Riser rotating control device

• US 20060108119A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Bailey, Thomas F., Chambers, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,487,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/341
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/085 Rotatable packing means, e.g. rotating blow-out preventers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/92 Remotely controlled

Abstract

A latch assembly is connectable to a riser. A rotating control device can be positioned with the riser, sealing the rotating control device with the latch assembly and removably latching the rotating control device to the latch assembly and to the riser. The latch assembly can be remotely actuated. The latch assembly can provide an auxiliary safety mechanism to provide a backup actuation mechanism to unlatch the rotating control device from the latch assembly. The latch assembly can be bolted to the riser. Alternately, the latch assembly can be latched with the riser using a similar latching mechanism as used to latch the latch assembly to the rotating control device. A pressure transducer protector assembly can protect a transducer for monitoring wellbore pressure in the riser. A remote indicator panel can indicate the status of the latch assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a latch assembly comprising;

a retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position; and

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the first piston causing the retainer member to move to the latched position when the first piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position,

wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotating control device,

wherein the retainer member latches the rotating control device to the latch assembly when the retainer member is in the latched position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer member is radially compressed to move to the latched position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing section, the latch assembly removably connectable to the housing section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housing section is a riser nipple.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the latch assembly is boltable to the housing section.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, the latch assembly further comprising:

a housing, the housing forming a chamber,

wherein the first piston is positioned within the chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first piston is an annular piston.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first piston is hydraulically actuated to move between the first position and the second position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first piston is an annular piston.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, the latch assembly further comprising:

an inner member; and

an outer member, connected to the inner member and forming a chamber between the inner member and the outer member, the first piston positioned within the chamber.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inner member is threadedly connected to the outer member.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid volume value for hydraulic fluid delivered to the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid volume value to a predetermined fluid volume value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the measured fluid volume value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid volume value.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, the display comprising an indicator light.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, the indicator light comprising a multicolor light,

wherein a first color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is latched to the rotating control device, and

wherein a second color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is unlatched from the rotating control device.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid pressure value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid pressure value to a predetermined fluid pressure value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the measured fluid pressure value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid pressure value.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid flow rate value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid flow rate value to a predetermined fluid flow rate value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

23. The apparatus of claim 22,

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the measured fluid flow rate value is in a first predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the measured fluid flow rate value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 the latch assembly further comprising:

a second piston, positioned with the first piston and movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein moving the second piston to the second position of the second piston urges the first piston into the second position of the first piston.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second piston is hydraulically actuated.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second piston is an annular piston.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

a latch assembly, comprising;

a first latch subassembly, the first latch subassembly comprising;

a first retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position; and

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the first piston causing the first retainer member to move to the latched position when the first piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the first retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position; and

a second latch subassembly, the second latch subassembly comprising;

a second retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position; and

a second piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the second piston causing the first retainer member to move to the latched position when the second piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the second retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a rotating control device,

wherein the first retainer member latches the latch assembly to the rotating control device when the first retainer member is in the latched position.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a housing section,

wherein the second retainer member latches the latch assembly to the housing section when the second retainer member is in the latched position.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the housing section is a riser nipple.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid volume value for hydraulic fluid delivered to the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid volume value to a predetermined fluid volume value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the measured fluid volume value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid volume value.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, the display comprising an indicator light.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, the indicator light comprising a multicolor light,

wherein a first color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is latched to the rotating control device, and

wherein a second color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is unlatched from the rotating control device.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid pressure value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid pressure value to a predetermined fluid pressure value; and

a display coupled to the comparator and adapted to indicate the state of the latch assembly responsive to the comparator.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the fluid pressure value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid pressure value.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid flow rate value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid flow rate value to a predetermined fluid flow rate value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

40. The apparatus of claim 39,

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the fluid flow rate value is in a first predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the measured fluid flow rate value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value.

