Rotating Swivel for Staged Drilling Mud Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deepwater drilling operations face challenges in efficiently removing drilling fluid or mud from wellbores and risers, particularly in large volumes, while maintaining separation and preventing intermixing, and ensuring effective cleaning and completion processes.
Innovation Solution
A rotating and reciprocating swivel apparatus that allows for the separation of drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections, enabling staged displacement and cleaning processes, with a swivel connected to an annular blowout preventer for fluid separation and allowing rotation and reciprocation of the drill string, incorporating seals and thrust bearings to manage fluid pressure and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drilling fluid or mud is removed in a single stage, then the displacement process is simpler, but the storage space required at the drilling rig becomes insufficient and completion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement process is divided into multiple stages using a multi-stage displacement device. The device includes separate displacement lines and control mechanisms that enable sequential removal of drilling fluid from different zones (wellbore first, then riser). This segmentation allows the large volume of drilling fluid to be displaced in manageable portions without requiring excessive storage space at the rig, thereby improving completion efficiency while maintaining process control.
2Quantity of substance
If drilling fluid or mud is displaced in multiple sections, then storage space requirements are reduced, but the risk of intermixing between drilling fluid and completion fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
A displacement interface device is introduced as an intermediary between the drilling fluid and completion fluid zones. This device includes sealing elements and interface control mechanisms that physically separate the two fluid zones during multi-stage displacement. The interface device prevents direct contact and mixing between drilling fluid and completion fluid while allowing sequential displacement to proceed, thereby reducing storage space requirements without compromising fluid separation reliability.
3Productivity
If the drill string is rotated during displacement, then drilling fluid and contaminants are better removed, but the complexity of the displacement system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement device incorporates a universal interface that combines multiple functions: fluid displacement, drill string rotation capability, and contaminant removal. The device includes a rotationally symmetric design with universal sealing mechanisms that allow the drill string to rotate freely during displacement operations. This multi-functionality enables effective removal of drilling fluid and contaminants through rotation without requiring separate specialized equipment, thereby improving fluid removal efficiency while minimizing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient, staged displacement and cleaning of drilling fluids, reducing completion time and fluid volumes, while maintaining well control and preventing intermixing, thus optimizing the completion process in deepwater drilling.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating seals and thrust bearings to manage fluid pressure and movement
Implementation Method 2
incorporating seals and thrust bearings to manage fluid pressure and movement
Data Source
AI summary
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.