WO1999034091A1 - Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling - Google Patents
Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999034091A1 WO1999034091A1 PCT/NL1997/000726 NL9700726W WO9934091A1 WO 1999034091 A1 WO1999034091 A1 WO 1999034091A1 NL 9700726 W NL9700726 W NL 9700726W WO 9934091 A1 WO9934091 A1 WO 9934091A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- mud
- pipe string
- pipe
- head
- string
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 17
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 17
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 9
- 241000239290 Araneae Species 0.000 description 6
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 4
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003139 buffering effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001879 gelation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003019 stabilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/01—Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
Definitions
- the invention relates to the introduction of a pipe string including serially connected pipe sections in a lithosphere bore hole involving circulation of mud through the pipe string. Such operations occur for instance in the course of drilling or lining oil or gas wells.
- Drilling for oil or gas and lining of the well typically involves the introduction of a large number of pipe sections or stands such as drill pipe sections and casing pipe sections into the well.
- the sections are each time connected to a pipe string composed of sections projecting into the well after having been brought into line with the pipe string.
- Each section may be formed by a single joint or by a plurality of joints which have been connected to each other before being connected to the pipe string.
- the pipe string is typically rotated while mud is being fed to the pipe string for instance to drive a mud motor connected to a drill bit at the extreme end of the pipe string and/or, as a lubricant, to facilitate introduction of the pipe string into the bore hole.
- Couplings between the pipe string and pipe sections to be added to the pipe string are typically made by screwing the pipe sections onto the pipe string each time the pipe string has been introduced into the bore hole over a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of a previously added pipe section.
- the efficiency and effectivity of such operations is substantially impaired by the interruptions of the mud flow required to connect or disconnect the next section.
- This is of particular importance because the drilling of a bore hole typically involves a plurality of tripping operations (extracting and re-introducing the pipe string) for inspection or replacement of the drill bit.
- Each tripping operation includes the disconnection and connection of about 50-300 sections. More specifically, stopping the mud flow has various adverse effects such as gelation of mud in the bore hole and an increase of the risk of the pipe string getting stuck in the bore hole.
- this object is achieved by providing a method for introducing a pipe string into a bore hole in the lithosphere, in which mud is fed via a mud circulation structure to a trailing end of the pipe string and canalised through the pipe string to a leading end of the pipe string as the pipe string is fed into the bore hole, wherein, each time the pipe string has been displaced into the lithosphere over a predetermined distance, a connecting cycle is started.
- This connecting cycle includes the steps of: connecting one mud head of the mud circulation structure to a pipe section to be connected; disconnecting another mud head of the mud circulation structure from the pipe string; and subsequently connecting the pipe section connected to the mud head to the pipe string.
- a next connection cycle includes the step of connecting the other mud head to a next pipe section to be connected to the pipe string.
- a mud circulation structure for circulating mud to a pipe string projecting into a bore hole in the lithosphere, including: a mud pump, at least two mud heads, at least one conduit for directing mud from the mud pump to and through each of the mud heads, and means for shutting off the mud flow conduit for alternately directing • the mud flow through each one of the mud heads.
- the time during which the mud circulation structure is disconnected from the pipe string can be reduced substantially. In turn, this facilitates restarting of the mud circulation and reduces friction and wear if the pipe string is rotated continuously during connection of a pipe section as well.
- the other mud head is connected to the pipe section to be connected before the mud head on the trailing end of the pipe string has been removed.
- a particular embodiment of the invention is formed by a drilling rig for lithosphere drilling including a mud circulation structure as described above, a structure for moving a pipe string along a pipe string axis and a mud head guide structure for guiding the mud heads along a circulating path including a section co-axial with the pipe string axis.
- a mud head is guided along the section of the circulating path which is co-axial with the pipe string axis, a top end of a newly connected pipe section can be guided until it is engaged by a pipe section engaging structure.
- the mud heads can in principle also be guided for movement to and fro between ends of separate paths .
- a drilling rig for lithosphere drilling including a mud circulation structure as described above and a pipe string drive unit for driving rotation of a pipe string axially projecting into a bore hole in the lithosphere
- which pipe string drive unit includes : a pipe string engagement structure for circumferentially engaging the pipe string; and a pipe string drive including a drive motor operatively coupled to the pipe string engagement structure and to a rotationally fixed support structure for driving rotation of the pipe string engagement structure .
- the pipe string drive unit has a continuous passage for receiving a portion of the pipe string.
- a pipe string engaged by the pipe string drive unit is accessible at its proximal end for co-operation with a mud head of the mud circulation structure.
- FIG. 1-6 are schematic side views representing successive stages of the method according to the invention.
- Fig. 7 is cross-sectional side view of a mud buffer storage
- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of another mud buffer storage.
- a presently most preferred example of a rotary drilling rig for drilling into the lithosphere and more in particular for drilling and lining oil and gas wells is schematically depicted in successive stages of an operation of adding a pipe section 1 - in this case a single joint pipe section - to a pipe string 2. Further pipe sections 1' and 1' ' are stored in a pipe section dispenser 3 aside the pipe string 2.
- the drilling rig has a well head 4. .Above the well head 4, a rotatable clamp 9 is mounted to a vertically movable, lower drilling table (not shown) . In the situation • shown in Fig. 1, the pipe string 2 is releasably suspended from the clamp 9.
- the clamp 9 is connected to a drive 10 for driving rotation of the pipe string 2 with a torque of up to about 15,000 - 25,000 Nm.
- the design of the clamping section of the clamp 9 can in principle be similar to that of conventional spiders for stationary mounting on a rig floor.
- a pipe coupling unit 11 is mounted to an upper drilling table (not shown) which is vertically movable as well.
- the pipe coupling unit 11 has a pipe section clasping structure 12 for engaging the pipe section 1.
- the pipe coupling unit 11 is further provided with a pipe string clasping structure 13 , for engaging the pipe string 2, which structure 13 is located coaxial with the pipe section clasping structure 12 and in a position axially different from the position of the pipe section clasping structure 12.
- the pipe coupling unit 11 also forms a pipe string drive unit.
- this unit will however be referred to as pipe coupling unit 11.
- the designs of the pipe section clasping structure 12 and of the pipe string clasping structure 13 can for instance be essentially identical to that of a known spider or elevator with active power assisted clamping to ensure sufficient traction also if the pipe string is still short and therefore of light weight.
- both clasping structures are capable of transferring a make-up torque of about 50,000 to 120,000 Nm to the respective engaged pipe portions.
- the pipe section clasping structure 12 should preferably be capable of retaining pipe sections against axial loads of at least 2,500 to 3,000 kg.
- the pipe string clasping structure 13 should be able to carry the whole weight of a pipe string suspended in a bore hole, which can be up to about 500,000 kg for a casing string when the string is at its full length.
- a pipe string drive and a pipe section drive including drive motors are provided for rotating the pipe string clasping structure 13 and for rotating the pipe section clasping structure 12 relative to the pipe string clasping structure 13.
- a mud circulating structure including: a mud pump 14, two mud heads 15, 16, a conduit 17 for directing mud from the mud pump 14 to each of the mud heads 15, 16; and valves 19 (see Fig. 8) for shutting off the mud flow conduit 17 for alternately preventing mud flow through each of the mud heads
- valves 19 also form blow-out preventers.
- the mud head includes a head portion 20 in which a connecting portion 21 is suspended rotatably by a sealed bearing 22.
- a passage leading to a buffer 49 meets the conduit 17.
- a pipe handler 34 is provided for transferring pipe sections 1 from the dispenser 3 to the proximal end of the pipe string 2 projecting into a bore hole in the lithosphere and vice versa.
- This pipe handler 34 includes a pipe section engagement structure 35 for releasably engaging pipe sections to be transferred.
- a lift unit (not shown) is provided which is guided by vertical guide rails.
- the pipe section handler 34 further includes a drive, schematically depicted by square 40 connected to the pipe section engagement structure 35 for driving rotation of that pipe section engagement structure 35.
- a drive schematically depicted by square 40 connected to the pipe section engagement structure 35 for driving rotation of that pipe section engagement structure 35.
- the pipe section engagement structure 35 and the drive 40 are of essentially the same design as that of a conventional Iron Roughneck.
- the skilled person will appreciate that many other possibilities of driving rotation of the pipe section engagement structure 35 of the pipe section handler 34 are possible.
- the pipe section handler 34 further includes a stabilising arm 41 projecting under the pipe section engagement structure 35 and having a gripper 42 adjacent its lower end. This arm 41 prevents substantial pendular motion of a pipe section 1 retained in the pipe section engagement structure 35.
