Natural Methane Concentration via Isotopic Signature Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mud gas logging in drilling operations is hindered by artificial effects such as drill-bit-metamorphism (DBM), which complicates the interpretation of gas composition and isotopic analysis, leading to inaccurate determination of natural hydrocarbon concentrations in underground formations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the concentration of natural methane in drilling fluid samples by analyzing the δ13C isotopic signatures of different hydrocarbon components, using a processor to differentiate between naturally occurring and artificially produced methane caused by DBM, allowing for near real-time correction of hydrocarbon concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If mud gas logging is performed to assess reservoir type and quality, then early decision-making capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to artificial effects like drill-bit-metamorphism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the methane signal into two distinct components: natural methane from the formation and artificial methane from drill-bit-metamorphism. By analyzing δ13C isotopic signatures, the system separates these sources and quantifies each independently, allowing accurate determination of natural methane concentration despite the presence of artificial contaminants in the mud gas sample
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces δ13C isotopic analysis as an intermediary measurement tool. This intermediary technique provides additional information about the origin of methane molecules, enabling the system to distinguish between natural and artificial sources and correct the overall gas composition analysis accordingly
2Productivity
If drill-bit-metamorphism effects are present in the sample, then productivity is improved through continuous drilling, but measurement precision deteriorates due to artificial methane production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of drill-bit-metamorphism into a beneficial diagnostic tool. By analyzing the isotopic signature of the artificial methane produced during drilling, the system can identify and quantify the extent of DBM effects, then use this information to correct the natural methane measurement. The artificial contamination becomes a traceable signal rather than mere noise
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, near real-time determination of natural hydrocarbon concentrations at the wellsite, reducing non-productive time and improving formation evaluation, by distinguishing between natural and artificial methane, thus enhancing decision-making and hydrocarbon recovery.
Implementation Method 1
determining a δ13C isotopic signature of the first hydrocarbon component in the sample, determining a δ13C isotopic signature of the second hydrocarbon component in the sample, and determining a δ13C isotopic signature of the methane in the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a hydrocarbon concentration from drilling fluid includes pumping the drilling fluid into a wellbore and circulating a sample of the drilling fluid uphole from the wellbore so that δ13C isotopic signatures can be determined for one or more hydrocarbon components and for methane in the sample where the methane includes natural methane originating from the earth formation and artificially-produced methane caused by drill bit metamorphism (DBM). A processor is adapted to determine the concentration of the natural methane in the sample based in part on the δ13C isotopic signatures which may be performed during the drilling of the wellbore.