Patent ID: 6973980
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for drilling for petroleum, comprising the steps of (a) erecting a derrick assembly on the ground; (b) mounting a drill on said derrick assembly, said drill including a hollow drill pipe having an upper end and a lower end and a drill bit attached to the lower end; (c) mounting a rotary assembly at said derrick assembly to provide motive power to rotate said drill bit in the ground to produce drill bit cuttings; (d) mounting a drilling mud circulation system at said derrick assembly to direct primary drilling mud into said upper end of said drill pipe, down through said drill pipe, out the lower end of said drill pipe, and up through a hole in the ground to produce auxiliary drilling mud containing drill bit cuttings; (e) providing a source of primary drilling mud for said circulation system, said mud including water and clay and substantially free of drill bit cuttings; (f) providing a first particle separation apparatus including (g) rotating said drill into the ground with said rotary assembly to form said hole in the ground and produce drill bit cuttings in said hole, said hole having a top and a side; (h) circulating primary drilling mud with said mud circulation system along a path down into said upper end of said drill pipe, through said drill pipe, out said lower end of said drill pipe, up through said hole intermediate said drill pipe and said side of said hole, and out through said top of said hole, to produce said auxiliary drilling mud containing drill bit cuttings; (i) operating said a drive system to rotate said upper surface at a speed in the range of 500 RPM to 10,000 RPM; (j) transporting to said charging system said auxiliary drilling mud, said charging system directing said auxiliary drilling mud through said inlet orifice into said stationary separation chamber toward said rotary distributor such that the material directed through said inlet orifice is at least fifty percent by weight liquid and such that said auxiliary drilling mud, at least in part, impinges said rotating upper surface such that (k) transporting at least said first dry material to a landfill; and, (l) depositing said first dry material in the landfill.