Drilling system with top drive entry port

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for drilling a wellbore. The apparatus includes a housing defining an entry port, and a shaft coupled to the housing and configured to connect to a drill string deployed into the wellbore. The entry port communicates with the drill string via an interior of the shaft, when the shaft is connected to the drill string. The apparatus further includes a sealing device coupled to the housing. The sealing device has a first configuration in which the sealing device is configured to seal with an instrument line received through the entry port, and a second configuration in which the sealing device is configured to seal the entry port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for drilling a wellbore, comprising:
 a housing defining an entry port;   a shaft coupled to the housing and configured to connect to a drill string deployed into the wellbore, wherein the entry port communicates with the drill string via an interior of the shaft, when the shaft is connected to the drill string; and   a sealing device coupled to the housing, wherein the sealing device has a first configuration in which the sealing device is configured to seal with an instrument line received through the entry port, and a second configuration in which the sealing device is configured to seal the entry port.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sheave and a second sheave, the first and second sheaves being coupled to the housing such that the apparatus is liftable via a drill line received through the first and second sheaves, the entry port being positioned between the first and second sheaves. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spool configured to receive the instrument line; and   a sheave to support the instrumented line.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a line-pusher coupled to the housing and configured to push the instrument line through the sealing device, the entry port, the interior of the shaft, and into the drill string. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sealing device is positioned between the housing and the line-pusher. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the line-pusher comprises one or more tracks that are movable to engage and push the instrument line. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a line sheave; and   a pivotable guide configured to receive the instrument line from the line sheave, wherein the pivotable guide has a first guide position in which the pivotable guide directs the instrument line toward the entry port, and a second guide position in which the pivotable guide directs the instrument line away from the entry port.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the pivotable guide extends at least partially between sheaves of a crown block. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mud conduit in the housing, the mud conduit receiving a flow of mud therein, the mud conduit being in communication with the entry port and the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A method for deploying an instrument into a drill string in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 receiving the instrument and an instrument line coupled thereto into a drilling device through an entry port of the drilling device;   sealing the entry port, with the instrument line received therethrough, using a sealing device coupled to the drilling device;   drilling at least a portion of the wellbore using the drilling device, the drilling device being lowered and connected the drill string; and   lowering the instrument through the drill string while drilling the wellbore and while sealing the entry port.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving a flow of mud past the instrument in the drill string. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mud flow is received into a conduit of the drilling device, the conduit being in communication with the entry port, and wherein the sealing device prevents the mud flow from exiting the drilling device via the entry port. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein moving the instrument through the drill string comprises pushing an instrument line attached to the instrument through the entry port. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a line-pusher coupled to the drilling device pushes the line downwards or upwards through the entry port. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 acquiring data in the wellbore using the instrument; and   transmitting the data to a processor located at or near a top surface of the well via an instrument line attached to the instrument.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting data between a processor located at or near a top surface of the well and the instrument in the drill string via the instrument line. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein sealing the entry port comprises actuating an annular seal, one or more pipe rams, one or more blind rams, or a combination thereof, and wherein actuating comprises transmitting a signal by remote control. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein sealing the entry port further comprises actuating one or more shear rams of the sealing device, to shear the instrument line. 
     
     
         19 . A method for deploying an instrument into a drill string in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 receiving the instrument and an instrument line attached thereto into a drilling device through an entry port of the drilling device;   sealing the entry port with the instrument line extending therethrough, using a sealing device coupled to the drilling device; and   applying torque or tension onto the drill string using the drilling device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising lowering the instrument through the drill string by pushing the instrument line therethrough using a line-pusher.