Patent ID: 8016033

Claim:
A method for drilling a wellbore, comprising: drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into the wellbore and rotating a drill bit connected to a bottom of a first tubular string, wherein: the first tubular string comprises: a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, the drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit, and the cuttings and drilling fluid (returns) flow to surface; and injecting drilling fluid into a first annulus formed between the first tubular string and a second tubular string while adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the first tubular string, wherein: the drilling fluid is diverted into the port and through the first tubular string by a seal disposed in the first annulus, and the returns are diverted into a second annulus or third tubular string by the seal.