Ameriforge Group Inc.

Grant Prideco, Inc.

Managed Pressure Operations Pte, Limited

Ameriforce Group Inc.

Austin Johnson

Justin Fraczek

Christian Leuchtenberg

Waybourn Anderson, Jr

Brian Piccolo

Alexander John MacGregor

George James Michaud

Patrick David Savage

Saravanan Sundaramoorthy

Kareem Amer

Kareem Ahmed Ameen Amer

Robert H J Pinkstone

A hands-free gooseneck flow spool includes a mandrel, a hands-free gooseneck receiver fixedly attached to the mandrel, and a hands-free gooseneck removably attached to the hands-free gooseneck receiver. The hands-free gooseneck receiver includes a lockable gooseneck receiver including a gooseneck receiver end fluidly connected to a mandrel connection end, a rotatable locking collar at least partially disposed within the gooseneck receiver end of the lockable gooseneck receiver, and a plurality of alignment pins. The hands-free goose neck includes a substantially U-shaped gooseneck pipe member including a hose connection end that is fluidly connected to a receiver connection end, a hands-free connection system including a pad-eye track disposed on the U-shaped gooseneck pipe member and a pad-eye shackle movably attached to the pad-eye track, and a plurality of alignment pin receivers disposed near the receiver connection end.

Hands-free gooseneck and hands-free gooseneck flow spool

A method of monitoring a well state with intermittent well state sampling includes determining a measured volume differential by measuring flow out of a wellbore, measuring flow into the wellbore, and calculating a difference between the measured flow out and the measured flow in. The method includes determining an expected volume differential by calculating a fluid volume of the wellbore system, determining a wellbore pressure difference, determining a well system bulk modulus, and multiplying the fluid volume of the wellbore by the wellbore pressure difference and dividing a result by the well system bulk modulus. If the expected volume differential is not substantially equal to the measured volume differential, reporting to the user that the well state is experiencing a significant change requiring user intervention.

Intermittent well state sampling in managed pressure drilling applications

A closed-loop hydraulic drilling system generates choke characteristic curves or data that more accurately reflects the relationship between the commanded choke valve position and the resulting pressure drop across the choke valve for a given flow rate and fluid density. The choke characteristic curves may be generated through a calibration procedure and then used during normal operations to more accurately monitor return flow and manage wellbore pressure. The specific gravity of an injected calibration fluid and pressure drop across the choke valve may be determined and correlated to the current choke valve position to reflect the choke characteristic curve in situ, thereby providing for more precise control of wellbore pressure and enabling condition monitoring of the choke valve. In addition, an improved closed-loop hydraulic drilling system does not require a flow meter, enabling the adoption of MPD systems in low-specification and economically constrained applications.

Closed-loop hydraulic drilling

A harsh environment integrated MPD riser joint includes a dynamic annular sealing system, a static annular sealing system disposed directly below the dynamic annular sealing system, and a flow spool, or equivalent thereof, disposed directly below the static annular sealing system. The dynamic annular sealing system may be a conventional ACD-type, RCD-type, or other conventional annular sealing system. The static annular sealing system may include one or more annular packer systems and one or more connection sealing elements that engage drill pipe during connection or non-rotation operations only. The dynamic annular sealing system may maintain annular pressure during drilling operations while the static annular sealing system is disengaged. The static annular sealing system may maintain annular pressure during connection operations while the dynamic annular sealing system is disengaged. Advantageously, the static annular sealing system is capable of withstanding jarring heaving action encountered in harsh environments.

Static annular sealing systems and integrated managed pressure drilling riser joints for harsh environments

An integrated managed pressure drilling ('MPD') riser joint includes an annular sealing system that allows for the installation, engagement, service, maintenance, disengagement, removal, or replacement of one or more sealing elements while maintaining a pressure tight seal on the annulus without a drill string isolation tool, or equivalent thereof. The integrated MPD riser joint is limited to the annular sealing system and a flow spool, or equivalent thereof, disposed directly below the annular sealing system, without any intervening pressure containment devices or systems. Advantageously, the integrated MPD riser joint does not require a drill string isolation tool, or equivalent thereof, and may be substantially shorter in length and weigh substantially less than a conventional integrated MPD riser joint. The reduction in size and weight enables adoption of MPD technology in applications where conventional integrated MPD riser joints are not economically feasible or are otherwise precluded from use.

Annular sealing system and integrated managed pressure drilling riser joint

A method of seal condition monitoring may determine the state of the annular seal, the state of one or more sealing elements, take actions to maintain the annular seal as one or more sealing elements transition from new to worn, and provide advance notice of the impending failure of one or more sealing elements so as to avoid a catastrophic annular seal failure while the marine riser is pressurized. Advantageously, operations may be conducted proactively rather than reactively, and one or more sealing elements may be replaced well in advance of failure, but potentially later than a conventional maintenance schedule would dictate. The one or more failing sealing elements may be proactively replaced without depressurizing the marine riser, prior to seal failure or replacement may be planned well in advance and coordinated with other rig operations to improve efficiency and maintain the safety of the drilling rig and personnel.

Seal condition monitoring

A seal assembly for use in a pressure containment device for containing a fluid pressure in an annular space around a drill string whilst allowing the drill string to rotate in the pressure containment device. The seal assembly includes a seal with an inner surface and a tubular body, and a wear sensor embedded in the tubular body of the seal. The wear sensor emits an alert signal when the inner surface of the seal has been worn away by a first preset amount. The alert signal includes a pressure signal and/or a chemical signal.

Sealing element wear indicator system

A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.

Dual gradient drilling system and method

A seal assembly for use in a pressure containment device for containing a fluid pressure in an annular space around a drill string while allowing the drill string to rotate in the pressure containment device. The seal assembly includes a seal comprising and an inner surface and a tubular body, and a wear sensor embedded in the tubular body. The wear sensor emits an alert signal when the inner surface of the seal has been worn away by a preset amount.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Austin Johnson