APPARATUS AND METHOD RELATING TO MANAGED PRESSURE DRILLING

Abstract

An actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members having a central longitudinal axis. The actuatable actuable sealing mechanism comprises an elastomeric seal, an axially moveable actuating sleeve member (1400, 2400, 3020) and a radially moveable activating member. The activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism between an unsealed state and a sealed state. When it is in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the said radial direction to seal the fluid channel.

Claims

1. An actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members having a central longitudinal axis, the actuatable sealing mechanism comprising: an elastomeric seal, an axially moveable actuating sleeve member; and a radially moveable activating member; wherein the activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism between an unsealed state and a sealed state, whereby in the unsealed state the activating member does not move the actuating sleeve member sufficiently in a first axial direction to axially compress the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in a radial direction to seal the fluid channel, and in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the said radial direction to seal the fluid channel.

2. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial inwards direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state, and in the unsealed state the activating member does not move the actuating sleeve member sufficiently in a first axial direction to axially compress the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in a first radial direction to seal the fluid channel, and in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the first radial direction to seal the fluid channel.

3. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the elastomeric seal is adapted, when permitted to do so, to inherently return to its original shape of the unsealed state, and in doing so, force the actuating sleeve member to axially move back to its original position in the unsealed state, when the activating member is moved in a second radial direction to return it to the unsealed state.

4. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel is an annulus between the two tubular members and both the elastomeric seal and the actuating sleeve member are ring-shaped, and wherein the actuating sleeve member is adapted to make contact with the elastomeric ring shaped seal at all points around its circumference, such that the elastomeric seal can provide a seal around the entire annulus.

5. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the elastomeric ring-shaped seal and the ring-shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member are arranged such that they share a central axis, the central axis projecting through the centre of the elastomeric ring-shaped seal and the ring-shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member such that each is radially disposed from the central axis on substantially the same radius from the central axis.

6. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first axial direction is in a direction parallel to the central axis of the elastomeric seal and the actuating sleeve member.

7. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the first axial direction is movement of the actuating sleeve member in an axial direction toward the seal, and a first radial direction is perpendicular to the first axial direction, radially outward from or radially inward towards the central axis.

8. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric ring-shaped seal has one of an internal or external surface which is shaped to register with a surface of the fluid channel to be sealed, such that the elastomeric seal is configured to expand radially into the fluid channel to be sealed upon axial compression of the elastomeric seal by the axially moveable actuating sleeve member.

9. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the radially moveable activating member is configured to be moved from the unsealed state to the sealed state by a movement mechanism comprising a locking means such that the radially moveable activating member is capable of being pushed from the unsealed state to the sealed state by the movement mechanism and is further capable of being locked in the sealed state by the locking means.

10. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric seal is a first elastomeric seal and the axially moveable actuating sleeve member is a first axially moveable actuating sleeve member, the actuatable sealing mechanism further comprising a second elastomeric seal and a second axially moveable actuating sleeve member.

11. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the radially moveable activating member comprises a tapered face and the axially moveable actuating sleeve member also comprises a tapered face for engagement with the tapered face of the radially moveable activating member.

12. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the radially moveable activating member is moveable in one radial direction when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state and is moveable in the other radial direction when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the sealed state to the unsealed state.

13. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second tubular members comprises a first recessed portion for housing the axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the elastomeric seal.

14. The actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the said two tubular members comprise an inner tubular and an outer tubular, and it is the outer tubular that houses the radially moveable activating member, on its outer surface.

15. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the outer tubular comprises both a recessed portion for housing the axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the elastomeric seal, and also houses the radially moveable activating member.

16. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the elastomeric seal is located around an outer circumference of the inner tubular.

17. The actuatable sealing mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the radially moveable activating member is configured to be moved from the unsealed state to the sealed state by a movement mechanism comprising a locking means such that the radially moveable activating member is capable of being pushed from the unsealed state to the sealed state by the movement mechanism and is further capable of being locked in the sealed state by the locking means; wherein the locking means further comprises a first part of a latch mechanism being provided in association with the radially moveable activating member, and a second part of a latch mechanism being provided in association with the inner tubular, wherein the first and second parts can be engaged to provide a lock therebetween to prevent axial movement occurring between the first and second tubular members, such that the actuatable sealing mechanism provides both a locking and sealing function.

18. A method of sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members comprising the steps of:— providing the actuatable sealing mechanism of claim 1; and moving the radially moveable activating member radially towards a central longitudinal axis of the tubular members, which said radial movement results in axial movement of at least one moveable actuating sleeve member, and which said axial movement results in compression of the elastomeric seal in an axial direction, and which said axial movement results in expansion of the elastomeric seal in a radial direction such that the actuatable sealing mechanism is translated from the unsealed state to a sealed state to seal the fluid channel.

19. An elastically deformable resilient annular seal for installation into an annular groove, wherein in cross-section the seal comprises: a substantially flat tubular surface for contact with a circumferential and flat surface of the annular groove; a convex sealing surface opposite the said flat surface; and a first convex connecting surface and a second convex connecting surface, wherein each of the first and second connecting surfaces connect the convex sealing surface to the said flat surface.

20. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal according to claim 19, wherein the said substantially flat tubular surface is an inner circumferential surface of the seal.

21. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal according to claim 19, wherein the said substantially flat tubular surface is an outer circumferential surface of the seal.

22. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 19, wherein the first convex connecting surface comprises:— a first end which connects it to a first end of the said flat surface; and a second end which connects it to a first end of the convex sealing surface; and the second convex connecting surface comprises:— a first end which connects it to a second end of the said flat surface; and a second end which connects it to a second end of the convex sealing surface.

23. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal according to claim 22, wherein a junction between the first end of the said flat surface and the first end of the first convex connecting surface comprises a rounded corner having a radius thereon.

24. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 23, wherein the junction between the second end of the said flat surface and the first end of the second convex connecting surface comprises a rounded corner having a radius thereon.

25. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 22, wherein the first convex connecting surface comprises a curved surface which gradually arcs from its first end to its second end toward a radius plane such the second end of the first convex connecting surface lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.

26. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 25, wherein the second convex connecting surface comprises a curved surface which gradually curves from its first end to its second end toward the radius plane such the second end of the second convex connecting surface lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.

27. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 25, wherein the convex sealing surface comprises a semioval shape, where the first end curves from the midpoint of the convex sealing surface which is parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the seal towards its first end in a gradually reducing radius until the first end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the first end of the first convex connecting surface on that radius plane.

28. The elastically deformable resilient annular seal of claim 25, wherein the second end of the convex sealing surface curves from the midpoint of the convex sealing surface towards its second end in a gradually reducing radius until the second end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the second end of the second convex connecting surface on that radius plane.

29. An integration joint assembly for use in drilling operations, the integration joint assembly comprising: an integration joint body comprising: a through bore; an upper end adapted for connection with an upper portion of a riser system; and a lower end adapted for connection with a lower portion of a riser system; the integration joint assembly being adapted to permit a tubular work string to pass there through such that there is an annulus created between the inner through bore of the integration joint body and the outer surface of the tubular work string; wherein the integration joint assembly further comprises at least one sealing device adapted in use to provide a seal within the said annulus; and wherein the said at least one sealing device and the integration joint body are adapted such that the said at least one sealing device is capable of being located within the through bore of the integration joint body such that there is a fluid channel located between the inner surface of the through bore of the integration joint body and the outer surface of the said at least one sealing device; and at least one actuable sealing mechanism of claim 1 and being arranged to selectively seal said fluid channel.

30. A method of drilling comprising the step of:— installing the integration joint body of claim 29 in a riser string and running a tubular work string through the through bore thereof.

31. A pipe sealing mechanism for sealing an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the pipe sealing mechanism comprising:— an actuable sealing mechanism of claim 1 and being arranged to selectively seal said fluid channel.

32. A pipe sealing mechanism according to claim 31, wherein two tubulars comprise an inner tubular and an outer tubular, and it is the outer tubular that houses the radially moveable activating member, on its outer surface, the outer tubular comprises both a recessed portion for housing the axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the elastomeric seal, and also houses the radially moveable activating member, and the actuable sealing mechanism is arranged such that inwards radial movement of the activating member firstly axially moves the actuating sleeve member to axially compress and thereby radially expand the elastomeric seal inwards towards the inner tubular until the elastomeric seal seals against an outer circumference of the inner tubular.

33. A method of sealing an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the method comprising the steps of:— providing the pipe sealing mechanism of claim 31; and actuating the pipe sealing mechanism to seal the said annular fluid channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AND INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS

[0128] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

[0129] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first example of an integration joint tubular body (which is not in accordance with the present invention) and which would be located in line in a riser string below a suitable telescopic joint and above a suitable MPD flow spool (both of which are not shown in FIG. 1) and prior to installation therein of a pair of annular packer seals and a rotating control device (RCD) bearing assembly;

[0130] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the integration joint tubular body of FIG. 1 but where a drill pipe string has been run through the through bore of the integration joint body and into the lower portion of the riser string and conventional (ie non-MPD) drilling can be conducted;

[0131] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the integration joint body of FIG. 2 but shows the next stage of operation of the integration joint body following on from that of FIG. 2, where a running tool has been included in the drill pipe string and a lower packer annular seal, upper annular packer seal and RCD bearing assembly are run into the inner through bore of the integration joint body and thus the through bore of the riser string in order to form the integration joint assembly of FIG. 1;

[0132] FIG. 4 shows the next stage of operation of the integration joint body following on from the previous stage of FIG. 3, where FIG. 4 shows the running tool having fully run in the lower annular packer seal, upper annular packer seal and RCD bearing assembly into the through bore of the integration joint body until the lower end of the lower annular packer seal has landed on a load shoulder of the integration joint body such that the lower annular packer seal, upper annular packer seal and RCD bearing assembly are now located in their in-use position but prior to locking into that in-use position;

[0133] FIG. 5 shows the next stage of operation of the integration joint body following on from that shown in FIG. 4, where FIG. 5 shows all locking dogs of the integration joint body have been extended into the through bore of the integration joint body such that they lock the lower annular packer seal, upper annular packer seal and RCD bearing assembly in their locked in-use position and FIG. 5 also shows that the running in tool has been pulled up out of the through bore of the integration joint body to leave the rest of the drill string located therein, such that managed pressure drilling operations can now be conducted;

[0134] FIG. 6 follows on from the stage of operation of FIG. 5 if the operator needs to replace one, more than one or all of the RCD bearing assembly, upper and lower annular packer seal cartridges, where the locking dogs of the integration joint body for the RCD bearing assembly have been retracted and a RCD retrieval tool has been included at the upper end of the drill string and has been run in through the RCD bearing assembly and is ready to retrieve the RCD bearing assembly (the retrieval thereof being shown in FIGS. 7 and 8);

[0135] FIG. 7 follows on from the stage of operation of FIG. 6 and shows the drill string and the retrieval tool have been raised such that the retrieval tool has picked up and lifted the RCD bearing assembly from its in-use position within the integration joint body;

