Annular Drilling Device

Abstract

An annular drilling device is provided that employs an active or passive, stationary sealing element. More specifically, rotating annular drilling devices commonly used depend on externally pressurized sealing elements that are energized by wellhead pressure or hydraulic pressure to grip a rotating drill pipe and rotate with the drill string. Thus, a plurality of rotary seals and bearings must be used. Here, however, the passive or active sealing element is stationary, thereby eliminating the need for bearings, etc. The passive or active stationary sealing element is made of a low-friction material that contacts the drill pipe, creates a seal, and does not adversely affect drilling operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure control stack, comprising:
 an annular drilling device with a passive sealing member, said annular drilling device comprising:   a housing having a first end and a second end, said housing having an opening therethrough;   a sealing element maintained within said housing; said sealing element having an opening therethrough that is adapted to selectively engage a cylindrical member; and   wherein said sealing element remains stationary relative to said housing;   a first flexible coupling interconnected to said annular drilling device; and   a spool interconnected to said flexible coupling, said spool having an outlet operatively interconnected to a flow line by way of a second flexible coupling.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element has a distal end with a conical outer profile. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element has an inner profile with a cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure control stack of  claim 3 , wherein said inner profile includes a plurality of inwardly-extending protrusions. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure control stack of  claim 3 , wherein said inner profile includes a plurality of features formed in said sealing member. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said annular drilling device is devoid of bearings and rotating seals. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element is made of at least one of urethane and urethane impregnated with at least one of oil, silicone, or graphite. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element is directly integrated onto an inner surface of said opening of said housing. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said annular drilling device includes a quick disconnect coupling at its second end for interconnection to said first flexible coupling. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said spool includes a quick disconnect coupling at its first end for interconnection to said first flexible coupling. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure control stack of  claim 1 , wherein said second flexible coupling is at least one of a flexible bellows, a spherical joint, a rubber joint, and a flexible conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing element of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element comprises an inner portion for engagement with the cylindrical member, wherein said inner portion rotates with the cylindrical member and said outer portion remains fixed relative to said housing. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing element of  claim 1 , wherein said inner portion has a plurality of circumferential protrusions that operatively engage corresponding grooves in said outer portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid delivery coil positioned about said housing; and a heat exchanger associated with said fluid delivery coil. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a wall with a helical coil; and a heat exchanger associated with said helical coil. 
     
     
         16 . A pressure control stack, comprising:
 an annular drilling device with a sealing element;   a first flexible coupling interconnected to said annular drilling device; and   a spool interconnected to said flexible coupling, said spool having an outlet operatively interconnected to a flow line by way of a second flexible coupling.   
     
     
         17 . The pressure control stack of  claim 16 , wherein said annular drilling device, includes:
 a housing having a first end and a second end, said housing having an opening therethrough;   wherein said sealing element is maintained within said housing, said sealing element being compliant and having an opening therethrough that is adapted to selectively engage a cylindrical member; and   wherein said sealing element remains stationary relative to said housing.   
     
     
         18 . The pressure control stack of  claim 17 , wherein said sealing element has a distal end with a conical outer profile. 
     
     
         19 . The pressure control stack of  claim 17 , wherein said sealing element has an inner profile with a cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         20 . The pressure control stack of  claim 19 , wherein said inner profile includes a plurality of inwardly-extending protrusions. 
     
     
         21 . The pressure control stack of  claim 19 , wherein said inner profile includes a plurality of features formed in said sealing member. 
     
     
         22 . The pressure control stack of  claim 17 , wherein said annular drilling device is devoid of bearings and rotating seals. 
     
     
         23 . The pressure control stack of  claim 17 , wherein said sealing element is made of at least one of urethane and urethane impregnated with at least one of oil, silicone, or graphite. 
     
     
         24 . The pressure control stack of  claim 17 , wherein said sealing element is directly integrated onto an inner surface of said opening of said housing. 
     
     
         25 . The pressure control stack of  claim 16 , wherein said annular drilling device includes a quick disconnect coupling at its second end for interconnection to said first flexible coupling. 
     
     
         26 . The pressure control stack of  claim 16 , wherein said spool includes a quick disconnect coupling at its first end for interconnection to said first flexible coupling. 
     
     
         27 . The pressure control stack of  claim 16 , wherein said second flexible coupling is at least one of a flexible bellows, a spherical joint, a rubber joint, and a flexible conduit. 
     
     
         28 . The pressure control stack of  claim 16 , wherein said first flexible coupling comprises an upper tube and a lower tube that are in communication with a transition ring, wherein said annular drilling device is interconnected to said upper tube in a one-piece configuration, and wherein said sealing element is associated with said upper tube. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a fluid delivery coil positioned about said housing; and a heat exchanger associated with said fluid delivery coil. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said housing includes a wall with a helical coil; and a heat exchanger associated with said helical coil.