Patents by Inventor Donald G. Reitsma
Donald G. Reitsma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10132129Abstract: A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore drilled from a drilling platform floating on a body of water includes the steps of pumping fluid at a determined flow rate into a drill string disposed in a wellbore and measuring fluid pressure within a fluid discharge line of fluid returning from the wellbore. The fluid discharge line has a variable length corresponding to an elevation of the floating platform above the bottom of the body of water. The wellbore pressure is determined at a selected depth in the wellbore or at a selected position along a drilling riser or variable length portion of the fluid discharge line using known parameters/methods. The determined wellbore pressure is adjusted for changes in length of the fluid discharge line corresponding to changes in the elevation of the floating platform relative to the bottom of the body of water.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama Ramzi Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Publication number: 20180073314Abstract: A method is described for controlling pressure in a wellbore drilled below the bottom of a body of water wherein the wellbore has a fluid outlet in communication with a working fluid inlet of an ejector assembly to return drilling fluid to a drilling platform on the water surface. The method includes pumping drilling fluid into a drill string extending from the drilling platform into the wellbore and at least one of, (i) introducing fluid into a power fluid inlet of the ejector assembly at a rate selected to remove fluid from the wellbore fluid outlet at a selected rate and (ii) operating a controllable flow restriction in a flow path from the wellbore fluid outlet to the working fluid inlet of the ejector assembly, in order to maintain a selected wellbore pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Iona M. Reitsma
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Publication number: 20160348452Abstract: A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore drilled from a drilling platform floating on a body of water includes the steps of pumping fluid at a determined flow rate into a drill string disposed in a wellbore and measuring fluid pressure within a fluid discharge line of fluid returning from the wellbore. The fluid discharge line has a variable length corresponding to an elevation of the floating platform above the bottom of the body of water. The wellbore pressure is determined at a selected depth in the wellbore or at a selected position along a drilling riser or variable length portion of the fluid discharge line using known parameters/methods. The determined wellbore pressure is adjusted for changes in length of the fluid discharge line corresponding to changes in the elevation of the floating platform relative to the bottom of the body of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama Ramzi Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Patent number: 9429007Abstract: A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore drilled from a drilling platform floating on a body of water includes pumping fluid at a determined flow rate into a drill string disposed in a wellbore and measuring fluid pressure within a fluid discharge line of fluid returning from the wellbore. The fluid discharge line has a variable length corresponding to an elevation of the floating platform above the bottom of the body of water. The wellbore pressure is determined at a selected depth in the wellbore or at a selected position along a drilling riser or variable length portion of the fluid discharge line using known parameters/methods. The determined wellbore pressure is adjusted for changes in length of the fluid discharge line corresponding to changes in the elevation of the floating platform relative to the bottom of the body of water.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Patent number: 9284799Abstract: A method for controlling entry of hydrocarbon into a wellbore from a subsurface formation includes determining whether hydrocarbon is entering the wellbore. Whether a rate of hydrocarbon entry into the wellbore is slowing is then determined Control of discharge from the wellbore is then switched from maintaining a selected wellbore pressure to controlling a rate of discharge of fluid from the wellbore to be substantially constant if the hydrocarbon entry rate is slowing. Control of discharge from the wellbore is returned to maintaining the selected wellbore pressure when the hydrocarbon stops entering the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Patent number: 8844633Abstract: A method for maintaining wellbore pressure includes reducing flow rate of a drilling fluid pump fluidly connected to a drill pipe in the wellbore. Flow out of the well is enabled into a first auxiliary line associated with a drilling riser. A seal around the drill pipe is closed. Fluid is pumped down a second auxiliary line at a rate selected to maintain a specific pressure in the wellbore. Drilling fluid flow through the drill pipe is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: At-Balance Americas, LLCInventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah
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Patent number: 8757272Abstract: A method for controlling flow of fluid from an annular space in a wellbore includes changing a flow restriction in a fluid flow discharge line from the wellbore annular space. The flow restriction is changed at a rate related to a difference between at least one of a selected fluid flow rate out of the wellbore and an actual fluid flow rate out of the wellbore, and a selected fluid pressure in the annular space and an actual pressure in the annular space.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Yawan Couturier, Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah
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Publication number: 20140158239Abstract: A valve comprises a housing and a closing member. The housing provides a flow path and comprises a chamber with a first opening and a second opening. The housing further comprises an upstream port, a downstream port and a lateral port. The closing member is located inside the chamber and is rotatable selectively between a first position and a second position so as to dose the first opening and the second opening respectively The lateral port is in flow communication with the downstream port in the first position of the closing member. The upstream port is in flow communication with the downstream port in the second position of the closing member. The dosing member has an internal profile that adjoins the flow path. The internal profile is shaped such that a cross-sectional area of the flow path is larger through the chamber than the rest of the flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Donald G. Reitsma
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Patent number: 8567525Abstract: A method for determining existence of a borehole fluid control event by controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a borehole includes selectively pumping a drilling fluid through a drill string extended into a borehole, out a drill bit at the bottom end of the drill string, and into an annular space between drill string and the borehole. The drilling fluid leaves the annular space proximate the surface. Existence of a well control event is determined when at least one of the following events occurs: the rate of the selective pumping remains substantially constant and the annular space pressure increases, and the rate of the selective pumping remains substantially constant and the annular space pressure decreases.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: Donald G. Reitsma