[0136] FIG. 8 shows the next stage on from FIG. 7 where the RCD bearing assembly has been retrieved from and pulled out of the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0137] FIG. 9 shows the stage on from FIG. 8 with the RCD bearing assembly having been pulled out of the riser and further shows an upper annular packer seal retrieval tool having been included in the drill string at the upper end thereof and having been lowered into the through bore of the integration joint body and having been locked in to the retrieval profile of the upper annular packer seal, and this stage of operation is utilised if the upper annular packer seal needs to be retrieved and replaced;

[0138] FIG. 10 shows the next stage of operation on from that of FIG. 9 of the retrieval of the upper annular packer seal, where the upper packer cartridge locking dogs have been retracted;

[0139] FIG. 11 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 10 of the retrieval of the upper annular packer seal where the upper annular packer seal cartridge has been unseated and lifted from the lower annular packer seal cartridge (the latter of which remains in place and which remains energised in order to provide an annular seal);

[0140] FIG. 12 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 11 of the retrieval of the upper annular packer seal, where the upper annular packer seal has been pulled out of the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0141] FIG. 13 shows a next stage on from that of FIG. 12 where this next stage is conducted if the lower annular packer seal requires to be replaced, in which case the retrieval tool is run into the through bore of the integration joint body again until the retrieval tool locks into the retrieval profile of the lower annular packer seal;

[0142] FIG. 14 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 13 of the retrieval of the lower annular packer seal, where the lower packer cartridge locking dogs of the integration joint have been retracted such that the lower annular packer seal cartridge can now be retrieved and pulled out of the through bore of the integration joint body through bore by the retrieval tool;

[0143] FIG. 15 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 14 of the retrieval of the lower annular packer seal, where the retrieval tool has been lifted partly out of the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0144] FIG. 16 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 15 of the retrieval of the lower annular packer seal, where the lower annular packer seal has been lifted and pulled out of the through bore of the integration joint body and therefore at this stage there is no annular seal acting within the annulus of the integration joint body;

[0145] FIG. 17 shows that, following on from the stage of FIG. 16, the stages of FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 have been repeated in order to reinstall a new lower annular packer seal, upper annular packer seal and new RCD bearing assembly into the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0146] FIG. 18 shows an optional stage that can be commenced if an operator wishes to retrieve the RCD bearing assembly and the upper annular packer seal at the same time but also wishes to leave the lower annular packer seal locked in place within the integration joint body through bore and therefore shows a retrieval tool having been run on the top of the drill string into the through bore of the integration joint body and having been locked into a retrieval profile of the upper annular packer seal;

[0147] FIG. 19 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 18 of the retrieval of the RCD bearing assembly and upper annular packer seal, where the RCD bearing assembly locking dogs and the upper annular packer seal cartridge locking dogs have both been retracted;

[0148] FIG. 20 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 19 of the retrieval of the RCD bearing assembly and upper annular packer seal where the RCD bearing assembly and the upper annular packer seal cartridge are unseated from the lower annular packer seal cartridge and have been lifted by the retrieval tool from the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0149] FIG. 21 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 20 where the RCD bearing assembly and upper annular packer seal cartridge have been completely pulled out of the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0150] FIG. 22 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 21 where a new RCD bearing assembly and new upper annular packer seal cartridge have been run-in on a running tool into the through bore of the integration joint body and have been landed on top of the lower annular packer sealed cartridge;

[0151] FIG. 23 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 22 where the locking dogs for both of the RCD bearing assembly and the upper annular packer seal cartridge have been extended in order to lock the RCD bearing assembly and the upper annular packer seal cartridge in place within the through bore of the integration joint body but the running in tool is still located within the through bore of the integration joint body;

[0152] FIG. 24 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 23 where the running in tool has been pulled from the through bore of the integration joint body to leave the rest of the drill string located therein and thus the integration joint body and the RCD bearing assembly are operating in normal conditions where the RCD bearing assembly is sealing the annulus of the integration joint body;

[0153] FIG. 25a shows a cross-sectional view of the lower annular packer seal cartridge as used in the integration joint assembly of FIG. 3;

[0154] FIG. 25b shows a side view of the lower annular packer seal cartridge of FIG. 25a;

[0155] FIG. 26a shows a cross-sectional view of the upper annular packer seal cartridge as used in the integration joint assembly of FIG. 3;

[0156] FIG. 26b shows a side view of the upper annular packer seal cartridge of FIG. 26a;

[0157] FIG. 27a shows a cross-sectional view of the RCD bearing assembly as used in the integration joint assembly of FIG. 3;

[0158] FIG. 27b shows a side view of the RCD bearing assembly of FIG. 27a;

[0159] FIG. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 4 but without the running in tool nor the drill string being present and where the locking dogs of the RCD bearing assembly are retracted and where the upper and lower annular packer seals are de-energised;

[0160] FIG. 29 shows the integration joint assembly of FIG. 28 but where the drill string is present and the upper and lower annular packer seals have been energised around the outer surface of the drill string in order to further seal the annulus of the integration joint assembly;

[0161] FIG. 30 shows a first embodiment of several actuatable sealing mechanisms for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, which each utilise an elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, and which are provided in an integration joint assembly according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, where the actuatable sealing mechanisms are shown in an unlocked and unsealed state;

[0162] FIG. 31 shows a detailed view of the first embodiment of a first actuatable sealing mechanism (in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention) of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 30, where the first actuatable sealing mechanism is in the unlocked and unsealed state and is therefore shown prior to actuation to move the first actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed and unlocked state to a sealed and locked state;

[0163] FIG. 31b shows a simplified cross-sectional but more detailed view of the elastomeric seal 1209a of FIG. 31 being located wholly within the groove recess 1211a when in the unlocked and unsealed state;

[0164] FIG. 32a shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a first seal in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention and which is utilised in the first actuatable sealing mechanism of FIGS. 30 and 31;

[0165] FIG. 32b shows a cross-sectional view of the first seal of FIG. 32a, showing the cross-sectional shape of the first seal and particularly an inner wall of the first seal;

[0166] FIG. 32c shows a more detailed cross-sectional view of the first seal of FIG. 32a, showing the cross-sectional shape of the first seal and particularly the various exemplary dimensions thereof;

[0167] FIG. 33a shows a plan view of a first actuating sleeve of the first actuatable sealing mechanism of FIGS. 30 and 31;

[0168] FIG. 33b shows a cross-sectional view of the first actuating sleeve of FIG. 33a, showing a stepped configuration and tapered face;

[0169] FIG. 33c shows a perspective view of the first actuating sleeve of FIG. 33a, showing slots for engagement of pins positioned on the upper packer cartridge assembly;

[0170] FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional view of the first actuatable sealing mechanism of FIGS. 30 and 31, the cross-section taken through a slot in the first actuating sleeve such that the slot and respective pin are shown;

[0171] FIG. 35 shows a detailed view of the first actuatable sealing mechanism of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 30, as the first actuatable sealing mechanism is transitioning from the unsealed and unlocked state to the sealed and locked state;

[0172] FIG. 36 shows a detailed view of the first actuatable sealing mechanism of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 30 in the sealed and locked state;

[0173] FIG. 37 shows a second embodiment of several actuatable sealing mechanisms for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, which each utilise an elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, and which are provided in an integration joint assembly according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, where the actuatable sealing mechanisms are shown in an unlocked and unsealed state;

[0174] FIG. 38 shows a detailed view of the second embodiment of an actuatable sealing mechanism (in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention) of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 37, where the second embodiment of actuatable sealing mechanism is in the unlocked and unsealed state and is therefore shown prior to actuation to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed and unlocked state to a sealed and locked state;

[0175] FIG. 39(a) shows a detailed view of the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 37 but after the actuatable sealing mechanism has transitioned or translated from the unsealed and unlocked state to the sealed and locked state and thus shows the actuatable sealing mechanism of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 37 in the sealed and locked state, but prior to the application of bore pressure against the upstream facing side of the elastomeric seal of the second actuatable sealing mechanism;

[0176] FIG. 39b is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric seal of the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism of FIG. 39a, showing the shear strain experienced by the elastomeric seal when in the sealed and locked state prior to the application of bore pressure against the upstream facing side of the elastomeric seal; FIG. 40a shows a detailed view of the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism of the integration joint assembly of FIG. 37, after the actuatable sealing mechanism has transitioned to the sealed unlocked state as shown in FIG. 39a and also after the application of bore pressure against the upstream facing side of the elastomeric seal;

[0177] FIG. 40b is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric seal of the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism of FIG. 40a, showing the shear strain experienced by the elastomeric seal when it is in the configuration shown in FIG. 40a and thus shows the shear strain experienced by the elastomeric seal when a significant level of bore pressure such as 3000 psi is applied against the upstream facing side of the elastomeric seal;

[0178] FIG. 41a shows a third embodiment of severable actuatable sealing mechanisms for sealing a fluid channel provided between two axially arranged tubular members in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and which each utilise an elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention and which are provided in a pipe sealing mechanism for sealing an expansion barrel having an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe and an outer pipe according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, where the actuatable sealing mechanisms are shown in FIG. 41a in an unlocked and unsealed state;

[0179] FIG. 41b is a perspective side view of the expansion barrel of FIG. 41a;

[0180] FIG. 41c is an end/plan view of the expansion barrel of FIG. 41a;

[0181] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing, in much greater detail, detail B of FIG. 41a and which shows the actuatable sealing mechanism from detail B of FIG. 42 in an unlocked and unsealed state; and

[0182] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the actuatable sealing mechanism shown in detail B of FIG. 41a, but the actuatable sealing mechanism is now in the sealed and locked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTEGRATION JOINT BODY

[0183] FIG. 1 shows a first example of an integration joint body 10 (which is not in accordance with the present invention) which in-use will be included in a riser string by means of an upper end connection 12 which will permit the integrated joint body 10 to be connected to an upper portion of the riser string, typically being the lower end of a suitable telescopic joint (not shown). Additionally, the integration joint body 10 is further provided with a lower end connection 14 which is adapted to be connected to the upper end of a suitable MPD flow spool (not shown) and which is in turn connected to a lower portion of the riser string. The telescopic joint therefore forms an upper part of the riser string such that the telescopic joint is located above the integration joint body 10 which in turn is located above the MPD flow spool within the riser string. The lower end connection 14 is suitably secured to the upper end of the MPD flow spool (not shown) by any suitable means such as welding or other suitable means such as screw threaded connection, etc.

[0184] Moreover, the integration joint body 10 comprises a through bore 16 having an inner through bore surface 18, an outer diameter surface 20 and a side wall 22 such that the integration joint body 10 is generally tubular along its longitudinal length.

[0185] The side wall 22 is generally sealed along its length such that pressurised fluids located within the integration joint body 10 and thus the rest of the riser string are safely contained by and within the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10.

