Patent ID: 6315813
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
A method of treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet, the method comprising the steps of:(i) providing a primary separation means for selectively separating solid, liquid and gas components of the drilling fluid returns, said primary separation means having input means for introducing drilling fluid returns thereto;(ii) providing a secondary separation means for selectively separating at least a portion of a gas component in the drilling fluid returns, said secondary separation means having input means for introducing drilling fluid returns thereto;(iii) connecting said input means of said primary separation means and said input means of said secondary separation means to the returns outlet of the well, said input means of said secondary separation means connected to the well returns outlet upstream of said input means of said primary separation means;(iv) providing control means to regulate the flow of drilling fluid returns through said input means of said primary separation means and through said input means of said secondary separation means;(v) monitoring the flow of the gas component of the drilling fluid returns expelled from said primary separation means; and,(vi) in response to changes in the flow of gas expelled from said primary separation means, operating said control means to regulate the flow of drilling fluid returns through said primary and said secondary separation means to thereby maintain the flow of gas expelled from said primary separation means within predetermined parameters.