Drilling Fluid Analysis Recirculation During Pipe Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pause in drilling fluid flow when new drill pipe is added to the drill string leads to inaccurate fluid analysis results due to incomplete extraction of gases, as the fluid analysis system is not designed to operate effectively during flow interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid analysis system that switches to recirculation mode when fluid flow is paused, allowing continuous operation of sensors by circulating fluid through the system, maintaining accuracy and preventing the need for sensor re-stabilization upon flow resumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid analysis system operates in normal sampling mode, then accurate fluid analysis can be achieved, but the system cannot operate during flow interruptions when new drill pipe is added
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: normal sampling mode for accurate analysis during fluid flow, and recirculation mode during flow interruptions. The control system detects flow conditions and automatically transitions between modes, making the system adaptable to varying operational conditions while maintaining reliability in each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid analysis system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in normal sampling mode for accurate fluid analysis, and in recirculation mode to maintain sensor stability during flow interruptions. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both steady-state drilling operations and transient conditions when drill pipe is being added.
2Ease of operation
If the system pauses operation during flow interruption, then it can handle drill pipe addition, but sensor accuracy decreases due to re-stabilization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
During flow interruptions, the system maintains continuous useful action by recirculating fluid through the sensor system. This continuous circulation prevents the sensors from stopping and re-stabilizing, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing the drilling operation to pause for drill pipe addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for flow interruptions by implementing recirculation mode before actual sampling is needed during the pause. This preliminary action of switching to recirculation ensures that when flow resumes, the sensors are already stabilized and ready for accurate measurement, eliminating the re-stabilization delay.
3Measurement precision
If the system switches to recirculation mode during flow pause, then sensor accuracy is maintained, but additional system complexity is required
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation function is merged with the existing sampling system by using the same pump and fluid pathway. The recirculation mode utilizes the existing infrastructure rather than adding completely separate systems, thereby maintaining sensor accuracy during pauses while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling system for drilling a borehole. The drilling system includes a drilling fluid pump operable to circulate fluid through the borehole and a fluid analysis system to analyze returned fluid from the borehole. The fluid analysis system includes a sensor system, a recirculation system, and a control system in electronic communication with the drilling fluid pump and the recirculation system. The sensor system is operable to measure one or more properties of the returned fluid. The recirculation system includes a pump and controllable valves and is operable to control flow of the returned fluid through the fluid analysis system.