Automated device for measuring drilling mud parameters with two-stage cleaning system
The modular drilling fluid parameter measurement device with a two-stage cleaning system and advanced sensors addresses the limitations of existing technologies by ensuring accurate and timely monitoring of drilling processes, enhancing operational management and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOJ OTVETSTVENNOSTYU TEKHNOLOGII NEPRERYVNYKH IZMERENIJ (OOO TNI)
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the oil and gas production industry, namely to technologies for monitoring and controlling the drilling process, in particular to a device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters, and can be used in the oil and gas industry during well construction.
[0002] It is well known that today, most oil well drilling is carried out in challenging conditions, such as at great depths, with large deviations from the vertical, and in poorly studied rock formations. Therefore, for the successful construction of wells in challenging geological conditions, including exploration and prospecting wells, directional wells with large offsets, and horizontal wells, the need for information support for the drilling process has increased.In particular, the need to obtain all available information about drilling fluid parameters at the current moment has increased, namely, for monitoring and operational management of the drilling process, it is necessary to measure the following drilling fluid parameters, for example: density, temperature, rheological parameters, the ratio of the volume percentage of oil to the volume percentage of water, electrical stability, specific electrical resistance, hydrogen index, mineralization, static shear stress, solid phase concentration and other parameters.
[0003] However, prior art devices for measuring drilling fluid parameters in field conditions are characterized by an insufficient number of measurable parameters, low measurement frequency and speed, complex design and maintenance, short service intervals, and, consequently, insufficient autonomy. Methods for measuring drilling fluid parameters are characterized by complexity, insufficient speed, and insufficient accuracy.
[0004] A device is known that does not have the necessary set of sensors for complete control of liquid parameters in a gravity pipeline, but contains an electroacoustic level transducer and a submersible optical flow velocity sensor for determining its volumetric flow rate (RU 18769 U1, 7 G01F 1 / 66, 08.11.2001).
[0005] The disadvantage of this device is the inability to measure the flow rate of high-density viscoplastic liquids, which include many drilling and cement solutions, the deposition and adhesion of which on the surface of the sensor's optical system leads to blocking the operation of its measuring transducer.
[0006] A device is known for remotely monitoring the parameters of a solution in a drilling rig trough, comprising at least a temperature sensor, solution level and flow rate meters, a density meter including a gamma radiation source and a detection unit rigidly fixed to the outer lower surface of the trough, as well as an electronic signal processing unit and a computer (RU 2085726 C1, E21B 47 / 00, 27.07.1997).
[0007] A disadvantage of this device is the presence of a measuring pipeline connected to the trough, which complicates its design and leads to increased flow measurement error due to incomplete drainage of the solution into the measuring channel. Another disadvantage of the device is the need to use a neutron level sensor, separate from the measuring pipeline installed on the trough. This design, in addition to the high radiation hazard and the difficulty of periodically calibrating the level sensor, significantly complicates installation and removal of the device.
[0008] Thus, a device for monitoring the parameters of a drilling fluid is known from the prior art, comprising a first temperature sensor, a first sensor of specific electrical resistance, installed in a tank with a drilling fluid, a first flow sensor, a first gamma-density sensor, installed at the entrance to the well, a second flow sensor, a second temperature sensor, a second sensor of specific electrical resistance, installed at the exit of the well, a second gamma-density sensor installed at the exit of the well before the cleaning system, the outputs of all sensors are connected to the corresponding inputs of a sensor signal switch, the output of the switch is connected to the input of a microcomputer, the output of which is connected to the display unit.Moreover, a third gamma-density sensor installed after the cleaning system, three neutron sensors of the mass fraction of the liquid phase installed at the well inlet, at the well outlet before the cleaning system and after the cleaning system, a viscosity sensor and a neutron-gamma salinity sensor installed in the tank are additionally introduced, the outputs of all additional sensors are also connected through the corresponding inputs of the sensor signal switch to the input of the microcomputer. (Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2085725, published on July 27, 1997).
[0009] A significant drawback of the known technical solution is the limited number of measurable drilling fluid parameters. Specifically, the known device can only measure the following parameters: temperature, density, electrical resistivity, liquid phase content, and viscosity. This, in turn, prevents full monitoring of the drilling process due to the lack of objective information on the dynamics of changes in rheological and other drilling fluid properties over time and depth. Furthermore, the use of neutron-gamma sensors in the device's design limits its use in the oil and gas production industry due to current radiation safety and occupational health standards.
