METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A STREAM OF INERT GASES IN UNDERBALANCED DRILLING OF A WELL BORE

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for use inunderbalanced drilling of a well bore. A stream ofsubstantially inert gases is provided by cooling,treating and compressing a stream of exhaust gases. Theexhaust gases are cooled to a temperature less than 100°Fin a quench tower and a heat exchanger. The cooled gasesare treated to reduce their acid content and thencompressed to a pressure suitable for underbalanceddrilling. The compressed exhaust gases can then be usedas the drilling fluids. They may or may not be mixedwith atmospheric air or drilling mud.