System and method for remotely managing the flow of water through a rotating control device

Abstract

An actuation system for a drill rig, the drill rig having a rig floor, a rotating control device positioned below the rig floor, and a water line in fluid communication with the rotating control device, is provided for management of the flow of water from the water line to the rotating control device from above the rig floor. The actuation system includes a controller positioned above the rig floor, a control valve, and a communication line. The control valve is positioned between the water line and the rotating control device. The control valve is moveable between an open and a closed position. The communication line provides communication between the controller and the control valve so that the control valve manages the flow of water from the water line to the rotating control device.

1 . An actuation system for a drill rig, the drill rig having a rig floor, a rotating control device positioned below the rig floor and in fluid communication with an annulus, and a water line in fluid communication with the rotating control device, the actuation system comprising:
 a control valve positioned between the water line and the rotating control device, wherein the control valve manages the flow of water from the water line into the rotating control device by moving between an open position and a closed position; and   a controller positioned above the rig floor in communication with the control valve such that the controller actuates the control valve between the open position and the closed position,   wherein the actuation system is configured such that, when the control valve is in the open position, water flows into the rotating control device and into the annulus to mix with a drilling mud such that the weight of the drilling mud is reduced.   
     
     
         2 . The actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is a pneumatic valve. 
     
     
         3 . The actuation system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is in communication with the control valve with an air line, the air line providing sufficient fluid communication between the controller and the pneumatic valve to actuate the pneumatic valve between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The actuation system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is an air control valve. 
     
     
         5 . The actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is an electrical solenoid valve in electrical communication with the controller. 
     
     
         6 . An actuation system for a drill rig, the drill rig having a rig floor, a rotating control device positioned below the rig floor and in fluid communication with an annulus, and a water line in fluid communication with the rotating control device, the actuation system comprising:
 a pneumatic valve positioned between the water line and the rotating control device, wherein the pneumatic valve manages the flow of water from the water line into the rotating control device by moving between an open position and a closed position; and   a controller positioned above the rig floor in communication with the pneumatic valve with an air line such that the controller actuates the pneumatic valve between the open position and the closed position with air,   wherein the actuation system is configured such that, when the pneumatic valve is in the open position, water flows into the rotating control device and into the annulus to mix with a drilling mud such that the weight of the drilling mud is reduced.   
     
     
         7 . The actuation system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is an air control valve. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 positioning a rotating control device below a rig floor of a drill rig, the rotating control device in fluid communication with an annulus and a water line;   managing the flow of water from the water line into the rotating control device by moving a control valve positioned between the water line and the rotating control device between an open position and a closed position;   positioning a controller in communication with the control valve above the rig floor such that the controller actuates the control valve between the open position and the closed position;   flowing a drilling mud up through the annulus and into the rotating control device; and   reducing the weight of the drilling mud by communicating from the controller to the control valve to actuate the control valve from the closed position to the open position such that water flows into the rotating control device and the annulus to mix with the drilling mud.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the control valve is a pneumatic valve. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is in communication with the pneumatic valve with an air line such that the controller actuates the pneumatic valve between the open position and the closed position with air. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is an air control valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the control valve is an electrical solenoid valve in electrical communication with the controller.