[0010] The KIBR information and measuring complex, which monitors the well drilling process, and the KSKTs-01 computerized information and measuring station for monitoring well cementing process parameters are known (Volchenko Yu.A. Information and measuring systems for express monitoring of drilling and cementing processes in oil and gas production and oil and gas exploration wells. / / Izvestia of TPU, vol. 305, Tomsk, 2002, issue 5, pp. 58-66). These measuring systems contain pressure and temperature sensors, a solution density meter, a flow meter, a solution conductivity meter, a computing device, and an information board.
[0011] The disadvantages of these measuring systems include the presence of a large number of sources of ionizing radiation that require registration with the Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance authorities (the KIBR complex contains 3 gamma radiation sources, 3 neutron sources; the KSKTs-01 station contains 5 gamma radiation sources), which sharply reduces their attractiveness to potential consumers, as well as the presence of a large number of measuring units, which seriously complicates their installation during work and increases the cost of the system and its maintenance.
[0012] Also known is a system for measuring the flow rate and properties of a drilling mud, comprising pressure and temperature sensors, a mud density meter, a mud conductivity meter and a computing device, located in a single measuring module installed in the main pipeline, wherein the measuring module additionally contains a pressure drop meter on the restriction device, the mud density meter is made in the form of a two-probe gamma densitometer with a low-background gamma radiation source, the computing device ensures the determination and calculation according to a given algorithm of the volumetric flow rate of the mud, the mass flow rate of the mud, the density of the mud, the electrical conductivity or mineralization of the mud, the temperature of the mud, the pressure in the system, the content of the solid phase in the mud, the coefficient of hydraulic losses in the well. (Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2285119, published on 10.10.2006).
[0013] A disadvantage of the known technical solution is the limited number of measured drilling fluid parameters. Specifically, the known device can only measure the following parameters: pressure, temperature, density, electrical resistivity, and solids content. This, in turn, prevents full monitoring of the drilling process due to the lack of objective information on the dynamics of changes in rheological and other drilling fluid properties over time and depth. Furthermore, the use of gamma probes in the device's design complicates and limits the application of the known device and method in the oil and gas production industry due to current radiation safety and occupational health standards.
[0014] A drilling fluid analysis device is known, comprising a fluid channel, a fluid chamber communicating with the fluid channel, a rheology sensor communicating with the fluid chamber, a density sensor, and an electric temperature controller communicating with the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is cooled. The electric temperature controller includes a thermoelectric material that simultaneously creates a heating zone and a cooling zone. (RU Patent No. 2784875, published November 30, 2022).
[0015] The disadvantage of the known device for analyzing drilling mud is the semi-automatic principle of its operation, since the selection of a sample of drilling mud from active circulation and the supply of the selected sample to the device is carried out by the operator, which, in field conditions, affects the speed of measuring the parameters of the drilling mud, due to which it is not possible to organize the fast cyclic operation of the device without involving production personnel at the well, for this reason, when operating the described device, there is no possibility of cyclical (at specified intervals of time, for example, 6-8 minutes) obtaining sufficient information about the dynamics of changes in the properties of the drilling mud during well drilling in time and depth, due to which, in turn, there is no possibility of promptly managing and eliminating problems that arise during the drilling process.Another significant drawback of the device is the limited number of measured drilling fluid parameters, namely density, temperature, and rheological properties. This, in turn, also prevents full monitoring of the drilling process due to the lack of objective information on the dynamics of changes in other drilling fluid properties over time and depth during drilling. Furthermore, the device's design does not allow for rapid flushing and air purging after measuring drilling fluid parameters, leading to inaccurate results regarding time and depth during subsequent measurements during drilling.
[0016] Furthermore, a device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system is known, adopted as the closest analogue, containing a series-connected channel for supplying and discharging drilling mud, a pump, a measuring module (module for measuring rheological parameters of the drilling mud), including at least two pressure sensors and a capillary located between the sensors, a Coriolis flow meter, a tank (module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling mud) with a level sensor, a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a pH and resistivity sensor, a dielectric constant sensor installed inside, as well as a control unit, data collection and determination of drilling mud parameters, connected to the pump with the ability to control it, with pressure sensors of the measuring module for measuring the rheological constants of the drilling mud, a flow meter, a level sensor, a temperature sensor,electrical stability sensor, pH and resistivity sensor, dielectric constant sensor,
[0017] The claimed device may additionally contain at least one pulsation damper installed between the pump and the measuring module.
