Abstract: A back pressure control system adapted to be at least partially integrated with a drill rig.

Abstract: A mud-gas separator is arranged for both well control and drilling process. In some aspects, the mud-gas separator includes a main vessel including a bottom portion and a side portion. The mud-gas separator also includes a gas vent associated with the main vessel and configured to vent gas from well returns introduced into the main vessel. It also includes a first mud outlet formed within the bottom portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel and includes a second mud outlet formed within the side portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel.

Abstract: A back pressure control system adapted to be at least partially integrated with a drill rig.

Abstract: A mud-gas separator is arranged for both well control and drilling process. In some aspects, the mud-gas separator includes a main vessel including a bottom portion and a side portion. The mud-gas separator also includes a gas vent associated with the main vessel and configured to vent gas from well returns introduced into the main vessel. It also includes a first mud outlet formed within the bottom portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel and includes a second mud outlet formed within the side portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbons and other material from a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of drilling a sub-sea wellbore is provided. The method includes circulating a drilling fluid through a drill string from a surface of the sea to a drill bit in the wellbore. The method further includes pumping the fluid and drill cuttings from the sea floor to the surface with a multiphase pump having at least two plungers operating in a predetermined phase relationship. In another aspect, a fluid separator system having a first and a second plunger assembly is provided. The fluid separator system includes at least one fluid line for removing a fluid portion from the at least one plunger assembly and at least one gas line for removing gas from the first and a second plunger assembly.