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 system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating a required amount of the fluid either into or out of the riser annulus.

Abstract: A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the fracture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.

Abstract: A rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched and unlatched with a docking station housing for use and removal, respectively. The system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with an active seal. A first sensor and a second sensor can be used to detect temperature, pressure and density of the supplied fluid at different locations and this data can be compared using a central processing unit (CPU). Also, a sensor can be used to detect the revolutions per minute of a rotating seal of the rotating control device and fluid can be provided to the rotating control device responsive to the detected revolutions per minute.

Abstract: A flow sub for use with a drill string includes: a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough and a flow port formed through a wall thereof; a bore valve operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bore valve allows free passage through the bore in the open position and isolates an upper portion of the bore from a lower portion of the bore in the closed position; and a sleeve disposed in the housing and movable between an open position where the flow port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the flow port and the bore; and a bore valve actuator operably coupling the sleeve and the bore valve such that opening the sleeve closes the bore valve and closing the sleeve opens the bore valve.

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 system and method is provided for a law profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs.

Abstract: A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating fluid either into or out of the riser annulus.

Abstract: A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressured Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the facture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.

Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD holding member seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.

Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD seal assembly seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The outer diameter of the lateral outlet flange may be substantially the same as the height of the LP-RCD housing and bearing assembly after the bearing assembly is positioned with the LP-RCD housing. The sealing element may be aligned with the lateral outlet, and may be replaced from above. Different embodiments of attachment members for attaching the LP-RCD housing with a lower housing allow the LP-RCD housing to be rotated to align the lateral outlet with the drilling rig's existing line to mud pits or other locations. In one embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially inside the LP-RCD housing. In another embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially outside the LP-RCD housing. One embodiment allows rotation of the inserted tubular about multiple planes.

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 method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore includes: deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore. The work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). The tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator. The method further includes rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve. The isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).

Abstract: A leak detection method uses a comparator to compare fluid values in and from the latch assembly of the latch system for an oilfield device and/or in and from the bearing assembly of a rotating control head.

Abstract: A latch and method for use is provided for latching an item of oilfield equipment. The latch has a housing containing a latch member, and the latch member is movable between a radially engaged position in which it is engaged with the item of oilfield equipment, and a radially retracted position in which it is disengaged from the item of oilfield equipment. An actuator is configured to drive the latch member into the radially engaged position. Further, the actuator is configured to drive the latch member toward the radially retracted position.

Abstract: An acoustic control system wirelessly operates a subsea latching assembly or other subsea device, such as an active seal. The acoustic control system may control a subsea first accumulator to release its stored hydraulic fluid to operate the latch assembly or other subsea device, such as an active seal. An RCD or other oilfield device may be unlatched or latched with the latching assembly. The acoustic control system may have a surface control unit, a subsea control unit, and two or more acoustic signal devices. A valve may allow switching from an umbilical line system to the acoustic control system accumulator.

Abstract: A system and method for setting an anchor and/or whipstock attached to a downhole motor having a cutting tool attached to a tubular member, such as coiled tubing. In one aspect, the motor allows flow therethrough sufficient to actuate an upstream MWD or other position measuring tool, and an orienter if so equipped, and retain the orientation of the motor with the attached whipstock. An increased flow rate or pressure actuates the motor once the whipstock is set and rotation of the cutting tool or other equipment can begin.