US 12,435,583 B1
System and method for monitoring and maintaining hydrostatic pressure during tripping operations, stripping operations, and axial pipe operations
Jason Finley, Greenwood, AR (US); Don Hannegan, Fort Smith, AR (US); John Thomas Stites, III, Salisaw, OK (US); and Benjamin Micah Spahn, Alma, AR (US)
Assigned to PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO., Fort Smith, AR (US)
Filed by PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO., Fort Smith, AR (US)
Filed on May 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/656,016.
Application 18/656,016 is a continuation of application No. 17/953,122, filed on Sep. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,976,523.
Application 17/953,122 is a continuation of application No. 16/711,222, filed on Dec. 11, 2019, granted, now 11,454,073, issued on Sep. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/778,182, filed on Dec. 11, 2018.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 21/08 (2006.01); E21B 21/10 (2006.01); E21B 33/08 (2006.01); E21B 19/16 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 21/08 (2013.01) [E21B 21/106 (2013.01); E21B 33/085 (2013.01); E21B 19/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tripping system for maintaining pressure in an annulus during axial movement of drilling pipe in a well, the system comprising:
a trip tank configure to store drilling fluid, wherein the drilling fluid flows from the annulus to the trip tank, wherein the drilling fluid flows from the trip tank to the annulus;
an active fluid system configured to store the drilling fluid, wherein the active fluid system is sized larger than the trip tank;
an upstream flow measurement device that measures flow of the drilling fluid from the trip tank to the annulus;
a downstream flow measurement device that measures flow of the drilling fluid from the annulus to the trip tank without measuring the flow of the drilling fluid to the active fluid system;
a back pressure device located downstream from the annulus, wherein the back pressure device opens and closes to adjust the pressure on the annulus.