- the mud heads 15, 16 are guided by a mud head guide track 36 for guiding the mud heads 15, 16 along a circulating path including a section 37 co-axial with the pipe string axis.
- the mud head 16 is guided by the vertical portion 37 as the pipe string 2 progresses into the earth.
- the pipe string clasping structure 13 is brought into engagement with the proximal end of the pipe string 2 and takes over the function of driving the pipe string. Subsequently, the lower drill table 5 is returned to its upper take-over position. This position of the clamp 9 is shown in Fig . 2.
- Fig. 2 further shows the operation of connecting the mud head 15 to the pipe section 1 to be connected to the string 2.
- the pipe section 1 is spun relative to the mud head 15 and thereby screwed to the mud head 15.
- the pipe section is driven with a torque up to a predetermined make-up torque.
- the pipe coupling unit 11 and the clamp 9 are gradually lowered while the pipe section 1 is transferred to a position in line with the pipe string 2. Then, the mud flow towards the mud head 16 connected to the pipe string 2 is interrupted by closing the valve 19. This is represented in Fig. 3 by the outlined portion of an initially dark portion of the conduit 17. Immediately after the mud flow to the mud head 16 is interrupted, the mud head 16 is disconnected from the pipe string by means of the pipe coupling unit 11.
- the pipe section 1 has reached a position in line with the pipe string 2, but still remote thereof.
- the mud head 16 is being removed from between the pipe section 1 and the pipe string 2, so that the pipe section 1 can be connected to the pipe string 2.
- the pipe section 1 to be coupled to the pipe string 2 has been accelerated by the drive 40 to substantially the same rotational velocity as the rotational velocity of the pipe string 2 and the pipe section 1 is lowered until its lower coupling end is introduced into the pipe section clasping structure 12 (Fig. 5) .
- the pipe section clasping structure 12 is operated to engage the pipe section 1 and the pipe section engagement structure 35 of the pipe handler is released from the pipe section 1.
- the pipe coupling unit rotates the pipe section 1 relative to the pipe string 2 to make the connection between these parts 1, 2.
- the rotating spider clamp 9 is brought into engagement with the pipe string 2 and takes over the function of driving and carrying the pipe string 2 from the pipe coupling unit 11, and the mud flow through the mud head is started immediately. Because it is not necessary to move the removed mud head to the free end of the connected pipe string and to connect that mud head before the mud flow can be restarted, the downtime of the mud flow at each connection can be reduced substantially. In particular if the pipe string is rotated continuously, the reduced downtime of the mud flow while an additional pipe section is being connected thereto, substantially reduces wear and disturbances of mechanical and hydrodynamic equilibrium in the bore hole.
- the pipe handler 34 is moved away from the pipe string 2 in a direction radial to the string 2.
- the pipe coupling unit 11 is moved upward along the added pipe section 1.
- the pipe string is oriented vertically, but that the pipe string can also be oriented in a slanting or even horizontal orientation.
- Mud fed by the mud pump can for instance be returned to the mud pump via a return conduit .
- a mud buffer storage 43 is provided downstream of the mud pump 14. Because mud supplied by the mud pump 14 is buffered between the pump 14 and the mud head or mud heads in a time interval between disconnection of one of the mud heads 15, 16 from the string 2 and connection of the pipe section 1 connected to the other one of the mud heads 16, 15 to the string 2, a volume of mud is collected which is pressed through the conduit immediately after the connection between the conduit 17 and the string is re-established. Thus, a quicker build-up of mud circulation is obtained after interruption of the mud circulation.
- the mud buffer storage 43 is provided with a mud storage chamber 44 and a chamber 45 filled with nitrogen or another suitable gas .
- the chambers are separated by a membrane 46. While the mud supply structure is disconnected from the string 2, the mud storage chamber 44 expands and is filled with mud against the pressure of the gas in the chamber 45. As soon as the connection between the conduit 17 and the string 2 is re-established, the gas presses the stored mud out of the chamber buffer 43, so that the output of the mud circulation structure is temporarily boosted.
- the mud circulation structure further includes two mud buffer storages 49, 50 (Figs. 1-6 and 8), each communicating with one of the branches 47, 48 closely upstream of the shut-off valves at the mud heads 15, 16.