41. An apparatus, comprising:

a rotating control device, adapted to seal with a housing section; and

a latch assembly, latchable to the rotating control device, sealable with the rotating control device, and adapted to connect to the housing section,

wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to latch the rotating control device with the housing section.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the latch assembly is adapted to bolt to the housing section.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the latch assembly can be remotely actuated to unlatch the rotating control device from the housing section.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, the latch assembly comprising:

a housing, adapted to connect with the housing section; and

a remotely actuated latch, positioned with the housing, the remotely actuated latch latching the rotating control device to the housing.

45. The apparatus of claim 41, the latch assembly comprising:

a retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the retainer member latched with the rotating control device in the latched position; and

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the first piston causing the retainer member to move to the latched position when the first piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the first piston is hydraulically actuated to move between the first position and the second position.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the first piston is an annular piston.

50. The apparatus of claim 45, the latch assembly further comprising:

a second piston, positioned with the first piston and movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein moving the second piston to the second position of the second piston urges the first piston into the second position of the first piston.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the second piston is hydraulically actuated.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the second piston is an annular piston.

53. The apparatus of claim 45, the latch assembly further comprising:

an inner member, adapted to seal with the rotating control device when the rotating control device is positioned with the latch assembly; and

an outer member, connected to the inner member and forming a chamber between the inner member and the outer member, the first piston positioned within the chamber.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the inner member is threadedly connected to the outer member.

55. The apparatus of claim 41, the rotating control device comprising:

a latching formation, adapted to latch with the latch assembly to latch the rotating control device with the latch assembly.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, the latching formation comprising:

an annular groove.

57. The apparatus of claim 41,

the rotating control device comprising:

a shoulder, configured to land on a landing formation of the housing section, limiting downhole positioning of the rotating control device.

58. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is positioned from a drilling platform.

59. The apparatus of claim 41, the latch assembly comprising:

a housing; and

an eyelet, connected to an upper surface of the housing, adapted for positioning the latch assembly.

60. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid volume value for hydraulic fluid delivered to the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid volume value to a predetermined fluid volume value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the measured fluid volume value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid volume value.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, the display comprising an indicator light.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, the indicator light comprising a multicolor light,

wherein a first color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is latched to the rotating control device, and

wherein a second color of the multicolor light indicates the latch assembly is unlatched from the rotating control device.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid pressure value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid pressure value to a predetermined fluid pressure value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the fluid pressure value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid pressure value.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, the latch position indicator system comprising:

a first hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for delivering a hydraulic fluid to the latch assembly;

a second hydraulic fluid line operatively connected to the latch assembly for returning the hydraulic fluid from the latch assembly;

a meter, coupled to the second hydraulic fluid line, the meter measuring a fluid flow rate value for hydraulic fluid returned from the latch assembly;

a comparator configured to compare the measured fluid flow rate value to a predetermined fluid flow rate value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

68. The apparatus of claim 65,

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is latched when the measured fluid flow rate value is in a first predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the display indicates the latch assembly is unlatched when the fluid flow rate value is in a predetermined relative relationship to the predetermined fluid flow rate value.

69. The apparatus of claim 41, the latch assembly comprising:

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position; and

a second piston, positioned with the first piston, movable between a first position and a second position;

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly, comprising;

a first fluid line operatively connected to a first side of the first piston,

a second fluid line operatively connected to a second side of the first piston;

a third fluid line operatively connected to a first side of the second piston;

a first meter, coupled to the first fluid line, measuring a first fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the first side of the first piston;

a second meter, coupled to the second fluid line, measuring a second fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the second side of the first piston;

a third meter, coupled to the third fluid line, measuring a third fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the first side of the second piston;

a first comparator, coupled to the first meter, configured to compare the measured first fluid volume value to a first predetermined fluid volume value;

a second comparator, coupled to the second meter, configured to compare the measured second fluid volume value to a second predetermined fluid volume value;

a third comparator, coupled to the third meter, configured to compare the measured third fluid volume value to a third predetermined fluid volume value;

a first display coupled to the first comparator and the second comparator and adapted to indicate whether the first piston is in the first piston first position or the first piston second position; and

a second display coupled to the third comparator and adapted to indicate whether the second piston is in the second piston first position or the second piston second position,

wherein moving the second piston to the second position of the second piston urges the first piston into the second position of the first piston.

70. The apparatus of claim 69,

wherein the first display indicates the first piston is in the first piston first position when the measured first fluid volume value is in a first relative relationship with the first predetermined volume value,

wherein the first display indicates the first piston is in the first piston second position when the measured second fluid volume value is in a first relative relationship with the second predetermined volume value, and

wherein the second display indicates the second piston is in the second piston first position when the measured third fluid volume value is in a first relative relationship with the third predetermined volume value, and indicates the second piston is in the second piston second position when the measured third fluid volume value is in a second relative relationship with the third predetermined volume value.

71. The apparatus of claim 41, the latch assembly comprising:

a piston, movable between a first position and a second position; and

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly, comprising;

a first fluid line operatively coupled to communicate fluid to a chamber defined by the piston;

a meter, coupled to the first fluid line, measuring a fluid value;

a comparator, coupled to the meter, configured to compare the measured fluid value to a predetermined fluid value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the chamber defined by the piston, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid volume value.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid pressure value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid pressure value.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid flow rate value.

75. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the display indicates the piston is in the first position when the measured fluid value is in a first relative relationship with the predetermined fluid value, and

wherein the display indicates the piston is in the second position when the measured fluid value is in a second relative relationship with the predetermined fluid value.

76. The apparatus of claim 71, the display comprising:

a first indicator adapted to indicate the piston is in the first position; and

a second indicator adapted to indicate the piston is in the second position.

77. An apparatus, comprising:

a rotating control device, adapted to engage a riser nipple; and

a latch assembly, latchable to the rotating control device, sealable with the rotating control device, and adapted to connect to the housing section, comprising;

a retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the retainer member latched with the rotating control device in the latched position; and

a piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the piston causing the retainer member to move to the latched position when the piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the piston is in the second position;

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly, comprising;

a fluid line operatively coupled to communicate fluid to a chamber defined by the piston;

a meter, coupled to the fluid line, measuring a fluid value;

a comparator, coupled to the meter, configured to compare the measured fluid value to a predetermined fluid value; and

a display coupled to the comparator.

wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to latch the rotating control device with the housing section.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the chamber defined by the piston, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid volume value.

79. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid pressure value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid pressure value.

80. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid flow rate value.

81. An apparatus, comprising:

a rotating control device;

a housing section; and

a latch assembly, latchable to the rotating control device and latchable to the housing section,

wherein the latch assembly seals the rotating control device to the housing section when the latch assembly is latched to the rotating control device and the housing section.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to unlatch the rotating control device from the housing section.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, the latch assembly comprising:

a first latch subassembly, latchable to the rotating control device; and

a second latch subassembly, latchable to the housing section.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the first latch subassembly is remotely actuatable to unlatch the rotating control device from the latch assembly.

85. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the first latch subassembly is remotely actuatable to unlatch the rotating control device from the latch assembly while the second latch subassembly is latched to the housing section.

86. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the second latch subassembly is remotely actuatable to unlatch the latch assembly from the housing section.

87. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the second latch subassembly is remotely actuatable to unlatch the latch assembly from the housing section while the first latch subassembly is latched to the rotating control device.

88. The apparatus of claim 83,

the latch assembly comprising:

a housing, adapted to seal with the housing section and to seal with the rotating control device;

the first latch subassembly comprising;

a first remotely actuated retainer member, positioned with the housing, the remotely actuated retainer member latching the rotating control device to the housing.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, the rotating control device comprising:

a latching formation, adapted to latch with the first latch subassembly to latch the rotating control device with the latch assembly.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, the latching formation comprising:

an annular groove.

91. The apparatus of claim 88, the second latch subassembly further comprising:

a first remotely actuated retainer member, positioned with the housing, the remotely actuated latch latching the latch assembly to the housing section.

