Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC

Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Hagmann-smith, Martin

James W Chambers

Thomas Floyd Bailey

Don M Hannegan

Danny W Wagoner

Kevin Leon Gray

Simon John Harrall

Mark F Gravouia

Jonathan P Sokol

Nicky A White

Lev Ring

Aristeo Rios, Iii

Aristeo Rios

Timothy L Wilson

Darryl A Bourgoyne

David R Woodruff

Richard D Wilson

Melvin T Jacobs

Andrew A W Barry

Andrew Harrison

Aristeo Iii Rios

Aristeo Rios Iii

A pressure control device can include an outer housing, a bearing assembly with bearings to rotatably support an inner barrel in the outer housing, a heat exchanger, and fluid passages that communicate between the bearings and the heat exchanger, and a latch assembly configured to releasably secure the bearing assembly in the outer housing. The latch assembly can include a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the bearing assembly heat exchanger. Another pressure control device can include a bearing assembly with bearings to rotatably support an inner barrel in the outer housing, fluid passages that communicate with space adjacent the bearings, a pump in communication with the fluid passages, and a gear train connected between the pump and a ring gear secured to the inner barrel.

Rotating control device with integrated cooling for sealed bearings

A pressure control device can include an outlet, an inlet secured to well equipment, and a swivel mechanism that permits relative rotation between the outlet and the inlet in an unlocked configuration and prevents relative rotation between the outlet and the inlet in a locked configuration. A lock device of the swivel mechanism can include circumferentially distributed teeth, and an engagement member that engages at least one of the teeth in the locked configuration. A method of operating a pressure control device can include securing an inlet of the pressure control device to well equipment, rotating an outlet of the pressure control device about a longitudinal axis of the inlet, locking a swivel mechanism of the pressure control device, thereby preventing rotation of the outlet relative to the inlet, and sealing off an annulus surrounding a tubular string extending through the inlet.

Pressure control device for use with a subterranean well

A pressure control device for sealing about a tubular at a wellsite can include a rotatable member, at least two radial seals that sealingly contact the rotatable member, at least two fluid chambers, one chamber being exposed to the rotatable member between the radial seals, and a pump that pumps fluid between the chambers in response to rotation of the rotatable member. A method of operating a pressure control device at a wellsite can include providing at least two chambers in a bearing assembly of the pressure control device, and regulating pressures in the chambers via a valve system in communication with both of the chambers.

Radial seal pressure reduction using internal pump

A system and method is provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs. An embodiment allows a LP-RCD to be removably disposed with a LP-RCD housing by rotating a bearing assembly rotating plate. A sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly by rotating a seal retainer ring. Alternatively, a sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly with a seal support member threadedly attached with the LP-RCD bearing assembly. The seal support member may be locked in position with a seal locking ring removably attached with threads with the LP-RCD bearing assembly over the seal support member. Spaced apart accumulators may be disposed radially outward of the bearings in the bearing assembly to provide self lubrication to the bearings.

Low profile rotating control device

A sealing assembly for sealing against a piece of oilfield equipment in a wellbore. The sealing assembly has a support housing and the support housing defines an inner wall and a port configured for fluid communication with the wellbore. Such inner wall defines a stop shoulder, and the support housing has a limit structure proximate one or both end(s). A sealing element is contained within the support housing. A ring is connected to the sealing element at one or both end(s). Each ring is configured for slidable movement along the inner wall of the support housing and further configured to float between the stop shoulder and the limit structure.

Sealing element mounting

An annular seal having a sealing member and method for use is provided for sealing an item of oilfield equipment. The annular seal has an inner diameter for receiving the item of oilfield equipment and a frame. The seal member is contiguous with the frame. The annular seal is configured for durability, in that it resists wear, inversion, increases lubricity, enables tightness, and/or otherwise generally increases endurance, toughness, and/or permanence.

Annular sealing for use with a well

Latch position indicator systems remotely determine whether a latch assembly is latched or unlatched. The latch assembly may be a single latch assembly or a dual latch assembly. An oilfield device may be positioned with the latch assembly. Non-contact (position), contact (on/off and/or position) and hydraulic (flowmeter), both direct and indirect, embodiments include fluid measurement systems, an electrical switch system, a mechanical valve system, and proximity sensor systems.

Latch position indicator system and method

Rotating control device related oilfield pressure control is accomplished by upper and lower seal members configured to seal around a tubular, a chamber defined between the upper and lower seal members; and wherein fluid enters and/or exits the chamber via some device or structure. Such a device or structure could be a relief valve, a first accumulator, a pressure control valve, an orifice, and/or a void space in a seal member in a location which contacts the tubular.

Seal assemblies in subsea rotating control devices

A rotating control device (RCD) for use with a drilling unit includes a body having a flange formed at an end thereof for coupling to the drilling unit; a seal assembly for receiving and sealing against a tubular; a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the seal assembly relative to the body; a releasable connection connecting the bearing assembly to the body; a transmitting assembly rotatable with the seal assembly; and a receiving assembly attached to a non-rotating portion of the RCD.

Apparatus and method for data transmission from a rotating control device

The exemplary embodiments relate to misalignment correction devices and methods for mitigating misalignment of a piece of oilfield equipment in or proximate an RCD. A rounded shoulder appears on a first surface within or proximate the RCD, and a socket profile appears on a second surface within or proximate the RCD. The second surface is configured to abut the rounded shoulder. The rounded shoulder is configured to rotate within the socket profile. Further, a floating joint may be implemented into or proximate the RCD and combined with the foregoing rotation mitigation features.

Misalignment mitigation in a rotating control device

A system and method is provided for converting a drilling rig between conventional hydrostatic pressure drilling and managed pressure drilling or underbalanced drilling using a docking station housing mounted on a marine riser or bell nipple. This docking station housing may be positioned above the surface of the water. When a removable rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched with the docking station housing, the system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with active seals.

Rotating control device docking station

The exemplary embodiments relate to apparatus and methods for increasing the longevity of an RCD at a wellbore, including a bearing assembly configured for operating in the RCD. The bearing assembly is configured for reducing pressure proximate the bearing assembly including reducing pressure in a radial seal. Top and bottom seals are mounted against a wear sleeve adjacent to an inner member housed within the bearing assembly. The wear sleeve is configured to be sealed by the top seal and the bottom seal as the inner member rotates in the RCD. A pressure reduction system mounted with the RCD is configured to apply pressure via a wellbore pressure between the top seal and the bottom seal, which is lower relative to a pressure above the top seal, and which is higher relative to a pressure below the bottom seal.

Rotating control device radial seal protection

A running tool and delivery and/or retrieving apparatus, and method for use, are designed for optionally delivering and optionally retrieving an oilfield device down a borehole. A kelly extends into the borehole. The tool has a journal configured for slidable movement along the kelly, an engagement disk mounted around the journal configured for engaging the device, and a plurality of fins attached perpendicular to an outer circumference of the journal. The proximal fins extend radially from the outer circumference of the journal toward the engagement disk, are butted against the engagement disk and extend to a diameter complementary to an outer diameter of the engagement disk. The plurality of proximal fins surround and are arranged concentric with the journal.

Floating device running tool

A latch and method for use is provided for latching an item of oilfield equipment. The latch has a housing containing a latch member, and the latch member is movable between a radially engaged position in which it is engaged with the item of oilfield equipment, and a radially retracted position in which it is disengaged from the item of oilfield equipment. An actuator is configured to drive the latch member into the radially engaged position. Further, the actuator is configured to drive the latch member toward the radially retracted position.

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Hackett, AR, United States of America

James W Chambers