METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION DURING RIG PUMP OPERATION

摘要

A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations is disclosed. The method includes lhe steps of providing fluid from a reservoir through a drill string, circulating the fluid from the drill string to an ann.upsilon.lus between the drill string and the wellbore, isolating pressure in the annulus, measuring pressure in the annulus, calculating a set point backpressure, applying back pressure to the annulus based on thc set point back pressure, diverting fluid from the annulus to a controllable choke, eontrollably bleeding off pressurized fluid from the annulus, separating solids from the fluid, and directing the fluid back to the reservoir. An apparatus for maintaining pressure in a wellbore during drilling operations that includes an adjustable choke for eontrollably bleeding off pressurized fluid from the wellbore annulus. a backpressure pump for applying a calculated set point backpressure, and a processor for controlling the adjustable choke and backpressure pump is also disclosed.