Mud handling improved with a constant-volume riser

Journal Article · Mon Sep 24 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Oil and Gas Journal; (USA)

OSTI ID:6538511

Baker, R J ^[1]

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1. Shell International Petroleum, Mij. BV (NL)

Marine risers currently deployed by floating drilling units incorporate a telescopic joint to accommodate vessel movement, primarily heave. This vertical telescopic movement changes the internal volume of the riser and causes fluctuations in the return-mud flow rate. Flow fluctuations make accurate measurement of the return mud difficult. The significance is that these measurements are vital for the early detection of well bore influx or downhole mud losses. Erratic mud flow also adversely affects the efficiency of the solids-removal equipment and potentially increases the risk of discharging whole mud to the environment. To overcome these adverse effects, a design for a telescopic joint is proposed (constant volume riser or CVR) in which the internal riser volume remains constant, irrespective of movement, thus permitting a uniform flow rate of mud returns.

• OSTI ID: 6538511
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (USA), Vol. 88:39; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
42 ENGINEERING
DRILLING FLUIDS
REMOTE HANDLING
MARINE RISERS
FLUID FLOW
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
FLOATING ROOF TANKS
DESIGN
FLOW RATE
FUEL SLURRIES
CONTAINERS
DISPERSIONS
FLUIDS
FUELS
MIXTURES
PIPES
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
TANKS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow