With Above-ground Means For Preparing Or Separating Drilling Fluid Constituents Patents (Class 175/206)
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Patent number: 8074738Abstract: A system for offshore treatment of drill cuttings that includes a first pressurized vessel configured to receive contaminated drill cuttings and adapted to allow a compressed gas be introduced therein as the sole means for inducing movement of said contaminated drill cuttings in the first pressurized vessel, whereby at least a portion of the contaminated drill cuttings is discharged from the first pressurized vessel; and a reactor unit in fluid connection with the first pressurized vessel for separating the contaminated drill cuttings into drill cuttings and contaminants, wherein the reactor unit includes a processing chamber having at least one inlet and outlet; and a rotor mounted in the processing chamber, the rotor including a shaft; and a plurality of fixed rotor arms extending radially from the shaft is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Nick McDonald, Andrew Murray
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Patent number: 8047305Abstract: A system for forming a subterranean wellbore may include a pump and an additive supply. The pump pumps a drilling fluid into the wellbore while also generating a pressure differential that draws an additive across a supply line connected to the additive supply. The drilling fluid may be a gas or a liquid. A method for forming a wellbore may include drilling the wellbore, circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore using a pump; and supplying an additive to the drilling fluid by flowing the additive across a supply line using a pressure differential generated by the pump. The pump may generate a vacuum pressure at a supply line outlet and/or create a pressure differential in the supply line. The flow of additive across the supply line may be regulated and/or stopped when the pump is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: William M. Dye, Nels A. Hansen, John B. Trenery, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110220418Abstract: Methods and related systems are configured to treat a drilling fluid to cause water droplets to coalesce. One or more phases are thereafter separated from the treated drilling fluid. The oil and/or solids separated from the treated drilling fluid may be added to a base fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: David E. Clark, Lirio Quintero, Anuradee Witthayapanyanon, Alexander John McKellar, Martin Gilbert
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Patent number: 8002050Abstract: An onshore oil or gas well is completed with a coiled tubing unit. A completion liquid is circulated through coiled tubing and thereby removing solids from the well. The completion liquid and drilled solids pass into a tank where the solids are removed and the cleansed completion liquid is redelivered into the well. In some embodiments, drilled solids from the completion liquid are dewatered to a suitable extent in the tank and dumped into a bin where they are mixed with cotton motes to sorb any free liquid. In some embodiments, drilled solids from drilling an onshore subterranean well are mixed with cotton motes to sorb free liquid. The mixture of cotton motes and drilled solids are disposed of in a manner consistent with appropriate regulations, as by delivery to a commercial landfill, which may be either privately or municipally owned.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
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Patent number: 7997355Abstract: An injection system and method is described. In several exemplary embodiments, the injection system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, a system and method for excavating a subterranean formation. In at least one example, an apparatus is provided that includes a source of impactors comprising at least some ferritic material capable of influence by magnetic fields. An injector is coupled to the source and includes a screw extruder, a screw positioned within a barrel, and at least one magnetic circuit is positioned outside of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: PDTI Holdings, LLCInventors: Adrian Vuyk, Jr., Jim B. Terry, Gordon Allen Tibbitts, Nathan J. Harder, Gregory G. Galloway
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Patent number: 7992655Abstract: Controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations utilizing concentric drill tubes and at least two different density fluids. The mud required at the wellhead is combined with a base fluid of a different density to produce diluted mud in a riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, greater control over the pressure in the wellbore and various risers can be achieved. Concentric drill tubes or risers are disclosed, wherein a first annulus defined within one riser is utilized to carry one fluid to the wellbore injection point, while a second annulus defined within another riser is utilized to carry a combination fluid and cuttings back to the drilling rig. In one embodiment with three concentric drill tubes, a third annulus is also define, wherein the various annuli can be utilized in various combinations to deliver at least two different fluids to the wellbore and return a combination fluid from the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Dual Gradient Systems, LLCInventor: Luc deBoer
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Patent number: 7992654Abstract: A system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations that combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the borehole to produce a combination return mud in a riser. Concentric tubular members are disclosed, wherein one tubular member, such as the drill string, is utilized to inject the drilling fluid into the wellbore. Another tubular member carries the combination fluid to the surface for separation by a centrifuge system. By combining appropriate quantities of drilling mud with another fluid, the density of the combination fluid carrying drill cuttings to the surface can be regulated. During separation by the centrifuge, a weir plate having an adjustable height is utilized in the centrifuge to regulate the separation of the base fluid from the drilling fluid, producing a high density fluid and a low density fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Dual Gradient Systems, LLCInventor: Luc deBoer
