Modular design for downhole ECD-management devices and related methods

US7096975B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Peter Aronstam · Houston, US
• Volker Krueger · Celle, DE
• Sven Krueger · Trossingen, DE
• Harald Grimmer · Celle, DE
• Roger Fincher · Conroe, US
• Larry Watkins · Houston, US
• Peter Fontana · London, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2004
• Grant date: Aug 29, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B21/085
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

One or more components of a wellbore drilling assembly utilize a modular construction to facilitate assembly, disassembly, repair and/or maintenance of a wellbore drilling assembly and/or to extend the overall operating capabilities of the drilling assembly. In one embodiment, a modular construction is used for an APD Device, a motor driving the modular APD Device, a comminution device, and an annular seal. Individual modules can be configure have different operating set points, operating parameters and characteristics (e.g., rotational speeds, flow rates, pressure differentials, etc.) and/or different responses to given environmental factors or conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, wellbore fluid chemistry, etc.). In one embodiment, the high-pressure seals used in conjunction with the APD Device and/or motor is a hydrodynamic seal that provides a selected leak or flow rates. Optionally, the seal is modular to provide different degrees of leak rates and/or different functional characteristics.