Marine Diverter System Real-Time Kick Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas operations, existing systems face challenges in quickly detecting abnormal pressure zones and kicks during drilling, especially in limited space conditions above a telescopic joint, where traditional methods may fail to provide real-time monitoring and pressure sealing effectively.
Innovation Solution
A marine diverter system with a rotating control device assembly, including a bearing assembly and annular packer seal, is used to measure flow rates and detect heave motion, employing a drilling fluid volume balance equation to determine if a kick or loss has occurred in real time, while maintaining pressure sealing and allowing the inner race to rotate with the drill pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional marine diverter system is used, then the structure is simple, but real-time monitoring and pressure sealing effectiveness deteriorate in limited space conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The marine diverter system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a rotating control device with bearing assembly, a separate annular packer seal, and a telescopic joint assembly. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability in limited space
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is nested within the rotating control device housing, and the annular packer seal is nested within the marine diverter body around the outer race. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization while maintaining effective pressure sealing between the interior and exterior of the riser
2Productivity
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then kick detection speed improves, but system complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs passive flow rate measurement through volume balance calculations using readily available data from standard drilling operations. The telescopic joint displacement measurements automatically provide real-time wellbore volume change information, enabling kick detection without complex active sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors telescopic joint displacement and flow rate measurements, providing real-time feedback on wellbore pressure conditions. This feedback loop enables immediate detection of kicks or losses by comparing expected versus actual fluid volumes
3Ease of operation
If the inner race is allowed to rotate with the drill pipe, then operational flexibility improves, but sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The annular packer seal is positioned specifically at the interface between the outer race and the marine diverter body, creating a localized sealing zone. This localized sealing approach allows the inner race to rotate freely with the drill pipe while maintaining reliable pressure containment at the critical sealing interface
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 quick detection of well flow and pressure changes, allowing for immediate suppression of flow and safe circulation of kicks, even in abnormal pressure zones, by providing real-time monitoring and pressure sealing between the interior and exterior of a riser.
Implementation Method 1
the annular packer seal is configured to displace radially inward into sealing engagement with the outer race
Implementation Method 2
at least one rotatable seal which is attached to the inner race, which extends axially beyond the outer race and which can rotate against a drill pipe under a differential pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a system and method for determining whether a kick or loss has occurred from a well in real time, wherein the well has a marine diverter having a rotating control device. The marine diverter system may measure flow rate in real time of a drilling fluid entering the wellbore and provide a means of measuring flow rate of the drilling fluid out of the wellbore and riser. The marine diverter system may further determine displacement and velocity of displacement of rig heave motion in real time and use the foregoing steps, given a known internal diameter of the riser and a known external diameter of a drill pipe, and employing a drilling fluid volume balance equation: Volumetric flow rate−in−Volumetric flow rate−out−Change in riser annular Volume per unit time=X, to determine whether the kick or loss has occured in real time.