Smith International, Inc.

James May

Jason Duhe

Larry F Moeller

Jaye M Shelton

Jackson Debray

Joe W Reeves

A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing fluid from a reservoir through a drill string, circulating the fluid from the drill string to an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore, isolating pressure in the annulus, measuring pressure in the annulus, calculating a set point backpressure, applying back pressure to the annulus based on the set point back pressure, diverting fluid from the annulus to a controllable choke, controllably bleeding pressurized fluid from the annulus, separating solids from the fluid, and directing the fluid to the reservoir. An apparatus for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations that includes an adjustable choke for controllably bleeding off pressurized fluid from the wellbore annulus. A backpressure pump for applying a set point backpressure, and a processor for controlling the adjustable choke and backpressure pump are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for controlling bottom hole pressure in a subterranean formation during rig pump operation

A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations includes the steps of providing fluid from a reservoir through a drill string, circulating the fluid from the drill string to an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore, isolating pressure in the annulus, measuring pressure in the annulus, calculating a set point backpressure, applying back pressure to the annulus based on the set point back pressure, diverting fluid from the annulus to a controllable choke, controllably bleeding off pressurized fluid from the annulus, separating solids from the fluid, and directing the fluid back to the reservoir. An apparatus for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations includes an adjustable choke for controllably bleeding off pressurized fluid from the wellbore annulus, a backpressure pump for applying a calculated set point backpressure, and a processor for controlling the adjustable choke and backpressure pump.

A riser assembly includes a rotating control housing connected between an upper portion and a lower portion of a riser assembly, and a packing element rotatable with respect to the rotating control housing, wherein the packing element is configured to isolate an annulus of the lower portion from the upper portion when a drillstring is engaged through the packing element, and wherein the packing element is configured to be retrieved and replaced through the upper portion.

Rotating control device apparatus and method

Methods and apparatus for rotating a stripper assembly in use with a rotating drilling head. A drive system is disposed external to the rotating drilling head and generates rotational motion to match the rotation of a drillstring running through the rotating drilling head. A connection transfers rotational motion from the drive system to the stripper assembly. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a housing disposed about the drillstring and a one or more contact members connected to said housing and operable to contact the drillstring. One or more biasing members urge the contact members into contact with the drillstring so as to transfer rotational motion from the drillstring to the housing.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

James May