Drilling Fluid Flowback Tracking with Surge Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations lack real-time monitoring and efficient tracking of drilling fluid flowback quantities and qualities from the wellhead, leading to inefficiencies, safety hazards, and potential errors in fluid management and billing.
Innovation Solution
A drilling fluid flowback tracking system comprising a frame, receiving pipe, riser pipe with a surge suppressor, tapered fluid bin with calibrated drain slot, and inline sensors for data collection and remote access, which allows for real-time monitoring and visual correlation of flow rates, and data recording and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If returned drilling fluid is conveyed in pipe under pressure and discharged into tanks or ponds, then fluid recovery is achieved, but dangerous bumps or spikes in pressure occur which are hazardous to personnel and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a surge suppressor positioned between the wellhead and the fluid discharge point. This surge suppressor acts as a cushioning device that absorbs and dampens pressure spikes before they can propagate through the system and cause harm to personnel or equipment, while still allowing full fluid recovery to proceed
2Productivity
If real-time monitoring of drilling fluid flowback is implemented, then operational efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system uses a multi-functional approach where sensors serve multiple purposes: flow rate measurement, pressure monitoring, and data logging. The same sensor array provides both real-time operational data for efficiency improvements and safety monitoring, reducing the need for separate specialized devices and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through sensors that continuously monitor flow rates and pressures, with data transmitted immediately to control systems and personnel. This feedback mechanism enables operational efficiency improvements by allowing real-time adjustments and safety responses, while the automated nature of the feedback loop reduces manual monitoring complexity
3Device complexity
If drilling fluid flowback data is not captured and recorded, then device complexity is reduced, but inefficiencies and mistakes occur in operations and billing
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service data collection where sensors automatically measure and record flowback parameters without requiring manual intervention. The data logging function operates autonomously, continuously capturing and storing operational data for billing and operational analysis, thereby maintaining high reliability while minimizing the complexity of manual data collection procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables immediate and accurate determination of drilling fluid flow rates and qualities, reducing operational inefficiencies, enhancing safety by managing pressure surges, and ensuring accurate billing and resource management through continuous data capture and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a surge suppressor for conveying returned drilling fluid
Implementation Method 2
a tapered fluid bin having a calibrated drain slot, which retains fluid at a level corresponding to the inflow rate of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling fluid flowback tracking system and method for determining quantities and qualities of drilling fluid returned from the wellhead in drilling operations, providing a frame, a receiving pipe, a riser pipe, and a surge suppressor for conveying returned drilling fluid, a tapered fluid bin having a calibrated drain slot, which retains fluid at a level corresponding to the inflow rate of the fluid, and flow rate marks for visual correlation of the highest level of outflow with the flow rate of the inflow. Collection and retention of data is further provided through sensors in an inline sensor housing communicating through a data cable with a data collection unit. Remote access to the data collection unit is further provided through a data transceiver and remote data unit.