Drilling Fluid Predictive Control for Delayed Additive Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for drilling fluids are unable to accurately determine the type, quantity, and timing of chemical additives needed to achieve optimal fluid composition, leading to sub-optimal debris removal due to delays in property changes.
Innovation Solution
A real-time control system using predictive modeling to determine input values for chemical additives and pump rates, which updates based on measured fluid properties, ensuring precise control of drilling fluid properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated chemical additive systems are used, then the precision of chemical addition is improved, but the system cannot account for the delay between chemical addition and property change, leading to uncertainty in timing and quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by adding chemicals in advance of when the property change is needed, based on predicted future fluid properties. The optimization engine calculates optimal chemical addition timing that accounts for the delayed response, ensuring chemicals are added at the right moment to achieve desired properties at the right time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring actual fluid properties, comparing them to predicted values, and using this information to refine future chemical addition decisions. The measurement system provides real-time feedback that allows the optimization engine to adjust timing and quantity of chemical additions to compensate for delays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human operators manually add chemicals, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but the precision and consistency of chemical addition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically measuring fluid properties, predicting future states, calculating optimal chemical additions, and executing the additions without human intervention. The automated system maintains both the flexibility of human operators through adaptive optimization and the precision of automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters such as chemical addition rate, timing, and type based on real-time fluid property measurements and predicted future conditions. The optimization engine adjusts these parameters continuously to maintain optimal fluid properties while accounting for system delays and varying drilling conditions.
3Device complexity
If chemical additives are added without predictive modeling, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the efficiency of debris removal deteriorates due to sub-optimal fluid composition
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary optimization engine that acts as a mediator between simple chemical addition and complex fluid property control. This intermediary component uses predictive modeling to translate simple chemical addition actions into optimized fluid composition outcomes, improving debris removal efficiency without requiring complex manual control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling drilling fluid properties, in some embodiments, comprises determining a predictive model for a fluid circulation system that routes drilling fluid downhole to a drill bit to remove debris from said drill bit; determining a cost function associated with the fluid circulation system; using the predictive model and the cost function to determine a set of input values for the predictive model; operating a controlled device according to at least some of the set of input values, said controlled device changes properties of the drilling fluid in the fluid circulation system; and obtaining measurements of the properties.