Modular drilling fluid control system

Abstract

A drilling fluid control system ( 100 ) has subsystem modules ( 102 A- 102 H), an output ( 104 ) and an input ( 106 ) connected with interconnecting conduit ( 110 ). Each subsystem module ( 102 A- 102 H) has a function. The subsystem modules ( 102 A- 102 H) may be an active mud pit module ( 102 A), a mud mixing module ( 102 B), a chemical storage module ( 102 C), a rig pump module ( 102 D), a back pressure control module ( 102 E), a primary shaker module ( 102 F), a secondary shaker module ( 102 G) and/or a shaker pit module ( 102 H). The subsystem modules ( 102 A- 102 H) with the same function may be interchanged without changing the input ( 102 ), the output ( 102 ) and the interconnecting conduit ( 110 ) of the drilling fluid control system ( 100 ). Additionally, the sub-system modules ( 102 A- 102 H) are configured to fit within intermodal shipping containers.

1 . A system comprising:
 subsystem modules each having an operational function and internal components associated with the operational function wherein each subsystem module further has a base and a support structure connected to the base to form a frame;   interfaces on the subsystem modules; and   interfacing conduit connecting the subsystem modules.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured to fit within a shipping container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a collapsible support structure connected to support guides connected to the base and extending perpendicularly from the base wherein a portion of the collapsible support structure moves in a first direction relative to the support guides to configure the collapsible support structure in a collapsed position and further wherein the collapsible support structure moves in a second direction relative to the support guides to configure the collapsible support structure in an extended position. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a locking mechanism configured to restrict the collapsible support structure from moving between the collapsed position and the extended position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the interfaces of each subsystem module have at least one of an input, an output or a utility connection. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules having the same operational function are interchangeable with each other. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules are configured so that the base and the support structure are substantially the same for subsystem modules that have the same operational function. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules having the same operational function may be replaced without changing the interfacing conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the interfaces of the subsystem module having the same operational function are located in the same location relative to the subsystem module. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules are stackable. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the base has an interface region extending a length of the base to secure the subsystem module into a shipping container. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an input and an output configured to interface the subsystem modules with a drilling rig. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules are separated into more than one unit with each unit configured to fit within a shipping container. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules are configured to fit within an available space at a drilling site. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the subsystem modules are movable to optimize the operation of the system. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a modular fluid control system, the method comprising:
 attaching subsystem modules to a base and a support structure connected to the base to form a frame wherein each subsystem module has an operational function and internal components associated with the operational function and further wherein each subsystem module has interfaces; and   connecting the interfaces of the subsystem modules with conduit.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 configuring the subsystem modules to optimize the operation of the modular fluid control system. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 connecting an input to receive fluid into one of the subsystem modules and connecting an output to supply fluid to a drilling rig. 
 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 subsystem modules arranged in support frames wherein the subsystem modules each have a function and internal components associated with the function; and   conduit connecting the subsystem modules to provide control of a fluid through the subsystem modules.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the subsystem modules are configured to separate into more than one unit with each unit configured to fit within a shipping container.