Subsea pumping system and method for deepwater drilling
US6216799A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/035
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method is disclosed for offshore drilling in which a bit is driven at a far end of a drill string, drilling fluid is injected into the drill string from surface drilling facilities, and drilling fluid passes through the far end of the drill string and flushes the borehole at the bit and entrains cuttings into the drilling fluid which circulates up the casing/drill string annulus. The drilling fluid drawn off near the mudline and is treated through a subsea primary processing stage to removing the cuttings from the drilling fluid. The treated drilling fluid is then returned to the surface with a subsea return pump system and passes to surface drilling facilities for injection and recirculation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.