Modular rig design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9441429-B2
Application number	US-201113823654-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2011
Priority date	Sep 15, 2010
Publication date	Sep 13, 2016
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016

Abstract

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module comprising a first work surface; and a second module comprising a second work surface; wherein the first module is disposed above the second module. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module; and a second module; wherein at least one of the first and second modules comprises oilfield process equipment disposed on the module around a center point.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A modular drilling system for an offshore drilling rig comprising:
a first module comprising a first work surface and a double walled tank disposed within the first module beneath the first work surface, the double walled tank comprising an inner portion for receiving an effluent phase of drilling waste and an outer portion for receiving a solids phase of the drilling waste; and
a second module disposed below the first module, the second module comprising a second work surface and at least one storage pit, the at least one storage pit in fluid communication with the inner portion of the double walled tank; and
a plurality of vibratory separators oriented around and fluidly connected to an overboard discharge positioned at a center point of the second module.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first module comprises at least one vibratory separator.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one storage pit comprises more than four sides.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a third module comprising a third work surface.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the third module comprises at least one separator device.

6. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a fourth module comprising a fourth work surface.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first module is in fluid communication with the second module through the overboard discharge.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second modules is substantially round.

9. A method of using a modular drilling system for an offshore drilling rig comprising:
transferring drilling waste from a wellbore to a first module of the rig, the first module comprising a first work surface and a double walled tank disposed within the first module beneath the first work surface;
separating the drilling waste into a solids portion and an effluent;
disposing the effluent within an inner portion of the double walled tank;
disposing the solids portion within an outer portion of the double walled tank;
transferring the solids portion to a plurality of vibratory separators disposed in fluid connection with an overboard discharge positioned at a center point of a second module of the rig, the second module disposed below the first module; and
transferring the effluent to at least one storage pit included with the second module of the rig.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
discharging the solids portion from the first module through the overboard discharge, the overboard discharge extending between and in fluid communication with the first module and the second module.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
separating the effluent from the inner portion of the double walled tank into a second solids portion and a second effluent on the second module.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
transferring at least one of the solids portion and the effluent to a third module of the rig.

13. A module for an offshore drilling rig comprising:
a work surface;
a primary separator disposed on the work surface;
a distribution vessel disposed on the work surface and in fluid communication with the primary separator;
a plurality of separators disposed around and in fluid communication with the distribution vessel, the plurality of separators also in communication with an overboard discharge positioned at a center point of the module; and
a double walled tank disposed below the work surface and in fluid communication with the plurality of separators.

14. The module of claim 13 , wherein an effluent phase from the plurality of separators is configured to flow into an inner portion of the double walled tank and wherein a solids phase from the plurality of separators is configured to flow into an outer portion of the doubled walled tank.

15. The module of claim 13 , wherein the primary separator is configured to separate a return flow of drilling waste into an effluent phase and a solids phase.

16. The module of claim 15 , wherein the primary separator comprises an outlet configured to discharge the solids phase therefrom below the work surface using gravity.

17. The module of claim 16 , further comprising:
a ditch disposed between the primary separator and the distribution vessel, that is configured to pass the effluent phase from the primary separator to the distribution vessel.

18. The module of claim 15 , wherein an outer portion of the double walled tank is configured to receive the solids phase.

19. The module of claim 18 , wherein
the overboard discharge configured to receive the solids phase from the outer potion of the double walled tank.

Assignees

• Sherwood Joe
• Geehan Thomas
• M-I L L C

Inventors

• Sherwood Joe
• Geehan Thomas

Classifications

• E21B21/001

  specially adapted for underwater drilling (dual gradient drilling E21B21/082) · CPC title

• E21B21/01 Primary

  Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes · CPC title

• E21B21/065

  Separating solids from drilling fluids · CPC title

• E21B15/00 Primary

  Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts · CPC title

• E21B15/02

  specially adapted for underwater drilling (E21B15/04 takes precedence) · CPC title