Patent US5010966A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5010966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling method
Assignee: Chalkbus Inc
•
Filing: 1990-04-16
•
Granted: 1991-04-30
•
Expires: 2010-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of receiving returns from a well being drilled in which the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid cannot contain the formation pressure and controlling the flow and pressure of the returns and separating the oil, gas, and drilling fluids on the surface and returning the drilling fluids to the well while disposing of the oil and gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles O. Stokley
- 👤 Richard C. Haas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/08; E21B21/085; E21B41/00; E21B41/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A drilling method comprising: rotating a drill bit in a well head to drill a well in an earth formation while circulating drilling fluid consisting essentially of a liquid; conducting the returning drilling fluid, and oil and gas from the formation to a flow rate control valve and to a pressure control valve; conducting fluid from said flow rate control valve and said pressure control valve to a separator vessel maintained under pressure; separating gas from the returning fluid in said separator vessel and conducting the separated gas from said separator vessel to disposal facilities; conducting the remaining fluid in said separator vessel to an atmospheric separator vessel; continuously circulating air through said atmospheric separator vessel to dilute to an inflammable mixture and to remove any well gases therein, and separating the oil and drilling fluid in said atmospheric separator vessel and conducting the oil to disposal and returning the drilling fluid to the well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A drilling method comprising: rotating a drill bit in a well head to drill a well in an earth formation while circulating drilling fluid consisting essentially of a liquid; conducting the returning drilling fluid, and oil and gas from the formation to a flow rate control valve and to a pressure control valve; conducting fluid from said flow rate control valve and said pressure control valve to a separator vessel maintained under pressure; separating gas from the returning fluid in said separator vessel and conducting the separated gas from said separator vessel to disposal facilities; conducting the remaining fluid in said separator vessel to an atmospheric separator vessel; continuously circulating air through said atmospheric separator vessel to dilute to an inflammable mixture and to remove any well gases therein, and separating the oil and drilling fluid in said atmospheric separator vessel and conducting the oil to disposal and returning the drilling fluid to the well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure control valve is a differential valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein oil is separated from the fluid in said separator vessel under pressure and conducted to disposal facilities prior to conducting the remaining fluid to the atmospheric separator vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2082329A
Cited
US2748884A
Cited
US2786652A
Cited
US3500943A
Cited
US3633687A
Cited
US3895927A
Cited
DE2602588A1
Cited
US4247312A
Cited
US4666471A
Cited
US4887464A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |