Gentle Vacuum Drill Cutting Analysis for Hydrocarbon Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing geologic materials, such as petroleum drill cuttings, are limited in their ability to determine the suitability of materials for fracking and in detecting hydrocarbon presence due to issues like fluid inclusion analysis limitations and loss of gases under high vacuum conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and devices that analyze the compressibility and volatile substance content of geologic materials by applying gentle forces, such as gentle vacuum, to release and capture volatile substances, and then using mass spectrometry for analysis, allowing for the determination of fracking suitability and hydrocarbon presence without significant gas loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high vacuum conditions are applied to analyze geologic materials, then volatile substances can be extracted for analysis, but significant gas loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high vacuum to gentle vacuum conditions, allowing volatile substance extraction while minimizing gas loss. This parameter modification resolves the contradiction by finding an optimal pressure level that enables analysis without causing significant substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts vacuum conditions based on the specific geologic material being analyzed, transitioning between different pressure levels as needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to extract volatile substances effectively while preventing excessive gas loss, adapting to each material's characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If traditional fluid inclusion analysis methods are used, then hydrocarbon presence can be detected, but the content of inclusions often does not match present-day fluids in the formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary gentle vacuum treatment to geologic materials before analysis, which releases trapped volatile substances including present-day fluids without the extreme conditions that cause information loss. This preliminary action preserves the original fluid composition information while enabling detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gentle vacuum as an intermediary mechanism to extract volatile substances, avoiding the harsh high vacuum conditions that cause fluid composition changes. This intermediary approach maintains the integrity of the original fluid information while enabling analysis.
3Measurement precision
If compression analysis is applied to determine fracking suitability, then material properties can be assessed, but the ability to evaluate multiple samples efficiently is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis process into distinct stages (compression testing, volatile extraction, mass spectrometry) that can be performed on multiple samples in parallel or sequence. This segmentation enables efficient evaluation of many samples while maintaining precise fracking suitability assessment for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with universal capabilities to handle various geologic materials and perform multiple types of analysis (compressibility, volatile content, hydrocarbon detection) using the same apparatus. This multi-functionality increases productivity by eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each analysis type.
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
These methods and devices effectively assess the fracking suitability and hydrocarbon content of geologic materials, expanding the applicability beyond traditional hydrocarbon-associated rock samples and overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
analyzed, such as with a mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 2
analyzing the chemistry of one or more trap-released fluids
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the sample to one or more forces that allow or promote the release of the volatile substances
Implementation Method 4
applying gentle forces, such as gentle vacuum, to release and capture volatile substances
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods for real-time analysis of well drill cuttings comprising (1) automatically collecting drill cuttings from the discharge of a well in a drill cuttings collection container that is adapted to collect drill cuttings from the well discharge while permitting most fluid in the well discharge to flow through the container, (2) automatically subjecting the well discharge-collected drill cuttings in the container to a force that releases volatile material from the well drill cuttings released by application of a vacuum pressure of about 1×10−3 millibars and about 1 atmosphere for a period of about 0.5-about 10 minutes, (3) automatically analyzing the amount of one or more volatile compounds contained in the volatile material, and (4) using the amount of the one or more volatile compounds to determine the direction of further drilling in the well. Well-site devices adapted to perform such methods also are provided.