초록 ▼

A system and method are disclosed which eliminates the use of a riser pipe in underwater drilling operations. The system includes a mud sump connectable to the top of a submerged wellhead and has a bottom with a mud inlet provided therein and an upwardly extending wall cooperating with the bottom to

A system and method are disclosed which eliminates the use of a riser pipe in underwater drilling operations. The system includes a mud sump connectable to the top of a submerged wellhead and has a bottom with a mud inlet provided therein and an upwardly extending wall cooperating with the bottom to support a quantity of mud, the sump restricting the water to contact with only the upper surface of the mud as the mud passes upwardly through the mud inlet in the bottom. A hose, separate from the drill string, is used to carry mud to the surface of the water. A pumping means is used to pump mud through the hose in response to the quantity of mud supported within the sump to thereby return the mud to the surface of the water without the use of a riser pipe.

대표청구항 ▼

A system used in underwater drilling operations for returning drilling mud to the surface of the water, comprising a mud sump connectable to the top of a submerged wellhead and having (i) a bottom with a mud inlet provided therein, and (ii) an upwardly extending side coacting with the bottom to supp

A system used in underwater drilling operations for returning drilling mud to the surface of the water, comprising a mud sump connectable to the top of a submerged wellhead and having (i) a bottom with a mud inlet provided therein, and (ii) an upwardly extending side coacting with the bottom to support a quantity of drilling mud, and means for placing the water in continuous contact with the upper surface of the mud as the mud passes upwardly through the mud inlet in the bottom during drilling operations, a hose separate from the drill string for carrying drilling mud to the surface of the water, and means for mechanically pumping the mud through the hose in response to the quantity of mud supported within the sump to thereby return the mud to the surface of the water without the use of a riser pipe.