Infrared Marker Additives for Drilling Fluid Quantification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for quantifying additives in drilling fluids are laborious, slow, and prone to interference, making it difficult to ensure adequate levels of additives are present during oil and gas operations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a marker functional group that absorbs infrared radiation within a specific range (2100 cm−1 to 2300 cm−1) into additives, allowing for quicker and easier quantification using sensors and infrared spectrometry, which reduces environmental noise and interference from other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to quantify additives in drilling fluids, then the measurement can be performed, but the process is laborious, slow, and prone to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantification speedVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from conventional slow and interfered methods to infrared spectroscopy at a specific wavelength range (2100-2300 cm-1). This parameter change enables rapid measurement while maintaining accuracy by selecting a wavelength where the additive has unique absorption characteristics that are not interfered with by other drilling fluid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical analysis methods with optical measurement using infrared spectroscopy. This substitution eliminates the need for laborious mechanical separation or chemical reactions, enabling fast, non-intrusive quantification of additives based on their characteristic infrared absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional quantification methods are used, then additives can be measured, but environmental noise and interference from other components make it difficult to ensure adequate levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive concentration detection accuracyVSAvoidinterference from other fluid components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing the measurement at a specific local wavelength range (2100-2300 cm-1) where the additive has unique absorption characteristics. This localized measurement approach filters out interference from other components that absorb at different wavelengths, enabling precise detection of additive concentration despite the complex composition of drilling fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 rapid and accurate determination of additive concentrations, ensuring adequate levels are maintained in drilling fluids, thereby improving operational efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the marker functional group may absorb infrared radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range between about 2100 cm−1 and about 2300 cm−1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11639459B2System and method to quantify fluid additives

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A fluid is provided. The fluid includes a base fluid and an additive. The additive has a marker functional group that absorbs infrared radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range between about 2100 cm−1 and about 2300 cm−1.