Subsea solids processing apparatuses and methods
US8157014B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/001
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
In a dual-gradient drilling apparatus, a subsea solids processing unit includes a housing, a solids processing mechanism disposed in the housing between a drilling mud inlet and a drilling mud outlet, and a flushing mechanism configured to flush the solids processing mechanism with a flushing fluid. A subsea solids processing unit may be controlled by rotating the solids processing mechanism in a forward direction and increasing a drive torque when a measured speed of the solids processing mechanism is below a desired rotation speed. The desired rotation speed may be decreased when a measured torque exceeds a selected maximum and a rotation direction of the solids processing mechanism may be reversed when the measured speed falls below a selected minimum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.