Abstract: A method for maintaining a constant bottom hole pressure during wellbore drilling operations, the method comprising supplying drilling fluid to the drill string via a top drive at a first pressure while flow of drilling fluid out of a wellbore annulus is restricted by a choke to hold pressure in a wellbore annulus and supplying drilling fluid to the drill string via the top drive at a second pressure lower than the first pressure and to a circulation coupler at a third pressure while flow of drilling fluid out of a wellbore annulus is restricted by a choke to hold pressure in the annulus, wherein the sum of the second and third pressures is approximately the same as the first pressure.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) includes a housing defining a bore, a seal element supported within the housing and configured to form a seal against a tubular within the bore, and an active material within the housing. The active material is configured to deform upon application of a magnetic field or an electric field to thereby adjust the seal against the tubular.

Abstract: An iron roughneck for constant circulation of drilling mud during operation of a drill string, the iron roughneck comprising: a frame; a wrench unit supported by the frame, wherein the wrench unit is capable of gripping a drill string; a spinner unit supported by the frame, wherein the spinner unit is capable of engaging and spinning a drill pipe; and a circulation coupler supported by the frame, wherein the circulation coupler forms a chamber around the drill string.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of sensors into a programmable logic controller, the plurality of sensors provided on at least one component of a rotating control device assembly of a drilling system, providing measurement data from the plurality of signals using the programmable logic controller, and processing the measurement data using a modeling software to determine at least one condition of the rotating control device assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a mud pump for pumping a drilling mud from a drilling mud source, through a drill string, out a drill bit and into an annular, and a plurality of chokes disposed down stream from the mud pump, including a first choke disposed between the mud pump and the drill string, and a second choke disposed between the mud pump and a mud tank. The system further includes a fluid discharge conduit in fluid communication with the annular space for transferring the drilling mud to handling equipment in fluid communication with the mud tank. The first choke receives the drilling mud from the mud pump at a first flow rate, the first choke reduces drilling mud flow rate to a second flow rate less than the first flow rate, and the second choke reduces drilling mud flow rate to a third flow rate.

Abstract: An iron roughneck for constant circulation of drilling mud during operation of a drill string, the iron roughneck comprising: a frame; a wrench unit supported by the frame, wherein the wrench unit is capable of gripping a drill string; a spinner unit supported by the frame, wherein the spinner unit is capable of engaging and spinning a drill pipe; and a circulation coupler supported by the frame, wherein the circulation coupler forms a chamber around the drill string.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a constant bottom hole pressure during wellbore drilling operations, the method comprising supplying drilling fluid to the drill string via a top drive at a first pressure while flow of drilling fluid out of a wellbore annulus is restricted by a choke to hold pressure in a wellbore annulus and supplying drilling fluid to the drill string via the top drive at a second pressure lower than the first pressure and to a circulation coupler at a third pressure while flow of drilling fluid out of a wellbore annulus is restricted by a choke to hold pressure in the annulus, wherein the sum of the second and third pressures is approximately the same as the first pressure.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of sensors into a programmable logic controller, the plurality of sensors provided on at least one component of a rotating control device assembly of a drilling system, providing measurement data from the plurality of signals using the programmable logic controller, and processing the measurement data using a modeling software to determine at least one condition of the rotating control device assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a mud pump for pumping a drilling mud from a drilling mud source, through a drill string, out a drill bit and into an annular, and a plurality of chokes disposed down stream from the mud pump, including a first choke disposed between the mud pump and the drill string, and a second choke disposed between the mud pump and a mud tank. The system further includes a fluid discharge conduit in fluid communication with the annular space for transferring the drilling mud to handling equipment in fluid communication with the mud tank. The first choke receives the drilling mud from the mud pump at a first flow rate, the first choke reduces drilling mud flow rate to a second flow rate less than the first flow rate, and the second choke reduces drilling mud flow rate to a third flow rate.

Abstract: A method for responding to an adverse fluid event such as a fluid gain or fluid loss event includes pumping a drilling fluid through a drilling system having a drill string and into a well bore. The drilling system also includes at least two pressure control components operatively coupled to the drill string. The bottom hole pressure of the well bore may be monitored. Once a fluid loss condition or a fluid gain condition is detected, a response for each of the at least two pressure control components to the fluid loss or fluid gain condition is determined. The responses for the at least two pressure control components are prioritized, and at least one of the pressure control components are adjusted to mitigate the adverse pressure condition.