Rotating Reciprocating Swivel for Deepwater Drilling Fluid Separation
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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 cleaning, and maintaining effective sealing to manage pressure differentials and fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A swivel system with a rotatably and sealably connected sleeve and mandrel, designed to separate drilling fluid into sections, resist fluid infiltration, and allow for longitudinal movement, integrated with an annular blowout preventer to manage pressure and fluid flow, incorporating a quick lock/unlock system for precise positioning and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drill string is rotated during displacement to enhance cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the sealing integrity becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel assembly incorporates a dynamic sealing system that adapts to rotational movement. The seal between the mandrel and sleeve is designed to maintain fluid-tight closure while accommodating the rotational motion of the drill string, allowing the system to transition from static to dynamic operation without compromising sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing intermediary mechanism is introduced between the rotating drill string and the stationary displacement fluid section. This intermediary sealing system allows rotational movement while preventing fluid intermixing, mediating between the need for rotation and the requirement for sealing.
2Productivity
If the drill string is reciprocated longitudinally to loosen contaminants, then the removal effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the swivel system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel assembly is designed with dynamic capabilities that enable both rotation and longitudinal reciprocation. The structural configuration allows the drill string to move axially through the sealed environment, creating a plunging effect to dislodge contaminants while maintaining fluid-tight separation between displacement fluid sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel system is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously or sequentially performs rotation, reciprocation, and sealing functions. This universal design consolidates multiple operations into a single integrated system, managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the drilling fluid is separated into multiple sections during displacement, then the displacement efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of preventing intermixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement process is divided into multiple sections or stages using the swivel assembly as a separation point. Each section can be independently managed with its own fluid column, allowing systematic displacement while the sealing system prevents intermixing between sections through mechanical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel assembly acts as an intermediary sealing barrier between multiple fluid sections. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain multiple separated fluid columns while preventing their intermixing, enabling efficient multi-stage displacement without direct contact between different fluid sections.
4Reliability
If a sealable connection is used to prevent fluid infiltration, then the fluid separation is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to maintain fluid-tight closure during rotational and reciprocating movements. The seal adapts to operational movements, maintaining reliability without requiring complex locking or stabilization mechanisms that would reduce ease of operation.
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.