92. The apparatus of claim 88, the housing section comprising:

a latching formation, adapted to latch with the second latch subassembly to retainer member the latch assembly with the housing section.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, the latching formation comprising:

an annular groove.

94. The apparatus of claim 83, the first latch subassembly comprising:

a first retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the first retainer member latched with the rotating control device in the latched position; and

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the first piston causing the first retainer member to move to the latched position when the first piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the first retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the first retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the first retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

97. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the first piston is hydraulically actuated to move between the first position and the second position.

98. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the first piston is an annular piston.

99. The apparatus of claim 94, the first latch subassembly further comprising:

a second piston, positioned with the first piston and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein moving the second piston to the second position of the second piston urging the first piston into the second position of the first piston.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the second piston is hydraulically actuated.

101. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the second piston is an annular piston.

102. The apparatus of claim 88, the housing comprising:

an inner member, adapted to seal with the rotating control device when the rotating control device is positioned with the latch assembly; and

a first outer member, connected to the inner member and forming a first chamber between the inner member and the first outer member, the first piston positioned within the first chamber.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the inner member is threadedly connected to the first outer member.

104. The apparatus of claim 83, the second latch subassembly comprising:

a second retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the second retainer member latched with the housing section in the latched position; and

a third piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the third piston causing the second retainer member to move to the latched position when the third piston is in the first position and the third piston allowing the second retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the third piston is in the second position.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the second retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

106. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the second retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

107. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the third piston is hydraulically actuated to move between the first position and the second position.

108. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the third piston is an annular piston.

109. The apparatus of claim 104, further comprising a housing, the housing comprising:

an inner member, adapted to seal with the rotating control device when the rotating control device is positioned with the latch assembly; and

a second outer member, connected to the inner member and forming a second chamber between the inner member and the second outer member, the third piston positioned within the second chamber.

110. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein the inner member is threadedly connected to the second outer member.

111. The apparatus of claim 81,

the rotating control device comprising:

a shoulder, configured to land on a landing formation of the housing section, limiting positioning of the rotating control device.

112. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the apparatus is positioned from a drilling platform.

113. The apparatus of claim 81, the latch assembly comprising:

a housing; and

an eyelet, connected to an upper surface of the housing, adapted for positioning the latch assembly.

114. The apparatus of claim 81,

the latch assembly comprising a landing formation;

and

the rotating control device comprising;

a shoulder, configured to land on the landing formation of the latch assembly, limiting positioning of the rotating control device within the latch assembly.

115. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the apparatus is positioned from a drilling platform.

116. The apparatus of claim 114, the latch assembly comprising:

a housing; and

an eyelet, connected to an upper surface of the housing, adapted for positioning the latch assembly.

117. The apparatus of claim 81, the housing section comprising:

an eyelet, connected to an upper surface of the housing section, adapted for positioning the housing section.

118. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the housing section is a riser nipple,

the riser nipple comprising a landing formation;

and

the latch assembly comprising a shoulder, configured to land on the landing formation of the riser nipple, limiting positioning of the latch assembly within the riser nipple.

119. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising:

a pressure transducer protector assembly, comprising;

a housing forming a chamber interior to the housing in fluid communication with a wellbore of the housing section;

a diaphragm, positioned in the housing chamber in fluid communication with the wellbore;

a pressure transducer, positioned in the housing chamber in fluid communication with the diaphragm; and

an electrical connector, electrically coupled to the pressure transducer, adapted for external electrical coupling to the pressure transducer,

whereby fluid pressure in the wellbore can be externally monitored.

120. The apparatus of claim 119, the housing comprising:

a first section, forming a first chamber in fluid communication with the wellbore; and

a second section, forming a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber when the first section is connected to the second section,

wherein the first chamber and the second chamber form the housing chamber,

wherein the diaphragm is positioned in the first chamber, and

wherein the pressure transducer is positioned in the second chamber.

121. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the first chamber is perpendicular to the second chamber.