[0186] FIG. 2 shows the next stage of operation of the riser string and in particular the integration joint body 10, whereby a drill string 50 consisting of multiple lengths of drill pipe suitably connected together (and with a BHA (not shown) and a drill bit (not shown) provided at the bottom thereof) having been run or lowered through the integration joint body 10 and down through the lower portion of the riser string located below the integration joint body 10.

[0187] FIG. 2 therefore shows the configuration for conventional drilling (ie with no managed pressure drilling equipment being required nor operated). Accordingly, drilling operations can be conducted from the floating drilling vessel at the surface of the sea (from which the riser string is hung below), where drilling fluid or mud is pumped down through the through bore 52 of the drill string 50 and will exit the drill string 50 at the bottom thereof through the drill bit and the drilling fluid or mud plus drill cuttings will return to the surface of the floating drilling vessel via the annulus 24 located or provided between the outer surface of the drill string 50 and the inner through bore surface 18 of the integration joint body 10 (and the inner through bore surface of the rest of the riser string).

[0188] However, if MPD is required then the system shown in FIG. 2 is the starting point to enable a marine drilling riser to switch to managed pressure drilling and in order to do so, the first few joints of drill pipe are lifted up (such that the drill string is lifted up) and the first few joints of drill pipe are replaced by a running tool 54 such that the running tool 54 is now connected at the very upper end of the drill string 50.

[0189] Next, an operator attaches a lower packer cartridge assembly 100, with an upper packer cartridge assembly 200 located above the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and also attaches an RCD bearing assembly 300 just above the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 to the running tool 54, such that the running tool 54 (and the drill string 50 located below it) are lowered into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 such that the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 are run into the through bore of the telescopic joint and rest of upper portion of the riser system and then into the through bore of the integration joint body 10 in order to form the integration joint assembly 5 in accordance with the present invention and this point in the operation is shown in FIG. 3.

Lower Packer Cartridge Assembly 100—FIG. 25a

[0190] The lower packer cartridge assembly 100 is shown in more detail in FIG. 25a and comprises a lower packer cartridge body 104 being in the form of a substantially tubular body 104 and having a recess 101 provided on its inner through bore surface 105. A lower annular packer seal 102 is located in that recess 101 and a lower packer end cap 106 is securely attached to the lower end of the lower packer cartridge body 104 in order to trap the lower annular packer seal 102 within the recess 101. Accordingly, the lower annular packer seal 102 cannot move longitudinally within the recess 101 but can be forced to move radially inwardly if required by the operator by the operator pumping hydraulic fluid (from a pressurised hydraulic fluid source via lower packer hydraulic fluid extend port 108B formed through the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10 and which is arranged to align in a sealed manner with hydraulic fluid port 108A when the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 is installed and locked in place in the integration joint body 100) into hydraulic fluid port 108A formed in the side wall of the lower packer cartridge body 104 at approximately the mid-longitudinal point of the lower annular packer seal 102.

[0191] The inner through bore surface 105 of the lower packer cartridge body 104 is further provided with a retrieval profile 110 formed therein and which in use can be latched into by the running tool 54 having a suitably configured and co-operating retrieval profile 56 (seen in FIG. 3) latching into the retrieval profile 110. Suitable seals 112 such as O-ring seals 112 are provided on the outer surface of the end cap 106 such that the O-ring seals 112 act against the inner surface 105 of the lower end of the lower packer cartridge body 104 in order to prevent the hydraulic fluid from leaking out of the lower end of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100.

[0192] The lower packer cartridge assembly 100 further comprises a groove 114 formed circumferentially around the outer surface of the lower packer cartridge body 104 where, in use, an operator can extend lower packer cartridge locking dogs 60 through the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10 into the groove 114 in order to longitudinally lock the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 in place at the lower end within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 as will be described subsequently.

[0193] Lower packer cartridge seals 109 (see FIG. 25(a)) are provided on the outer diameter of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 to seal against the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10, to seal the annulus 24 between the outer diameter of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and thereby prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the outer surface of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100.

[0194] Upper Packer Cartridge Assembly 200—FIG. 26a

[0195] The upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is broadly speaking relatively similar to the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, and thus similar components and features of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 to those of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 are indicated with the same reference numeral but with the addition of 100.

[0196] In general terms though, the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is slightly longer along the longitudinal axis than the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and the retrieval profile 210 is formed on the inner through bore surface 207 of the upper packer end cap 206 (instead of being formed on the inner through bore surface 205). In addition, the very lower end of the upper packer end cap 206 is provided with a spigot 216 which further comprises seals such as O-ring seals 217 formed about its outer circumferential surface and which is arranged to project into and therefore seal against (by means of the seals 217) against the inner surface of socket joint 118 provided at the upper end of the lower packer cartridge body 104.

[0197] Upper packer cartridge seals 209 (see FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b)) are provided on the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 to seal against the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 to seal the annulus 24 between the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and thereby prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200.

RCD Bearing Assembly 300—FIG. 27a

[0198] The RCD bearing assembly 300 is best seen in FIG. 27a and comprises an RCD bearing body 306 which is substantially tubular along its longitudinal length and which comprises a lower RCD seal 302 projecting downwards from its lower end and which is connected to the RCD bearing body 306 by a rotatable bearing 305 such that the lower RCD seal 302 can rotate about its longitudinal axis 307 (and therefore the longitudinal axis 17 of the integration joint 10) with respect to the stationary RCD bearing body 306.

[0199] The RCD bearing assembly 300 further comprises an upper RCD seal 304 arranged within a recess 303 within the RCD bearing body 306 where the upper RCD seal 304 is further connected to the RCD bearing body 306 at its upper end by means of a rotatable bearing 308 such that the upper RCD seal 304 can rotate about the longitudinal axis 307 with respect to the stationary RCD bearing body 306. The RCD bearing assembly 300 further comprises a groove or recess 314 formed circumferentially about or around the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 306 where, in use, an operator can extend RCD assembly locking dogs 68 through the side wall 27 of the integration joint body 10 into the groove 314 in order to longitudinally lock the RCD bearing assembly 300 in place at the upper end of the through bore 16 within the integration joint body 10 as will be described subsequently.

[0200] RCD bearing assembly seals 317 are provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 to seal against the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 to seal the annulus 24 between the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and thereby prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 300.

Lower Packer Cartridge Seals 109, Upper Packer Cartridge Seals 209 and RCD Bearing Assembly Seals 317.

[0201] In the first example of an integration joint described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29, the lower packer cartridge seals 109, upper packer cartridge seals 209 and RCD bearing assembly seals 317 are provided on the outer diameter of the respective assemblies 100, 200, 300. The said seals 109, 209, 317 are o-ring seals, wherein each o-ring is formed of a sufficiently resilient material, such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material, such that the o-ring may be compressed or be impinged upon by other components and then rebound sufficiently to perform the sealing function. The lower packer cartridge 100, upper packer cartridge 200, and RCD bearing assembly 300 can move either or both of axially and/or rotationally relative to the telescopic joint or integration joint body 10 preferably without damaging the o-ring or dislodging it from its desired position. This relative movement may however create friction between the o-ring and a wall of the telescopic joint or integration joint body 10. The o-ring may be of a suitable material such that the friction preferably does not damage the o-ring and the compression preferably does not hamper the ability to subsequently create a tight seal when the lower packer cartridge 100, upper packer cartridge 200 and RCD 300 are seated in their desired positions within the integration joint assembly 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0202] An embodiment of an improved integration joint assembly 1005 in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention and utilising at least one actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and which therefore utilises at least one elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, is now described. This embodiment of the integration joint assembly 1005 is broadly speaking in some respects relatively similar to the first integration joint assembly 5 of the first example described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29, and thus similar components and features to those of the first example of an integration joint assembly 5 are indicated with the same reference numeral, but with the addition of 1000.

[0203] Referring now to FIG. 30, the first embodiment of integration joint assembly 1005 in accordance with the present invention comprises an integration joint body 1010, a lower packer cartridge assembly 1100, an upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and eighteen actuatable sealing mechanisms or assemblies in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, of which eight 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b, 1038c, 1038d are shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 30. The cross-section is taken through six of the sealing assemblies 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b with the other two sealing assemblies 1038c, 1038d shown being behind the cross-section line. The eighteen sealing assemblies are arranged in three sets (1), (2), (3) of six equally circumferentially spaced sealing assemblies. Each sealing assembly 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b, 1038c, 1038d comprises a respective radially moveable activating member in the form of a locking dog 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b (not visible for sealing assemblies 1038c, 1038d) which forms part of a respective actuatable sealing mechanism 1070, 1072. 1074, 1076, 1078. As can be seen in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 30, locking dogs of the same set of sealing assemblies are arranged to act upon the same actuatable sealing mechanisms. In this regard, locking dogs 1060a, 1060b of the first set (1) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanisms 1070, 1072; locking dogs 1064a, 1064b of the second set (2) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanisms 1074, 1076; and locking dogs 1068a, 1068b of the third set (3) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanism 1078. Each of the sealing assemblies 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b are in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0204] The sets of sealing assemblies (1), (2), (3) are arranged as follows:

[0205] (1) The first set of sealing assemblies 1030a, 1030b are positioned between the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the upper packer cartridge 1200, and are capable of locking the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 in place within the integration joint body 1010.

[0206] The locking dogs 1060a, 1060b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the integration joint body 1010. The locking dogs 1060a, 1060b are also for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1070, 1072 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010, and to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.

[0207] (2) The second set of sealing assemblies 1034a, 1034b are positioned at the approximate midpoint of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200, and are capable of locking the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 in place within the integration joint body 1010.

[0208] The locking dogs 1064a, 1064b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the integration joint body 1010, and for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1074, 1076 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.

[0209] (3) The third set of sealing assemblies 1038a and 1038b are positioned at the upper end of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the approximate midpoint of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, in such a way that the sealing assemblies 1038a, 1038b are capable of locking the RCD bearing assembly 1300 in place within the integration joint body 1010.

[0210] The locking dogs 1068a, 1068b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and the integration joint body 1010 by locating into a groove 1314 (not shown) provided around the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 1300. The locking dogs 1068a, 1068b are also for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanism 1078 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010, and for actuating an actuatable sealing mechanism (not shown) provided on the circumference of the RCD bearing assembly 1300 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010. Components of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 31.

[0211] The actuatable sealing mechanisms or assemblies 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b in accordance with the present invention provide advantages over the seals 109, 209, 317 used in the first example, and may be implemented in an integration joint assembly preferably instead of, or at least together with, one or more of the seals 109, 209, 317 of the first example, as will be further described.

[0212] A detailed view of the sealing assembly 1034a is shown in FIG. 31, but the skilled reader will understand that all of the other sealing assemblies 1030a, 1030b, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b are arranged and are operated in a similar manner. The sealing assembly 1034a and components thereof, can move between two main states of operation—1) an unlocked and unsealed state, and 2) a locked and sealed state. FIG. 31 shows the sealing assembly 1034a in the unlocked and unsealed state, such that the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the integration joint body 1010 are free to move relative to each other (i.e. unlocked state) and an annulus 1024 between the inner surface 1018 (ie the through-bore 1016) of the integration joint body 1010 and the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 is not sealed (ie unsealed state).

[0213] The first actuatable sealing mechanism 1076 shown in FIG. 31 comprises an annular ring-shaped first elastomeric seal 1209a and an annular ring-shaped first actuating sleeve 1400a, and the second actuatable sealing assembly 1074 comprises a ring-shaped second elastomeric seal 1209b and a ring-shaped second actuating sleeve 1400b.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 31, the first and second elastomeric seals 1209a, 1209b are positioned within respective first and second seal grooves 1211a, 1211b formed around the outer circumference of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The first and second seal grooves 1211a, 1211b are radial circumferential recesses within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200, wherein each groove 1211a, 1211b is formed with two orthogonal walls. The grooves 1211a, 1211b are sized such that when the actuatable sealing assemblies 1076, 1074 are in the unlocked and unsealed state, the respective elastomeric seals 1209a, 1209b are housed or located entirely within the grooves 1211a, 1211b such that the elastomeric seals 1209a, 1209b do not protrude out of the groove 1211a beyond the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and thus do not protrude into the annulus 1024 nor contact the integration joint body 1010, and are thus protected within the respective grooves 1211a, 1211b (see FIG. 31b for a detailed view of the elastomeric seal 1209a within the groove recess 1211a when in the unlocked and unsealed state). FIG. 31b shows that for a specific example of the presently described embodiment, the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 is 18.625 inches, the depth of the groove recess 1211a is 0.452 inches and which is the same distance as the depth of the elastomeric seal 1209a. Accordingly, the elastomeric seal 1209a does not protrude out of the groove 1211a beyond the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 but rather is in line with it. It should be noted that the outer diameter of the elastomeric seal 1209a could be less than the depth of the groove 1211a and so it would be even further away from protruding beyond the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and therefore it would be even more protected during e.g. running in but that would have the disadvantage that the elastomeric seal 1209a would need to be radially expanded even further in order to seal against the inner diameter of the integration joint 1010. Accordingly, it is preferred that the outer diameter of the elastomeric seal 1209a is substantially aligned with (i.e. is aligned with or is just slightly shorter than) the depth of the groove 1211a Furthermore, FIG. 31b shows that the width of the groove recess 1211a is 0.750 inches and the inner diameter of the integration joint 1010 is 18.750 inches. Accordingly, FIG. 31b also shows that the annulus 1024 is 0.125 inches. Other suitable dimensions for the various components could of course be used as will be recognised by the skilled person. As discussed above, the skilled person will also realise that the depth of the elastomeric seal 1209a could be slightly less than the depth (which is 0.452 inches) of the groove or recess 1211a as that will also have the advantage that the elastomeric seal 1209a will be even more protected by being more than wholly located within the recess or groove 1211a whilst the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 is being run into the integration joint body 1010.

[0215] The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are positioned within respective first and second actuating sleeve grooves 1405a, 1405b, which are also radial circumferential recesses within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The first and second actuating sleeve grooves 1405a, 1405b are shaped and sized such that the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b can move axially (ie in the direction of Ax to Ax as shown in FIG. 31) within the respective grooves 1405a, 1405b when the sealing assemblies 1076, 1074 move between unlocked/unsealed and locked/sealed states. When the sealing assembly 1034a is in the unlocked/unsealed state, a gap 1224 (as shown in FIG. 34) is formed between the first actuating sleeve 1400a and the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. This gap 1224 allows the first actuating sleeve 1400a to move to impinge upon the first seal 1209a when the sealing assembly 1034a is moved toward/into the locked/sealed state. The gap 1224 may be filled with air, or it may be filled with a lubricating fluid such as hydraulic oil.

[0216] The first and second elastomeric seals 1209a, 1209b are in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention and are substantially compressible in the axial directions (Ax) and have a suitable poisson's ratio such that compression in the axial direction (Ax) will cause a substantially large enough expansion in the radial direction (R) to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 to thereby seal the annulus 1024 there between.

[0217] The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are for contacting and compressing, respectively the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b. The first actuating sleeve 1400a is aligned with the first seal 1209a such that they share a central axis, the central axis projecting through the centre of the first seal 1209a and the first actuating sleeve 1400a, thus allowing the first actuating sleeve 1400a to axially move (ie in the direction Ax to Ax) and impinge upon the first seal 1209a equally at all points around the circumference of the first seal 1209a.

[0218] The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are substantially non-compressible and substantially non-deformable and are configured to move axially (Ax) with respect to the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are typically made from a suitable grade of steel, however any suitable material may be selected.

[0219] Still referring to FIG. 31, the locking dog 1064a is seated within an aperture formed through the side wall 1022 of the integration joint body 1010 and extends through the integration joint body 1010. The locking dog 1064a comprises a radially moveable activating member in the form of a hydraulically operated latch 1410. In the unlocked position shown in FIG. 31, the latch 1410 does not protrude into the annulus 1024, allowing the integration joint body 1010 and the upper packer cartridge 1200 to be free to move relative to each other. The locking dog 1064a is configured to allow hydraulic fluid to be pumped into and out of a first piston reservoir 1215a and a second piston reservoir 1215b via locking dog hydraulic fluid ports 1420a, 1420b, respectively. Such a configuration allows hydraulic lines from the drilling vessel located above the riser string to be connected to the locking dog 1064a such that it can be operated from the drilling vessel. When the latch 1410 is in the locked position the first piston reservoir 1215a can be sealed to create a hydraulic lock, holding the latch 1410 in the locked position.

[0220] The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are spaced apart such that the latch 1410 can be inserted between the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b to move the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially in the direction Ax from the unsealed state to the sealed state. It will be understood with reference to FIG. 31 that when the latch 1410 is inserted between the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b, the first actuating sleeve 1400a moves axially in a first direction (up hole in this embodiment), and the second actuating sleeve 1400b moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction (downhole in this embodiment).

[0221] Still referring to FIG. 31, the latch 1410 has a first dimension D1 corresponding to the distance the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are spaced apart in the unsealed state, and a second dimension D2 corresponding to the distance the first and second actuating sleeves 1209a, 1209b are spaced apart in the sealed state. The upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 is configured to receive the latch 1410 in a slot 1214 which allows the latch 1410 to lock the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and integration joint body 1010 together such that they are prevented from being able to move relative to each other (i.e. the sealed and locked state of FIG. 36).

[0222] FIG. 32a shows a perspective view of the first seal 1209a, and FIG. 32b shows a cross-sectional view of the first seal 1209a. The first seal 1209a comprises an inner surface 1430 which is flat in cross sectional view (FIG. 32b). The inner surface 1430 is registered with the cylindrical shape of the first seal groove 1211a, such that the inner surface 1430 of the first seal 1209a can be positioned and seat in the first seal groove 1211a in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200.

[0223] The flat inner surface 1430 assists in ensuring that compression of the first seal 1209a axially causes radial expansion, radially outwards, to seal the annular gap 1024 between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.

[0224] In the described embodiment, the first elastomeric seal 1209a is made from a sufficiently elastic and resilient material, such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material, with an inner surface 1430 diameter of around 17 inches, an axial dimension (A) of around 0.75 inches and a radial dimension (B) of around 0.452 inches, when in the unlocked and unsealed position. This larger axial dimension (A) than radial dimension (B) also assists in ensuring that the first seal 1209a is configured to sufficiently expand radially when compressed axially, so as to seal the annulus 1024 between the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the integration joint body 1010. FIG. 32c shows further geometry and dimension details of the embodiment of the first elastomeric seal 1209a in accordance with the present invention. In very simplistic terms, the elastomeric seal 1209a can be considered to be “D”-shaped in cross section.

[0225] The elastomeric seal 1209a comprises a substantially flat tubular inner circumferential surface or throughbore 1430 for contact with the circumferential and flat outer surface of the annular groove 1211a. It also comprises a convex sealing surface 1432 opposite the said flat surface 1430, where the convex sealing surface 1432 is preferably semioval in shape, curving through 180 degrees on a gradually reducing radius from one end to the other. The elastomeric seal 1209a also comprises a first convex connecting surface 1434 which is preferably of constant radius such as 0.375 inches and a second convex connecting surface 1436 which is also preferably of constant radius such as 0.375 inches. Each of the first 1434 and second 1436 connecting surfaces connect the convex sealing surface 1432 to the said flat surface 1430.

[0226] The mid-point M-M of the depth of the first seal 1209a is shown as having the depth of 0.226 inches and is therefore half of the depth of the first seal 1209a that being 0.452 inches. The mid-point M-M also serves as the transition or juncture between the curvature of the semioval convex sealing surface 1432 which extends all the way round from the first mid-point M (the upper mid-point M shown in FIG. 32c) to the lower mid-point M shown in FIG. 32c. The first convex connecting surface 1434 connects (at its second end) the upper end of the convex sealing surface 1432 at upper mid-point M to a first transition corner C1 (at its first end) which in turn is connected to the upper end of the flat inner surface 1430. The lower mid-point M of the convex sealing surface 1432 forms the second end of the second convex connecting surface 1436 where the other end (the first end) of the second convex connecting surface 1436 comprises a second transition corner C2 which in turn forms the lower end of the flat inner surface 1430. FIG. 32c also shows that the inner diameter of the flat inner surface 1430 is 17.721 inches and the first transition corner C1 and second transition corner C2 each have relatively small radii being 0.040 inches. These rounded transition corners C1 and C2 ensure that there are no sharp corners around the circumference of the elastomeric seal 1209a and therefore the embodiments of the elastomeric seal 1209a have the advantage of having reduced shear stress experienced than otherwise would be the case if that junction had a sharp corner.

[0227] In addition, the convex sealing surface 1432 comprises a varying radius which starts out relatively large at the centre point CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 but starts to reduce in diameter toward each end of the convex sealing surface 1432 as it approaches the junction with each of the first 1434 and second 1436 convex connecting surfaces. In other words, the first convex connecting surface 1434 comprises a curved surface which curves or arcs from its first end (at the junction with C1) to its second end (at its flat or seamless join with the first end of the convex sealing surface 1432) toward a radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal 1209a) such the second end of the first convex connecting surface 1434 lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane. In addition, the second convex connecting surface 1436 comprises a curved surface which curves or arcs from its first end (at the junction with C2) to its second end (at its flat or seamless join with the second end of the convex sealing surface 1432) toward the radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal) such the second end of the second convex connecting surface 1436 lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.

[0228] The semioval shape of the convex sealing surface 1432 means that the first end thereof preferably curves from the midpoint CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 (which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the seal 1209a) towards its first end in a gradually reducing radius until the first end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the first end of the first convex connecting surface in a seamless manner, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal 1209a particularly during axial compression of the seal 1209a.

[0229] Preferably, the second end of the convex sealing surface 1432 curves from the midpoint CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 towards its second end in a gradually reducing radius until the second end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the second end of the second convex connecting surface 1436 in a seamless manner, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This also has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal 1209a particularly during axial compression of the seal 1209a.

[0230] This geometric arrangement of the first seal 1209 has the advantage that it increases the ability of the first seal 1209a to expand radially as the first seal 1209a is compressed axially. In addition, the geometry also assists in enhancing the seal and indeed the movement of the first seal 1209a into the corners of the groove recess 1211a as will be shown subsequently. It will be understood that different dimensions may be used, and may be required with different materials. The first seal 1209a is shown in FIGS. 32a and 32b, however it will be appreciated that the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b are substantially identical.

[0231] Similarly, to the flat inner surface 1430 of the first seal 1209a being registered with the shape of the first seal groove 1211a, the first actuating sleeve 1400a comprises a flat inner surface 1218 which is registered with the cylindrical shape of the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a, such that the first actuating sleeve 1400a can be positioned and seat in the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The corresponding flat inner surface 1218 and first actuating sleeve groove 1405a assist in ensuring that the first actuating sleeve 1400a can move axially within the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200.

[0232] Referring to FIG. 33b (and also shown in FIG. 31), the first actuating sleeve 1400a comprises a tapered shoulder 1213a for engaging with a similarly tapered face 1219a of the latch 1410 of the locking dog 1064a. The tapered face 1219a tapers from the first dimension D1 to the second dimension D2, such that when the latch 1410 is inserted radially into the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 between the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b will be moved axially from the unsealed and unlocked position or state to the sealed and locked position or state.

[0233] Furthermore, the first actuating sleeve 1400a comprises a stepped configuration, wherein registration of the shape of the first actuating sleeve 1400a and the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a allows axial movement of the first actuating sleeve 1400a, and provides a gap 1224 (see FIG. 34) to allow the first actuating sleeve 1400a to move to close that gap 1224 such that a protruding face 1220 will press against the first seal 1209a (not shown).

[0234] Referring now to FIG. 33c, which shows the inner surface 1218 of the first actuating sleeve 1400a further comprising slots 1221 for receiving pins (not shown). FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional view of the first actuating sleeve 1400a through one of the slots 1221 and a corresponding pin 1222. The pin 1222 is mounted in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200, although it will be understood that it could also be an integral part of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The pin 1222 is configured to be smaller than the corresponding slot 1221, to allow the slot 1221, and so the first actuating sleeve 1400a to move with respect to the pin 1222.

[0235] The slot 1221 comprises a first wall 1223a and a second wall 1223b, each wall 1223a, 1223b being for arresting the axial movement of the first actuating sleeve 1400a. In the unsealed and unlocked position, the first actuating sleeve 1400a is arrested from moving further by the pin 1222 contacting the first wall 1223a. In the sealed and locked position, the first actuating sleeve 1400a is arrested from moving further by the pin 1222 contacting the second wall 1223b. The sizing of the pin 1222 and corresponding slot 1221 determines the allowable movement between the unsealed and unlocked position, and the sealed and locked position, and ensures that the first actuating sleeve 1400a cannot fall out of the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a.

[0236] It will be appreciated that, as described with reference to FIG. 30, more than one locking dog 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b may act on a single activating sleeve. For example, in the integration joint assembly 1005 shown in FIG. 30, two locking dogs 1064a, 1064b act on the first actuating sleeve 1400a but there are preferably six locking dogs 1064 equally spaced around the circumference of the integration joint body 1010 in each of sets (1), (2) and (3). In other embodiments, any number of locking dogs may be positioned to act on a single activating sleeve, although typically they will be spaced equally around the circumference of the integration joint body 1010.

[0237] In the unlocked and unsealed state, the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 can be run within the integration joint body 1010, thus allowing the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 to either be installed within or removed from the integration joint body 1010, without any contact between the seals 1209a, 1209b and the integration joint body 1010. This ensures the integrity of the seals 1209a, 1209b and ensures that the seals 1209a, 1209b are not damaged or worn by being run into or pulled from the integration joint body 1010. The same advantage is accorded to the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and RCD bearing assembly 1300 for the same reasons.

Installation and Retrieval of Cartridge Assemblies 100, 200 and RCD Bearing Assembly 300 into and from Through Bore 16 of the Integration Joint Body 10

[0238] FIG. 3 shows the running tool 54 being lowered on the drill string 50 in order to run in the lower 100, upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies and the RCD bearing assembly 300 until such a point that a seat 120 provided at the very lower most end of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 lands on a lower most integration joint load shoulder 26, at which point the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200, RCD bearing assembly 300 and indeed the running tool 54 can move no further down the integration joint body 10 and thus their movement is arrested and they are thus now wholly contained and individually each located co-axially within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. It should be noted that this landing or load shoulder 26 as shown in FIG. 1 is a fixed shoulder on the inner diameter at the lower end of the integration joint body 10 but alternatively it could be provided by for example any other suitable means such as an additional set of retractable dogs (not shown). In any event, the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 is now located in its operative position/location within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. The skilled person will note from FIGS. 3, 2 and 1 that the integration joint body 10 is provided with a series of locking dogs 60, 64, 68 formed through its side wall 22 at longitudinally spaced apart lengths along the integration joint body 10. With respect to the lower most locking dogs 60, these are arranged in use to be aligned with the groove 114 formed around the lower packer cartridge body 104, as shown in FIG. 4. The skilled person will note that in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the various locking dogs 60, 64, 68 are arranged to be retracted such that they do not interfere with the running in of the running tool 54.

[0239] Once the lower seat 120 of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 has landed on the load shoulder 26, the integration joint assembly 5 is complete in that it now comprises the integration joint body 10 and within its through bore are now located the lower and upper packer cartridge assemblies 100, 200 and the RCD bearing assembly 300.

[0240] Indeed, the seals 109, 209 on the outer diameter of the upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridge assemblies are engaged on the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and seals 317 provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 are also engaged on the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 in order to seal the annulus there between.

[0241] The upper RCD seal 304 and lower RCD seal 302 are generally formed of a resilient material such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material and in use will act as a relatively tight sealing ring through which the operator (when conducting MPD operations) will physically push the drill pipe string in order to have the drill pipe string pass through the RCD bearing assembly 300. Accordingly, the lower RCD seal 302 and upper RCD seal 304 are adapted to stretch in the radially outwards direction as the drill pipe string 50 is pushed through them and indeed are adapted to always seal via their respective inner surfaces to the outer surface of the drill pipe string up to the point where the drill pipe string is removed from within their through bore or ultimately up until the point that the upper or lower RCD seals 302, 304 fail. Moreover, because each of the upper 304 and lower 302 RCD seals are provided with their respective bearings 305, 308, the lower 302 and upper 304 RCD seals will rotate with the drill pipe string when it rotates relative to the stationary riser string and integration joint body 10.

[0242] In order to prepare for MPD, the operator will lock the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 in the position as shown in FIG. 5 by actuating at least the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 such that they project inwards through the side wall 22 and into the recess 314 of the RCD bearing assembly 300. In order to increase the safety factor however, the operator will also likely actuate the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 64 such that they project through the side wall 22 and into the recess 201 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200. In addition, to further increase the safety factor, the operator will also likely actuate the lower packer cartridge locking dogs 60 such that they project through the side wall 22 and into the recess 101 of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100.

[0243] Accordingly, the integration joint assembly 5 is now in the configuration as shown in FIG. 5 and indeed is now ready to commence MPD operations. In this configuration, the lower RCD seal 302 is providing the main annular barrier to drill fluid and cuttings flowing back to surface via the goose necks of the MPD flow spool (not shown) up the annulus 24 such that the drilling fluid cannot flow past the lower RCD seal 302 and therefore the drilling fluid is forced out of the MPD flow spool located immediately below the integration joint assembly 5 in accordance with MPD operations. The upper RCD seal 304 is therefore mainly providing redundancy in case the lower RCD seal 302 fails and indeed legislation in many parts of the world requires there to be such redundancy or back up in terms of an additional or back up barrier or seal to the high pressure drilling fluid. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the lower annular packer seal 102 and the upper annular packer seal 202 are not energised and therefore are deflated such that they are not sealing against the outer surface of the drill pipe string 50. However, the upper 202 and/or lower 102 annular packer seals can be actuated/energised in order to seal against the outer surface of the drill pipe string 50 and therefore to seal the annulus 24 if the operator requires/wishes that to happen particularly if for example the operator wishes to pull/change out the RCD bearing assembly 300 and such an operation is shown in FIGS. 6-8; the operator could then run in a new RCD bearing assembly 300 on a suitable running tool.

[0244] FIG. 6 therefore shows the start of an operation to change out the RCD bearing assembly 300 on its own (with both the upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridges being left locked in place in the through bore of the integration joint body 10). In order the start such an operation as shown in FIG. 6, the RCD bearing assembly locking dogs 68 are retracted and this can be done whilst maintain full sealing operation of the energised upper 202 and/or lower 102 annular packer seals. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the running/retrieval tool 54 is run down into the integration joint body 10 until its enlarged lower end 55 passes and squeezes firstly through the upper RCD seal 304 and then through the lower RCD seal 302. The RCD assembly locking dogs 68 are then retracted from their locking engagement with the groove or recess 314 by remote actuation thereof by the operator and this position is now shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the RCD bearing assembly 300 as having been unseated from the upper packer cartridge assembly 200. It should also be noted that the RCD bearing assembly 300 can be lifted either using the dedicated running/retrieval tool 54 or indeed could be lifted back to the floating vessel (not shown) at the surface using the drill pipe collar because the lower RCD seal 302 and indeed the upper RCD seal 304 will seat against the upper surface of a drill pipe collar and because the RCD bearing assembly 300 is unlatched, only the weight of the RCD bearing assembly 300 need be overcome in order to lift the RCD bearing assembly 300 back to the surface through the through bore of the riser string. In any event, the running/retrieval tool 54 is then picked back up until the enlarged lower end 55 seats up against the lower end of the lower RCD seal 302. Because the RCD bearing assembly 300 is no longer locked in place (because the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 have been retracted) the enlarged lower end 55 therefore picks up the RCD bearing assembly 300 and further lifting of the running/retrieval tool 54 will raise the RCD bearing assembly 300 upwards until it exits the upper end of the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 and further lifting will lift it through the through bore of the telescopic joint located above the integration joint body 10 until the RCD bearing assembly 300 can be removed from the running/retrieval tool 54 by the operator at the surface of the moon pool (not shown). FIG. 8 shows the RCD bearing assembly 300 as having exited the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. At this point, the upper 202 and/or lower 102 annular packer seal(s) can continue to be energised or can be de-energised after the RCD bearing assembly 300 has been removed depending on operational requirements and in particular if MPD is concluded, the lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies can be de-energised and pulled from the integration joint body 10 as is now shown in FIGS. 9-16.

[0245] FIG. 9 shows the next stage of operations on from that of FIG. 8 if the operator wishes to remove the upper packer cartridge assembly 200. In such a case, the operator attaches a suitable running/retrieval tool 54 having a suitably shaped retrieval profile 56 arranged to co-operate and engage with the retrieval profile 210 formed on the inner through bore 207 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200. The running/retrieval tool 54 is run initially through the through bore of the telescopic joint (not shown) positioned immediately above the integration joint assembly 5 and into the through bore of the integration joint body 10 and can be run in on the upper end of the drill pipe string 50. The running tool 54 is run in until it locks onto the retrieval groove profile 210 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200. This stage is shown in FIG. 9.

[0246] The operator then remotely actuates the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 68 in order to retract them from engagement with the groove 214 such that the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is no longer locked in place within the integration joint body 10 and this stage is shown in FIG. 10. It should be noted that the unlocking of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 can be achieved whilst maintaining full operation of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 may be energised/de-energised during this process depending on the operational requirements of the operator.

[0247] FIG. 11 shows the next stage of the operation to remove the upper packer cartridge assembly 200, whereby the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is unseated from the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 by pulling the drill pipe string 50 upwards to thereby lift and raise the retrieval tool 54 and thus the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 upwards.

[0248] FIG. 12 shows the next stage whereby the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 has been lifted up and out of the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 such that it will pass through the telescopic joint (not shown) and up to the drill floor of the marine vessel located above the riser string.

[0249] If the operator wishes to remove the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, the retrieval tool 54 is once again run down into the integration joint body 10 on the drill string 50 at the top thereof such that it is run through the telescopic joint (not shown) and into the integration joint body 10. The retrieval tool 54 is moved sufficiently downwards such that its retrieval profile 56 is moved into alignment with the retrieval profile 110 formed by the grooves provided on the inner surface of the through bore 105 of the lower packer cartridge body 104 until the respective profiles 56, 110 are in locking engagement with one another. It should be noted that the retrieval tool 54 and retrieval profile 56 could be the same retrieval tool 54 and retrieval profile 56 that were used to retrieve the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 although it may be that they could be different if operational requirements would find that beneficial. This point in the operation is shown in FIG. 13.

[0250] FIG. 14 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 13, whereby the lower packer cartridge locking dogs 60 have been retracted by the operator remotely actuating them to move them back through the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10 such that they are no longer in engagement with the recess 114 provided in the lower packer cartridge body 104. Thus, the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 is no longer locked in place within the integration joint body 10 by the lower packer cartridge locking dogs 60 and thus the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 can be unseated from the integration joint body 10 by pulling the drill pipe string 50 upwards in order to pull the retrieval tool 54 upwards and this stage in the operation is shown in FIG. 15.

[0251] Continued lifting of the drill pipe string and retrieval tool 54 lifts the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 out of the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 and through the telescopic joint (not shown) to the surface. This stage in the operation is shown in FIG. 16.

[0252] If the operator wishes, the operator can repeat the stages shown in FIGS. 3-5 in order to reinstall new upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridge assemblies and a new RCD bearing assembly 300 in order to reinstall them into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. Indeed, FIG. 17 shows the RCD bearing assembly 300, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and lower packer cartridge assembly 100 as having been reinstalled following the steps of FIG. 3-5.

[0253] In addition, the operator has additional flexibility in that it is possible to remove different combinations of the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridge assemblies depending upon operational requirements.

[0254] For example, the operator can decide to remove the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 as one unit by running the retrieval tool 54 from the surface down through the telescopic joint and into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. The operator can arrange the running/retrieval tool 54 to lock into the grooved recessed profile on the inner diameter surface 205 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and this stage of the operation is shown in FIG. 18.

[0255] The operator will then remotely unlock the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 by retracting them through the side wall 22 and will also instruct the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 64 to retract again by withdrawing them back through the side wall 22 such that the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 are now unlocked with respect to the integration joint body 10. It should be noted that this unlocking can be achieved whilst fully maintaining operation of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100. Moreover, the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 may be energised or de-energised during this stage as shown in FIG. 19 depending on the operational requirements of the operator. FIG. 20 shows the next stage on from FIG. 19 where the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and the RCD bearing assembly 300 are unseated from the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 by pulling up the retrieval tool 54 and drill string 50. FIG. 21 shows the continued pulling of the retrieval tool 54 and thus the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 up out of the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 and through the telescopic joint (not shown) to the surface of the riser string such that the operator can then remove the retrieval tool 54 from the drill string 50. FIG. 22 shows a new upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 having been run into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 on the running/retrieval tool 54 until the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 lands on the upper end of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100. The running/retrieval tool 54 does this by locking its profile 56 to the running/retrieval profile 210 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and running both the running/retrieval tool 54 and the RCD bearing assembly 300 and upper packer cartridge assembly 200 through the through bore of the telescopic joint (not shown) into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. At this point, as shown in FIG. 22, the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 and the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 64 are retracted in order not to impede the progress of the RCD bearing assembly 300 and upper packer cartridge assembly 200 into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. FIG. 23 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 22 in that the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 has landed on the upper end of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 64 are actuated such that they extend into the recess groove 214 (such that the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is locked in place within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10) and the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 are also actuated such that they extend through the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10 and into the recessed groove 314 formed on the outer surface around the circumference of the RCD bearing body 306 such that the RCD bearing assembly 300 is locked in place within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10.

[0256] FIG. 24 shows the next stage on from that of FIG. 23 where the running tool 54 has been withdrawn up through the integration joint assembly 5 and further up through the telescopic joint (not shown) located immediately above the integration joint assembly 5 and back to the surface, such that the operator can now commence MPD again should they wish.

[0257] FIG. 28 shows for clarity purposes another view of the integration joint assembly 5 with the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 all locked in place in the through bore 16 thereof by the respective locking dogs 60, 64, 68 but without the drill string 50 passing there through.

[0258] FIG. 29 again shows the integration joint assembly 5 with the lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies and also the RCD bearing assembly 300 locked in place by their respective locking dogs 60, 64, 68 but also shows the drill string 50 passing through the through bore 16 of the integration joint assembly 5 but also shows that the lower annular packer seal 102 has been energised 102e as has the upper annular packer seal 202e by having hydraulic fluid pumped into the outer surface thereof from the lower 108B and upper 208B packer hydraulic fluid extend ports which are aligned with the respective set of hydraulic ports 108A, 208A such that the lower 102e and upper 202e energised annular packer seals 102, 202 are sealing against the outer surface of the drill string 50 and therefore are providing a seal within the annulus 24 of the integration joint body 10 and thus the riser string.

[0259] Locking and Sealing of the Upper and Lower Packer Cartridge Assemblies 100, 1100, 200, 1200 and RCD Bearing Assemblies 300, 1300 Against the Through Bore 16, 1016 of the Integration Joint Body 10, 1010

[0260] In the first example, the lower packer cartridge seals 109 and upper packer cartridge seals 209 are provided on the outer diameter of the lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies, which respectively seal on the inner diameter of the integration joint body 10 and prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the respective lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies.

[0261] Furthermore, the RCD bearing assembly seal 317 provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300, seals on the inner diameter of the integration joint body 10.

[0262] In the first embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the integration joint body 1010 is locked and sealed with the lower packer cartridge 1100 and upper packer cartridge 1200, and the RCD bearing assembly 1300 if and when present. The method of locking and sealing the upper packer cartridge 1200 with the integration joint body 1010 using the first and second actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 and the locking dogs 1064a, 1064b is now described with reference to FIGS. 31, 35 and 36, but the same method is used when locking and sealing the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the RCD bearing assembly 1300 by using their respective actuatable sealing mechanisms 1070, 1072; 1078 and respective locking dogs 1060a, 1060b; 1068a, 1068b. Firstly, referring to FIG. 31, the operator is able to move upper packer cartridge 1200 relative to the integration joint body 1010, as the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 are in the unsealed and unlocked state. The latch 1410 of the locking dog 1064a is in the integration joint body 1010 and not protruding into the slot 1214 in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200, and therefore not stopping the relative movement of the integration joint body 1010 and the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200.

[0263] This allows the operator to pull components out of the integration joint assembly 1005 for servicing or replacement as required. When the integration joint assembly 1005 is to be reassembled with the lower packer cartridge 1100, upper packer cartridge 1200 and, although not shown in this embodiment, the RCD bearing assembly 1300 or other components, they are run into the integration joint body 1010 until they seat in their respective positions. In this unlocked and unsealed state the seals 1209a, 1209b are not protruding into the annulus 1024 and are not sealing the annulus 1024, and furthermore the seals 1209a, 1209b are retracted into the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and so they are hidden from contact with any components such as the integration joint body 1010, which could damage the seals 1209a, 1209b if they are in contact with, whilst moving relative to, these components.

[0264] When the operator wishes to lock the integration joint body 1010 with the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and seal the annulus 1024, the upper packer cartridge 1200 is moved to the correct position, as shown in FIG. 31, with the latch 1410 of the locking dog 1064a aligned with the slot 1214 in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the tapered faces 1219a, 1219b of the latch 1410 aligned with the respective tapered shoulders 1213a, 1213b of the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. A hydraulic line (not shown) is connected to the first locking dog hydraulic fluid port 1420a and hydraulic fluid is pumped into the first piston reservoir 1215a, thus moving the latch 1410 into the annulus 1024 and towards the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. At the same time hydraulic fluid in the second piston reservoir 1215b is pushed out of the second piston reservoir 1215b through the second locking dog hydraulic fluid port 1420b.

[0265] The first piston reservoir 1215a expands as it fills with hydraulic fluid, and the latch 1410 is pushed between the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and into the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The tapered faces 1219a, 1219b of the latch 1410 engage with the respective tapered shoulders 1213a, 1213b of the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. The direction of the taper of each of the tapered faces 1219a, 1219b and the tapered shoulders 1213a, 1213b, and the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b being configured to be moved axially, allows the latch 1410 to move radially inward into the slot 1214 and push the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially in opposite directions as it passes them.

[0266] As the tapered faces 1219a, 1219b of the latch 1410 push the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially, the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b are compressed in their axial direction by the respective actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. As more hydraulic fluid is pumped into the first piston reservoir 1215a, the latch 1410 continues to be pushed radially inward into the slot 1214 until the second dimension D2 is pushing against the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. The actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 are then in the locked and sealed state (i.e. as shown in FIG. 36).

[0267] FIG. 36 shows the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 in the locked and sealed state after the latch 1410 has pushed the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially. The first and second seal 1209a, 1209b have been compressed axially, which has caused radial expansion into the annulus 1024 and brought the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b into contact with the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.

[0268] In this locked and sealed state, the upper packer cartridge 1200 cannot move axially with respect to the integration joint body 1010, as this movement is arrested by the latch 1410 which is engaged into the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge 1200. The annulus 1024 is sealed by the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b which have expanded radially into the annulus 1024 and contacted the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 to make a fluid tight seal.

