Drill Cuttings X-Ray CT Scanning for Real-Time Formation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing subterranean formations, such as core analysis and wireline logging, are limited by accuracy, practicality, and real-time capabilities, especially in horizontal drilling scenarios where precise facies location and properties are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the extraction, grouping, and multi-energy X-ray CT scanning of drill cuttings to estimate bulk density and effective atomic number, allowing for the reconstitution of a horizontal well core and determination of rock or formation parameters in near-real time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If core analysis is performed to obtain static reservoir data, then measurement precision of rock properties is improved, but loss of time occurs due to extraction and laboratory analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and analyzes drill cuttings directly at the well site rather than requiring core extraction and laboratory transport. The system performs X-ray CT scanning and digital rock physics analysis on cuttings collected during drilling operations, eliminating the time-consuming core extraction and shipping process while maintaining analytical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling operation itself provides the sample source (drill cuttings) and the analysis is performed self-contained at the well site using portable X-ray CT scanning equipment. The system serves both the drilling process and the analysis process, eliminating the need for separate core extraction and laboratory facilities.
2Productivity
If wire line logging is used to obtain current down hole information, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to need to remove drill and perform separate logging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drilling operation with the formation analysis operation by performing X-ray CT scanning and digital rock physics analysis on drill cuttings during or immediately after the drilling process. This merges what were previously separate operations (drilling, core extraction, laboratory analysis, and wire line logging) into a single integrated workflow that provides both structural and property data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions using the same drill cuttings: it provides formation lithology identification, rock property measurement (porosity, permeability, elasticity), and fluid property analysis (relative permeability, capillary pressure). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate wire line logging operations while obtaining comprehensive formation data.
3Measurement precision
If traditional core analysis is performed, then measurement precision of facies location is improved, but loss of time occurs in real-time decision making during drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs formation analysis preliminarily during the drilling process by analyzing drill cuttings as they are produced, rather than waiting for core extraction and laboratory analysis after drilling is complete. This preliminary action enables real-time or near-real-time decision making about facies location and rock properties while the well is being drilled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical core extraction and laboratory analysis system with an in-situ X-ray CT scanning and digital rock physics analysis system. This substitution uses electromagnetic radiation (X-rays) and digital processing instead of mechanical core handling and traditional laboratory methods, enabling rapid analysis of drill cuttings at the well site.
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
This approach provides formation characteristics of comparable quality to digital rock physics in near-real time, enhancing the accuracy and practicality of subterranean formation analysis, particularly in horizontal drilling, by enabling immediate data-driven decisions during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
performing a multi-energy X-ray CT scan of the at least one group of drill cuttings of d) to generate digital images of the drill cuttings of the group of drill cuttings
Implementation Method 2
Dual energy X-ray computed tomographic image scans of cores are used to estimate bulk density and effective atomic number
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system are provided to characterize subterranean formations, which includes extracting drill cuttings from a drilling fluid, and grouping the drill cuttings into a group of cuttings based on a time of arrival of the drill cuttings at the Earth's surface, wherein these steps can be repeated at least once to provide a plurality of groups of drill cuttings that arrive sequentially at different recorded times that correspond to different downhole locations.