122. The apparatus of claim 119, wherein the housing chamber extends through the housing section to the wellbore.

123. The apparatus of claim 119, the housing section comprising:

a passage having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening to the wellbore,

wherein an opening in the housing chamber is in fluid communication with the second opening of the passage.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the second opening is in an exterior surface of the housing section.

125. An apparatus, comprising:

a rotating control device;

a housing section;

a latch assembly, latchable to the rotating control device and latchable to the housing section, comprising;

a piston; and

a latch position indicator system, remotely coupled to the latch assembly, comprising;

a fluid line operatively coupled to a chamber defined by the piston;

a meter, coupled to the fluid line, measuring a fluid value;

a comparator, coupled to the meter, configured to compare the measured fluid value to a predetermined fluid value; and

a display coupled to the comparator,

wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to latch the rotating control device with the housing section, and

wherein the latch assembly seals the rotating control device to the housing section when the latch assembly is latched to the rotating control device and the housing section.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, the latch assembly further comprising:

a retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position,

wherein the piston is movable between a first position and a second position, the piston causing the retainer member to move to the latched position when the piston is in the position and the piston allowing the retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the piston is in the second position.

127. The apparatus of claim 126, wherein retainer member latches the latch assembly to the rotating control device when the retainer member is in the latched position.

128. The apparatus of claim 126, wherein retainer member latches the latch assembly to the housing section when the retainer member is in the latched position.

129. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid volume value for fluid delivered to the piston, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid volume value.

130. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid pressure value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid pressure value.

131. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the measured fluid value is a measured fluid flow rate value, and

wherein the predetermined fluid value is a predetermined fluid flow rate value.

132. The apparatus of claim 126, wherein the display indicates the retainer member is in the latched position when the measured fluid value is in a first relative relationship to the predetermined fluid value, and

wherein the display indicates the retainer member is in the unlatched position when the measured fluid value is in a second relative relationship to the predetermined fluid value.

133. A method, comprising the steps of:

connecting a latch assembly to a housing section;

positioning a rotating control device with the latch assembly;

latching the rotating control device to the latch assembly; and

sealing the rotating control device to the latch assembly.

134. The method of claim 133, the step of positioning a rotating control head with the latch assembly comprising:

moving the rotating control device into the latch assembly; and

landing a shoulder of the rotating control device on a landing formation of the latch assembly.

135. The method of claim 133, the step of connecting a latch assembly to a housing section comprising:

bolting the latch assembly to the housing section.

136. The method of claim 133, the step of latching the rotating control device to the latch assembly comprising:

radially moving a retainer member inward from the latch assembly; and

engaging the retainer member with a latching formation of the rotating control device.

137. The method of claim 136, the step of radially moving a retainer member inward from the latch assembly comprising:

moving a first piston from a first position to a second position; and

urging the retainer member radially inward with the first piston.

138. The method of claim 136, the step of radially moving a retainer member inward from the latch assembly comprising:

compressing the retainer member radially inward with the first piston.

139. The method of claim 136, wherein the retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

140. The method of claim 136, wherein the retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

141. The method of claim 137, the step of moving a first piston from a first position to a second position comprising:

hydraulically actuating the first piston to move from the first position to the second position.

142. The method of claim 137, the step of moving a first piston from a first position to a second position comprising:

remotely actuating the first piston to move from the first position to the second position.

143. The method of claim 137, the step of radially moving a retainer member inward from the latch assembly further comprising:

urging the first piston towards the second position of the first piston with a second piston.

144. The method of claim 143, the step of urging the first piston towards the second position of the first piston with a second piston comprising:

hydraulically actuating the second piston to move from a first position to a second position.

145. The method of claim 143, the step of urging the first piston towards the second position of the first piston with a second piston comprising:

remotely actuating the second piston to move from a first position to a second position.

146. The method of claim 137, further comprising the steps of:

unlatching the rotating control device from the latch assembly; and

removing the rotating control device from the latch assembly.