[0018] The device may further comprise a flow control valve installed between the pump and the measuring module.
[0019] The device container may additionally contain a heating element.
[0020] The device may additionally contain a mixing device in the container.
[0021] The device may additionally contain shut-off valves installed in the channel for supplying and discharging drilling fluid, as well as between the tank and the channel for supplying and discharging drilling fluid, wherein distribution valves with a pneumatic control system may be used as shut-off valves.
[0022] The device may additionally contain a channel for supplying and discharging washing liquid.
[0023] The device may additionally contain a channel for supplying compressed air.
[0024] The device can be placed in a detachable case.
[0025] The control unit, data collection and determination of drilling mud parameters can be housed in a detachable housing.
[0026] The device may additionally include a coarse filter installed upstream of the pump. (RU Patent No. 2798916, published June 28, 2023)
[0027] The disadvantages of the known automated drilling fluid measurement device include low measurement speed and accuracy, which is necessary to obtain sufficient information on the dynamics of drilling fluid properties during well drilling over time and depth. This, in turn, prevents reliable cyclical measurement of drilling fluid parameters, which is necessary for operational management and troubleshooting of problems that arise during the drilling process. Furthermore, significant disadvantages of the device include its large size and the large number of measuring units, which significantly complicates their installation and replacement during operations and increases the cost of the system.
[0028] The objective of the present invention is to create a device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters, which makes it possible to obtain objective information with high accuracy and speed about the dynamics of changes in drilling mud parameters during the drilling process over time and depth.
[0029] The technical result of the invention is the creation of a device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters, ensuring a stable and reliable cyclic process of measuring drilling mud parameters, necessary for operational management and elimination of problems arising during the well drilling process, due to the high accuracy and speed of measurements, as well as a reduction in the cost of the device due to a simplified design.
[0030] The specified technical result is achieved in that the device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system, comprising a housing, a coarse filter, a pump, a pulsation damper installed after the pump, a module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling mud, including at least two pressure sensors and a capillary located between the sensors, a Coriolis flow meter, a module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling mud with a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a resistivity sensor, a dielectric constant sensor, a pH sensor installed inside, as well as a control unit, data collection and determination of the parameters of the drilling mud, connected to the pump with the possibility of controlling it, with pressure sensors of the module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling mud, a flow meter, a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a pH sensor, a resistivity sensor, a dielectric constant sensor,Unlike its closest analogue, it contains a system for direct sampling and discharge of samples from the working capacity of the drilling fluid preparation unit, a two-stage cleaning system including a coarse filter installed at the inlet of the direct sampling and discharge system, and a fine filter installed after the pulsation damper, a flow meter and a module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling fluid are installed in series behind the fine filter, with pressure sensors installed in it in the capillary through tees, in addition, a module for measuring pH and mineralization is additionally installed, including a pH sensor, an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (Cl) and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K), and an anti-bilge tank installed after the module for measuring physical properties, and the control unit, data collection and determination of the parameters of the drilling fluid is made in the form of an industrial programmable logic controller (PLC).
[0031] The technical result is achieved through the described design of the device for automatic measurement of drilling mud parameters, which is made in the form of three modules installed in a housing: a module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling mud, a module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling mud, a module for measuring pH and mineralization, connected to each other by assembly operations.
[0032] Furthermore, the automatic drilling fluid measurement system is equipped with a sampling and discharge system, allowing samples to be collected from the drilling rig's fluid preparation unit's working tank at a desired, adjustable depth. This eliminates the risk of flexible hoses becoming entangled in the mixing device in the working tank and prevents accidental air infiltration, which is unavoidable when using a sampling system based on flexible hoses that float to the surface during active fluid circulation in the working tank. This ensures a stable and reliable cyclical process for measuring drilling fluid parameters.
[0033] In addition, the automatic drilling mud parameter measurement device is equipped with a two-stage drilling mud cleaning system, which prevents clogging of the measuring module channels and improves the reliability and accuracy of measurements, as well as increases the service interval of the device.
[0034] Also, with the help of the proposed device, additional parameters are measured, namely the content of potassium and chlorine ions in the solution.
[0035] The two-stage drilling mud cleaning system consists of a coarse filter installed at the inlet of the sampling and discharge system to ensure filtration of the drilling mud before it is fed to the pump, and an additional fine filter installed after the pump to ensure cleaning of drilling mud from smaller particles and suspended matter.