[0269] When the operator wishes to unlock and unseal the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 from the locked and sealed state shown in FIG. 36 to the unlocked and unsealed state shown in FIG. 31, the reverse of the above procedure can be performed. Firstly, the second piston reservoir 1215b is filled with hydraulic fluid through the second locking dog hydraulic fluid port 1420b. At the same time, the first piston reservoir 1215a is emptied of hydraulic fluid via the first locking dog hydraulic fluid port 1420a. This moves the latch 1410 radially outward causing the second dimension D2 to disengage from the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b, and allowing the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b to be free to move axially within the confines of the slot 1221 and pin 1222.

[0270] The first and second seals 1209a, 1209b are sufficiently resilient such that the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b will be moved, by the respective seal 1209a, 1209b, axially back to the unsealed and unlocked position as the latch 1410 is moved radially outward (i.e. out of the slot 1214).

[0271] The first and second seals 1209a, 1209b disengage from the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 and are retracted back from protruding into the annulus 1024 as they push the respective first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b back to the unsealed and unlocked position (as the seals 1209a, 1209b expand axially again).

[0272] Finally, as the latch 1410 is moved completely out of the slot 1214 and then out of the annulus 1024 and back into the position shown in FIG. 31, the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and integration joint body 1010 become unlocked. In this unsealed and unlocked state, the integration joint body 1010 and upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 are free to move relative to each other without causing damage to the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b.

[0273] It will be understood that the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 may be implemented with any or preferably all of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b. Furthermore, the locking dogs 60, 64, 68 may be adapted to incorporate actuatable sealing mechanisms as described herein, or indeed locking dogs 60, 64, 68 may no longer be required in some designs of integration joint assemblies if locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b of the first embodiment are used, as these also lock the components inside the integration joint body 1010 whilst providing the sealing function.

[0274] The skilled person will however understand that other embodiments in accordance with the first and/or third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention could use different locking means/different locking dogs/latch arrangements in order to move or activate the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and/or the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b such as by using the weight of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and/or upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and/or RCD bearing assembly 1300. Further alternative embodiments for activating the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and/or the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b could include further modifying the embodiments of the locking means currently provided by the radially moveable activating member in the form of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b and/or modifying the arrangement of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members currently provided by the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b).

[0275] The skilled person will also understand that actuatable sealing mechanisms in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention as described above in relation to the integration joint assembly 1005 of FIGS. 30 to 36 can be used in other tools (ie other than integration joint assemblies or bodies) such a pipeline expansion barrel (which will be described subsequently in relation to FIGS. 41 to 43) without departing from the first aspect of the present invention.

[0276] Additional components and equipment can be added to the integration joint assembly 5 and embodiments of the integration joint assembly 1005 as required such as auxiliary lines (eg choke and kill lines) etc. without departing from the present invention.

[0277] Embodiments of the present invention have the great advantage over conventional integration joints that the integration joint assembly 1005 is much shorter in length than conventional integration joints and therefore, in use, the goose necks of the MPD flow spool will be much higher up the riser string and therefore are closer to the moon pool of the surface vessel thus allowing the operator much easier access to the drilling fluid return hoses that are connected to the goose necks of the MPD flow spool. In addition, whilst the integration joint assembly 1005 can be and is intended for managed pressure drilling, it can additionally be used for gas handling (in which case the RCD bearing assembly 1300 is not required).

[0278] It should also be noted that where the integration joint assembly 1005 is not used in a floating rig application, the integration joint assembly 1005 would not need to be located in line below the telescopic joint but for floating rig applications such as a semi-submersible or drill ship, the integration joint assembly 1005 is typically located within the riser string below the telescopic joint (not shown).

[0279] Embodiments of the present invention also have the advantage that instead of pressurised hydraulic fluid being pumped into the cavity behind each of the lower 1102 and upper 1202 annular packer seals, pressurised gas could instead be pumped into that cavity via the respective hydraulic port 1108A, 1208A from the respective lower 1108B and upper 1208B packer hydraulic fluid extend ports.

[0280] The lower 1100 and upper 1200 packer cartridge assemblies can be used for a wide range of scenarios such as, but not limited to:—

[0281] sealing on the drill pipe string 1050 when the RCD bearing assembly 1300 seals 1302, 1304 fail;

[0282] as a back up to the RCD bearing assembly 1300;

[0283] for stripping drill pipe from the drill pipe string 1050 when removing/replacing the RCD bearing assembly 1300; or

[0284] for gas handling.

[0285] Embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper 1202 and lower 1102 annular packer seals are housed within separate cartridges 1200, 1100 and these cartridges 1100, 1200 are retrievable separately or can be retrieved together from the through bore 1016. In addition, the upper packer cartridge 1200 is additionally designed to have the RCD bearing assembly 1300 landed and housed thereon and this therefore allows the RCD bearing assembly 1300 to land and seal on the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and this feature also allows both the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and RCD bearing assembly 1300 to be run/retrieved from the through bore 16 through the riser string as one unit if desired.

[0286] Embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper and lower packer cartridge assemblies 1200, 1100 provide redundancy and the ability to change the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 whilst maintaining the lower packer assembly 1100 functionality. It would be possible however that modifications could be made to the integration joint assembly 1005 in order to have further packer seals or indeed just one packer seal such as that 1102 contained in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.

[0287] The RCD bearing assembly 1300 can be retrieved from the through bore 1016 whilst maintaining the functionality of both the lower 1100 and upper 1200 packer cartridge assemblies and the cartridge assemblies 1100, 1200 can remain locked in place in the through bore 1016 during removal and replacement of the RCD bearing assembly 1300.

[0288] The embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper packer cartridge 1200 can be retrieved whilst maintaining the functionality of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 which can remain locked in place within the through bore 1016 of the integration joint body 1010. In addition, the upper 1200 and lower 1100 packer cartridge assemblies can be retrieved collectively if desired or alternatively the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 can be retrieved on its own by the operator.

[0289] The locking dogs 1060, 1064, 1068 are incorporated into the integration joint body 1010 to independently lock the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and these locking dogs, 1060, 1064, 1068 are hydraulically driven and extend radially inwards to lock on to their respective locking grooves 1314 in the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and groove 1214 in the upper packer cartridge assembly and locking groove 1114 in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100. Moreover, the locking dogs 1060, 1064, 1068 can function independently or in any combination thereof and thus permit independent locking and unlocking for each of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.

[0290] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 lands on the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 when being installed separately and the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 comprises seals 1217 which seal against the inner surface of the socket joint 1118 once landed in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.

[0291] Embodiments of the present invention have the yet further and important advantage that any one, two or three of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper 1200 and lower 1100 packer cartridge assemblies can be replaced by running them through the through bore of the riser string from and into the through bore 1016 without having to dismantle the riser string and that advantage will provide very significant benefits to an operator.

[0292] Modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0293] For example, the RCD bearing assembly 1300 could be modified to only have one of the upper 1304 or lower 1302 RCD seals (and the second embodiment of integration joint assembly shown in FIGS. 37 to 40 comprises one RCD seal 2302 as will be subsequently described) but it is much preferred to have two such seals for redundancy purposes and indeed many jurisdictions around the world require two such seals due to the potentially high pressure of the drilling fluid to be sealed and the second embodiment of integration joint assembly shown in FIGS. 37 to 40 could in turn be modified to comprise an upper RCD seal as well as the lower RCD seal 2302. In addition, the locking dogs 1060, 1064, 1068 could be replaced by any suitable locking arrangement although a remote locking arrangement would be preferred.

[0294] Referring now to FIG. 37, there is shown a second embodiment of an improved integration joint assembly 2005 in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention. The integration joint assembly 2005 utilises at least one and more preferably several actuatable sealing mechanisms 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and which therefore utilises at least one and more preferably several elastically deformable resilient seals 2209a in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. This second embodiment of the integration joint assembly 2005 is broadly speaking in many respects relatively similar to the first embodiment of the integration joint assembly 1005 described above with reference to FIGS. 30 to 36 and thus similar components and features to those of the first integration joint assembly 1005 in accordance with the present invention and thus similar components and features to those of the first embodiment of an integration joint assembly 1005 are indicated with the same reference numeral but with the further addition of 1000 and unless otherwise subsequently described, operate in a similar manner and therefore may not be described again.

[0295] Referring now to FIG. 37, the second embodiment of integration joint assembly 2005 in accordance with the present invention comprises an integration joint body 2010, a lower packer cartridge assembly 2100, an upper packer cartridge assembly 2200, an RCD bearing assembly 2300 comprising a lower RCD seal 2302 and six actuatable sealing mechanisms or assemblies in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention (more actuatable sealing mechanisms can be provided around the circumference), these being 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b. The six sealing assemblies are arranged in three sets (1), (2), (3). There is a fourth set (4) of locking assemblies 2040a, 2040b which comprise locking dogs 2069a, 2069b but those do not have actuatable sealing mechanisms therein.

[0296] Each sealing assembly 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b comprises a respective radially movement activating member in the form of a locking dog 2060a, 2060b, 2064a, 2064b, 2068a, 2068b which forms part of a respective actuatable sealing mechanism 2070, 2072, 2074, 2076, 2078. It should be noted that the sealing assembly 2038a, 2038b only comprise one actuatable sealing mechanism 2078 provided on its in use lower side. Furthermore, it should be noted that the pair of locking assemblies 2040a, 2040b do not comprise an actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, but rather they are more similar to the locking dog arrangements of the first example shown in FIG. 1.

[0297] Accordingly, and as can be seen in the cross-section view of FIG. 37, locking dogs of the same set of sealing assemblies are arranged to act upon the same actuatable sealing mechanisms. In this regard, locking dogs 2060a, 2060b of the first set (1) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanisms 2070, 2072. Moreover, locking dogs 2064a, 2064b of the second set (2) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanisms 2074, 2076 and locking dogs 2068a, 2068b of the third set (3) both act upon actuatable sealing mechanism 2078. Each of the sealing assemblies 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b are in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0298] The sets of sealing assemblies (1), (2), (3) of the integration joint assembly 2005 are arranged in a similar manner to those of the first embodiment of integration joint assembly 1005. The additional fourth (4) set of sealing assemblies 2040a, 2040b are arranged to actuate their locking dogs 2069a, 2069b respectively into the groove or recess 2314 formed circumferentially about or around the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 2306 but are not arranged to provide a seal against the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 2306 because the RCD bearing body 2306 will be rotating with respect to the integration joint body 2010 when the lower RCD seal 2302 is sealing against the outer surface of the drill pipe string (not shown) which passes there through.

[0299] A detailed view of the part of the sealing assembly 2034a is shown in FIG. 38, but the skilled reader will understand that all of the other sealing assemblies 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b are arranged and are operated in a similar manner. The sealing assembly 2034a and components thereof can move between two main states of operation—1) an unlocked and unsealed state, and 2) a locked and sealed state. FIG. 38 shows the sealing assembly 2034a in the unlocked and unsealed state such that the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and the integration joint body 2010 are free to move relative to each other (ie unlocked state) and the annulus 2024 between the inner surface 2018 (ie the through bore 2016) of the integration joint body 2010 and the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 is not sealed (ie unsealed state).

