Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig has a riser manifold. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The riser and rig manifolds have mechanical connectors that mechanically connect them. Additionally, the manifolds have flow couplings mating together for conducting flow in at least one flow connection, and the manifolds control couplings mating together for conducting control in at least one flow connection. At least one of the manifolds has at least one valve controllable with the at least one control connection and configured to control fluid communication for the at least one flow connection between at least one rig flow line and an internal passage of the riser.

Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig includes one or more flow control devices having at least one flow connection and having at least one control connection. A riser manifold is disposed on the riser above the one or more flow control devices and has a first mechanical connector, a first flow coupling, and a first control coupling. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The rig manifold has a second mechanical connector that mechanically connects to the first mechanical connector of the riser manifold. Additionally, the rig manifold has a second flow coupling mating with the first flow coupling of the riser manifold for conducting flow, and has a second control coupling mating with the first control coupling of the riser manifold for conducting control.

Abstract: For a wellbore drilled in a low or subnormal pressure reservoirs, a static loss rate of drilling fluid is monitored within a limit of a drilling rate. In reaching the limit, the annulus is closed off to returns using a rotating control device, or the annulus may remain open to the atmosphere at surface. Operations may not be able to keep the annulus filled with a mud cap so pressurized mud cap drilling cannot be sustained. Instead, an initial fluid level of the mud cap is defined in the annulus. Drilling the wellbore with the mud cap then involves: pumping a sacrificial fluid through the drillstring without returns to surface through the annulus, and monitoring the initial fluid level in the annulus to detect a change. Monitoring uses downhole instrumentation to measure pressure, temperature, and gas level of the mud cap. In response to the detected change, the drilling can be further controlled, including stopping the drilling, turning off pumps, and possibly bullheading the well.

Abstract: For a wellbore drilled in a low or subnormal pressure reservoirs, a static loss rate of drilling fluid is monitored within a limit of a drilling rate. In reaching the limit, the annulus is closed off to returns using a rotating control device, or the annulus may remain open to the atmosphere at surface. Operations may not be able to keep the annulus filled with a mud cap so pressurized mud cap drilling cannot be sustained. Instead, an initial fluid level of the mud cap is defined in the annulus. Drilling the wellbore with the mud cap then involves: pumping a sacrificial fluid through the drillstring without returns to surface through the annulus, and monitoring the initial fluid level in the annulus to detect a change. Monitoring uses downhole instrumentation to measure pressure, temperature, and gas level of the mud cap. In response to the detected change, the drilling can be further controlled, including stopping the drilling, turning off pumps, and possibly bullheading the well.

Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig has a riser manifold. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The riser and rig manifolds have mechanical connectors that mechanically connect them. Additionally, the manifolds have flow couplings mating together for conducting flow in at least one flow connection, and the manifolds control couplings mating together for conducting control in at least one flow connection. At least one of the manifolds has at least one valve controllable with the at least one control connection and configured to control fluid communication for the at least one flow connection between at least one rig flow line and an internal passage of the riser.

Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig includes one or more flow control devices having at least one flow connection and having at least one control connection. A riser manifold is disposed on the riser above the one or more flow control devices and has a first mechanical connector, a first flow coupling, and a first control coupling. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The rig manifold has a second mechanical connector that mechanically connects to the first mechanical connector of the riser manifold. Additionally, the rig manifold has a second flow coupling mating with the first flow coupling of the riser manifold for conducting flow, and has a second control coupling mating with the first control coupling of the riser manifold for conducting control.