National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

Andrew Shelton

James William Weir

A circulation sub including a tubular and a diverter valve are configured to continuously circulate fluid into a drill string. The tubular has a first end connectable to the drill string, a second end connectable to a pipe segment, and a port. The tubular has a fluid path for allowing the fluid to flow from the pipe segment to the drill string and a circulation path for allowing the fluid to flow from the port to the drill string. The diverter valve has a channel in selective fluid communication with the fluid path. The diverter valve is positionable between a flow through position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid path and a diversion position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the circulation path whereby the fluid may continuously flow through the drill string.

Circulation sub and method for using same

Techniques for continuously circulating fluid into a drill string are disclosed. These techniques involve a circulation sub () including a tubular and a diverter valve (A). The tubular has a first end connectable to the drill string, a second end connectable to a pipe segment, and a port () therein. The tubular has a fluid path () for allowing the fluid to flow from the pipe segment to the drill string and a circulation path () for allowing the fluid to flow from the port to the drill string. The diverter valve has a channel therethrough in selective fluid communication with the fluid path. The diverter valve is positionable between a flow through position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid path and a diversion position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the circulation path whereby the fluid may continuously flow through the drill string.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Andrew Shelton