Drilling Fluid Adjustment Planning for Formation Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations rely heavily on manual adjustments of drilling fluids based on specialists' training and experience, which can be inefficient and costly, and there is a need for automated decision-making to improve drilling efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically generates drilling fluid adjustment plans based on real-time measurements and changes in subterranean formations, using sensors and processors to determine adjustments in drilling fluid properties such as inhibition and stability factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual measurements and adjustments are used by mud engineers, then drilling fluid can be adjusted based on specialist training and experience, but the process is inefficient and costly with high manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring drilling fluid properties and generating adjustment plans without requiring continuous manual intervention from mud engineers. Sensors continuously measure fluid parameters, and the processing system automatically compares these against optimal ranges to determine when adjustments are needed, allowing the drilling operation to self-regulate fluid properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of physical measurements and adjustments with an automated electronic system. Sensors, processors, and communication systems substitute for manual mud engineer activities, transforming the mechanical process into an automated information-based control system that continuously monitors and adjusts fluid properties
2Reliability
If manual measurements and adjustments are used, then specialist knowledge can be applied, but rig headcount and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs multiple functions that previously required different specialists: continuous monitoring of fluid properties, real-time data processing, comparison against optimal ranges, and generation of adjustment plans. This multi-functional system consolidates the roles of mud engineers and analysts into a single integrated platform
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly measuring drilling fluid properties, comparing them against optimal ranges, and automatically generating adjustment plans when deviations are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable fluid management without requiring constant human oversight, as the system self-corrects based on real-time conditions
3Productivity
If automated decision-making is implemented, then costs are reduced and reliability improves, but the system must accurately detect formation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing optimal ranges for drilling fluid properties based on expected formation characteristics. Before actual formation changes occur, the system has reference criteria ready, allowing it to quickly detect deviations and respond automatically when formation properties change during drilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from sensors to detect formation changes by comparing real-time fluid properties against expected ranges. When deviations indicate formation changes, the system automatically adjusts fluid properties and communicates with the drilling rig, enabling accurate detection and response to subsurface conditions without manual intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling drilling fluid properties includes receiving one or more measurements representing a drilling efficiency of a drilling rig including a drill bit deployed into a well. A drilling rig circulates a drilling fluid in the well. The method includes determining that the one or more measurements are lower than expected, determining that a property of a subterranean formation in which drill bit is positioned has changed based on one or more measurements, and in response to determining that the subterranean formation has changed, automatically generating a drilling fluid adjustment plan based at least in part on one or more of a drilling fluid inhibition factor or a drilling fluid stability factor.