Toroidal Conduit Drilling Mud Rheologic Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measurement tools for rheologic parameters of drilling muds in the oil and gas industry do not accurately account for dynamic and physical conditions such as temperature, pressure, and the 'history' of the mud, leading to unreliable viscosity measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that simulate the operational conditions of drilling mud by using a toroidal conduit system with temperature and pressure regulation, and a displacement device to accurately measure viscosity, taking into account the mud's path length and flow time, incorporating a processing unit to compute and determine rheologic parameters based on simulated conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement tools are used to measure drilling mud viscosity, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the measurement accuracy is insufficient because the tools do not account for temperature, pressure, and flow history conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by subjecting the drilling mud to controlled temperature, pressure, and flow conditions in the toroidal conduit before the actual viscosity measurement is taken. This pre-conditioning step ensures that the measurement reflects the mud's rheologic properties under realistic operational conditions, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustments during measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal conduit system acts as an intermediary between the drilling mud and the measurement instruments. It provides a controlled environment that simulates downhole conditions, allowing the mud to undergo realistic flow history and environmental exposure before measurement, thus bridging the gap between simple measurement and accurate representation of field conditions
2Reliability
If the mud is subjected to simulated operational conditions including temperature and pressure regulation, then the rheologic measurements become accurate and reliable, but the measurement time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous controlled flow of drilling mud through the toroidal conduit under regulated temperature and pressure conditions. This continuous action allows the mud to undergo realistic operational conditioning without interruption, ensuring that the rheologic measurements reflect true field performance while minimizing total measurement time through efficient steady-state operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature and pressure parameters during the measurement process to simulate varying operational conditions. This dynamic control allows the mud to experience realistic flow history and environmental variations, improving measurement reliability while the automated control system manages the process efficiently to limit time loss
3Measurement precision
If a toroidal conduit system with temperature and pressure regulation is used, then the measurement apparatus can account for flow history and path length effects, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the toroidal conduit for flow conditioning, temperature regulation subsystem, pressure regulation subsystem, and measurement instrumentation. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently using standard techniques, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the sophisticated integrated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal conduit system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides flow path for the drilling mud, maintains controlled temperature and pressure conditions, defines a specific flow history and path length, and facilitates viscosity measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby easing manufacturing while achieving precise rheologic measurements
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
Provides accurate and reliable rheologic measurements of drilling mud by replicating the dynamic conditions under which the mud operates, allowing for a realistic evaluation of its performance and composition adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first regulation system for regulating the temperature inside the first toroidal conduit
Implementation Method 2
a second regulation system for regulating the pressure inside the first toroidal conduit
Implementation Method 3
Rheometers and viscometers are currently available in the art which, via mechanical interaction with a fluid sample, allow the estimation of rheologic parameters of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Method for carrying out rheologic measurements of a drilling mud, comprising: providing a first toroidal conduit (10); inserting into said first toroidal conduit (10) a drilling mud, comprising drilling debris; determining conditions to be simulated for said mud, said conditions to be simulated comprising a path length and/or a flow time to be simulated for said mud; determining, as a function of said conditions to be simulated, operating conditions to be applied to said mud, said operating conditions comprising a number of laps around said first toroidal conduit (10) and/or a flow time in said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the temperature inside said first toroidal conduit (10); regulating the pressure inside said first toroidal conduit (10); providing a displacement device (20) comprising a first projectile (21), wherein said first projectile (21) fills substantially entirely a cross-section of said first toroidal conduit (10); moving, by means of said first projectile (21), said mud in the first annular conduit (10) according to said operating conditions. The method further comprises: a first operating step, wherein a force is determined, which is applied by said displacement device (20) to move said mud in the first toroidal conduit (10); a second operating step, wherein a rheologic parameter of said mud is determined as a function of said force.