Mud Logging Hydrogen Detection With Degassing and DBM Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods and systems to sense and quantify naturally occurring hydrogen in subterranean formations during drilling operations, as current methods are inadequate for accurately measuring low solubility hydrogen in drilling fluids.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving degassing drilling fluid to obtain a gas sample, using calibrated mass spectrometry to measure hydrogen concentration, and applying corrections for drill bit metamorphism (DBM) by-products to estimate naturally occurring hydrogen in the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gas sensing methods are used to measure hydrogen in drilling fluid, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to low solubility of hydrogen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts hydrogen gas from drilling fluid through degassing processes (heating, vacuum, or purging) before measurement. This separation allows the mass spectrometer to measure hydrogen concentration in the gas phase rather than directly in the liquid drilling fluid, significantly improving measurement precision while managing the complexity through a standardized extraction workflow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary degassing system that converts dissolved hydrogen in drilling fluid into free gas phase hydrogen. This intermediary step (degassing chamber with heating/vacuum/purging) acts as a mediator between the complex liquid phase measurement challenge and the simpler gas phase mass spectrometry measurement, enabling accurate detection
2Measurement precision
If mass spectrometry is used to measure hydrogen concentration, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into distinct functional modules: (1) degassing module with heating/vacuum/purging capabilities, (2) gas sampling and transport system, (3) mass spectrometer measurement module, and (4) data processing module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates maintenance and calibration while achieving high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary degassing actions (heating, vacuum application, or purging) before the actual mass spectrometry measurement. This preliminary preparation removes interfering substances and concentrates hydrogen in the gas phase, ensuring accurate measurements while allowing the use of standard mass spectrometry equipment rather than requiring more complex specialized sensors
3Quantity of substance
If drill bit metamorphism hydrogen is included in measurements, then the quantity of hydrogen gas increases, but the reliability of natural hydrogen estimation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from measurements of other gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) to correct the hydrogen measurement. By monitoring these companion gases that are also produced during drill bit metamorphism, the system calculates and subtracts the estimated DBM hydrogen contribution from the total hydrogen measurement, yielding a reliable estimate of natural formation hydrogen
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses measurements of other gases (methane, CO2, nitrogen) as intermediary indicators to estimate and correct for DBM hydrogen. These intermediary gas measurements serve as proxies for the extent of drill bit metamorphism, allowing the system to calculate and remove the DBM hydrogen component from the total hydrogen signal to isolate natural hydrogen
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 quantification of hydrogen in subterranean formations, allowing for the detection of hydrogen sources and conduits, and generating a hydrogen log for drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a concentration of hydrogen in the gas sample
Implementation Method 2
applying a correction to the measured concentration of hydrogen to estimate the quantity of natural hydrogen in the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating a quantity of natural hydrogen in a subterranean formation includes degassing drilling fluid obtained from a wellbore to obtain a gas sample including a quantity of hydrogen gas, measuring a concentration of hydrogen in the gas sample, and applying a correction to the measured concentration of hydrogen to estimate the quantity of natural hydrogen in the subterranean formation.