Surface Mud-Gas Analysis for Real-Time Fluid Characterization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for characterizing underground formations and estimating fluid parameters in boreholes are limited in accuracy and real-time data availability, which hinders effective reservoir evaluation and safe drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving drilling a borehole, selectively liberating formation fluid, injecting it into the drilling fluid, and using surface gas analysis equipment to provide real-time compositional information, combined with downhole fluid analysis, to estimate fluid parameters and enhance drilling safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If downhole fluid analysis is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid parameter estimation accuracyVSAvoiddownhole equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces surface gas analysis equipment as an intermediary to analyze drilling fluid samples that contain formation fluid information. Instead of placing complex analysis equipment downhole, the system uses the drilling fluid as a carrier to transport formation fluid components to the surface for analysis, thereby achieving precise fluid characterization without downhole analysis equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical downhole fluid sampling and analysis systems with a surface-based analysis system that uses gas chromatography and other analytical techniques on drilling fluid samples. This substitution eliminates the need for complex downhole analysis equipment while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If real-time fluid composition data is obtained, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir evaluation efficiencyVSAvoiddata acquisition system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous real-time analysis of drilling fluid samples at the surface, providing continuous feedback on formation fluid composition. This continuous monitoring enables immediate reservoir evaluation and drilling parameter optimization without interrupting the drilling operation, thereby improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates real-time feedback loops where surface gas analysis equipment continuously analyzes drilling fluid samples and provides immediate information about formation fluid composition. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of drilling parameters and reservoir evaluation decisions while drilling is ongoing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If integrated downhole and surface data analysis is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid characterization accuracyVSAvoidfluid composition information loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges downhole drilling operations with surface gas analysis by integrating the analysis of drilling fluid samples with formation evaluation. The system combines data from continuous drilling operations with real-time gas chromatography analysis, creating a unified dataset that provides comprehensive fluid characterization without information loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach increases the certainty of formation fluid type and composition identification, informs early well development decisions, and enables safer drilling operations by providing real-time data on fluid properties and compositions.

Implementation Method 1

injecting the liberated fluid into the drilling fluid returning to the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Implementation Method 2

estimating at least one parameter of the drawn sample at the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS10066482B2Method and systems for integrating downhole fluid data with surface mud-gas data

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A method for evaluating a formation fluid includes the steps of drilling a borehole intersecting a formation with a drill string, circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore, selectively liberating a formation fluid from the formation, injecting the liberated fluid into the drilling fluid returning to the surface, drawing a sample of the returning drilling fluid at the surface, and estimating at least one parameter of the drawn sample at the surface.