reciprocating motion to pass through while maintaining fluid sealing, enabling improved cleaning efficiency without requiring complete system rotation
2Volume of stationary object
If the drilling fluid is displaced in multiple sections to accommodate limited storage space, then the storage space requirement is reduced, but the risk of intermixing between drilling fluid and displacement fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement process is segmented into multiple distinct sections or stages. Each section handles a specific portion of the fluid displacement, allowing for better control and separation between drilling fluid and displacement fluid, reducing the risk of intermixing while accommodating limited storage space
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring and control mechanisms that provide feedback on fluid displacement progress and separation integrity. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to maintain proper fluid separation during multi-section displacement operations
3Reliability
If a sealing system is implemented to prevent fluid infiltration during rotation and reciprocation, then the fluid separation integrity is maintained, but the complexity and potential failure points of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel mechanism serves as an intermediary that integrates sealing functionality into the rotation and reciprocation system. Rather than adding separate sealing components, the swivel itself is designed with sealing capabilities, maintaining fluid separation integrity while minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel mechanism performs multiple functions simultaneously: it allows rotation, enables reciprocation, and maintains fluid sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, managing sealing system complexity while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a rotating and reciprocating swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections with the mandrel of the swivel being comprised of double box end joints and using double pin end subs to connect a plurality of such mandrel joints together.