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Patent number: 7987928Abstract: An excavation system for forming a wellbore through a subterranean formation, the system employing pressurized drilling fluid with impactors mixed therein. The pressurized fluid with impactors is directed to a drill string having a drill bit with nozzles on its lower end. The fluid impactor mixture is discharged from the nozzles and against the formation, wherein the impactors contact, compress, and fracture the formation to excavate through the formation. The system includes an impactor injection system that injects impactors into a stream of pressurized drilling fluid to form the mixture. The injection system operates at substantially the same pressure as the pressurized drilling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: PDTI Holdings, LLCInventors: Adrian Vuyk, Jr., Greg Galloway, Jim Terry, Gordon Tibbitts, Kenneth Colvin, Thomas Alan Carlson
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Patent number: 7987929Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing dust when breaking rock, to a dust separator, and further to a rock-drilling rig. Rock material and air sucked from a borehole or some other operating location is separated from each other in the dust separator. The separated rock material falls into a discharge part of the dust separator, from which it can be dosed in batches into a discharging device. The discharging device comprises a closed compression space in which the rock material batch is compressed into a more compact state. This forms a solid matter cake that is removed from the dust separator.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction OyInventor: Tapani Sormunen
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Patent number: 7980329Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe, while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas and configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Paul Matthew Spiecker, Pavlin B. Entchev, Ramesh Gupta, Richard Polizzotti, Barbara Carstensen, Dennis G. Peiffer, Norman Pokutylowicz
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Patent number: 7972501Abstract: A fluid clarification system and method is described in which fluid is passed through one or more settling compartments, each having a solids outlet at the base of the compartment. The base of each compartment includes inclined surfaces for guiding settled solids to the outlet. Also described is a polymer reaction trough including baffles to promote gentle mixing of inflow fluid with flocculant. The system is designed to reduce costs of transportation, flocculent, and solids handling. The system is preferably arranged to facilitate transport on a skid or trailer, while maximizing fluid handling capabilities and minimizing costs.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventor: Scott Blair Godlien
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Patent number: 7971657Abstract: A system for handling drill cuttings conveys cuttings slurry into bulk tanks via a conduit. The bulk tanks have an un-pressurized interior volume that receives the slurry. A conveyance member positioned inside the bulk tank forces the slurry out of a discharge port at the bottom of the bulk tank. One suitable conveyance member is a screw-type conveyor coupled to a motor that applies a vertical motive force to the slurry. The bulk tanks hold the cuttings slurry until it can be discharged via the discharge port to a transport vessel for processing or disposal. For offshore operations, the system includes a separation unit on the rig that forms the cuttings slurry from fluid returning from the wellbore and a cuttings flow unit that conveys the slurry effluent from the separation unit to the bulk tanks. In one arrangement, a controller and sensors control the flow of slurry into the bulk tanks.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Glynn Hollier, Brett Boyd
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Publication number: 20110147087Abstract: A cuttings transfer system including a separator configured to separate cuttings from a slurry and a transfer line configured to receive the cuttings from the separator. The system further including a valve in fluid communication with the transfer line and the separator, wherein the valve is configured to control a flow of the cuttings from the separator to the transfer line, and an air transfer device coupled to the transfer line that is configured to supply a flow of air through the transfer line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Jan Thore Eia
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Patent number: 7957903Abstract: A low maintenance adjustable gas trap with a plurality of couplings, each coupling securing to a flow line of a drilling rig; a plurality of hammer unions each engaging a coupling; a plurality of base manifold pipes, each engaging a hammer union; a base manifold flow line engaging the base manifold pipes, a chimney pipe connected to the base manifold flow line with a controllable valve, a reducer connected to the chimney opposite the base manifold flow line; an expansion chamber component connected to the reducer; a restrictor mounted to the expansion chamber component opposite the reducer, wherein the restrictor has a diameter no more than ?rd a diameter of the expansion chamber component; and a conduit connection connected to the restrictor for engaging a conduit to flow a gas sample from the gas trap to a gas analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Selman and Associates, Ltd.Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Juanita C. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings, Richard James Gonzales, Brian A. Jennings, Stephen M. Bergman
