Bridging Material Durability Testing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack a reliable and accurate way to evaluate and maintain the structural durability of bridging materials used in drill-in fluids, leading to formation damage during oil and gas drilling due to variations in particle size distribution caused by downhole conditions.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory method and apparatus that simulate downhole tool interactions and wet grinding actions to test and quantify the durability of sized bridging materials, providing a simple, reliable, and statistically valid framework for quality control and selection of optimal bridging materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bridging materials are used in drill-in fluids to prevent fluid loss, then fluid loss prevention is improved, but the materials decompose under downhole conditions causing particle size distribution changes and formation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting laboratory durability testing of bridging materials before field deployment. The test method evaluates particle size distribution changes after simulated downhole exposure, allowing selection of materials that have already been screened for stability under drilling conditions, thus preventing decomposition-related formation damage before it occurs in the actual well.
2Reliability
If bridging materials are subjected to downhole conditions to build filter cake, then fluid loss prevention is improved, but the materials disintegrate and create fine particles that migrate into the reservoir causing formation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the laboratory durability test to identify and eliminate bridging materials that are prone to disintegration before they are used in drill-in fluids. By pre-screening materials for resistance to disintegration under simulated downhole conditions, the method prevents the generation of harmful fine particles that would otherwise migrate into the reservoir and cause formation damage.
3Ease of manufacture
If no durability testing method exists for bridging materials, then material selection is simplified, but quality control and assurance of bridging materials cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for complex field testing and trial-and-error material selection with a controlled laboratory-based durability test method. The test uses standardized procedures to measure particle size distribution changes after simulated downhole exposure, providing precise and repeatable durability evaluations that are both scientifically rigorous and practically applicable to material selection and quality control.
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
Enhances the quality control and assurance of bridging materials by quantifying their durability and stability, minimizing formation damage by maintaining the intended particle size distribution and preventing fluid-induced damage during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
simulating downhole tool interactions and wet grinding actions upon sized bridging materials
Implementation Method 2
wet grinding actions to test and quantify the durability of sized bridging materials
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are provided for testing and quantifying structural durability characteristics of bridging materials. Embodiments include sieving bridging materials to create uniform batches having particles within a predefined range. Embodiments further include selecting a batch and drying the batch, separating the dried batch into dry samples, and selecting a test sample having an initial mass. Embodiments include sealing the test sample, a volume of liquid, and a rod in a cylindrical testing cell and rotating the cylindrical testing cell containing the rod such that the rod rolls in relation to an inner wall of the cylindrical testing cell and applies force partially crushing the test sample. Embodiments further include sieving a resulting sample to create a durable sample having particles within the predefined range and drying the durable sample. Embodiments of methods further include measuring a mass of the dried durable sample to define a durable mass and comparing the durable mass to the initial mass.