[0036] The drilling mud rheological parameter measurement module includes at least two pressure sensors and a capillary located between the sensors.
[0037] The pH and mineralization module contains a pH sensor, an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (CI), and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K).
[0038] The drilling mud physical properties measurement module contains a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a resistivity sensor, and a permittivity sensor.
[0039] A drain tank is installed behind the drilling fluid physical properties measurement module. This tank retains the drilling fluid within the physical properties measurement module and prevents it from being emptied by gravity. This also ensures a stable and reliable cyclical process for measuring drilling fluid parameters.
[0040] The described device improves the accuracy and speed of automated measurement of drilling mud parameters (density, temperature), rheological behavior (shear stress dependence on shear rate), rheological parameters (dynamic shear stress, plastic viscosity, consistency index, nonlinearity index, ultimate dynamic shear stress), structural and mechanical properties (viscosity at low shear rate), electrical stability, specific electrical resistance, pH and mineralization, the ratio of the volume percentage of hydrocarbons to the volume percentage of water.
[0041] The design, modified and simplified, specifically the modular construction, simplifies installation and replacement of measuring instruments during operations, significantly reducing costs. This simultaneously ensures high measurement accuracy and speed, as well as a stable and reliable cyclical process for measuring drilling fluid parameters, necessary for operational management and troubleshooting of problems that arise during well drilling.
[0042] The described device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system is installed above the working tank of the drilling mud preparation unit of the drilling rig and is connected to the working tank through a system for collecting and discharging drilling mud samples. Thus, by means of a system for collecting and discharging drilling mud samples and a pump connected to the said system, configured to fill the claimed device with drilling mud, as well as with the ability to regulate the feed rate of the drilling mud using a frequency converter controlled by the automation system, the supply of drilling mud to the described device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system from the working tank of the drilling mud preparation unit of the drilling rig is carried out, and the drilling mud is pumped along the contour of the claimed device,wherein the housing of the claimed device contains a coarse filter, a sample collection and discharge system, a pump, a pulsation damper, a fine filter, a flow meter, a rheological parameter measurement module, a pH and mineralization measurement module including an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (CI) and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K), a module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling fluid, with temperature, electrical stability, resistivity and permittivity sensors installed in it, and an anti-drainage tank, connected in series by means of metal pipes and flexible oil-resistant hoses for supplying and discharging the drilling fluid.
[0043] The pulsation damper installed between the pump and the fine filter provides additional improvement in the accuracy of measuring the rheological characteristics of the drilling mud by minimizing the pressure measurement error associated with the pulsation of the drilling mud flow in the capillary of the drilling mud rheological parameter measuring module caused by the operating characteristics of the screw pump.
[0044] The flowmeter measures the following drilling fluid parameters: density, temperature, and volumetric and mass flow rates. A Coriolis flowmeter increases the reliability of the device, ensuring high accuracy and speed of measurements. A Coriolis flowmeter can consist of a sensor and an electronic signal converter (transducer). The sensor may have two parallel measuring tubes, the ends of which are fixed, with a drive coil mounted between the tubes, creating vibrations in the tubes. Detectors are installed on the sides of the tubes at the inlet and outlet, determining the position of the tubes relative to each other. The operating principle of a Coriolis flowmeter is as follows: the measured fluid (drilling fluid) entering the sensor is divided into equal halves, flowing through the two sensor tubes. The movement of the drive coil causes the tubes to oscillate up and down in opposite directions.When drilling fluid moves through the sensor, a physical phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect occurs. The translational motion of the drilling fluid during the rotation of the sensor tube generates Coriolis acceleration, which in turn generates a Coriolis force. This force is directed against the tube's motion imparted to it by the drive coil. When the tube moves upward during half of its natural cycle, the Coriolis force is directed downward for the fluid entering the sensor. As the fluid passes the bend in the tube, the direction of the force reverses. Thus, in the inlet half of the tube, the force exerted by the fluid resists tube displacement, while in the outlet half, it facilitates it. This causes the tube to bend. When the tube moves downward during the second phase of the vibration cycle, the direction of the bend reverses.The Coriolis force, and therefore the deflection of the sensor tube, is directly proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid. Detectors measure the phase shift as the opposite sides of the sensor tube move. As a result of the deflection of the sensor tubes, the signals generated by the detectors are out of phase. Thus, the signal from the input side lags behind the signal from the output side. The time difference between the signals is measured in microseconds and is directly proportional to the mass flow rate. The greater the phase shift between the signals, the greater the mass flow rate. Thus, flow rate is determined by measuring the time delay between the signals of the electromagnetic transducers, and density is determined by measuring the resonant frequency of oscillations.
[0045] The rheological parameter measurement module is located in the system layout above the flow meter to minimize air intrusion in the system, which affects the accuracy and stability of readings, and also to avoid the influence of the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud column, which also affects the accuracy of rheological readings.
[0046] A rheological parameter measurement module, connected to a flow meter and comprising at least two pressure sensors and a capillary located between the sensors, provides measurement of rheological parameters such as shear stress at various programmatically specified shear rates, dynamic shear stress, plastic viscosity, consistency index, nonlinearity index, and ultimate shear stress of the drilling fluid. The pressure sensors measure the pressure at the capillary inlet and the pressure at the capillary outlet.
[0047] The pressure sensors are installed in the capillary via tees, which allow the pressure sensors to be positioned flush with the inner wall of the capillary. A pressure transducer with a strain gauge sensor, based on a Wheatstone bridge, can be used as a pressure sensor. A flexible piping system, such as an industrial hose made of any known material resistant to drilling fluid components, or any other piping system, such as a rigid metal one, can be used as a capillary.
[0048] The proposed design of the device for automated measurement of drilling fluid parameters allows for the quick replacement of the rheological parameter measurement module with another one with the same operating principle, but with a different internal diameter, which allows the device to maintain the accuracy of rheological parameter measurements over the entire range of drilling fluid viscosities.
[0049] The pH and mineralization module is equipped with a pH sensor, which determines pH (hydrogen index) and temperature, an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (Cl), and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K).
[0050] A pH sensor is any device designed to measure the pH and temperature of a drilling fluid. In one example, a combined pH electrode with a built-in temperature sensor is used as a pH and temperature sensor. This electrode has a built-in reference electrode—a single-key, refillable, ceramic electrolytic silver chloride electrode—and a built-in temperature sensor measuring temperature with an accuracy of 0.1°C. Potentiometric pH determination involves measuring the electromotive force (EMF) of an electrode system, where the ion-selective electrode is a hydrogen ion-sensitive electrode, and the reference electrode is a standard electrode with a known potential (a silver chloride electrode).
[0051] An ion-selective electrode for determining the chloride ion (Cl) content is any device designed to determine the concentration of chloride ions in aqueous solutions. The working range is 5.0-1.0 pH. Linear range is 4.0-1.0 pH. Electrical resistance at (25+ / -3)°C is no more than 1 MOhm. The pH range of the analyzed solution is 3-9 pH. The temperature range of the analyzed solution is 5-50°C. The electrode diameter is no more than 14 mm. Length is no more than 130 mm. Weight is 50 g.
[0052] An ion-selective electrode for determining the potassium ion content (K) is any device designed to measure the activity (concentration) of potassium ions in aqueous media, including soil extracts, natural, mineral and waste water, and biological fluids. The linear range of ion activity determination is 5.0-1.0 pK. The electrical resistance of the electrode at a solution temperature of (20±5)°C is no more than 100 MOhm. The steepness of the calibration characteristic of the electrode in the linear part of the curve at a solution temperature of (20±5)°C is (58±6) mV / pK. Deviation of the calibration characteristic from linearity is ±6 mV. The operating temperature range of the analyzed solution is from 5°C to 45°C. The permissible pH range of the analyzed solution is 2.0-9.0 pH. The overall dimensions of the electrode are, no more than: diameter - 16, length - 160 mm, length of the connecting cable - 750 mm. Electrode weight (excluding cable) is no more than 50 g.
[0053] The drilling mud physical properties measurement module, with a temperature sensor, electrical stability sensor, resistivity sensor, and permittivity sensor installed inside it, provides measurement of the following drilling mud parameters: temperature, electrical stability, specific electrical resistance and / or mineralization, water-to-hydrocarbon ratio and / or hydrocarbon liquid content.
[0054] The temperature sensor installed in the physical properties measurement module shall be understood to mean any device known from the prior art that is designed to measure temperature.
[0055] In one example of implementation, a resistor may be used as a temperature sensor.