147. The method of claim 146, the step of unlatching the rotating control device from the latch assembly comprising:

moving the first piston from the second position to the first position; and

allowing the retainer member to move radially outward away from the rotating control device.

148. The method of claim 147, the step of allowing the retainer member to move radially outward comprising:

expanding the retainer member away from the rotating control device.

149. The method of claim 147, the step of moving the first piston from the second position to the first position comprising:

hydraulically actuating the first piston to move from the second position to the first position.

150. The method of claim 147, the step of moving the first piston from the second position to the first position comprising:

remotely actuating the first piston to move from the second position to the first position.

151. The method of claim 133, the step of connecting a latch assembly to a housing section comprising:

positioning the latch assembly with the housing section;

latching the latch assembly with the housing section; and

sealing the latch assembly with the housing section.

152. The method of claim 151, the step of positioning the latch assembly with the housing section comprising:

landing a shoulder of the latch assembly on a landing formation of the housing section.

153. The method of claim 151, the step of latching the latch assembly with the housing section comprising:

radially extending a retainer member from the latch assembly; and

engaging the retainer member with a latching formation of the housing section.

154. The method of claim 153, the step of radially extending a retainer member from the latch assembly comprising:

moving a third piston from a first position to a second position in the latch assembly; and

urging the retainer member radially outwardly with the third piston.

155. The method of claim 153, the step of radially extending a retainer member from the latch assembly comprising:

radially expanding the retainer member.

156. The method of claim 154, the step of moving a third piston from a first position to a second position in the latch assembly comprising:

hydraulically actuating the third piston to move from the first position to the second position.

157. The method of claim 154, the step of moving a third piston from a first position to a second position in the latch assembly comprising:

remotely actuating the third piston to move from the first position to the second position.

158. The method of claim 154, further comprising the steps of:

unlatching the latch assembly from the housing section; and

removing the latch assembly from the housing section.

159. The method of claim 158, the steps of unlatching the latch assembly from the housing section comprising:

moving the third piston from the second position of the third piston to the first position of the third piston; and

allowing the retainer member to move radially inward away from the housing section.

160. The method of claim 154, the step of moving a third piston from a second position of the third piston to a first position of the third piston comprising:

hydraulically actuating the third piston to move from the second position to the first position.

161. The method of claim 154, the step of moving a third piston from a second position to a first position comprising:

remotely actuating the third piston to move from the second position to the first position.

162. The method of claim 133, the step of positioning a rotating control device with the latch assembly comprising:

connecting a cable to an eyelet on the rotating control device; and

lowering the rotating control device with the cable.

163. The method of claim 133, the step of connecting a latch assembly to a housing section comprising:

connecting a cable to an eyelet on the latch assembly; and

lowering the latch assembly with the cable.

164. An apparatus, comprising:

a latch assembly adapted to connect to a riser nipple and adapted to removably latch to a rotating control device stabbed into the riser nipple.

whereby the rotating control device can be sealed with and latched to the riser nipple.

165. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the latch assembly is boltable to the riser nipple.

166. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to latch with and unlatch from the rotating control device.

167. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the latch assembly is remotely actuatable to latch with and unlatch from the riser nipple.

168. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the latch assembly can be remotely hydraulically actuated to latch with and unlatch from the riser nipple.

169. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the latch assembly is hydraulically actuated.

170. The apparatus of claim 164, the latch assembly comprising:

a first retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the first retainer member latched with the rotating control device in the latched position; and

a first piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the first piston causing the first retainer member to move to the latched position when the first piston is in the first position and the first piston allowing the first retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the first piston is in the second position.

171. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein the first retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

172. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein the first retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

173. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein the first retainer member is biased radially outwardly.

174. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a second piston, positioned with the first piston and movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein moving the second piston to the second position of the second piston urges the first piston into the second position of the first piston.

175. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a landing formation, adapted to limit downward movement of the rotating control device.

176. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a landing shoulder, configured to interengage with the riser nipple to limit downward movement of the latch assembly.

177. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a seal positioned on an inward-facing surface of the latch assembly, adapted to seal the latch assembly with the rotating control device.

178. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a seal positioned on an outward-facing surface of the latch assembly, adapted to seal the latch assembly with the riser nipple.

179. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

a second retainer member, radially movable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the second retainer member latched with the riser nipple in the latched position; and

a third piston, movable between a first position and a second position, the third piston causing the second retainer member to move to the latched position when the third piston is in the first position and the third piston allowing the second retainer member to move to the unlatched position when the third piston is in the second position.

180. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the second retainer member is a C-shaped ring.

181. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the second retainer member is a plurality of spaced-apart dog members.

182. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the second retainer member is biased radially inwardly.

183. The apparatus of claim 170, the latch assembly further comprising:

an eyelet, adapted for positioning the latch assembly.

184. The apparatus of claim 183, wherein the eyelet is mounted with an upper surface of the latch assembly.

185. A riser nipple adapted to latch with a latch assembly, comprising:

a sidewall; and

a passive landing formation on an interior surface of the sidewall for limiting downhole movement of the latch assembly; and

a latching formation on the sidewall for latching with the latch assembly.

186. The riser nipple of claim 185, further comprising:

a passage, opening on a wellbore surface of the sidewall and on an exterior surface of the sidewall, providing fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the riser nipple,

wherein instrumentation for monitoring a predetermined characteristic of the wellbore can be positioned with the passage.

187. A method, comprising the steps of:

positioning a piston in a chamber, the piston movable within the chamber between a first position and a second position;

forming a first opening into the chamber;

forming a second opening into the chamber, the second opening separated from the first opening; and

determining whether the piston is in the first position or the second position, depending on whether the first opening is in fluid communication with the second opening,

wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with the second opening when the piston is in the first position, and

wherein the first opening is not in fluid communication with the second opening when the piston is in the second position.

188. The method of claim 187, the step of determining whether the piston is in the first position or the second position comprising:

delivering a fluid to the first opening;

returning the fluid from the second opening; and

measuring a flow rate of the fluid from the second opening.

189. The method of claim 188, the step of measuring a flow rate of the fluid from the second opening comprising:

measuring the flow rate with a flow meter;

reading the flow meter and producing a measured flow rate value; and

comparing the measured flow rate value to a predetermined flow rate.

190. The method of claim 188, further comprising the steps of:

indicating the piston is in the first position when the measured flow rate value is in a first relative relationship to a predetermined flow rate value; and

indicating the piston is in the second position when the measured flow rate value is in second relative relationship to the predetermined flow rate value.

191. The method of claim 187, the step of determining whether the piston is in the first position or the second position comprising:

delivering a fluid to the first opening through a first fluid line;

returning the fluid from the second opening; and

measuring a pressure of the fluid in the first fluid line.

192. The method of claim 191, the step of measuring a pressure of the fluid in the first fluid line comprising:

placing a pressure meter in the first fluid line;

reading the pressure meter, producing a measured pressure value;

comparing the measured pressure value with a predetermined pressure value.

193. The method of claim 191, further comprising the steps of:

indicating the piston is in the first position when the measured pressure value is in a first relative relationship to a predetermined pressure value; and

indicating the piston is in the second position when the measured pressure value is in second relative relationship to the predetermined pressure value.

194. A method, comprising the steps of:

delivering a fluid to a first side of a piston for moving the piston from a first position to a second position;

measuring a volume of fluid delivered to the first side of the piston producing a measured fluid volume value; and

comparing the measured fluid volume value to a predetermined volume value.

195. The method of claim 194, the step of measuring a volume of fluid comprising:

measuring the fluid with a totalizing flow meter;

reading the totalizing flow meter, producing the measured fluid volume value.

196. The method of claim 194, further comprising the steps of:

indicating the piston is in the first position when the measured fluid volume value is in a first relative relationship to the predetermined volume value; and

indicating the piston is in the second position when the measured fluid volume value is in a second relative relationship to the predetermined volume value.