Tagged Polymers for Real-Time Drilling Fluid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing tar incursion during drilling operations are ineffective, as they either damage the well bore or require costly and complex treatment fluids, and there is a lack of real-time methods to determine polymer concentrations in drilling fluids, leading to inefficient use and potential waste.
Innovation Solution
The use of tagged detectable additives, specifically polymers with chemical tags, in drilling fluids that allow for real-time spectroscopic detection and quantification of polymer concentrations, enabling effective tar accretion inhibition and reduction without increasing operational complexity or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods (GC, MS, pyrolysis GC/MS) are used to determine polymer concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase due to sample transport and lack of real-time capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex laboratory equipment (GC, MS) and implements it through a simplified spectroscopic method using chemical tags attached to polymers. The chemical tags contain functional groups that provide characteristic spectroscopic signals, allowing concentration determination through simple spectral analysis rather than complex chromatographic or mass spectrometric methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical separation methods (chromatography, mass spectrometry) with optical detection methods. By attaching chemical tags with distinctive spectroscopic signatures to the polymers, the system uses light absorption or emission characteristics to identify and quantify polymer concentrations, substituting complex mechanical separation systems with simpler optical detection.
2Reliability
If more polymers are added to drilling fluid without knowing remaining concentration, then tar accretion protection is improved, but loss of substance increases due to polymer waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by enabling real-time or near-real-time monitoring of polymer concentration in drilling fluid through spectroscopic analysis of chemical tags. This feedback allows operators to adjust polymer addition rates based on actual consumption and remaining concentration, preventing both under-dosing (which would reduce tar protection) and over-dosing (which would waste polymer).
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical tags attached to polymers provide self-identification and self-quantification capabilities. The tags contain functional groups that naturally provide spectroscopic signals, allowing the polymer system to effectively monitor its own concentration without requiring external complex analysis methods. This self-service approach enables automated or semi-automated concentration management.
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 and adjustment of polymer concentrations in drilling fluids, reducing tar accretion and operational costs by providing accurate, on-site data for optimal additive use, thus improving drilling efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
determining a concentration of the tagged detectable additive in the return drilling fluid based on a spectroscopic signal of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Method comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of a return drilling fluid, the return drilling fluid containing a tagged detectable additive, the tagged detectable additive comprising a polymer comprising at least one chemical tag bonded to the polymer; and determining a concentration of the tagged detectable additive in the return drilling fluid based on a spectroscopic signal of the sample. The tagged detectable additive may include a polymer comprising at least one chemical tag bonded to the polymer.