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Publication number: 20120241163Abstract: A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore drilled from a drilling platform floating on a body of water includes pumping fluid at a determined flow rate into a drill string disposed in a wellbore and measuring fluid pressure within a fluid discharge line of fluid returning from the wellbore. The fluid discharge line has a variable length corresponding to an elevation of the floating platform above the bottom of the body of water. The wellbore pressure is determined at a selected depth in the wellbore or at a selected position along a drilling riser or variable length portion of the fluid discharge line using known parameters/methods. The determined wellbore pressure is adjusted for changes in length of the fluid discharge line corresponding to changes in the elevation of the floating platform relative to the bottom of the body of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: PRAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LIMITEDInventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Publication number: 20120067591Abstract: A method for controlling flow of fluid from an annular space in a wellbore includes changing a flow restriction in a fluid flow discharge line from the wellbore annular space. The flow restriction is changed at a rate related to a difference between at least one of a selected fluid flow rate out of the wellbore and an actual fluid flow rate out of the wellbore, and a selected fluid pressure in the annular space and an actual pressure in the annular space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Yawan Couturier, Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah
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Publication number: 20110284290Abstract: A method for controlling entry of hydrocarbon into a wellbore from a subsurface formation includes determining whether hydrocarbon is entering the wellbore. Whether a rate of hydrocarbon entry into the wellbore is slowing is then determined Control of discharge from the wellbore is then switched from maintaining a selected wellbore pressure to controlling a rate of discharge of fluid from the wellbore to be substantially constant if the hydrocarbon entry rate is slowing. Control of discharge from the wellbore is returned to maintaining the selected wellbore pressure when the hydrocarbon stops entering the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
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Publication number: 20110232914Abstract: A method for maintaining wellbore pressure includes reducing flow rate of a drilling fluid pump fluidly connected to a drill pipe in the wellbore. Flow out of the well is enabled into a first auxiliary line associated with a drilling riser. A seal around the drill pipe is closed. Fluid is pumped down a second auxiliary line at a rate selected to maintain a specific pressure in the wellbore. Drilling fluid flow through the drill pipe is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah
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Publication number: 20110042076Abstract: A method for determining existence of a borehole fluid control event by controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a borehole includes selectively pumping a drilling fluid through a drill string extended into a borehole, out a drill bit at the bottom end of the drill string, and into an annular space between drill string and the borehole. The drilling fluid leaves the annular space proximate the surface. Existence of a well control event is determined when at least one of the following events occurs: the rate of the selective pumping remains substantially constant and the annular space pressure increases, and the rate of the selective pumping remains substantially constant and the annular space pressure decreases.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: At Balance Americas LLCInventor: Donald G. REITSMA
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Publication number: 20100186960Abstract: A system for controlling wellbore annulus pressure during the drilling of a subterranean formation includes a drill string extending into a wellbore. A primary pump is configured for selectively pumping a drilling fluid through the drill string and into an annular space created between the drill string and the wellbore. A fluid discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the annular space for discharging the drilling fluid to a reservoir. A fluid back pressure system is connected to the fluid discharge conduit configured to selectively maintain pressure therein. The fluid back pressure system includes a fluid choke, a back pressure source and an accumulator hydraulically coupled between the back pressure source and the discharge conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Phil Frink, Yawan Couturier
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Patent number: 7562723Abstract: A method for controlling formation pressure during drilling includes pumping a drilling fluid through a drill string in a borehole, out a drill bit at the end of the drill string into an annular space. The drilling fluid is discharged from the annular space proximate the Earth's surface. At least one of a flow rate of the drilling fluid into the borehole and a fluid flow rate out of the annular space is measured. Pressure of the fluid in the annular space proximate the Earth's surface and pressure of the fluid proximate the bottom of the borehole are measured. Pressure of the fluid proximate the bottom of the borehole is estimated using the measured flow rate, annular space pressure and density of the drilling fluid. A warning signal is generated if difference between the estimated pressure and measured pressure exceeds a selected threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: At Balance Americas, LLCInventor: Donald G. Reitsma
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Publication number: 20070246263Abstract: A method for controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a borehole through a subterranean formation includes selectively pumping a drilling fluid through a drill string extended into a borehole, out a drill bit at the bottom end of the drill string, and into an annular space between drill string and the borehole. The drilling fluid is discharged to a reservoir to clean the drilling fluid for reuse. Annular space fluid pressure is selectively increased to maintain a selected fluid pressure proximate the bottom of the borehole by applying fluid pressure to the annular space. The selective increasing includes controlling an aperture of an orifice operatively coupled between the annular space and the reservoir. Fluid from the annular space is discharged other than through the orifice when the annular space fluid pressure exceeds a selected value, or drops below a selected value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventor: Donald G. Reitsma
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Publication number: 20070227774Abstract: A method for controlling formation pressure during the drilling of a borehole through a subterranean formation includes selectively pumping a drilling fluid through a drill string extended into a borehole, out a drill bit at the bottom end of the drill string, and into an annular space between drill string and the borehole. The drilling fluid is discharged from the borehole to a reservoir to clean the drilling fluid for reuse. An annular space fluid pressure is selectively increased to maintain a selected fluid pressure proximate the bottom of the borehole by applying fluid pressure to the annular space. The selective increasing includes controlling an aperture of an orifice operatively coupled between the annular space and the reservoir. A formation fluid pressure is predicted at a depth below a lowermost depth to which the borehole is drilled and the aperture is adjusted to maintain a selected pressure in the borehole in response to the predicted formation fluid pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, John G. Samuell