Wellbore Fluid Displacement Modeling for Solids Removal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the efficiency of solids removal from wellbores during wellbore fluids displacement are unwieldy, time-consuming, and lack accuracy, failing to provide timely and precise information on residual solids remaining in the wellbore, which can hinder subsequent operations and damage the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an information handling system to model and simulate wellbore fluids displacement, incorporating fluid flow models and real-time data analysis to predict and optimize the efficiency of solids removal, including the use of wellbore servicing fluids and monitoring systems to adjust operations based on actual vs. expected fluid densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical samples of wellbore servicing fluids are extracted and analyzed to determine solids quantity, then some information about solids removed is obtained, but the analysis provides little to no information about solids remaining in the wellbore and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sample extraction and laboratory analysis with acoustic wave-based detection. Acoustic waves are transmitted through the wellbore fluid, and the returned acoustic signal is analyzed to determine solids concentration. This substitution eliminates time-consuming physical sampling while providing continuous, real-time measurements of both removed and remaining solids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary to measure solids concentration in the wellbore fluid. Instead of directly analyzing physical samples, acoustic waves interact with the fluid and solids, carrying information about solids concentration that can be extracted from the returned signal. This intermediary enables non-intrusive, continuous monitoring.
2Reliability
If existing computational methods are used to model solids removal, then modeling capability is provided, but the methods are unwieldy, take longer than operationally practical, or require extrapolation over existing data boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses on the essential acoustic wave interaction principles with wellbore fluid and solids, separating them from the complex, unwieldy existing computational models. By concentrating on the core acoustic measurement physics and creating simplified empirical relationships, the model achieves operational speed while maintaining accuracy within practical boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from requiring comprehensive wellbore physical models to using acoustic wave propagation characteristics. By measuring acoustic velocity, attenuation, and reflection properties of the fluid-solids mixture, the system obtains solids concentration information directly without needing to model complex wellbore geometry, lithology, and stress states.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive wellbore parameters are considered for accurate modeling, then modeling accuracy is improved, but the computational complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and computational modeling of wellbore physics with acoustic wave-based measurement. Instead of computationally intensive models incorporating wellbore geometry, lithology, and stress states, the system uses acoustic wave propagation characteristics to directly measure solids concentration, significantly reducing system complexity.
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 accurate and timely prediction of solids removal efficiency, reducing the need for additional displacement operations and minimizing wellbore damage by optimizing fluid circulation and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic wave is transmitted through the wellbore fluid and a returned acoustic signal is analyzed to determine a concentration of solids in the wellbore fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Determining the efficiency of solids removal from a wellbore during a wellbore displacement operation may prevent the unnecessary consumption of resources at a well site and enhance the performance of subsequent wellbore operations. The efficiency of solids removal may be based, at least in part, on one or more expected masses of one or more return fluids returned to the surface from a wellbore displacement operation, wherein the determining the expected masses comprises using one or more properties of one or more wellbore servicing fluids before the wellbore servicing fluids are used in the wellbore displacement operation. The expected masses may be compared to actual masses of wellbore fluids returned to the surface, wherein the actual masses are determined from samples of the wellbore fluids obtained from a return line of the wellbore. To improve operational decision making at a well site, operators or automated processes may modify the wellbore displacement operation based, at least in part, on the comparison between the expected masses and the actual masses.