Low profile rotating control device
A system and method is provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs. An embodiment allows a LP-RCD to be removably disposed with a LP-RCD housing by rotating a bearing assembly rotating plate. A sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly by rotating a seal retainer ring. Alternatively, a sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly with a seal support member threadedly attached with the LP-RCD bearing assembly. The seal support member may be locked in position with a seal locking ring removably attached with threads with the LP-RCD bearing assembly over the seal support member. Spaced apart accumulators may be disposed radially outward of the bearings in the bearing assembly to provide self lubrication to the bearings.
1. A system for forming a borehole using a rotatable tubular, the system comprising:
a housing having a height and disposed above the borehole, said housing having a port;
a bearing assembly having an inner member and an outer member and being positioned with said housing, one of said members rotatable with the tubular relative to the other said member and one of said members having a passage through which the tubular may extend;
a ball and socket joint connection between said housing and said bearing assembly;
a seal having a height to sealingly engage the rotatable tubular with said bearing assembly;
a plurality of bearings disposed between said inner member and said outer member;
a lower member above the borehole; and
an attachment member for attaching said housing to said lower member;
a flange having an outer diameter and a port, wherein said housing port communicating with said flange port; and
a conduit disposed between said housing port and said flange, wherein said conduit having a width and a height, and wherein said conduit width being greater than said conduit height.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said attachment member having a radially facing thread and said housing having a radially facing thread to threadingly connect said housing with said attachment member.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said housing port being alignable while being attached to said attachment member.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said attachment member having a plurality of openings, and wherein said attachment member having a radially outwardly facing thread and said plurality of openings are spaced radially inwardly of said radially outwardly facing thread.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said flange outer diameter is at least eighty percent of said housing height of said housing and said bearing assembly after said bearing assembly is positioned with said housing.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said seal height is greater than fifty percent of said height of said housing and said bearing assembly after said bearing assembly is positioned with said housing.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said housing port being alignable while being attached to said attachment member.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said outer member having a curved surface and said housing having a corresponding surface to said outer member curved surface to allow said bearing assembly to move to multiple positions.
9. A system for forming a borehole using a rotatable tubular, the system comprising:
a housing having a height and disposed above the borehole, said housing having a port;
a bearing assembly having an inner member and an outer member and being positioned with said housing, one of said members rotatable with the tubular relative to the other said member and one of said members having a passage through which the tubular may extend;
a seal having a height to sealingly engage the rotatable tubular with said bearing assembly;
a plurality of bearings disposed between said inner member and said outer member;
a lower member above the borehole;
an attachment member for attaching said housing to said lower member, wherein said attachment member having a radially outwardly facing thread and said housing having a radially inwardly facing thread to threadingly connect said housing to said attachment member, wherein said attachment member having a plurality of openings, and wherein said plurality of openings are spaced radially inwardly of said radially outwardly facing thread; and
a ball and socket joint connection between said housing and said bearing assembly, wherein said outer member having a curved surface and said housing having a corresponding surface to said outer member curved surface to allow said bearing assembly to move to multiple positions.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a flange having an outer diameter and a port, wherein said housing port communicating with said flange port.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a conduit disposed between said housing port and said flange wherein said conduit having a width and a height wherein said conduit width being greater than said conduit height.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein said housing port being alignable while being attached to said attachment member.
13. A rotating control apparatus, comprising:
an outer member;
an inner member disposed with said outer member, said inner member having a passage;
a seal having a height and supported from one of said members;
a plurality of bearings disposed between said outer member and said inner member so that one member is rotatable relative to the other member;
said seal extending inwardly from the plurality of bearings;
a housing having a height to receive at least a portion of said inner member and said outer member and said housing having a port configured to convey wellbore fluids;
a flange having an outer diameter and a port, said housing port communicating with said flange port while being aligned with said seal, wherein said flange outer diameter is at least eighty percent of said housing height;
an attachment member having a connection means for connecting said housing to a lower member, said housing being rotatable relative to said attachment member while said attachment member is attached to said lower member: and
a conduit disposed between said housing port and said flange, wherein said conduit having a width and a height, and wherein said conduit width being greater than said conduit height.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said conduit width is greater than said conduit height for said conduit positioned above said attachment member, and said flange port is substantially circular.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said housing port, said flange port and said conduit each having a flow area and said flow areas being substantially equal.
16. A system for managing the pressure of a fluid in a borehole while sealing a rotatable tubular, the system comprising:
a housing having a height and communicating with the borehole, said housing having a port which conveys wellbore fluids;
an outer member having an end, said outer member rotatably adapted with an inner member having an end and having a passage through which the tubular may extend;
a plurality of bearings between said inner member and said outer member;
a seal having a height and supported by one of said members for sealing with the rotatable tubular;
said housing port communicating with and aligned with said seal;
a support member for removably supporting said seal with one of said members end, said seal having a height, wherein said seal height is greater than fifty percent of said housing height;
an attachment member for attaching said housing to a lower member, said housing being rotatable relative to said attachment member while said attachment member is attached to said lower member;
a flange having a diameter and a port, wherein said housing port communicating with said flange port; and
a conduit disposed between said housing port and said flange, wherein said conduit having a width and a height and said conduit width being greater than said conduit height.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said conduit width is greater than said conduit height for said conduit positioned above said attachment member, and said flange port is substantially circular.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein said housing port, said flange port and said conduit each having a flow area and said flow areas being substantially equal.