US3860019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for avoiding water pollution at an offshore drilling site
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-27
•
Granted: 1975-01-14
•
Expires: 1992-07-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for treating well drilling cuttings that normally accrue from the boring of a subterranean oil or gas well which process includes circulating a drilling mud. The cuttings are introduced to a preliminary separator for removing a major part of the drilling mud. Thereafter, while yet containing a minor portion of mud, the cuttings are passed to a washer for contact with a cleaning detergent. A detergent recycling system simultaneously separates detergent from the residue of drilling mud, for reuse in the cutting cleaning process.
Inventors
- 👤 Loy P Teague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/005; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/065; E21B21/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for purging well drilling cuttings of water polluting materials subsequent to removal of said cuttings from a subterranean well within a circulating drilling mud flow, which apparatus includes; first separating means communicated with said subterranean well for receiving and initially separating a major portion of the drilling mud from said drilling mud flow to provide a substantially mud free, drilling cuttings stream, washing means communicated with said first separating means to contact said drilling cuttings stream with a washing detergent, second separating means communicated with said washing means to receive a mixture of detergent and drilling cuttings, and to segregate the latter therefrom free of said water polluting materials, and return conduit means communicated with said second separating means to receive detergent from the latter and for recirculating the same for introduction to said washing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for purging well drilling cuttings of water polluting materials subsequent to removal of said cuttings from a subterranean well within a circulating drilling mud flow, which apparatus includes; first separating means communicated with said subterranean well for receiving and initially separating a major portion of the drilling mud from said drilling mud flow to provide a substantially mud free, drilling cuttings stream, washing means communicated with said first separating means to contact said drilling cuttings stream with a washing detergent, second separating means communicated with said washing means to receive a mixture of detergent and drilling cuttings, and to segregate the latter therefrom free of said water polluting materials, and return conduit means communicated with said second separating means to receive detergent from the latter and for recirculating the same for introduction to said washing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, including; rinsing means (27) communicated with said second separating means to introduce water to the latter whereby to contact cuttings contained therein subsequent to being contacted with detergent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for purging well drilling cuttings of water polluting materials at an offshore site in a body of said water subsequent to removal of said cuttings from a subterranean well, the cuttings being carried within a drilling mud flow, which apparatus includes; first separating means (10) communicated with said well for receiving and initially separating the major portion of the drilling mud from said drilling mud flow to provide a substantially mud free drilling cuttings stream, washing means (16, 17, 18) communicated with said first separating means (10) to contact said drilling cuttings stream with a washing detergent, second separating means (21, 22, 24) communicated with said washing means (16, 17, 18) to receive a mixture of detergent and cuttings, and to segregate the latter therefrom free of said water polluting materials, and rinsing means (24, 27) communicated with said second separating means to introduce a stream of water to the latter whereby to contact cuttings therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for purging well drilling cuttings of water polluting materials at an offshore site in a body of said water subsequent to removal of said cuttings from a subterranean well, the cuttings being carried within a drilling mud flow, which apparatus includes; first separating means (10) communicated with said well for receiving and initially separating the major portion of the drilling mud from said drilling mud flow to provide a substantially mud free drilling cuttings stream, washing means (16, 17, 18) communicated with said first separating means (10) to contact said drilling cuttings stream with a washing detergent, second separating means (21, 22, 24) communicated with said washing means (16, 17, 18) to receive a mixture of detergent and cuttings, and to segregate the latter therefrom free of said water polluting materials, and rinsing means (24, 27) communicated with said second separating means to introduce a stream of water to the latter whereby to contact cuttings therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein rinsing means communicated with said second separating means to introduce a stream of water to the latter is communicated with said body of water whereby to contact cuttings with said stream of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said return conduit means includes; a liquid separating tank communicated with said second separating means or receiving water and detergent from the latter, and for segregating said respective water and detergent components into discrete liquid segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said return conduit includes; a liquid separator communicated with said second separating means and being operable to centrifugally segregate mud residing from liquid detergent therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said return conduit means includes; a liquid separating tank having an inlet connected with said separating means for receiving a mixture of water and detergent from the latter. and an overflow compartment in said tank to form discrete segments of liquid received therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wheRein said washing means includes; a spray chamber adapted to receive said cutting stream, and a spray system connected with a source of liquid detergent whereby to spray the latter into contact with said cuttings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |