SECTION 6
DIVERTER SYSTEMS
• General Operating Principles
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Diverter Systems
Diverter systems were designed to direct wellbore fluids away from the rig if surface
gas was encountered during top hole drilling and unconsolidated formations inhibit
the use of the BOP stack due to the danger of an underground blowout. Modern
drilling practice would be to close the well in with the BOP regardless of the
consequences underground as this is considered a safer option than bringing any gas
to surface. (Rigs have been lost where surface gas ignited). Nevertheless, diverters are
still standard equipment on all drilling units
A typical diverter system will have a nominal MWP of 500 psi and comprise of the
following major components:
• Diverter housing. A fixed housing mounted under the rotary table to which the
flowline is connected.
• Diverter assembly. The diverter is connected to the top of the telescopic joint
inner barrel and is supported by, and locked into, the diverter housing. Contains a
hydraulically operated packer which can seal around the drill string and isolate the
wellbore from the rig floor.
• Flowline. Large diameter pipe (12"+) through which returns from the well are
directed, normally to the shale shakers.
• Overboard lines. Two lines, the same diameter as, and connected to, the flowline.
Used to direct well returns away from the rig when the diverter is actuated. The
two lines will point in opposite directions, ie, port / starboard or forward / aft so
that returns can be diverted down wind.
• Shaker valve. Knife or ball valve in the flowline which closes when the diverter is
actuated to isolate the wellbore from the shakers.
• Overboard valves. Knife or ball valves in the overboard lines which open when
the diverter is actuated to direct well returns away from the rig.
• Control system. Hydraulic control system used to function the diverter and
associated valves. Normally incorporated in with the BOP control system.
Recommendations for diverter systems are given in API RP 53 Recommended
Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, and API RP
64 Recommended Practices for Diverter Systems Equipment and Operations.
Both publications have recommendations for the diverter control system such that "
the wellbore flow cannot at any time be completely closed in" (RP 53) or "the well
will not be shut in with the diverter system" (RP 64).
When the diverter packer is functioned closed, the control system should be
sequenced so that the shaker valve automatically closes and one or both of the
overboard valves automatically open. If both overboard valves open, the upwind one
will be subsequently closed (not automatically). If the system only opens one
overboard valve, the downwind valve should be pre-selected to open.
During diverter operations it may also be necessary to increase the operating pressure
on the telescopic joint packer to maintain the seal. This is not usually an automatic
function.
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Port Overboard Valve
Shaker Valve
Diverter
Starboard Overboard Valve
Fig.1 Typical Flowline Arrangement
Port Overboard valve
Shaker Valve
Diverter
Starboard Overboard Valve
Fig.2 Alternative Flowline Arrangement
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ABB Vetco CSO Diverter
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Hydril FS 21-500 Marine Diverter
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ABB Vetco (Regan) Type KFDS Insert Diverter
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