Weighted Well Material Distribution Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for distributing well materials in hydrocarbon well drilling result in non-homogeneous drilling fluids due to the settling of barite and other materials in the mud pit, leading to waste, reduced pump life, and increased downhole tool failures.

Innovation Solution

A weighted well material distribution system that involves gravity-feeding bulk materials from a mixer inlet silo into a mixing vessel, where they are densified and mixed, and then transferred to a mud pit, ensuring a homogenous mixture is maintained and pumped downhole.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bulk well materials are gravity-fed from a silo directly into a mud pit, then the distribution process is simple and efficient, but the materials become non-homogeneous as they settle in the corners of the mud pit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution efficiencyVSAvoidhomogeneity of well material mixture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mixing and densifying of bulk well materials in a mixing vessel before transferring them to the mud pit. This preliminary action ensures homogeneity is achieved before distribution, preventing subsequent settling and maintaining composition stability throughout the mud pit storage period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A mixing vessel is introduced as an intermediary component between the silo and the mud pit. This intermediary device performs the critical function of mixing and densifying materials, transforming them into a homogeneous state before they enter the distribution system, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple distribution and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If barite is added to increase drilling fluid density, then the weight control of drilling fluid is improved, but the barite settles to the bottom of the mud pit creating waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling fluid densityVSAvoidbarite waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device continuously or periodically mixes the well materials in the mixing vessel during the transfer process, maintaining suspension of barite particles throughout the transit to the mud pit. This continuous action prevents premature settling and ensures uniform distribution, eliminating waste accumulation at the bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If non-homogeneous well materials are pumped downhole, then the pumping process is simpler, but pump parts wear faster and downhole tool failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping system complexityVSAvoidpump life and downhole tool reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mixing and homogenization of well materials in the mixing vessel before they enter the pumping and distribution stage. This preliminary preparation ensures that only homogeneous, properly suspended materials are pumped downhole, preventing accelerated wear and tool failures while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 prevents material settling in the mud pit, reduces waste, extends pump life, and minimizes downhole tool failures by maintaining a consistent well material mixture.

Implementation Method 1

forming a well material mixture by mixing the bulk well materials including at least one well material component in the mixing vessel interior of the mixing vessel via operation of the at least one mixing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

gravity-feeding bulk well materials from at least one mixer inlet silo into a mixing vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

gravity-feeding the bulk well materials from the mixing vessel into a mud pit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11565225B1Weighted well material distribution systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 WHITLATCH BLAKE

AI summary

Well material distribution methods may include gravity feeding bulk well materials including at least one well material component into a mixing vessel which may include a mixing vessel interior and at least one mixing device disposed in the mixing vessel interior; forming a well material mixture by mixing the bulk well materials including at least one well material component in the mixing vessel interior of the mixing vessel via operation of the at least one mixing device; distributing the well material mixture from the mixing vessel interior of the mixing vessel to at least one mud pit; and distributing a substantially homogenous well material mixture from the at least one mud pit to a hydrocarbon well.