Abstract: The trip system closely monitors and ensures that the hydrostatic pressure of the wellbore stays consistent throughout the tripping process, stripping process, and axial pipe operations. The core components of the system include, but are not limited to, an advanced automation system that controls a back-pressure device, including but not limited to a choke, a rotary ball valve, or other flow control devices. The automation system also monitors upstream and downstream flow measurement components. The trip system also provides a pump system to circulate drilling fluid from the trip tank across the top of the wellhead and/or at a lower portion below the RCD.

Abstract: The trip system closely monitors and ensures that the hydrostatic pressure of the wellbore stays consistent throughout the tripping process, stripping process, and axial pipe operations. The core components of the system include, but are not limited to, an advanced automation system that controls a back-pressure device, including but not limited to a choke, a rotary ball valve, or other flow control devices. The automation system also monitors upstream and downstream flow measurement components. The trip system also provides a pump system to circulate drilling fluid from the trip tank across the top of the wellhead and/or at a lower portion below the RCD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wellbore strengthening are disclosed. An effective way to strengthen a wellbore and prevent future fractures during drilling operations is to induce fractures having a desired fracture width profile and fracture length. Surface back pressure can be used to accurately induce such fractures. The induced fractures which are then sealed can increase fracture gradient of the wellbore thus mitigating future fractures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wellbore strengthening are disclosed. An effective way to strengthen a wellbore and prevent future fractures during drilling operations is to induce fractures having a desired fracture width profile and fracture length. Surface back pressure can be used to accurately induce such fractures. The induced fractures which are then sealed can increase fracture gradient of the wellbore thus mitigating future fractures.

Abstract: A method for drilling in the floor of an ocean from a floating structure using a rotatable tubular includes a seal housing having a rotatable seal connected above a portion of a marine riser fixed to the floor of the ocean. The seal rotating with the rotating tubular allows the riser and seal housing to maintain a predetermined pressure in the system that is desirable in pressurized mud cap and reverse circulation drilling. A flexible conduit or hose is used to compensate for relative movement of the seal housing and the floating structure because the floating structure moves independent of the seal housing. The drilling fluid is pumped from the floating structure into an annulus of the riser, allowing the formation of a mud cap downhole in the riser, or allowing reverse circulation of the drilling fluid down the riser, returning up the rotatable tubular to the floating structure.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.

Abstract: A holding member provides for releasably positioning a rotating control head assembly in a subsea housing. The holding member engages an internal formation in the subsea housing to resist movement of the rotating control head assembly relative to the subsea housing. The rotating control head assembly is sealed with the subsea housing when the holding member engages the internal formation. An extendible portion of the holding member assembly extrudes an elastomer between an upper portion and a lower portion of the internal housing to seal the rotating control head assembly with the subsea housing. Pressure relief mechanisms release excess pressure in the subsea housing and a pressure compensation mechanism pressurize bearings in the bearing assembly at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A method for drilling in the floor of an ocean from a floating structure using a rotatable tubular includes a seal housing having a rotatable seal connected above a portion of a marine riser fixed to the floor of the ocean. The seal rotating with the rotating tubular allows the riser and seal housing to maintain a predetermined pressure in the system that is desirable in pressurized mud cap and reverse circulation drilling. A flexible conduit or hose is used to compensate for relative movement of the seal housing and the floating structure because the floating structure moves independent of the seal housing. The drilling fluid is pumped from the floating structure into an annulus of the riser, allowing the formation of a mud cap downhole in the riser, or allowing reverse circulation of the drilling fluid down the riser, returning up the rotatable tubular to the floating structure.