Influx Device for Annulus Void Measurement in Lost Circulation Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, lost circulation zones during wellbore drilling pose challenges as mud is lost through large fractures or caverns, making it difficult to measure the mud level in the annulus, which is crucial for well control and remedial operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using an influx device with pumping and measuring ports installed in a bell nipple, where a control gas is pumped into the annulus to determine the size of voids by measuring the displacement time, utilizing a gas measuring device connected to the measuring port exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mud is pumped into the annulus during drilling, then well control is maintained, but the mud level cannot be measured when lost circulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control gas as an intermediary substance to measure the mud level indirectly. Instead of directly measuring mud level which becomes impossible during lost circulation, the system pumps control gas into the annulus and measures its displacement time and flow rate, which correlates with the void space created by mud loss. This intermediary approach restores measurement capability while maintaining well control through separate monitoring.
2Reliability
If complete lost circulation occurs with no mud return to surface, then well control events are detected, but the mud level in the annulus becomes unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the displacement time and flow rate of control gas as it passes through the annulus. These measurements provide real-time information about the void space size, which indirectly indicates the mud level. The feedback loop allows operators to track changes in the annulus conditions even when mud is not returning to the surface, maintaining situational awareness during lost circulation events.
3Measurement precision
If an influx device with multiple ports is installed in the bell nipple, then void size measurement is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The influx device is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity. The single device performs multiple functions: it serves as a well control device, a void size measurement device, and a data collection point for flow rate and displacement time measurements. By integrating these functions into one component rather than using separate devices, the overall system complexity is managed more effectively despite the intricate port configuration.
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 accurate measurement of void sizes in the annulus, facilitating better well control and remedial operations by determining the flow rate and displacement time of the control gas.
Implementation Method 1
pumping a control gas, at a flow rate, from the pumping port entrance to the annulus using the pumping port exit, receiving the control gas at the measuring port exit using the measuring port entrance, detecting the control gas, using a gas measuring device connected to the measuring port exit, to determine a displacement time, and measuring the size of the void in the annulus using the flow rate and the displacement time
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes installing an influx device into a bell nipple. The influx device has an opening, a pumping port entrance, a pumping port exit, a measuring port entrance, and a measuring port exit. The pumping port exit is disposed in the annulus and the measuring port entrance is disposed adjacent the opening. The method further includes pumping a control gas, at a flow rate, from the pumping port entrance to the annulus using the pumping port exit, receiving the control gas at the measuring port exit using the measuring port entrance, detecting the control gas, using a gas measuring device connected to the measuring port exit, to determine a displacement time, and measuring the size of the void in the annulus using the flow rate and the displacement time.