Optical Computing Device for Real-Time Mud Logging Gas Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mud logging analysis in the oil and gas industry is limited by the need for offline laboratory testing, which is time-consuming and does not allow for real-time or near real-time monitoring of gas content in drilling fluids, hindering proactive control of drilling operations and accuracy due to sample changes during analysis.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical computing devices configured along the drilling fluid circulation system to monitor gas content in real-time, eliminating the need for sample extraction and reducing analysis time by directly measuring gas content in the fluid, thereby providing continuous and accurate data on hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gas species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If offline laboratory analysis is used to measure gas content in drilling fluids, then measurement precision can be achieved through controlled testing procedures, but analysis time increases significantly and real-time monitoring is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical extraction and laboratory analysis system with an optical detection system. Optical sensors directly measure gas content in the drilling fluid circulation system, eliminating the need for sample extraction, preparation, and laboratory testing. This substitution of measurement methodology achieves both real-time monitoring capability and maintained measurement precision through non-intrusive optical detection of gas phases in the fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system is installed upstream in the drilling fluid circulation system to perform measurements before the fluid reaches the laboratory. By conducting measurements in advance while the fluid is still in circulation, the system eliminates the time delay associated with sample transport and laboratory processing, enabling real-time monitoring and immediate decision-making.
2Measurement precision
If drilling fluid samples are extracted for offline analysis, then detailed laboratory testing can be performed, but sample characteristics change during the lag time between collection and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical sample extraction and transport process with in-situ optical measurement. The optical sensors measure gas content directly in the circulating drilling fluid without removing samples from the system. This eliminates the lag time and associated composition changes that occur during sample storage and transport, ensuring measurements reflect the true, real-time characteristics of the drilling fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling fluid circulation system itself serves as the measurement medium. The fluid continues to circulate through the wellbore and back to surface while being monitored by optical sensors installed in the circulation loop. This self-service approach allows continuous measurement without interrupting the fluid's natural circulation or requiring external sample handling, maintaining composition stability throughout the measurement process.
3Loss of information
If offline laboratory analysis is used for mud logging, then comprehensive gas species identification can be achieved, but proactive control of drilling operations cannot take place without significant process disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the offline laboratory analysis system with an online optical detection system installed in the drilling fluid circulation loop. The optical sensors continuously monitor gas content and species identification in real-time, providing immediate data to drilling operations without requiring process interruption for sample collection and analysis. This enables proactive control decisions while maintaining operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system operates continuously as the drilling fluid circulates through the wellbore and returns to surface. Measurements are taken without interrupting the drilling operation or the fluid circulation, ensuring continuous data flow for proactive control. The system maintains uninterrupted monitoring capability, eliminating the stop-start nature of offline sampling and analysis.
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 real-time monitoring of gas content in drilling fluids, improving accuracy and reducing analysis time, allowing for proactive control of drilling operations and more reliable data on hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical computing device arranged at or near an outlet of the borehole and having a first integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the drilling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring the gas content in drilling fluids in real time using optical computing devices. One system includes a flow path circulating a drilling fluid into and out of a borehole during drilling operations, a first optical computing device arranged at or near an outlet of the borehole and having a first integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the drilling fluid as it exits the borehole and generate a first output signal corresponding to a concentration of a gas present in the drilling fluid at the outlet of the borehole, and a signal processor communicably coupled to the first optical computing device and configured to receive the first output signal and determine the concentration of the gas present in the drilling fluid at the outlet of the borehole.