[0300] The first actuatable sealing mechanism 2076 shown in FIG. 38 comprises an annular ring shaped first elastomeric seal 2209a and an annular ring shaped first actuating sleeve 2400a. It should be noted however that the actuating sleeve 2400a differs from the actuating sleeve 1400a of the first embodiment (ie as shown in FIG. 31) in that the actuating sleeve 2400a comprises a slot 2501 formed all the way through its side wall at one (or more) particular location around its circumference, where the slot 2501 provides access for a bolt 2503 to pass there through, where the bolt 2503 is screwed into a screw threaded bore 2501 formed in the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. The bolt 2503 simply acts to prevent the axially moveable actuating sleeve 2400a from falling out of position around the outer circumference of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200.

[0301] The elastomeric seal 2209a is positioned within a seal groove or recess 2211a formed around the outer circumference of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. The seal groove 2211a is a radial circumferential recess formed within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and is formed with two orthogonal walls. The groove 2211a is sized such that when the actuatable sealing assembly 2076 is in the unlocked and unsealed state, the elastomeric seal 2209a is housed or located entirely within the groove 2211a such that the elastomeric seal 2209a does not protrude out of the groove 2211a beyond the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and thus does not protrude into the annulus 2024 nor contact the integration joint body 2010 and is thus protected within the groove 2211a.

[0302] The actuating sleeve 2400a is positioned within its actuating sleeve groove 2405a which is also a radial circumferential recess within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. The actuating sleeve groove 2405a is shaped and sized such that the actuating sleeve 2400a can move axially within the respective groove 2405a when the sealing assembly 2076 translates or transforms between a) the unlocked and unsealed state and b) the locked and sealed state.

[0303] When the sealing assembly 2034a is in the unlocked/unsealed state, a gap 2224 (as shown in FIG. 38) is formed between the actuating sleeve 2400a and the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. This gap 2224 allows the actuating sleeve 2400a to move to impinge upon the elastomeric seal 2209a when the sealing assembly 2034a is moved toward/into the locked/sealed state. The gap 2224a may be filled with air or it may be filled with a lubricating fluid such as hydraulic oil.

[0304] The elastomeric seal 2209a is identical to the elastomeric seal 1209a as previously described. The locking dog 2064a and the hydraulically operated latch 2410 of the actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a are very similar if not identical to the locking dog 1064a and latch 1410 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 31 and therefore do not require further detail here.

[0305] FIG. 39a shows that the latch 2410 of the locking dog 2064a has moved into the through bore 2016 of the integration joint body 2010 in the radial direction toward the central axis and in doing so has moved the actuating sleeve 2400a axially from the unsealed state to the sealed state. FIG. 39a also shows that the elastomeric seal 2209a has been axially compressed and that action has also caused radial expansion outwards of the elastomeric seal 2209a such that the elastomeric seal 2209a seals the annular gap 2024 between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and the inner surface 2018 of the integration joint body 2010. The inner most end of the latch 2410 has also moved into the recess formed to accept it in the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200, thus axially locking the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 with respect to the integration joint body 2010 because the inner most end of the latch 2410 forms a 90 degree load shoulder to ensure the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 (and the lower packer cartridge assembly cartridge 2100 and the RCB bearing assembly 2300 by means of their respective latches) remain locked in the integration joint body 2010 when required.

[0306] Furthermore, in the second and preferred embodiment of actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a, a recess is cut into the inner diameter of the integration joint body 2010 and is then filled with a suitably hard material 2510 such as inconel or other suitable hard material and the recess 2508 and thus the hard material 2510 are located to be axially aligned with the elastomeric seal 2209a such that the elastomeric seal 2209a is arranged to seal against the hard material 2510 when it is radially expanded outwards. That has the advantage of providing an optimal sealing surface 2510 for the seal 2209a to seal against.

[0307] FIG. 39b shows the shear strain contour lines that the elastomeric seal 2209a experiences when in the locked and sealed state of FIG. 39a but there is no bore pressure acting against the elastomeric seal 2209a, and shows that the shape of the elastomeric seal 2209a has the advantage that it does not experience high levels of shear strain.

[0308] However, FIG. 40a shows the shape that the elastomeric seal 2209a adopts when a relatively high bore pressure, such as 3000 psi, acts against the upstream facing face or downward facing face (ie right hand side as shown in FIG. 40a) of the elastomeric seal 2209a. The wellbore pressure P can be seen in the annulus 2024 to the upstream side (in use downwards side which is to the right hand side of the elastomeric seal 2209a as shown in FIG. 40a).

[0309] The shear strain experienced by the elastomeric seal 2209a when significant bore pressure P, such as 3000 psi, is applied to the upstream side of the elastomeric seal 2209a in the sealed and locked state as shown in FIG. 40a is shown in FIG. 40b and the shear strain contour lines show that the elastomeric seal 2209a is able to withstand the significant stress and strain placed upon it by the bore pressure P, particularly due to its shape as previously described in relation to FIG. 32c. Thus, the elastomeric seal 2209a having the shape as previously described for the elastomeric seal 1209a provides significant advantages over conventional elastomeric seals.

[0310] Accordingly, the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a as hereinbefore described provides yet another embodiment of an actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, in which the latch 2410 of the locking dog 2064a can move radially inwards to cause axial movement of the actuating sleeve 2400a to cause compression of the elastomeric seal 2209a in the axial direction and which thus causes radial expansion of the seal 2209a in the outwards direction toward the sealing surface provided by the hard material 2510 of the integration joint body 2010. Thus, the elastomeric seal 2209a does not directly experience the radial inwards movement of the latch 2410 and thus will not be damaged had such movement been directly applied to it—rather, the intermediate component of the actuating sleeve 2400a has axially compressed the elastomeric seal 2209a to cause the outwards radial expansion thereof.

[0311] A yet further embodiment of an actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two axially arranged tubular members is shown in FIGS. 41 to 43 and which is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. In addition, the actuatable sealing mechanism 3007 of FIG. 41 utilises an elastomeric elastically deformable resilient seal 3015 in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, FIG. 41 shows an expansion barrel assembly 3305 which provides a pipe sealing mechanism for sealing an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe 3012 and an outer pipe 3010 in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present invention.

[0312] The expansion barrel assembly 3305 is particularly suitable for use at various intervals such as every 5-10 kilometres in an offshore or onshore pipeline (not shown) for transport of hydrocarbons, particularly in cold environments where the outdoor temperature can be minus 45° C. and the hydrocarbons fluids flowing inside the pipeline can be in the region of 65° C. Such a temperature difference conventionally causes pipelines to expand and contract and therefore it is useful to have a telescopic joint in the form of an expansion barrel 3005 every 5-10 kilometres. It is however important to be able to provide a seal between the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012 and the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 in order to seal the annular gap 3013 there between. However, such a seal needs to be able to cope with the axial relative movement that will occur between the inner and outer pipes 3010 and 3012. Conventionally, such seals are provided by, for example, O-ring seals but such conventional O-ring seals do not last a sufficient length of time (due to the axial friction acting thereon) before needing to be replaced.

[0313] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal 3015 that can be selectively actuated and de-actuated.

[0314] The expansion barrel assembly 3007 comprises an elastomeric seal 3015 which in many ways is similar to the elastomeric seal 1209a as previously described except that the elastomeric seal 3015 has a much larger diameter (in the region of an outer diameter of 30.875 inches) and more importantly is flipped inside out compared to that elastomeric seal 1209a, in that the elastomeric seal 3015 comprises its flat surface on its outer circumferential face. Otherwise, the elastomeric seal 3015 comprises the same cross-sectional shape as the elastomeric seal 1209a.

[0315] The elastomeric seal 3015 is however located in a groove or recess formed circumferentially around the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 and is arranged such that the elastomeric seal 3015 has its lower end butting against the upwardly directed shoulder 3018 of the groove 3017 such that the upwardly directed shoulder 3018 prevents any further downward movement of the elastomeric seal 3015.

[0316] An axially moveable actuating sleeve member 3020 is located vertically above the elastomeric seal 3015, where the actuating sleeve member 3020 is an annular ring located around the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012 such that there is a sufficient annular gap 3013 there between. The actuating sleeve 3020 has a substantially cylindrical uniform inner surface but on its rear face 3032, the actuating sleeve 3020 comprises upper 3021u and lower 3021L O-ring seals located in suitably sized recesses and which act against the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010. The actuating sleeve 3020 is held captive in the inner bore 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 by a stop plate 3024 which is secured to the upper end of the outer pipe 3010 by a suitable bolt 3022. A locking dog assembly 3023 is provided at six locations around the outer circumference of the outer pipe 3010 toward the upper end thereof, where the locking dog assembly 3023 comprises a radially moveable rod 3028 which can be moved by a suitable movement mechanism such as a hydraulic assembly (not shown), where the radially inner most end of the rod 3028 is coupled to the outer end of a radially moveable activating member 3025 in the form of a latch 3025.

[0317] The outer rear face 3032 of the actuating sleeve 3020 comprises one or more tapered surfaces 3033 and which in use are arranged to, and are shaped to, co-operate with the front leading face 3030 of the latch 3025, where the front leading face 3030 comprises one or more similarly shaped and correspondingly shaped tapered surfaces 3031. The respective tapered surfaces 3031 and 3033 could be any suitable angle but are preferably in the region of 45° to the radial axis. Consequently, inwardly radial movement of the rod 3028 causes similar radially inward movement of the latch 3025 from the open position shown in FIG. 42 toward the actuating sleeve 3020, such that when the respective tapered surfaces 3031 and 3033 meet, the continued inwardly radial movement of the latch 3025 will cause axial movement of the actuating sleeve 3020 in the downwards direction, such that the actuating sleeve 3020 begins to axially compress the elastomeric seal 3015. Such axial compression of the elastomeric seal 3015 will thus cause radially inwards expansion of the elastomeric seal 3015 such that the elastomeric seal 3015 starts to protrude out of the groove 3017 and into the annular gap 3013. Continued downward movement of the actuating sleeve 3020 will cause continued axial compression of the elastomeric seal 3015 and thus cause continued inward radial expansion of the elastomeric seal 3015 until the convex sealing surface that is opposite the flat surface of the elastomeric seal 3015 makes contact with and therefore seals against the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012.

[0318] Thus, the embodiment of actuatable sealing mechanism 3007 shown in FIGS. 41a to 43 provides a means to convert inwards radially movement of the latch 3025 into axial movement of the actuating sleeve 3020 to axially compress the elastomeric seal 3015 in order to radially expand inwards the elastomeric seal 3015. Accordingly, the elastomeric seal 3015 can actuate from the outer pipe 3010 inwardly until it seals against the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012.

[0319] Yet further modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention.