Shale Shaker Computer Vision for Cuttings and Fluid Front Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations face challenges in accurately measuring the volume and characteristics of cuttings and locating the fluid front on a shale shaker, which are typically done manually, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A computer vision system using cameras and processors to detect and analyze particles on a shaker table, estimating their volume and distribution, and identifying the fluid front, with automated alerts and adjustments to drilling parameters based on real-time data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring of cuttings volume and characteristics is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity is reduced and measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated computer vision system using cameras and image processing algorithms to detect, measure, and analyze cuttings characteristics, eliminating the need for manual inspection while improving productivity and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of the cuttings on the shaker table and processes these copies through computer vision algorithms to extract measurements and characteristics, enabling automated analysis without physically interfering with the drilling operation
2Measurement precision
If automated computer vision system is implemented, then productivity and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer vision system performs multiple functions simultaneously including detecting cuttings location, measuring volume, analyzing characteristics, and tracking fluid front position, thereby improving measurement precision across multiple parameters while using a single integrated system rather than multiple separate devices
3Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of fluid front location is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and response time are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The computer vision system continuously captures images and processes fluid front location data in real-time without interruption, providing continuous monitoring and immediate detection of fluid front position changes, thereby eliminating the time delays and inaccuracies associated with manual periodic measurements
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for monitoring cuttings from drilling. The method comprising acquiring a plurality of images from a camera oriented to face at least a portion of a screen surface of a shaker having drilling mud or cuttings thereon from a well during drilling; detecting a plurality of particles from the plurality of images; obtaining data associated with the plurality of particles; and modeling a statistical distribution of particles based at least in part on the data associated with the plurality of particles. The method further comprising monitoring the statistical distribution of particles over time; determining a change in a likelihood of the monitored statistical distribution of particles based at least in part on the modeled statistical distribution of particles; and providing an alert if the change in the likelihood of the monitored statistical distribution of particles falls outside a threshold range.