Drilling Fluid Composition Control Using Real-Time Fluid Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
The composition of drilling fluids in subterranean drilling is subject to cognitive biases and relies heavily on the experience and training of drilling fluid engineers, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in maintaining optimal fluid properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensors and a controller to monitor drilling fluid properties, apply a fluid model to determine component concentrations, and adjust additive dosing to achieve desired fluid properties through a chemical dosing apparatus, supported by empirical models and real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual monitoring and dosing by drilling fluid engineers is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but consistency and precision of fluid composition control deteriorate due to cognitive biases and human variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the automated dosing system independently monitors fluid properties, determines composition deviations, calculates required additive quantities, and executes dosing operations without human intervention, while humans retain oversight capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human decision-making process with an automated computational system that uses sensors, fluid models, and control algorithms to determine dosing requirements, eliminating cognitive biases while maintaining adaptability through programmable logic
2Reliability
If automated dosing is implemented, then consistency and precision of fluid composition improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated dosing system performs multiple functions including real-time fluid property monitoring, composition analysis using fluid models, dosing calculation, and controlled additive delivery through a single integrated platform, reducing the need for separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a controller as an intermediary that mediates between sensor measurements and dosing apparatus operations, using fluid models as computational intermediaries to translate fluid properties into dosing recommendations and execute controlled additions
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring and adjustment is performed, then drilling efficiency improves, but time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of fluid properties and continuous adjustment of dosing rates, eliminating the need for periodic sampling and batch adjustments, thereby maintaining optimal fluid composition throughout the drilling operation without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-programmed fluid models and dosing algorithms that are prepared in advance, allowing real-time decisions to be made quickly by applying predetermined computational frameworks to current sensor data without requiring complex on-the-spot analysis
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) therefor.