Methane Solubility Determination in Oil-Based Drilling Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the solubility of methane in oil-based drilling fluid at high temperature and pressure are inefficient, prone to gas leakage, and unable to accurately simulate the high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) environment of extra-deep oil and gas reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
An experimental device and method that includes a pressure-resistant gas chamber and an equilibrium still arranged in a constant-temperature oil bath heating oven, equipped with a gas booster pump and a vacuum system, allowing for accurate determination of methane solubility without dynamic sampling, which maintains the equilibrium state and reduces experimental time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the equilibrium liquid sampling method is used to determine methane solubility at high temperature and pressure, then the solubility can be measured, but the experimental time is excessively long (up to one day per data point) and the system is prone to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas-liquid equilibrium determination from the complex multi-system configuration to a simplified single-chamber design. The equilibrium still integrates both the high temperature high pressure dissolution function and the atmospheric pressure measurement function into one chamber, eliminating the need for separate HTHP and atmospheric systems. This extraction reduces the experimental time from one day to a few hours while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The equilibrium still is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: it can maintain high temperature and high pressure conditions for dissolution, perform atmospheric pressure separation and measurement, and prevent gas leakage throughout the process. The single chamber structure serves as both the dissolution vessel and the measurement vessel, eliminating the need for sample transfer between systems and reducing the time required.
2Measurement precision
If separate HTHP dissolution system and atmospheric pressure measurement system are used, then the solubility can be determined, but the device composition becomes complex and the system is prone to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the HTHP dissolution system and the atmospheric pressure measurement system into a single integrated equilibrium still. The chamber can operate under HTHP conditions for dissolution and then transition to atmospheric pressure for measurement without requiring sample transfer. This merging eliminates multiple connection points and valves that were previously sources of gas leakage, simplifies the device composition, and maintains measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If dynamic sampling is performed to measure methane solubility, then the solubility data can be obtained, but the equilibrium state is disrupted and gas leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing the gas-liquid equilibrium completely within the sealed equilibrium still under HTHP conditions before any measurement takes place. The chamber is then pressurized and sealed, and only after equilibrium is confirmed does the system transition to atmospheric pressure for measurement. This preliminary establishment of equilibrium within the sealed system prevents disruption of the equilibrium state and eliminates gas leakage that would occur during sample transfer.
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
The solution effectively simulates the HTHP environment of extra-deep oil and gas reservoirs, improving the accuracy and efficiency of methane solubility determination, and providing reliable data for drilling design and on-site well control in extra-deep formations.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-resistant gas chamber and an equilibrium still both arranged in a constant-temperature oil bath heating oven
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum system used for vacuuming the pressure-resistant gas chamber and the equilibrium still
Implementation Method 3
the solubility of methane in oil-based drilling fluid at high temperature and pressure
Implementation Method 4
simulate the HTHP environment of extra-deep oil and gas reservoirs
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an experimental device and method for solubility determination of methane in oil-based drilling fluid, comprising a pressure-resistant gas chamber and an equilibrium still both arranged in a constant-temperature oil bath heating oven, a gas booster pump, and a vacuum system used for vacuuming the pressure-resistant gas chamber and the equilibrium still, and a data acquisition device for collecting temperature and pressure signals; the gas booster pump is connected to drive air source inlet, a gas check valve is arranged on the pipe between the pressure-resistant gas chamber and the gas booster pump that is also connected with a high-pressure gas cylinder, the equilibrium still is divided into a dissolution equilibrium chamber at the top and a hydraulic oil chamber at the bottom by a high-pressure dynamic seal structure, the dissolution equilibrium chamber is connected to a liquid inlet funnel through the fourth globe valve.