[0056] The electrical stability sensor installed in the drilling fluid physical properties measurement module refers to any device known in the art for measuring the electrical stability of drilling fluid. In one embodiment, the electrical stability sensor may be a cylinder made of electrically insulating material with a hole in the base, with electrodes inserted into the walls. Voltage is supplied to the electrodes from a cable running inside the sensor housing.
[0057] A permittivity sensor is any device designed to measure the permittivity of drilling fluid. In one example, a permittivity sensor may consist of two rectangular metal plates in an insulator, spaced a certain distance apart (e.g., 10 mm) and immersed in drilling fluid in a container. The equivalent circuit of such a capacitor is represented by a series connection of two capacitors, with the second capacitor serving as the working dielectric of the drilling fluid.
[0058] The resistivity sensor consists of two electrodes. Two of these electrodes are active and generate an EMF within the liquid being measured. The remaining two electrodes measure the generated EMF.
[0059] The above-described parts of the automatic drilling mud parameter measurement device, namely, the two-stage cleaning system, the drilling mud rheological parameter measurement module, the pH and mineralization module, the drilling mud physical property measurement module and the anti-drainage tank, are housed in a detachable housing, in particular, a dust- and moisture-proof housing, which increases the convenience of its transportation and installation on drilling rigs, and due to the presence of the housing, the reliability and safety of the device can be increased.
[0060] Moreover, the body and the described components of the device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters are made in an explosion-proof design, while ensuring the required class of explosion protection and electrical safety in accordance with the requirements of fire safety in the oil and gas industry and fire safety of offshore facilities of the oil and gas complex, as well as technical regulations (TR TS 012 / 2011).
[0061] The above-described parts of the automated drilling mud parameter measurement device, namely, the drilling mud rheology parameter measurement module, the pH and salinity module, the drilling mud physical property measurement module and the anti-drainage tank are interconnected.
[0062] assembly operations, by means of, for example, flexible or rigid pipes, made of any material known from the prior art.
[0063] The control unit, data collection and determination of drilling mud parameters is designed as an industrial programmable logic controller (PLC).
[0064] PLC controller is a basic element of automation systems for managing technological processes of any industrial enterprise in real time.
[0065] The industrial PLC controller collects information from sensors and other external devices, analyzes it, and transmits it to maintenance personnel at the upper level of the industrial system. Programmed PLC algorithms maintain process performance indicators and prevent emergencies, promptly diagnose and troubleshoot equipment errors, ensure employee safety, and enhance production efficiency.
[0066] A PLC controller connected to a pump, for example, via wires or a cable, with the ability to control it, and also connected, for example, via wires or a cable, with a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a pH sensor, a resistivity sensor and a permittivity sensor, an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (Cl) and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K), a flow meter provides control of a device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters, for example, a pump, in particular its frequency converter.
[0067] The PLC controller also collects data from the temperature sensor, electrical stability sensor, pH sensor, resistivity sensor, permittivity sensor, pressure sensors of the rheology measurement module, ion-selective electrode for determining chloride ion content (Cl), ion-selective electrode for determining potassium ion content (K), and flow meter, and ensures subsequent determination of drilling fluid parameters. After determining the drilling fluid parameters, they can be transmitted via a wired connection to a computer with specialized software installed for monitoring and visualization of the obtained data. The obtained data, in particular the determined drilling fluid parameters, can be sent to a server and transmitted to users via the internet.
[0068] The PLC controller is installed in a detachable housing, in particular, in an explosion-proof design, while ensuring the required class of explosion protection and electrical safety in accordance with the requirements of fire safety in the oil and gas industry and fire safety of offshore facilities of the oil and gas complex, as well as technical regulations (TR TS 012 / 2011).
[0069] The automated drilling mud parameter measurement device developed and described above, featuring a two-stage cleaning system, has compact dimensions. Its simplified design, specifically its modular construction, facilitates installation and replacement of measuring instruments during operation, significantly reducing its cost.
[0070] At the same time, high measurement accuracy, stable and reliable flow of the cyclic process of measuring the parameters of the drilling mud, necessary for operational management and elimination of problems arising during the well drilling process, are ensured.
[0071] The automated drilling mud parameter measurement device with a two-stage cleaning system can operate under the following environmental conditions: temperature range from +5°C to +60°C; relative humidity at 25°C ≤80%. During operation, the device developed and described above provides fully autonomous automated operation. The maximum drilling mud temperature, the parameters of which can be measured by this device, is 95°C. The drilling mud parameter measurement speed can be as small as 1 minute.
