Bypass Venturi Mud Flow Sensing for Loss and Kick Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate measurement instruments for drilling mud are inaccurate for complex drilling muds containing cuttings and gas, and fail to reliably detect losses and kicks in varying drilling conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using a bypass conduit with a Venturi section and differential pressure and thermal dispersion sensors to measure drilling mud flow rate, unaffected by cuttings and gas, and a processor to detect losses and kicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic flowmeters are used for water-based muds, then measurement precision is improved, but they cannot provide acceptable readings for oil-based muds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dual-sensing system that combines electromagnetic flowmetry (effective for water-based muds) with coriolis flowmetry (effective for oil-based muds and complex formulations). This universal approach allows the system to accurately measure flow rates across all mud types including water-based, oil-based, and synthetic-based formulations, eliminating the limitation of single-type flowmeters
2Measurement precision
If Coriolis flowmeters are used for monophasic fluids, then measurement precision is improved, but they cannot ensure reliable measurements when gas content exceeds certain thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas detection sensor as an intermediary element that monitors gas content in the drilling mud. When gas content exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system automatically switches from coriolis flowmetry to electromagnetic flowmetry or alternative calculation methods, preventing inaccurate measurements while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
3Reliability
If drilling mud flow rate is monitored to detect losses and kicks, then detection reliability is improved, but current instruments cannot provide sufficiently precise results in all drilling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based monitoring system that continuously compares actual flow rate measurements against expected flow rates. The system includes automated alert mechanisms that trigger when deviations exceed predetermined thresholds, enabling real-time detection of losses (lower than expected flow) and kicks (higher than expected flow). The feedback loop continuously adjusts monitoring parameters to maintain optimal detection accuracy across varying drilling conditions
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
Provides accurate and reliable flow rate measurements across a wide range, reduces pressure drop, and effectively detects losses and kicks, applicable to various drilling mud types.
Implementation Method 1
A flow rate of the drilling mud is calculated as a function of a difference in a pressure upstream and downstream of a Venturi section
Implementation Method 2
A second measurement device, in this case a thermal dispersion sensor, is coupled to the bypass conduit and generates a second measurement signal representative of a velocity of the mud
Data Source
AI summary
Method for determining a flow rate of a drilling mud in a subsoil drilling system which includes a main duct and a bypass conduit. The bypass conduit has a narrowed section. The method includes: feeding the bypass conduit with drilling mud, coming from a drilling well formed by the system and carrying drilling cuttings; coupling, to the narrowed section, a differential pressure sensor generating a first signal representative of a difference between a first pressure detected upstream or downstream of the narrowed section and a second pressure detected in the narrowed section; coupling, to the bypass conduit, a thermal dispersion sensor generating a second signal representative of a velocity of the mud; selecting, as a mud flow rate value, one of a first value calculated based on the first signal and on a density value of the mud, and a second value based on the second signal.