Patents by Inventor Geir K. Skaugen

Geir K. Skaugen 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).

  • Systems and methods for managing fluid pressure in a borehole during drilling operations
    Patent number: 11293242
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole includes selecting a lower pressure limit and an upper pressure limit for a drilling fluid at a drilling location in the borehole. In addition, the method includes activating a pump to circulate the drilling fluid down a drill string and up an annulus disposed about the drill string. Further, the method includes operating the pump to maintain the drilling fluid at the drilling location at a pressure between the upper and the lower pressure limits. Still further, the method includes deactivating the pump to stop circulating the drilling fluid up the annulus. The method also includes sealing the drilling fluid in the annulus at a selected time after deactivating the pump and maintaining the pressure of the drilling fluid at the drilling location between the lower and the upper pressure limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO NORWAY AS
    Inventors: Geir K. Skaugen, Karl Erik Thoresen, Åge Kyllingstad
  • Systems and Methods for Managing Fluid Pressure in a Borehole During Drilling Operations
    Publication number: 20190242204
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole includes selecting a lower pressure limit and an upper pressure limit for a drilling fluid at a drilling location in the borehole. In addition, the method includes activating a pump to circulate the drilling fluid down a drill string and up an annulus disposed about the drill string. Further, the method includes operating the pump to maintain the drilling fluid at the drilling location at a pressure between the upper and the lower pressure limits. Still further, the method includes deactivating the pump to stop circulating the drilling fluid up the annulus. The method also includes sealing the drilling fluid in the annulus at a selected time after deactivating the pump and maintaining the pressure of the drilling fluid at the drilling location between the lower and the upper pressure limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway AS
    Inventors: Geir K. Skaugen, Karl Erik Thoresen, Åge Kyllingstad