The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 2016
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2013
M-i L.l.c., Houston, TX (US);
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Jason Duhe, Missouri City, TX (US);
James May, Houston, TX (US);
M-I L.L.C., Houston, TX (US);
SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
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.