Patent ID: 6328118
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
A method of separating fluids present in a hydrocarbon well in an under-balanced drilling operation wherein operating fluid circulating through the well during drilling is mixed with well materials flowing into the wall from a surrounding well formation and is mixed with solids from the drilling operation and wherein a returning stream of mixed fluids and solids flowing out of the well is at an elevated pressure, comprising the steps of:supplying the returning stream flowing out of the well to a vertically extending separation chamber with a substantially conical bottom head with a solids outlet therein;separating the liquid, gas, and solids of the returning stream in the chamber;collecting the solids in the bottom of the chamber by gravity; andremoving the solids from the chamber by forming a moving slurry in the bottom of the chamber to agitate the solids and move them out through the solids inlet.