US4046191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsea hydraulic choke
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1975-07-07
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Granted: 1977-09-06
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Expires: 1995-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus used for offshore drilling operations is disclosed which is particularly useful in those operations where a floating vessel or drilling platform is situated at the surface of a body of water with a riser assembly extending between the platform and the well and a blowout preventer assembly is positioned therebetween near the lower end of the riser assembly. In the practice of this invention at least one fluid bypass conduit provides a path for high pressure fluid to flow from the wall at a point below at least one of the blowout preventers to the riser assembly at a point below the surface of the water and above the blowout preventer assembly. A means in each of said bypass conduits controls the flow of fluid through the conduit to regulate the fluid pressure in the well when the blowout preventers are in the closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Arthur Neath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/08; E21B21/001; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/06; E21B33/061; E21B33/062; E21B33/063; E21B33/064; E21B34/00; E21B34/02; E21B34/025; E21B34/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for drilling a subsea well from a drilling platform at the surface of a body of water, which comprises a riser conduit extending between the platform and the well; at least one blowout preventer connected to said riser conduit near the lower end thereof; at least one fluid bypass conduit providing at least one fluid flowpath from the well at a point below said blowout preventer to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer; and a means in said bypass conduit for regulating fluid flow through said bypass conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for drilling a subsea well from a drilling platform at the surface of a body of water, which comprises a riser conduit extending between the platform and the well; at least one blowout preventer connected to said riser conduit near the lower end thereof; at least one fluid bypass conduit providing at least one fluid flowpath from the well at a point below said blowout preventer to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer; and a means in said bypass conduit for regulating fluid flow through said bypass conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein two fluid bypass conduits provide fluid flowpaths from the well at a point below said blowout preventer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including valve means in each said fluid bypass conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for regulating fluid flow is a hydraulic choke.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the hydraulic choke is remotely operable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bypass conduit contains at least one pressure monitoring means situated on each bypass conduit between the means for regulating fluid flow and the well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pressure monitoring means includes a pressure transducer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for drilling a subsea well from a drilling platform at the surface of a body of water, which comprises a riser conduit extending between the platform and the well, a blowout preventer assembly comprising at least one blowout preventer connected to the lower end of said riser conduit, at least one fluid bypass conduit providing at least one fluid flowpath between the well at a point below at least one of said blowout preventers to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer; and a means in each said bypass conduit for regulating fluid flow through said bypass conduit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for drilling a subsea well from a drilling platform at the surface of a body of water, which comprises a riser conduit extending between the platform and the well, a blowout preventer assembly comprising at least one blowout preventer connected to the lower end of said riser conduit, at least one fluid bypass conduit providing at least one fluid flowpath between the well at a point below at least one of said blowout preventers to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer; and a means in each said bypass conduit for regulating fluid flow through said bypass conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method for regulating pressure in a subsea well while circulating out and killing a kick during drilling operations conducted from a drilling platform by equipment which includes a riser conduit extending between the drilling platform at the surface of the water and the well and at least one blowout preventer being positioned therebetween near the lower end of the riser conduit, the improvement comprising conducting well fluids from a point below said blowout preventer to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer by means of at least one fluid bypass conduit; and regulating the passage of fluid through said bypass conduit at a point in said bypass conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method for regulating pressure in a subsea well while circulating out and killing a kick during drilling operations conducted from a drilling platform by equipment which includes a riser conduit extending between the drilling platform at the surface of the water and the well and at least one blowout preventer being positioned therebetween near the lower end of the riser conduit, the improvement comprising conducting well fluids from a point below said blowout preventer to the lower interior portion of the riser conduit at a point above the uppermost blowout preventer by means of at least one fluid bypass conduit; and regulating the passage of fluid through said bypass conduit at a point in said bypass conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein fluid flow through the bypass conduit is regulated in said conduit near the lower end thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising monitoring the pressure of fluids in the bypass conduit between the means for regulating fluid flow and the well by means of a pressure sensing device, adjusting the means for regulating fluid flow in response to a pressure change in the bypass conduit for controlling fluid pressure in the well.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the pressure of fluids is monitored by at least one pressure transducer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-05 | 1981-03-07 | 1981-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-05 | 1985-03-07 | 1985-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-05 | 1989-03-07 | 1989-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |