Surge control system for managed pressure drilling operations

Abstract

A managed pressure drilling (MPD) system includes a work string having one or more tubulars having an internal flow path. The work string supports a liner string terminating in a liner float. A liner hanger running tool is coupled to the work string uphole of the liner string and the liner float. A selectively operable surge control sub is arranged uphole of the liner hanger running tool, and a selectively operable MPD sub is positioned uphole of the liner hanger running tool and the selectively operable surge control sub. The selectively operable MPD sub is operable to close off the internal flow path to fluid pressure passing uphole from the liner float in a first position during MPD operations and opens the internal flow path to fluid pressure after the liner string reaches a target depth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A managed pressure drilling (MPD) system comprising:
 a work string including one or more tubulars having an internal flow path, the work string supporting a liner string terminating in a liner float;   a liner hanger running tool coupled to the work string uphole of the liner string and the liner float;   a selectively operable surge control sub arranged uphole of the liner hanger running tool; and   a selectively operable MPD sub positioned uphole of the liner hanger running tool and the selectively operable surge control sub, the selectively operable MPD sub being operable to close off the internal flow path to fluid pressure passing uphole from the liner float in a first position during MPD operations and opens the internal flow path to fluid pressure after the liner string reaches a target depth.   
     
     
         2 . The MPD system according to  claim 1 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a housing having an uphole end, a downhole end and a rotatable ball valve arranged between the uphole end and the downhole end. 
     
     
         3 . The MPD system according to  claim 2 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes an actuator member arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the uphole end and a spring, the spring urging the actuator member toward the rotatable ball valve. 
     
     
         4 . The MPD system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: a shear member selectively holding the actuator member in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The MPD system according to  claim 4 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a ball seat arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the downhole end, the shear member securing the ball seat to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The MPD system according to  claim 2 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a tripping member arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the downhole end. 
     
     
         7 . The MPD system according to  claim 6 , wherein the rotatable ball valve includes a recess receptive of the tripping member. 
     
     
         8 . A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
 a surface system including a managed pressure drilling controller;   a host casing extending downhole into a wellbore;   a subsurface system including a work string extending through the host casing into the wellbore, the work string including one or more tubulars having an internal flow path, the work string including a liner string and a liner float;   a liner hanger running tool coupled to the work string uphole of the liner string and the liner float;   a selectively operable surge control sub arranged uphole of the liner hanger running tool;   a selectively operable MPD sub positioned uphole of the liner hanger running tool and the selectively operable surge control sub, the selectively operable MPD sub being operable to close off the internal flow path to fluid pressure passing uphole from the liner float in a first position during MPD operations and opens the internal flow path to fluid pressure after the liner string reaches a target depth.   
     
     
         9 . The MPD system according to  claim 8 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a housing having an uphole end, a downhole end and a rotatable ball valve arranged between the uphole end and the downhole end. 
     
     
         10 . The MPD system according to  claim 9 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes an actuator member arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the uphole end and a spring, the spring urging the actuator member toward the rotatable ball valve. 
     
     
         11 . The MPD system according to  claim 10 , further comprising: a shear member selectively holding the actuator member in the first position. 
     
     
         12 . The MPD system according to  claim 11 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a ball seat arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the downhole end, the shear member securing the ball seat to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The MPD system according to  claim 9 , wherein the selectively operable MPD sub includes a tripping member arranged between the rotatable ball valve and the downhole end. 
     
     
         14 . The MPD system according to  claim 13 , wherein the rotatable ball valve includes a recess receptive of the tripping member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing a managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation comprising:
 performing surge reduction activities during a managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations with an MPD system supported on a work string including a liner hanger running tool, a selectively operable surge control sub, and a selectively operable MPD sub arranged uphole of a liner string;   allowing fluid to freely flow through the liner string into the liner hanger running tool;   dissipating surge pressure via the selectively operable surge control sub positioned below the selectively operable MPD sub without returning fluid up the work string; and   opening the selectively operable MPD sub and closing the selectively operable surge control valve after the liner string has reached a target depth.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein opening the selectively operable MPD sub includes rotating a ball valve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein rotating the ball valve includes applying pressure to an actuator member to break a shear member and release a spring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying pressure to the actuator member includes applying fluid pressure from a surface system onto the rotating ball valve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying pressure to the actuator member includes forcing a ball seat arranged downhole of the rotating ball valve against the hear member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein rotating the ball valve includes engaging the ball valve with a tripping member arranged in the selectively operable MPD sub.