Abstract: A deployment tool that can be used on land, jack-up and floating drilling rigs. The tools is installed around a drillpipe tool joint making it independent of the drill string load path as well as independent of the drill pipe thread and drill pipe size. It is designed for the largest commonly used drillpipe size, so has a single outer dimeter configuration that can be adapted from the largest drillpipe to the smallest in use with simple mechanical adapters. Thus, one main tool and a set of adapters is all that is required. The tool may be used in the deployment of RCDs, for example in the landing of an RCD bearing assembly on an RCD housing, or in the deployment of tubing hangers, lining hangers, casing hangers or other or any other temporary completion tool.

Abstract: A Jack-up drilling rig or land drilling rig riser system with quick connectors that can be used to rapidly install and de-install RCD housings between the BOP and the drill floor. The quick connector design can handle different bore diameters without changing the external design of the connector. The connector assembly may be used to connect a blowout preventer or rotating control device housing to a tubular riser, a blowout preventer housing to an RCD housing, or to join two tubular risers. A connector assembly connects a tubular pin end to a housing has a tubular connector body with a first end to receive the pin end and a second end secured to the housing. The connector assembly also includes a latching mechanism movable between a lock position to prevent the pin end from being removed and an unlock position in which the pin end can be removed.

Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean wellbore using a drill string includes injecting a drilling fluid into the subterranean well bore via the drill string and removing the drilling fluid from an annular space around the drill string (the annulus) via an annulus return line, oscillating a pressure of the drilling fluid in the annulus, determining a wellbore storage volume and a wellbore storage coefficient for each drilling fluid pressure oscillation, and using the wellbore storage volume and wellbore storage coefficient to determine a proportion by volume of gas and a proportion by volume of liquid in the annulus during that drilling fluid pressure oscillation. The wellbore storage volume is a change in a measured flow rate over a time period. The wellbore storage coefficient is the wellbore storage volume divided by a pressure change over the time period.

Abstract: A high-pressure grease block including a grease block body having a grease block cavity defined therein and adapted to cooperate with a valve body. A first port is adapted for sealing connection to a port on the valve body such that a valve grease cavity defined within the valve body communicates with the grease block cavity. A second port communicates with the grease block cavity and is adapted for receiving a greasing assembly and a third port communicates with the grease block cavity and is adapted for receiving a bleeding assembly.

Abstract: An insert adapted for use in a plug valve includes a single-piece body having an inner sidewall adapted to interface with a sidewall of a valve plug. First and second opposing apertures are each defined through the single-piece body for selective alignment with a flow bore of the valve plug. First and second opposing slots are each defined through the single-piece body at an angle to the first and second opposing apertures for allowing the body to flex in the direction of the first and second opposing apertures.

Abstract: An autonomous drilling pressure control system for use with a drilling rig includes a pressure control device for controlling pressure within an annulus of an associated well, an electronic pressure sensor for monitoring pressure within the annulus, and an electronic position indicator for indicating a position of the pressure control device. A control subsystem independent of the drilling rig and responsive to the pressure sensor is provided for manipulating the pressure control device to control the pressure within the annulus of the associated well. At least one dedicated power source independent of the drilling rig supplies power to the pressure sensor and position indicator.

Abstract: A high pressure valve includes a valve body having a surface defining a corresponding portion of a conduit and a pocket. A removable insert is removably inserted into the pocket of the valve body and has surface defining a corresponding portion of the conduit. A seal insert is spaced from the valve body by the removable insert and has an interface with the removable insert. A moving member interfaces with the seal insert for selectively closing the conduit, the interface between the seal insert and the removable insert allows play between the seal insert and the removable insert in response to movement of the moving member.

Abstract: A removable cooling mandrel assembly for a rotating control device for use in a drilling system. The present disclosure provides an outer swivel housing enclosing an elongate passage and connected to the uppermost end of an upper housing of the rotating control device. An inner swivel mandrel is mounted in the elongate passage of the outer swivel housing for rotation relative to the outer swivel housing and may be connected to an RCD mandrel of the rotating control device to which the outer swivel housing is connected. A tubular cooling mandrel extends from the inner swivel mandrel out of the outer swivel housing to reduce operating temperatures thereby increasing bearing performance and life and seal life.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) for use in pressurized drilling operations. The RCD having a non-rotating RCD housing enclosing an elongate passage, a tubular RCD mandrel extending along the elongate passage of the RCD housing, wherein the RCD mandrel has a longitudinal axis and is configured in use to rotate relative to the RCD housing about the longitudinal axis, and a stripper element which is mounted on an end of the RCD mandrel and which is configured to seal against and rotate with a tubular drill pipe extending along the elongate passage of the RCD housing, wherein the stripper element is secured to the end of the RCD mandrel by a flexible sleeve which is more flexible than the stripper element.

