Drilling Fluid Composition Control With Real-Time Additive Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The composition of drilling fluids in subterranean drilling is subjectively controlled by drilling fluid engineers, prone to cognitive biases and dependent on experience, leading to inefficiencies and variability in drilling processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensors and a controller to monitor drilling fluid properties, apply a fluid model to determine additive concentrations, and adjust the composition in real-time to achieve desired properties, utilizing additives like Pure-Bore® to simplify testing and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual monitoring and control of drilling fluid composition is used, then operational flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but measurement precision and manufacturing precision of fluid composition deteriorate due to subjective judgment and cognitive biases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring drilling fluid composition through sensors and adjusting additive dosing based on real-time measurements and predictive modeling, eliminating the need for manual sampling and subjective engineer judgment while maintaining continuous optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of sampling and visual inspection with an automated electronic system using sensors, processors, and computer-controlled dosing mechanisms to measure and adjust fluid composition with high precision
2Manufacturing precision
If frequent manual sampling and testing is performed, then fluid composition control accuracy improves, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by continuously monitoring fluid composition through inline sensors and maintaining continuous automated dosing based on real-time conditions and predictive models, eliminating interruptions for manual sampling and testing while sustaining high precision control
Solution Approach 2:
The predictive fluid model performs preliminary analysis to forecast composition changes before they occur, allowing the system to proactively adjust dosing parameters in advance rather than reacting to measured deviations, thereby maintaining precision without frequent interruptions
3Reliability
If experienced engineers manually manage fluid composition, then adaptability to complex situations improves, but reliability deteriorates due to cognitive biases and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor actual fluid composition, the predictive model compares measurements with expected values, and automated dosing adjustments are made based on the deviation, ensuring high reliability through objective data-driven control rather than subjective human judgment
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by autonomously monitoring composition, predicting changes, and adjusting dosing without human intervention, eliminating cognitive biases and human error while maintaining consistent reliable operation through automated decision-making algorithms
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple additives are used to achieve desired fluid properties, then fluid performance improves, but device complexity and dosing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by using a single integrated predictive fluid model and control platform that manages multiple additives and their interactions, coordinating dosing of various chemicals through one automated system rather than requiring separate complex control mechanisms for each additive
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling the composition of a drilling fluid comprises receiving measurements of properties of a drilling fluid; determining a concentration of the components of the drilling fluid by inputting the measured properties to a fluid model that relates the properties of the drilling fluid to the concentrations of each of the components; determining a desired concentration of each of the plurality of components of the drilling fluid, by inputting desired properties of the drilling fluid to the fluid model; and determining a quantity of one or more additives to be added to the drilling fluid to achieve the desired concentration of each of the plurality of components. The invention includes a controller (20) for controlling the method and a system (1) therefore.