Automated Gas Analysis in Drilling Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current petroleum drilling and production operations face challenges in efficiently collecting and analyzing downhole data, particularly in reducing the personnel footprint at drilling sites and improving the quality of gas measurements, due to the manual and labor-intensive nature of mud logging processes.
Innovation Solution
A mud logging system that centralizes control functions and automates gas analysis, utilizing a probe, degasser, gas conditioner, gas analyzer, and remote operations center to remotely monitor and adjust drilling fluid parameters, thereby reducing the need for on-site personnel and enhancing data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual mud logging processes are used with on-site personnel, then gas analysis can be performed, but the personnel footprint at drilling sites increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through automated sample processing, where the gas analysis system automatically draws samples from the drilling fluid stream, processes them through the degasser and gas conditioner, and performs analysis without requiring manual intervention at each step. The remote operations center further automates monitoring and control, allowing the system to serve itself with minimal human presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic and computational systems. Gas sampling, processing, and analysis are performed through automated fluid handling systems and electronic data processing, substituting the mechanical manual processes previously required for mud logging operations.
2Measurement precision
If manual gas analysis operations are performed, then gas measurements can be obtained, but measurement quality and data integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous gas analysis by continuously drawing samples from the drilling fluid stream and processing them through the automated system. This eliminates interruptions and maintains continuous measurement, improving both data quality and operational efficiency by removing non-productive time associated with manual sampling and analysis operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the gas analysis results are automatically monitored and can trigger alerts or adjustments. The remote operations center receives continuous data feedback, enabling real-time decision-making and ensuring measurement quality through automated monitoring and validation of the analysis results.
3Productivity
If on-site personnel are deployed for mud logging, then gas analysis can be performed, but operational costs and non-productive time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the gas analysis function from the physical drilling site and relocates it to a remote operations center. By taking out the personnel requirement from the drilling site and performing analysis remotely, the system reduces the on-site personnel footprint while maintaining full analytical capability, thereby improving productivity without the burden of on-site staff.
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 reduces non-productive time, improves the quality of gas measurements, and decreases operational costs by enabling remote operational control and maintenance, allowing for more efficient well delivery and data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a degasser operable to separate the gas from the drilling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for analyzing a gas in a drilling fluid involves a degasser operable to separate the gas from the drilling fluid. A gas analyzer in fluid communication with the degasser receives a sample of the separated gas and determines a property of the gas. A controller in communication with the gas analyzer automates the operation of the gas analyzer by adjusting a parameter of the separated gas sample as the gas sample is supplied to the gas analyzer.