Abstract: A riser assembly includes a main body which encloses a main body main passage extending from a first end to a second end which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, the main body being mounted in a riser so that that the main body main passage forms a part of a main passage of the riser. A first port and a second port extend through the main body to connect the main body main passage with an exterior of the main body. A tubular extends along the main body main passage. A first sealing assembly is arranged in the main body between the first port and the second port. The first sealing assembly provides a seal between the main body and the tubular. At least two diversion lines extend from the first port to the second port. A pump is arranged within each diversion line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a rotating control device used in a drilling system having a non-rotating tubular RCD housing enclosing an elongate passage. A mandrel rotatably extends along the passage about an axis. A seal assembly seals the RCD housing to the mandrel and provides first and second seals against the mandrel's exterior surface. The first and second seals are spaced parallel to the mandrel's axis to create space between the mandrel and the first and second seals The first seal has a first side exposed to fluid pressure in the RCD housing and a second side exposed to fluid in the space between the seals. The second seal has a first side exposed to fluid pressure in the space between the seals and a second side exposed to fluid pressure at the exterior of the RCD housing. A pressure stepping mechanism supplies fluid to the space between the two seals.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pressure containment device which includes a housing with a returns outlet port, an injection port, and an overflow outlet port, and a seal assembly with a seal arranged in the housing to surround and enter into a sealing engagement with a tubular body extending along a passage in the housing via a sealing face. The injection port is arranged between the returns outlet port and a first end of the seal. The overflow outlet port is arranged adjacent to a second, opposite, end of the seal and communicates with an upper end of the passage. The upper end of the passage connects to a bell nipple or to a section of a riser pipe and, in use, the overflow outlet port is exposed to a hydrostatic head provided by a fluid in the bell nipple or the section of the riser pipe.

Abstract: A rotating control device for use in a drilling system, the rotating control device comprising a non-rotating tubular RCD housing enclosing an elongate passage, a mandrel which extends along the elongate passage, the mandrel having an axis and being configured in use to rotate about said axis, and a seal assembly which is configured to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the RCD housing and the mandrel, wherein the seal assembly comprises a first seal ring which is fixed around an exterior face of the mandrel for rotation with the mandrel, and a second seal ring which is secured to the RCD housing, the first and second seal rings each having a sealing face, and a biasing assembly which acts on one of the seal rings to push the sealing faces together by means of a biasing force which is generally parallel to the axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.

Abstract: A riser pressure relief apparatus includes a pressure relief valve with a valve member, an actuator, and a pilot valve assembly connected to a pressurized fluid. The valve member moves between a first position, which prevents a fluid flow through the side port, and a second position, which permits the flow. The actuator includes an open port and moves the valve member from the first to the second position by supplying the pressurized fluid to the open port. The pilot valve assembly moves between a first configuration, which prevents a flow of the pressurized fluid to the open port, and a second configuration, which permits the flow. A valve part of the pilot valve assembly moves from a first to a second position based on a fluid pressure in the riser, which causes the pilot valve assembly to move from the first to the second configuration or vice versa.

Abstract: A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.

Abstract: A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.

Abstract: An insert adapted for use in a plug valve includes a single-piece body having an inner sidewall adapted to interface with a sidewall of a valve plug. First and second opposing apertures are each defined through the single-piece body for selective alignment with a flow bore of the valve plug. First and second opposing slots are each defined through the single-piece body at an angle to the first and second opposing apertures for allowing the body to flex in the direction of the first and second opposing apertures.

Abstract: A high-pressure grease block including a grease block body having a grease block cavity defined therein and adapted to cooperate with a valve body. A first port is adapted for sealing connection to a port on the valve body such that a valve grease cavity defined within the valve body communicates with the grease block cavity. A second port communicates with the grease block cavity and is adapted for receiving a greasing assembly and a third port communicates with the grease block cavity and is adapted for receiving a bleeding assembly.

Abstract: A high pressure valve having a valve body with a cylindrical bore and a movable member for selectively moving between an opened valve position for opening the cylindrical bore and a valve closed position for closing the cylindrical bore. An outer surface of the movable member exposed to the cylindrical bore in the valve closed position has a recess defined therein.