Abstract: A well service pump system supplies high pressure working fluid to a well. The pump system is a linear design which incorporates an electric motor, a variable frequency drive (VFD), a pump drive, closed loop variable flow rate hydraulic pumps, hydraulic ram cylinders, working fluid end cylinders, and a coupling to connect the hydraulic ram cylinders and the working fluid end cylinders. The electric motor powers the hydraulic system which, in turn, provides hydraulic fluid to operate the hydraulic ram cylinders. The VFD is connected to a single one of the hydraulic pumps at a time and applies power to the connected pump, via the pump drive, to drive the connected pump from a cold start to an operating speed. The VFD is connected sequentially, one pump at a time, to each of the hydraulic pumps and disconnected from each pump once the pump reaches the operating speed. Once the pump reaches operating speed, the pump is connected to receive power directly to the electric motor.

Abstract: A well service pump system supplies high pressure working fluid to a well. The pump system is a linear design which incorporates a diesel engine, a hydraulic drive gear box, open loop hydraulic Pumps, hydraulic ram cylinders, controls for the hydraulic system hydraulic cylinders, working fluid end cylinders and a coupling to connect the hydraulic cylinders and the working fluid ends. The engine powers the hydraulic system which, in turn, provides hydraulic fluid to operate the hydraulic ram cylinders. Each of the polished rods of the hydraulic ram cylinders is connected axially to a plunger rod end of a working fluid end cylinder. There is no crankshaft or automatic transmission required. The linear design allows for a longer plunger stroke length while still allowing highway transport on a truck or skid.

Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.

Abstract: A well service pump system for supplying working fluid to a well, the pump system having structural joint coupled to and extending between the housing of a hydraulic ram cylinder and the housing of a working fluid end cylinder that maintains the distance between the housings and stabilizes the housings relative to one another without interfering with the operation of the pump system. The structural joint further permits the use of minimal supporting structures for securing the hydraulic ram cylinder and working fluid end cylinder to a surface, such as the bed of a trailer.

Abstract: A harsh environment integrated MPD riser joint includes a dynamic annular sealing system, a static annular sealing system disposed directly below the dynamic annular sealing system, and a flow spool, or equivalent thereof, disposed directly below the static annular sealing system. The dynamic annular sealing system may be a conventional ACD-type, RCD-type, or other conventional annular sealing system. The static annular sealing system may include one or more annular packer systems and one or more connection sealing elements that engage drill pipe during connection or non-rotation operations only. The dynamic annular sealing system may maintain annular pressure during drilling operations while the static annular sealing system is disengaged. The static annular sealing system may maintain annular pressure during connection operations while the dynamic annular sealing system is disengaged.

Abstract: A seal and bearing includes a seal and bearing housing, a rotatable mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the seal and bearing housing, an upper seal carrier attached to a top side of the seal and bearing housing having a dynamic sealing element that contacts the rotatable mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings to facilitate rotation of the rotatable mandrel including top tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted at a positive offset angle from a perpendicular line to a longitudinal axis of the rotating control device and bottom tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted at a negative offset angle from the perpendicular line to the longitudinal axis of the rotating control device, a preload spacer disposed between the top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to a bottom side of the seal and bearing housing having a plurality of removable seal carrier trays.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic drilling system generates choke characteristic curves or data that more accurately reflects the relationship between the commanded choke valve position and the resulting pressure drop across the choke valve for a given flow rate and fluid density. The choke characteristic curves may be generated through a calibration procedure and then used during normal operations to more accurately monitor return flow and manage wellbore pressure. The specific gravity of an injected calibration fluid and pressure drop across the choke valve may be determined and correlated to the current choke valve position to reflect the choke characteristic curve in situ, thereby providing for more precise control of wellbore pressure and enabling condition monitoring of the choke valve. In addition, an improved closed-loop hydraulic drilling system does not require a flow meter, enabling the adoption of MPD systems in low-specification and economically constrained applications.

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: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be split apart when using pin connectors to connect auxiliary lines to other auxiliary lines and to components of the riser-component assemblies.

Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.

Abstract: This disclosure includes auxiliary-line riser segment assemblies (e.g., with isolation units) that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the auxiliary lines connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.

Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.

Abstract: A well service pump system supplies high pressure working fluid to a well. The pump system is a linear design which incorporates a diesel engine, a hydraulic drive gear box, open loop hydraulic Pumps, hydraulic ram cylinders, controls for the hydraulic system hydraulic cylinders, working fluid end cylinders and a coupling to connect the hydraulic cylinders and the working fluid ends. The engine powers the hydraulic system which, in turn, provides hydraulic fluid to operate the hydraulic ram cylinders. Each of the polished rods of the hydraulic ram cylinders is connected axially to a plunger rod end of a working fluid end cylinder. There is no crankshaft or automatic transmission required. The linear design allows for a longer plunger stroke length while still allowing highway transport on a truck or skid.

Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.

Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be split apart when using pin connectors to connect auxiliary lines to other auxiliary lines and to components of the riser-component assemblies.

Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.