Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A riser pressure relief apparatus includes a pressure relief valve with a valve member, an actuator, and a pilot valve assembly connected to a pressurized fluid. The valve member moves between a first position, which prevents a fluid flow through the side port, and a second position, which permits the flow. The actuator includes an open port and moves the valve member from the first to the second position by supplying the pressurized fluid to the open port. The pilot valve assembly moves between a first configuration, which prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid to the open port, and a second configuration, which permits the flow. A valve part of the pilot valve assembly moves from a first to a second position based on a fluid pressure in the riser, which causes the pilot valve assembly to move from the first to the second configuration or vice versa.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing drilling fluid comprising a primary separator and a secondary separator, the primary separator comprising a vessel body having an inlet port, a liquid outlet port located at a lower end of the vessel body, and a gas vent port located at an upper end of the vessel body, the secondary separator having an inlet port which is connected to the gas vent port of the primary separator, a gas outlet port, and a liquid outlet port which is connected to the interior of the vessel body of the primary separator via a liquid return line.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of operating a drilling system. The drilling system includes a drill string extending into a wellbore, a driver which rotates the drill string, a pump to pump drilling fluid down the drill string, a wellhead mounted at the wellbore, a riser extending up from the wellhead around the drill string, a blowout preventer mounted on the wellhead, a riser closure device mounted in the riser, a first return conduit, and a flow outlet arranged in the riser below the riser closure device. The method includes operating the driver to stop a rotation of the drill string, closing the riser closure device if it is not already closed, operating the pump to stop a pumping of drilling fluid down the drill string, closing the blowout preventer, and increasing a wellbore pressure by controlling a rate of the flow of the fluid along the first return conduit.

Abstract: A riser pressure relief apparatus includes a pressure relief valve with a valve member, an actuator, and a pilot valve assembly connected to a pressurized fluid. The valve member moves between a first position, which prevents a fluid flow through the side port, and a second position, which permits the flow. The actuator includes an open port and moves the valve member from the first to the second position by supplying the pressurized fluid to the open port. The pilot valve assembly moves between a first configuration, which prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid to the open port, and a second configuration, which permits the flow. A valve part of the pilot valve assembly moves from a first to a second position based on a fluid pressure in the riser, which causes the pilot valve assembly to move from the first to the second configuration or vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing drilling fluid comprising a primary separator and a secondary separator, the primary separator comprising a vessel body having an inlet port, a liquid outlet port located at a lower end of the vessel body, and a gas vent port located at an upper end of the vessel body, the secondary separator having an inlet port which is connected to the gas vent port of the primary separator, a gas outlet port, and a liquid outlet port which is connected to the interior of the vessel body of the primary separator via a liquid return line.

Abstract: An adjustable neck supporter configured to support a game controller around a player's neck and also and positioned the game controller adjacent to the player's lap when a playing in a sitting or standing position and allows the player to selectively elevate the game control on the neck strap so that the player may walk hands free with the controller in an elevated position and still supported around the player's neck. The neck support includes a length adjustable neck strap that terminates at the user's waist. Attached to the distal end of neck strap is a flexible or rigid bridle that connects to a dual wing shaped game controller with a top control console and two opposite side wings. The bridle attaches to the game controller so the control buttons may be easily manipulated. In one embodiment a strap plate is used to selectively attach the strap to the bridle.