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Publication number: 20110114389Abstract: This invention relates to an ecologically and environmentally friendly mud-gas containment system. Specifically, this invention relates to a mobile device that is capable of receiving waste gas and, in emergency situations, a volume of a mud-gas mixture from a drilling operation. The waste gas is communicated to a removable flare stack through a vent line. The mud-gas is received at a containment vessel. The impact of the mud-gas within the containment vessel separates the mud-gas into mud and waste gas. The mud is collected for recycling and/or environmentally sensitive disposal. The waste gas from the vessel is communicated to the flare stack. Separate removal ports and conduits are used to remove any residual mud or mud-gas from the vent line and/or containment vessel. Excess mud or mud-gas is communicated to an overflow catch tank for removal. The entire assembly is mounted on a mobile skid sized for highway transportation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventor: Harold Dean Mathena
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Patent number: 7926564Abstract: A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Max L. Phillippi, Calvin Lynn Stegemoeller
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Patent number: 7913776Abstract: A system for treating spent/used Oil Based Drilling Muds (OBM's) to recover High Gravity Solids (HGS) for further reuse and to separate the invert emulsion from the Light Gravity Solids (LGS) with good characteristics also for further reuse. Separated LGS is processed to extract the remaining oil in order to render an environmentally safe solid fraction. The overflow of a screening or centrifugation of spent OBM enters a reactor where reagents are added and mixed to control the oil/water ratio of the recovered emulsion and to reduce the LGS concentration. A catalyst is added before adding a final reagent that initiates the reaction. Upon centrifuging the reacted mix, the recovered emulsion is the overflow and a thin layer of LGS forms slightly below the emulsion. The underflow of this separation is further sedimented by gravity and the phase dispersant layer is decanted and sent for reuse.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Inventor: David Gandhi Nahmad
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Patent number: 7901571Abstract: A flow-through mixing apparatus for incorporating a dry treatment product into a waste stream. The apparatus comprises a pump for directing a liquid waste from a storage pit/tank, a mixer that receives the liquid waste from the pump, and a valve downstream of the mixer for either recirculating the liquid waste back to the storage pit/tank via a recirculation conduit, or directing the liquid waste to a discharge conduit. The mixer comprising a jet nozzle, a venturi tube and a high-shear assembly. The recirculation conduit establishes a calibration loop for determining the appropriate treatment regimen based on the characteristics of the waste liquid. The recirculation conduit also permits the homogenization of the pit/tank contents prior to addition of the dry treatment product. The dry treatment product introduced in the region of the mixer is subjected high shear forces, thereby incorporating the dry treatment product into the waste stream with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventors: Roger H. Woods, Doug Pullman
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Publication number: 20110036633Abstract: A traveling cuttings distributor (TCD) system that is capable of horizontal and vertical positioning for use in vacuuming, auguring or pumping drill cuttings from a drill rig shaker screen trough, drying/minimizing the cuttings and depositing by gravity cuttings while under vacuum into individual cuttings boxes as it moves from one cuttings box to the next or to a bulk system, a cuttings injection system or other cuttings processing system, the system including a vacuum tank having a filter system therein and a large silencer or exhaust system separated by a blower system capable of producing a high vacuum on an opening in the vacuum tank for engaging an opening in a cuttings box or other cuttings processing equipment. The TCD system is capable of being operated without the need for skilled service personnel, while further improving drilling performance, providing reduced environmentally friendly waste material and volumes, recovers expensive drilling mud, thus, reducing the cost of cuttings waste disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventor: Jeffrey A. Reddoch
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Patent number: 7886850Abstract: A system for treating a mixture of drilling fluid and solid material, including a container with an inlet for the introduction of the mixture into the container. The system having a rotatable screen assembly mounted within the container and has at least one screen for screening the mixture and also interior structure for receiving separated drilling fluid from the at least one screen. The system has an interior structure for receiving separated drilling fluid and transmitting the separated drilling fluid to the fluid outlet of the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventor: George Alexander Burnett
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Patent number: 7857077Abstract: An improved cuttings system located adjacent a drilling rig's shale shaker system utilizing a vacuum collection/gravity fed processing system, thereby eliminating expensive and complicated cuttings transfer systems. The use of a vacuum cuttings collection system combined within a common fluid-filled open tank and submersible grinding pumps eliminate the need for extensive circulating and holding systems. Cuttings are sized and chemically prepared within the same tank and fed directly to an injection pump for discharge to cuttings transport tanks or injected down hole. Other improvements include non-restrictive cuttings sizing, filtering, and an injection pump cuttings relief system.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Inventor: Jeffrey A. Reddoch, Sr.
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Publication number: 20100320000Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing dust when breaking rock, to a dust separator, and further to a rock-drilling rig. Rock material and air sucked from a borehole or some other operating location is separated from each other in the dust separator. The separated rock material falls into a discharge part of the dust separator, from which it can be dosed in batches into a discharging device. The discharging device comprises a closed compression space in which the rock material batch is compressed into a more compact state. This forms a solid matter cake that is removed from the dust separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2006Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Sandvik Mining and Construction OyInventor: Tapani Sormunen
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Publication number: 20100307830Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the generation of, the utilization of, the processing of, and the maintenance of a heterogeneous solid-particle impactor-laden fluidic-process circuit that incorporates a particle-injector system and a fluidic-amplifier jet head to produce a conical-shaped cutting jet of fluid and solid-particle impactors that perform functions during the boring, well-bore conditioning, and/or controlling the inclination and azimuth of deep subterranean well bores during their construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: Harry B. Curlett
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Publication number: 20100307834Abstract: Dry earthen material from an oil/gas well drilling rig is injected into an elongated vessel with a number of rings of nozzles that are arranged in conjunction with a number of water and/or chemical spray nozzles and a baffling system to knock the air/gas out of the cuttings and vent it. A relatively thick muddy waste is produced which may be easily disposed of.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: David Largent
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Patent number: 7844400Abstract: A low maintenance adjustable system for sampling gas from a well using a gas analyzer; a conditioning and filtering device; a gas trap having a plurality of couplings, a plurality of hammer unions, a plurality of base manifold pipes, a base manifold flow line, a chimney pipe connected to the base manifold flow line, a controllable valve, a reducer connected to the chimney, an expansion chamber component connected to the reducer, a restrictor mounted to the expansion chamber component, and a conduit connection connected to the restrictor for engaging a conduit to flow a gas sample from the gas trap to a gas analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Selman and Associates, Ltd.Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Juanita C. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings, Richard James Gonzales, Brian A. Jennings, Stephen M. Bergman
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Patent number: 7823656Abstract: A method for monitoring drilling mud properties, the drilling mud being transported through a well drilling system and stored in a mud pit includes directing the flow of drilling mud in the well drilling system from the mud pit to a sampling unit. A sample of the drilling mud from the mud pit is obtained. At least one mud property of the sampled drilling mud is sensed automatically and in real time to obtain a condition value. If the condition value is within a set point range for the mud property the drilling mud is returned to the mud pit. The drilling mud is directed to a centrifuge for adjustment of the mud property if the condition value is outside the set point range. The drilling mud from the centrifuge is returned to the mud pit after the mud property has been adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: NCH CorporationInventor: John H. Williams
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Publication number: 20100243330Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: PDTI Holdings, LLCInventors: Nathan J. Harder, Harry B. Curlett, Paul O. Padgett, Butch Hazel
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Patent number: 7793741Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: PDTI Holdings, LLCInventors: Nathan J. Harder, Harry B. Curlett, Paul O. Padgett, Butch Hazel
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Patent number: 7771594Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning solids-laden aqueous fluids includes a settling tank having a sloping floor, which drops off into a collection area; primary and secondary mixing tanks, the lower regions of which are in fluid communication via fluid transfer means; and agitators in each of the mixing tanks. Solids-laden fluid is introduced into the primary mixing tank along with selected coagulant and/or flocculent chemicals, whereupon the agitator in the primary mixing tank is actuated to induce downward fluid flow toward the fluid transfer means and into the secondary mixing tank. The agitator in the secondary mixing tank is actuated to induce upward fluid flow in the secondary mixing tank, from which the fluid mixture overflows into the setting tank. Solids settle or precipitate into the settling tank, and move downward along the settling tank's sloped floor and into the collection area, from which the solids can be removed for further treatment or disposal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Inventors: Ambrose Ralph, Randy Wold, Roger Allard
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Patent number: 7770666Abstract: A method to recover a lost circulation material from a drilling fluid used in a drilling operation comprising the steps of: directing a drilling fluid containing a lost circulation material into a drill string positioned in a well bore, the lost circulation material having a magnetic property; recovering the drilling fluid containing at least a portion of the lost circulation material from the well bore; and magnetically separating the lost circulation material from the drilling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Inventor: Barrett Allen
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Patent number: 7762357Abstract: A system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations that combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the borehole to produce a combination return mud in a riser. Concentric tubular members are disclosed, wherein one tubular member, such as the drill string, is utilized to inject the drilling fluid into the wellbore. Another tubular member carries the combination fluid to the surface for separation by a centrifuge system. By combining appropriate quantities of drilling mud with another fluid, the density of the combination fluid carrying drill cuttings to the surface can be regulated. During separation by the centrifuge, a weir plate having an adjustable height is utilized in the centrifuge to regulate the separation of the base fluid from the drilling fluid, producing a high density fluid and a low density fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Dual Gradient Systems, LLCInventor: Luc deBoer
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Patent number: 7757786Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: PDTI Holdings, LLCInventors: Nathan J. Harder, Harry B. Curlett, Paul O. Padgett, Butch Hazel
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Patent number: 7753126Abstract: A continuous open discharge vacuum chamber for gravity feeding drill cuttings extracted from a cuttings source by vacuum and depositing them by gravity into a fluid. Embodiments include means for removing and recovery of drilling fluids, sizing the cuttings and relieving choke points and blockages.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Inventor: Jeffrey A. Reddoch, Sr.
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Patent number: 7736497Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculent solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculent solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
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Patent number: 7730966Abstract: A module for slurrifying drill cuttings that includes a skid, a programmable logic controller disposed on the skid, and a blender. The blender including a feeder for injecting drill cuttings, a gate disposed in fluid communication with the feeder for controlling a flow of the drill cuttings, and an impeller for energizing a fluid, wherein the module is configured to be removably connected to a cuttings storage vessel located at a work site. Also, a method of drill cuttings re-injection that includes creating a slurry including greater than 20 percent by volume drill cuttings in a blender system, and pumping the slurry from the blending system to a cuttings injection system. The method further includes injecting the slurry from the cuttings injection system into a wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Francisco Fragachan
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Patent number: 7712551Abstract: A system for forming a subterranean wellbore may include a pump and an additive supply. The pump pumps a drilling fluid into the wellbore while also generating a pressure differential that draws an additive across a supply line connected to the additive supply. The drilling fluid may be a gas or a liquid. A method for forming a wellbore may include drilling the wellbore, circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore using a pump; and supplying an additive to the drilling fluid by flowing the additive across a supply line using a pressure differential generated by the pump. The pump may generate a vacuum pressure at a supply line outlet and/or create a pressure differential in the supply line. The flow of additive across the supply line may be regulated and/or stopped when the pump is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: William M. Dye, Nels A. Hansen, John B. Trenery, Jr.
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Patent number: 7703518Abstract: A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Max Phillippi, Calvin Stegemoeller
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Publication number: 20100089651Abstract: A system for treating a mixture, the mixture including drilling fluid and solid material, the system including a container with an inlet for the introduction of the mixture into the container, a solids outlet, and a fluid outlet for drilling fluid to exit the container, at least one rotatable screen assembly rotatably mounted within the container and including at least one screen for screening the mixture and interior structure for receiving separated drilling fluid from the at least one screen, and apparatus in fluid communication with the interior structure for receiving separated drilling fluid therefrom and transmitting the separated drilling fluid to the fluid outlet of the container. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventor: George Alexander Brunett
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Patent number: 7677332Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas an configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Paul Matthew Spiecker, Pavlin B. Entchev, Ramesh Gupta, Richard Polizzotti, Barbara Carstensen, Dennis G. Peiffer, Norman Pokutylowicz
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Patent number: 7665546Abstract: A cleanout system and method for removal of metal debris from a fluid flow, such a flow of re-circulated drilling mud employs one or more magnetic unit positioned in the path of the fluid for collecting metal particles from the flow. The magnetic unit has a removable magnet core positioned in a non-magnetic sleeve. When the core is removed from the sleeve the attracted metal particles are allowed to drop from the sleeve under gravity to facilitate their collection and disposal. A fluid deflector is positioned upstream from each magnetic unit, protecting the magnetic unit from direct impact by the strong flow. The magnetic units are allowed to pivot from side-to-side and adjust their position in the flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Rattler Tools, Inc.Inventor: David J. Ruttley
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Patent number: 7644768Abstract: A drilling rig device (1) situated on the seabed (11), where the drilling rig (1) is sealingly enclosed against the surroundings, wherein the drilling rig (1) is liquid-filled and provided with a separator (16) arranged to separate material (17) from the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Seabed Rig ASInventor: Per Olav Haughom
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Publication number: 20090260886Abstract: This invention relates to a system and process for recovering and recycling valuable target recycle materials such lost circulation material and weighting agents from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon drilling operations. The system and process includes use of a binary fluid that is separate from the drilling fluid and has a designed density that allows separation of the valuable target recycle materials from drill cuttings. The solids are separated from the drilling fluid in a primary separation step and then mixed with the binary fluid in a density separation or enhanced mass separation device. The binary fluid density allows the separation device to distinguish the target recycle material from drilling solids and recycles the target material to the drilling operations for re-use in drilling fluid. The binary fluid is recovered and refreshed to maintain a generally continuous process of targeted recycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventor: Paul D. Scott
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Publication number: 20090205871Abstract: A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are passed between a drill string to a body member for discharge from the body member to remove at least a portion of the formation. The flow of the suspension between the drill string and the body member is controlled by an ultra shearing drilling mud in order to prevent the impactors from settling near the bottom of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventor: Gordon Tibbitts
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Patent number: 7575072Abstract: An improved cuttings system located adjacent a drilling rig's shale shaker system utilizing a vacuum collection/gravity fed processing system, thereby eliminating expensive and complicated cuttings transfer systems. The use of a vacuum cuttings collection system combined within a common fluid-filled open tank and submersible grinding pumps eliminate the need for extensive circulating and holding systems. Cuttings are sized and chemically prepared within the same tank and fed directly to an injection pump for discharge to cuttings transport tanks or injected down hole. Other improvements include non-restrictive cuttings sizing, filtering, and an injection pump cuttings relief system.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Inventor: Jeffrey A. Reddoch, Sr.
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Patent number: 7575071Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing system for the preparation of a drilling fluid for horizontal drilling methods, having a high-pressure pump and a feed line for the additive medium arranged upstream of the high-pressure pump in the direction of flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Tracto-Technik Paul Schmidt SpezialmaschinenInventor: Manfred Schauerte
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Patent number: 7568535Abstract: A system for recovering lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid, the spent drilling fluid containing lost circulation material, drilling fluid, and undesirable solids, the system having alternating separation apparatuses, including sizing apparatus, destiny/shear separation apparatus, and sizing apparatus; and methods for using such a system.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LPInventors: Thomas Robert Larson, Eric Simon Provost
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Patent number: 7544018Abstract: An apparatus and system for conveying drill cuttings employing a conveyance gas to induce movement of the non-free flowing drill cuttings in a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Cleancut Technologies LimitedInventor: Brian Snowdon
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Patent number: 7527726Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for treating drilling fluid by passing the fluid through a separator including a clarifying zone and a thickening zone, the clarifying zone having inclined plates and the thickening zone having at least one wall with an angle of less than about 60°. The separator may optionally include an agglomeration zone and a removal zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Q'Max Solutions Inc.Inventors: Kevin Slough, Troy Lupul
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Patent number: 7520342Abstract: A process for the recovery of drilling fluid additives, including industrial carbon, calcium carbonate, natural and synthetic fibers, and other materials from a mixture. The mixture may include drilling fluids, drilled solids, and drilling fluid additives from a mud system. The process may include: separating at least a portion of the drilled solids from the mixture to form a first effluent and a drilled solids fraction; separating at least a portion of the drilling fluid additives from the first effluent to form a second effluent and a recovered additives fraction; and recycling at least a portion of the recovered additives fraction to the mud system. The drilling fluid additives may have a specific gravity greater than 1.4, and may include particles having an average size greater than 2 microns.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Frank Butler, Tim Browning
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Patent number: RE42772Abstract: A choke for removing large diameter particulate matter from an oil or natural gas well includes a housing having a chamber with an integral solids receptacle. The chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet and a flow stream inlet. The flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet. The flow stream inlet directly adjoins the integral solids receptacle in the chamber. The choke includes a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber for flowing particulate from the chamber when actuatedby a user. The choke includes a needle disposed in a bonnet connected to the chamber above the flow stream inlet for controlling the flow stream from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face of a seat with the needle.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.Inventor: Richard Harvey McGee