- these two mud buffer storages 49, 50 each include a mud chamber 51 and a gas-filled chamber 52 separated from the mud chamber 51 by a membrane 53.
- Baffles 56, 57 are mounted in the chambers 51, 53 to limit deformation of the membrane 52.
- mud is alternately fed via one and the other of the mud heads 15, 16.
- mud is fed towards and buffered near said first mud head 15 while mud is being fed via the other mud head 16.
- mud is fed towards and buffered near the other mud head 16 while mud is being fed via the first mud head 15.
- the main purpose of these buffer storages 49, 50 is to dampen shut-off and release shocks in the mud circulation structure when the valves 19 in the mud heads 15, 16 are opened or closed.
- Buffering in buffer storages communicating with the branches 47, 48 furthermore provides the advantage that a quick boosting effect is achieved because little pressure is lost between the buffer and the mud head and little mud has to be accelerated after the valve 19 has been opened to restart the mud flow through the respective mud head 15, 16. It will be readily apparent to the skilled person that, although the above examples relate to the drilling and lining of oil and gas wells, accordingly adapted modes of carrying out the present invention can also be used in connection with other ground drilling operations.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP97950521A EP1060323B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
PCT/NL1997/000726 WO1999034091A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
AT97950521T ATE220759T1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | DRILLING MUD CIRCULATION DURING EARTH DRILLING |
DE69714091T DE69714091T2 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | DRILLING MUD CIRCULATION DURING PITCHING |
DK97950521T DK1060323T3 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
AU53496/98A AU5349698A (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NL1997/000726 WO1999034091A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999034091A1 true WO1999034091A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
Family
ID=19866228
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NL1997/000726 WO1999034091A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Mud circulation for lithosphere drilling |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1060323B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE220759T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5349698A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69714091T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1060323T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999034091A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001021929A1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2001-03-29 | Well Engineering Partners B.V. | Method and device for moving a tube in a borehole in the ground |
US6412554B1 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2002-07-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore circulation system |
US6684737B1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2004-02-03 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Power tong |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3559739A (en) * | 1969-06-20 | 1971-02-02 | Chevron Res | Method and apparatus for providing continuous foam circulation in wells |
US4315553A (en) * | 1980-08-25 | 1982-02-16 | Stallings Jimmie L | Continuous circulation apparatus for air drilling well bore operations |
EP0289673A1 (en) * | 1985-05-06 | 1988-11-09 | Pangaea Enterprises, Inc. | Drill pipes and casings utilizing multi-conduit tubulars |
EP0736664A2 (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1996-10-09 | Klaus Obermann GmbH | Rotary device unit for an earth drilling rig |
-
1997
- 1997-12-24 EP EP97950521A patent/EP1060323B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-24 DE DE69714091T patent/DE69714091T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-24 AU AU53496/98A patent/AU5349698A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-12-24 AT AT97950521T patent/ATE220759T1/en active
- 1997-12-24 WO PCT/NL1997/000726 patent/WO1999034091A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-12-24 DK DK97950521T patent/DK1060323T3/en active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3559739A (en) * | 1969-06-20 | 1971-02-02 | Chevron Res | Method and apparatus for providing continuous foam circulation in wells |
US4315553A (en) * | 1980-08-25 | 1982-02-16 | Stallings Jimmie L | Continuous circulation apparatus for air drilling well bore operations |
EP0289673A1 (en) * | 1985-05-06 | 1988-11-09 | Pangaea Enterprises, Inc. | Drill pipes and casings utilizing multi-conduit tubulars |
EP0736664A2 (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1996-10-09 | Klaus Obermann GmbH | Rotary device unit for an earth drilling rig |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6684737B1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2004-02-03 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Power tong |
WO2001021929A1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2001-03-29 | Well Engineering Partners B.V. | Method and device for moving a tube in a borehole in the ground |
US6412554B1 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2002-07-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore circulation system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69714091D1 (en) | 2002-08-22 |
AU5349698A (en) | 1999-07-19 |
DK1060323T3 (en) | 2002-11-11 |
EP1060323A1 (en) | 2000-12-20 |
EP1060323B1 (en) | 2002-07-17 |
DE69714091T2 (en) | 2003-03-06 |
ATE220759T1 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
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