[0072] The invention is explained by the following figures.
[0073] The figure shows a general view of the device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters.
[0074] The device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system comprises a drilling mud sampling and discharge system (not shown in the figure), a housing 1, a pump 2, a two-stage filtration system that includes a coarse filter (not shown in the figure) installed before the sampling and discharge system and a fine filter 4 installed after a pulsation damper 3, a flow meter 5, a rheological parameter measurement module that includes two pressure sensors 6 and a capillary 7 located between the sensors 6, a pH and mineralization module 8, a physical properties measurement module 9, an anti-drainage tank 10 and a PLC 11.
[0075] The pH and TDS module 8 includes a pH sensor, an ion-selective electrode for determining the chloride ion (Cl) content, and an ion-selective electrode for determining the potassium ion (K) content.
[0076] Physical property measurement module 9 includes temperature sensor, electrical stability sensor, resistivity sensor, permittivity sensor.
[0077] The automatic drilling mud parameter measurement device with two-stage cleaning system operates as follows.
[0078] Drilling fluid passes through a coarse filter (not shown in the figure) from the sampling and discharge system (not shown in the figure) using pump 2, through pulsation damper 3 and the fine filter 4 installed downstream, into flow meter 5, then fills capillary 7 located between sensors 6 in the rheological parameter measurement module. The drilling fluid then enters pH and salinity module 8, physical properties measurement module 9, and anti-drainage tank 10 and is discharged into the sampling and discharge system.
[0079] When the liquid flow stops, the following parameters are measured: density, temperature, volumetric and mass flow rates using a flow meter, rheological parameters using a rheological parameters module containing two pressure sensors 6 and a capillary 7 located between the sensors 6.
[0080] In the drilling fluid physical properties measurement module 9, temperature is measured using a temperature sensor, electrical stability is measured using an electrical stability sensor, resistivity is measured using a resistivity sensor, and permittivity is measured using a permittivity sensor. In the pH and salinity module 8, pH and temperature are measured using a pH sensor, chloride ion (Cl) ion content is measured using an ion-selective electrode for determining the chloride ion (Cl) content, and potassium ion (K) ion content is measured using an ion-selective electrode for determining the potassium ion (K) content.
[0081] The described device was used to measure the parameters of water- and hydrocarbon-based drilling mud used at the Ust-Balyk field during well drilling.
[0082] The results obtained using the developed device showed a high degree of convergence with the results obtained from measurements on laboratory equipment for water- and oil-based drilling fluids, which confirms the accuracy of measurements carried out using the developed device, while ensuring a high speed of measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid (from 1 minute) and ensuring a stable and reliable cyclic process of measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid.
[0083] Thus, the proposed automated drilling fluid parameter measurement device with a two-stage cleaning system enables the measurement of the flow rate and properties of any drilling fluid. The proposed invention enables reliable monitoring and control of well drilling processes in the oil and gas industry.
Claims
A device for automated measurement of drilling mud parameters with a two-stage cleaning system, comprising a housing, a coarse filter, a pump, a pulsation damper installed after the pump, a module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling mud, including at least two pressure sensors and a capillary located between the pressure sensors, a Coriolis flow meter, a module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling mud with a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a resistivity sensor, a permittivity sensor, a pH sensor installed inside, and also a control, data collection and determination unit for the parameters of the drilling mud, connected to the pump with the possibility of controlling it, with pressure sensors of the module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling mud, a Coriolis flow meter, a temperature sensor, an electrical stability sensor, a pH sensor, a resistivity sensor, a permittivity sensor, characterized in thatwhich comprises a system for direct sampling and discharge of samples from the working capacity of the drilling fluid preparation unit, a two-stage cleaning system including a coarse filter installed at the inlet of the direct sampling and discharge system and a fine filter installed after the pulsation damper, a Coriolis flow meter and a module for measuring the rheological parameters of the drilling fluid are installed in series behind the fine filter, with pressure sensors installed in it in the capillary through tees, in addition, a module for measuring pH and mineralization is additionally installed, including a pH sensor, an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of chlorine ions (Cl) and an ion-selective electrode for determining the content of potassium ions (K), and an anti-bilge tank installed after the module for measuring the physical properties of the drilling fluid, and a control unit,The system for collecting data and determining drilling fluid parameters is implemented in the form of an industrial programmable logic controller (PLC).