Claims
- 1. A method of controlling bottomhole pressure during drilling of a wellbore with a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end of a tubing and wherein a drilling fluid supplied under pressure during drilling to the tubing returns to the surface (“the return fluid”), said method comprising:(a) providing a pump in the return fluid; (b) determining a parameter relating to the drilling fluid; and (c) controlling the speed of the pump in the return fluid in response to the determined parameter to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is pressure of the drilling fluid at a selected location.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected location is one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the desired pressure is above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore.
- 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the desired pressure is below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore.
- 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the desired pressure is within a predetermined range of pressures.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter relating to the drilling fluid is a flow rate of the drilling fluid.
- 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a control unit to control the pump.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit includes a microprocessor that controls the speed of the pump in response to the determined parameter.
- 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller controls the pump in response to the determined parameter in real-time.
- 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (i) providing a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure; and (ii) controlling the surface pump in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the pump includes coupling the pump to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 13. A wellbore system for controlling bottomhole pressure comprising:(a) a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end thereof in the wellbore; (b) a fluid system supplying fluid under pressure to a fluid circulation system, said fluid returning via a return path carrying cuttings (“the return fluid”); (c) a sensor for measuring a selected parameter of the fluid; (d) a pump associated with the return fluid; and (e) a controller controlling the speed of the pump in response to the selected parameter to control the bottomhole pressure at a desired value.
- 14. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the selected parameter is pressure.
- 15. The wellbore system of claim 14, wherein the pressure is measured at one of (i) a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead over the wellbore and the surface.
- 16. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the desired pressure is above pore pressure of formation surrounding the wellbore.
- 17. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the desired pressure is below the fracture pressure of formation surrounding the wellbore.
- 18. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the desired pressure is within a predetermined range.
- 19. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the controller is at one of (i) in the drill string; (ii) bottomhole assembly; and (iii) at the surface.
- 20. The wellbore system of claim 13 further comprising a surface pump that supplies fluid under pressure and wherein the controller controls the surface pump in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 21. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the pump is in the wellbore.
- 22. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the pump is in an annulus of the wellbore.
- 23. The wellbore system of claim 13, wherein the control of the pump overcomes at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure and friction less pressure of the return fluid.
- 24. A method of controlling bottomhole pressure during drilling of a wellbore with a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end of a tubing and wherein a drilling fluid supplied under pressure during drilling to the tubing returns to the surface (“the return fluid”), said method comprising:(a) providing a pump in the wellbore for pumping the return fluid toward surface and to control the bottomhole pressure at a desired pressure during drilling of the wellbore; (b) determining bottomhole pressure during drilling of the wellbore; (c) controlling the pump in response to the determined bottomhole pressure to control the bottomhole pressure at the desired pressure.
- 25. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the pump in the wellbore comprises coupling the pump to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the desired pressure is within a predetermined range of pressure.
- 27. The method of claim 24, wherein controlling the pump includes controlling the speed of the pump to control the bottomhole pressure and thereby equivalent circulating density at the wellbore bottom.
- 28. A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore during drilling of the wellbore with a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end of a drill string and wherein a drilling fluid supplied to a circulation system returns via a return path (“the return fluid”), the method comprising:(a) providing a pump in the wellbore; (b) determining a parameter of interest; and (c) controlling the pump in response to the determined parameter to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the determined parameter is pressure.
- 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the pressure is determined at a location selected from one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return path; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 31. The method of claim 28 wherein the parameter of interest is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; (iv) relating to the drilling fluid; and (v) relating to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 32. The method of claim 28, wherein controlling the pump controls the bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 33. The method of claim 28 further comprising providing a controller that controls the pump in response to the determined parameter.
- 34. The method of claim 28 further comprising: (i) providing a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure; and (ii) controlling the surface pump in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 35. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the pump includes coupling the pump to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 36. A wellbore system for controlling bottomhole pressure comprising:(a) a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end thereof in a wellbore; (b) a fluid system supplying fluid under pressure to the wellbore, said fluid returning via a return path (“the return fluid”); (c) a pump positioned in the wellbore; (d) a sensor for measuring a selected parameter; and (e) a controller controlling the pump in response to the selected parameter to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 37. The wellbore system according to claim 36, wherein said selected parameter is pressure of the drilling fluid at a location selected from one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 38. The wellbore system according to claim 36, wherein said controller controls the pump to maintain the bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 39. The wellbore system according to claim 36, wherein the selected parameter is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; and (iv) related to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 40. A method of controlling bottomhole pressure during drilling of a wellbore with a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end of a tubing and wherein a drilling fluid supplied to a circulation system returns via a return path (“the return fluid”), the method comprising:(a) providing a pump in the return fluid; (b) operating the pump during drilling of the wellbore; (c) determining a parameter of interest; and (d) controlling the pump during drilling of the wellbore in response to the determined parameter to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the determined parameter is pressure.
- 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the pressure is determined at one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 43. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlling the pump controls the bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 44. The method of claim 40, wherein the parameter of interest is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; (iv) relating to the drilling fluid; and (v) relating to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 45. The method of claim 40 further comprising providing a controller to control the pump.
- 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the controller controls the pump in response to the determined parameter in real-time.
- 47. The method of claim 40 further comprising: (i) providing a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure; and (ii) controlling the surface pump in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 48. The method of claim 40, wherein providing the pump includes coupling the pump to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 49. A wellbore system for controlling bottomhole pressure comprising:(a) a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end thereof in the wellbore; (b) a fluid system supplying fluid under pressure to the wellbore, said fluid returning via a return path carrying cuttings (“the return fluid”); (c) a sensor for measuring a selected parameter of interest; (d) a pump positioned in the return fluid, the pump operating during drilling of the wellbore; and (e) a controller controlling the pumb during drilling of the wellbore in response to the selected parameter to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 50. The wellbore system according to claim 49, wherein said selected parameter is pressure of the drilling fluid at a location selected from one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 51. The wellbore system according to claim 49, wherein said controller maintains the bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 52. The wellbore system according to claim 49, wherein the selected parameter is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; (iv) relating to the drilling fluid; and (v) relating to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 53. The wellbore system according to claim 49, wherein said controller controls said pump in response to said selected determined parameter in real-time.
- 54. The wellbore system according to claim 49 further comprising: a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure, said surface pump configured to be controlled in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 55. The wellbore system according to claim 49, wherein said pump is coupled to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 56. A method of controlling bottomhole pressure during drilling of a wellbore with a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end of a tubing and wherein a drilling fluid supplied under pressure during drilling to the tubing returns to the surface (“the return fluid”), said method comprising:(a) providing a pump in the return fluid; (b) selecting a desired bottomhole pressure; (c) determining a selected parameter of interest; and (d) controlling the flow rate of the pump in the return fluid in response to the determined parameter to control the bottomhole pressure at the desired pressure.
- 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the selected parameter is pressure.
- 58. The method of claim 57, wherein the pressure is determined at one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 59. The method of claim 56, wherein the controlling the pump provides a bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 60. The method of claim 56, wherein the selected parameter is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; (iv) relating to the drilling fluid; and (v) relating to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 61. The method of claim 56 further comprising providing a controller to control the pump.
- 62. The method of claim 56, wherein the controller controls the pump in response to the determined parameter in real-time.
- 63. The method of claim 56 further comprising: (i) providing a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure; and (ii) controlling the surface pump in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 64. The method of claim 56, wherein providing the pump includes coupling the pump to an annulus of the wellbore.
- 65. A wellbore system for controlling bottomhole pressure comprising:(a) a drill string having a bottomhole assembly at an end thereof in the wellbore; (b) a fluid system supplying fluid under pressure to the tubing, said fluid returning to the surface carrying cuttings (“the return fluid”); (c) a sensor for measuring a selected parameter of interest; (d) a pump associated with the return fluid; and (e) a controller controlling the flow rate of the pump in response to the selected parameter to control the bottomhole pressure at a desired value.
- 66. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein said selected parameter is pressure of the drilling fluid at a location selected from one of (i) at a wellhead placed over the wellbore; (ii) adjacent an inlet of the pump; (iii) adjacent bottom of the wellbore; and (iv) in an annulus between the wellbore and surrounding formation; (v) at the surface; (vi) in the bottomhole assembly; (vii) in the drill string; (viii) in a return line associated with the return fluid; and (ix) in a riser between a wellhead on the wellbore and the surface.
- 67. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein said controller maintains the bottomhole pressure at one of: (i) above the pore pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (ii) below the fracture pressure of a formation surrounding the wellbore; (iii) within a predetermined range of pressures; and (iv) at a selected pressure.
- 68. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein the selected parameter is selected from one of: (i) flow; (ii) relating to the drilling of the wellbore; (iii) relating to the formation that is being drilled; (iv) relating to the drilling fluid; and (v) relating to the bottom hole assembly used for drilling the wellbore.
- 69. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein said controller includes a microprocessor that controls the speed of said pump in response to the selected parameter.
- 70. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein said controller controls said pump in response to said selected determined parameter in real-time.
- 71. The wellbore system according to claim 65 further comprising: (i) a pump at the surface for supplying drilling fluid under pressure, said surface pump configured to be controlled in conjunction with the pump in the return fluid to control the bottomhole pressure.
- 72. The wellbore system according to claim 65, wherein said pump is coupled to an annulus of the wellbore.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/353,275, filed Jul. 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,877, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/108,601, filed Nov. 16, 1998, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/101,541, filed Sep. 23, 1998, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,908, filed, Jul. 15, 1998 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/095,188, filed Aug. 3, 1998.
US Referenced Citations (37)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0289250 |
Nov 1988 |
EP |
WO 0214649 |
Feb 2002 |
WO |
Provisional Applications (4)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/108601 |
Nov 1998 |
US |
|
60/101541 |
Sep 1998 |
US |
|
60/092908 |
Jul 1998 |
US |
|
60/095188 |
Aug 1998 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/353275 |
Jul 1999 |
US |
Child |
10/094208 |
|
US |