Wellbore Influx And Loss Detection Using Pump Pressure Deviations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting influx and loss events in wellbores during hydrocarbon drilling are unreliable and often require expensive equipment modifications, relying heavily on driller experience and prone to false alarms, especially during transient events.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize measurements of flow out rate and active volume, combined with pump pressure analysis, to detect influx and loss events by comparing deviated values against established alarm conditions, allowing for early detection without requiring rig modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods for detecting influx and loss events are used, then detection capability is provided, but reliability is poor and false alarms occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple existing sensors (flow rate sensors, active volume sensors, pump pressure sensors) that are already present on the drilling rig into an integrated monitoring system. By merging the data from these sensors and analyzing them together, the system achieves more reliable and accurate detection of influx and loss events compared to using any single sensor alone, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If expensive equipment modifications are made to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing multi-functional sensors on the drilling rig serve an additional function of detecting influx and loss events. The flow rate sensors, active volume sensors, and pump pressure sensors originally designed for general drilling monitoring are repurposed and integrated into the influx/loss detection system, eliminating the need for expensive specialized equipment while achieving accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing sensor infrastructure and data processing capabilities already present on the drilling rig to perform influx and loss detection. By leveraging the rig's own existing resources rather than adding new equipment, the system achieves accurate detection without increasing device complexity or requiring expensive modifications.
3Reliability
If single parameter monitoring is used, then device complexity is minimized, but detection reliability decreases during transient events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monitoring of multiple parameters (flow rate, active volume, pump pressure) into a unified detection system. By analyzing the combined information from these different parameters simultaneously, the system achieves high reliability during transient events where single parameter monitoring would fail, while the complexity is managed through integrated processing of the existing sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of monitoring for influx and/or loss events in a wellbore are disclosed. One method comprises: receiving a measurement relating to fluid entering or leaving the wellbore, wherein the measurement is selected from flow out rate and active volume; and comparing the measurement with an expected value for the measurement to provide a deviated measurement value. The method further comprises receiving a pump pressure value of a pump associated with the wellbore; and comparing the pump pressure value with an expected pump pressure value to provide a deviated pump pressure value. It is then established whether an influx event and/or it is established whether a loss event may have occurred based on at least the deviated measurement value and deviated pump pressure value. Systems configured to monitor for influx and/or loss events in a wellbore are also disclosed.