Telescoping Joint Drilling Mud Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling systems face challenges in efficiently recovering and recycling drilling mud that leaks from telescoping joints due to motion-induced leaks, leading to fluid loss and inefficiencies in the drilling process.
Innovation Solution
A drilling mud recovery system is integrated into the telescoping joint of a marine riser, featuring a reservoir to catch leaking mud, which is then routed through a return conduit for recycling either back to the surface or directly reintroduced into the drilling system, utilizing a pump and check valve to ensure efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping joints are used in marine risers to accommodate vertical motion, then the drilling rig can compensate for heave, but drilling mud leaks from the telescoping joint
Solution Approach 1:
The invention captures the harmful leaking drilling mud at the telescoping joint using a reservoir, then pumps it back through the joint or to the surface for recycling. This converts the harmful leak into a recoverable resource, eliminating mud loss while preserving the motion accommodation function of the telescoping joint
Solution Approach 2:
A pump system acts as an intermediary between the leaking telescoping joint and the drilling mud circulation system. The pump captures leaked mud and redirects it either back through the telescoping joint or to the surface for recovery, serving as a mediator that prevents mud loss while maintaining joint functionality
2Ease of operation
If drilling mud is allowed to leak from the telescoping joint, then the joint can move freely, but fluid loss occurs and recycling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The leaking mud that would otherwise represent a productivity loss is captured and converted into a recoverable resource. The reservoir and pump system convert the harmful leak into an opportunity for mud recovery and recycling, improving drilling efficiency while maintaining joint mobility
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the leaked drilling mud, the invention recovers it through the reservoir and pump system. The mud is either pumped back through the telescoping joint or routed to the surface for recycling, transforming waste into a reusable resource that maintains drilling efficiency
3Loss of substance
If a reservoir and pump system is added to recover leaking mud, then fluid loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mud recovery function from the overall drilling system and concentrates it in a dedicated reservoir and pump assembly at the telescoping joint. This modular extraction allows the recovery system to be added locally without significantly complicating the entire drilling rig, reducing mud loss with minimal complexity increase
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
The system effectively recovers and recycles drilling mud, reducing fluid loss and enhancing operational efficiency by reusing the mud within the drilling process, thereby improving the overall performance and sustainability of offshore drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The drilling mud caught with the reservoir may then be routed away from the reservoir through a return conduit and recycled in a drilling system. In one embodiment, the caught drilling mud is recycled by pumping it through a return conduit from the reservoir to mud circulation equipment on a drilling rig.
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a pump and check valve to ensure efficient fluid management
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid recovery system is provided. In one embodiment, the fluid recovery system includes a telescoping joint of a marine riser having an inner barrel and an outer barrel configured to extend and retract with respect to one another when installed as part of the marine riser. A drip pan is coupled to the outer barrel to enable the drip pan to catch fluid, such as drilling mud, leaking from the telescoping joint between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. In this embodiment, the fluid recovery system also includes a pump and a return conduit that are coupled to enable the pump to pump caught fluid from the drip pan back into the telescoping joint via the return conduit. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.