Drilling Fluid Gas Concentration Prediction Without Surface Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring gas concentrations in drilling fluids are equipment and labor intensive, requiring redundant equipment and substantial manual labor, necessitating a need to reduce costs and reliance on these resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for estimating gas-in and gas-out concentrations using a calibrated model based on gas-out or gas-in measurements, accounting for degassing through surface equipment, utilizing a delay differential equation to predict corresponding concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas concentration measurements are made using traditional equipment (degasser, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry), then measurement accuracy is improved, but equipment complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified sensor system that copies the measurement function of complex gas chromatography/mass spectrometry equipment. Instead of deploying full analytical instruments, the system uses electrochemical or optical sensors that replicate the gas detection capability with much simpler hardware, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining measurement utility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical separation systems (degassers that require pumping and phase separation) with direct-in-fluid sensors that measure gas concentration in the liquid phase. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical degassing equipment while achieving the same measurement objective
2Measurement precision
If repetitive gas concentration measurements are made at frequent time intervals, then measurement precision is improved, but labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed for autonomous operation, automatically taking measurements at configured time intervals without human intervention. The system self-calibrates, self-monitors, and automatically transmits data, eliminating the need for operators to manually deploy equipment, take measurements, and record data repeatedly
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic feedback loops where measurement data is continuously monitored, analyzed, and used to adjust measurement parameters or trigger alerts. This automated feedback mechanism replaces manual analysis and decision-making, allowing frequent measurements without proportional increases in labor
3Reliability
If multiple surface equipment components are deployed (degasser, pumps, tanks, collection apparatus), then measurement reliability is improved, but the quantity of equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate measurement functions into a single integrated sensor unit that can be deployed directly in the drilling fluid stream. Instead of separate degasser, collection apparatus, and analysis instruments, one combined sensor performs all functions, reducing equipment quantity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of measuring various gas concentrations (methane, ethane, propane, CO2, H2S) and providing multiple outputs (concentration values, rate of change, alerts). This universal sensor replaces multiple specialized instruments, reducing the total quantity of equipment needed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating surface concentrations of gas in a drilling fluid in use in a drilling rig includes measuring gas-out or gas-in concentrations while drilling a wellbore and processing the gas-out measurements or the gas-in measurements with a calibrated model to estimate corresponding gas-in concentrations or gas-out concentrations.