Chad Davis Hollier

US Patent:

20070056740, Mar 15, 2007

Filed:

Sep 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/222650

Inventors:

Chad Hollier - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/36

US Classification:

166357000

Abstract:

A cuttings processing system processes return fluid recovered while drilling a wellbore at an offshore location. The processing system includes a separator having an inlet receiving the return fluid, an accelerator coupled to the inlet that accelerates the return fluid, and a conical spinning member that receives the accelerated return fluid from the accelerator and applies a centrifugal force to the return fluid. The acceleration provides the return fluid with a tangential velocity that substantially matches the rotational speed of the conical spinning member. The separator also has a liquid discharge port that discharging the substantially liquid component to a tank or pipe and a solids discharge opening that discharges the substantially solid component out of the separator. In one embodiment, a conveyance device transports the solids component from the separator to a selected location on the offshore facility.

US Patent:

20120031680, Feb 9, 2012

Filed:

May 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/104592

Inventors:

Chad Hollier - Lafayette LA, US

International Classification:

E21B 21/06

US Classification:

175206

Abstract:

A combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus, for placement within the inspection hatch of a conventional drill cuttings box, is disclosed. The combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus has a central cuttings stream inlet conduit, disposed within a larger air stream outlet conduit. The air stream outlet conduit is sized to closely engage the diameter of the inspection hatch when inserted into the hatch opening. The annulus between the two conduits forms a flow area for air to exit the cuttings box. In use, the combined apparatus is easily inserted into the hatch opening of the cuttings box, preferably with a gasket between the apparatus and the hatch opening, and is held in place by the cuttings/air stream. When the cuttings box is full, the apparatus is simply pulled out and inserted into an empty cuttings box.

US Patent:

20120216416, Aug 30, 2012

Filed:

Aug 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/505399

Inventors:

Chad Hollier - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph Cyprian Templet - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

Environmental Drilling Solutions, LLC - Maurice LA

International Classification:

F26B 17/00
F26B 19/00

US Classification:

34 58, 34 90

Abstract:

A compact, skid mounted system for handling of solids generated in wellbore operations. A cuttings drying unit and solids/liquid separator are mounted on a skid. A feed auger moves wet cuttings from the discharge on a rig to the cuttings drying unit. A first discharge auger moves the dried cuttings discharged from the cuttings drying unit to a disposal point, which may be a container such as a cuttings box. The fluid discharge from the cuttings dryer is routed to a solids/liquid separator. A second discharge auger moves the solids discharge from the separator to a disposal point. The liquid discharge from the solids/liquid separator is routed back to the fluids circulating system on the rig. The augers are mounted on the skid such that they can be rotated to within the width of the skid for transport, then rotated out to discharge the solids away from the skid.