Adaptive Influx Detection During Drilling Pumps-Off Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kick detection systems in well drilling are not effective during pumps-off events, as they rely on manual adjustments and are not designed to provide real-time alerts for imminent kicks, leading to potential blowouts and increased operational risks.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using sensors to measure flow rate and volume during pumps-off events, with a processor that calculates adaptive thresholds based on historical data, excluding faulty data and applying machine learning to detect unusual deviations, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing kick detection systems are used during pumps-off events, then manual adjustments can be made, but real-time detection accuracy deteriorates and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts alarm thresholds and detection parameters without requiring manual operator intervention. The processor continuously monitors flow rate data and self-adjusts the alarm thresholds based on learned patterns from previous pumps-off events, enabling the system to serve itself and maintain high detection accuracy during varying well conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from historical pumps-off events to continuously improve its detection capabilities. By analyzing previous flow rate measurements and alarm outcomes, the processor refines its threshold values and detection algorithms, creating a closed-loop system that learns from past performance and adapts to changing well conditions in real-time.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of alarm settings is required, then system complexity is reduced, but operational reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs all alarm threshold adjustments and detection parameter optimizations without requiring manual operator intervention. The processor continuously monitors well conditions and self-adjusts parameters based on real-time data and historical patterns, eliminating human error while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If density measurements of borehole fluid are used, then influx detection can be performed, but sensitivity to imminent gas kicks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional density measurement methods with a flow rate-based detection approach using electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow meters. This substitution enables continuous real-time monitoring of mud flow rate during pumps-off events, providing much higher sensitivity to imminent gas kicks before they manifest as density changes, thereby improving both detection precision and warning reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing systems are designed for pumps-on activities only, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to pumps-off events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with universal detection capabilities that function effectively during both pumps-on and pumps-off activities. The processor analyzes flow rate data and applies appropriate detection algorithms based on the operational mode, enabling a single system to handle multiple drilling scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems, thus achieving high adaptability while controlling overall complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and automatic detection of fluid influx during pumps-off events, minimizing false alarms and maintaining optimal performance without human interaction, enhancing safety and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for measuring one or more parameters related to fluid entering or exiting the well during a pumps-off event
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An automated system for detecting fluid influx into a wellbore 10 during the transient conditions that occur after pumps stopped. The system comprises at least one sensor normally employed on a drilling rig 11 for measuring at least one parameter, and a processor for receiving a signal indicative of the parameter from the sensor. The processor is programmed to analyze a plurality of values of the parameter measured during a plurality of previous events so as to generate a predetermined threshold value, compare the received signal to the predetermined threshold value, and provide an output signal indicative of fluid influx when the received signal is beyond the predetermined threshold value.