Abstract:
An imaging device (124), laser(s) (190, 192), lag calculation, and/or volume calculations are used to determine cuttings volume per unit depth. A projected or theoretical volume can be calculated based on parameters of the borehole being drilled. At the surface of the borehole, cuttings can be captured in a shaker screen (108). The volume of the cuttings can then be directly measured on the shaker screen. Deviations from a projected volume can be logged and notifications can be communicated on and/or offsite of the borehole. Additionally, size and shape of cuttings can be logged. Deviations from projected size and shape can also be logged. Various hydrocarbon recover}' operations can be altered based on results of the cuttings analysis and other indicators of improper hole cleaning. For instance, the drilling can be stopped, or a direction of the borehole can be altered.
Abstract:
It can sometimes be difficult to determine accurately the in-process degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid, thereby leading to inaccurate feedback from an ongoing drilling operation. Methods for determining degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid can comprise: combining a measured amount of an analysis gas with a drilling fluid sample; transferring the drilling fluid sample and the analysis gas to a degassing unit; withdrawing at least a portion of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample in the degassing unit; conveying the withdrawn analysis gas from the degassing unit to a detector with an inert carrier gas; determining an amount of the withdrawn analysis gas with the detector; and calculating an extraction efficiency of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample based upon the amount of the withdrawn analysis gas. The extraction efficiency may provide an estimate of the degassing extent for other gases.
Abstract:
A system and process for determining system operational characteristics of a drill string or completed well includes one or more detectors positioned along a fluid flow path in a wellbore. The detectors are operable to detect the presence of one or more transmitters circulated within the fluid flow path and to receive and record data based on detecting the transmitters. The system determines an operational characteristic, such as cutting sample identification information, flow rate, pump efficiency, lag, the presence of a washout, losses, or an equipment malfunction based on the data received and recorded by the detectors.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for determining the lag time and origin of particles in entrained in a mud stream. A size and shape of the particles may be evaluated at the surface with a visual inspection system, which permits a settling rate to be determined for each of the particles in a non-Newtonian mud stream. Together with an analysis of the pumping schedule, mud properties, trajectory of the wellbore and other fluid dynamics associated with a wellbore operation, an origin of the each of the particles from within the wellbore may be determined. At least one operational parameter for the wellbore operation may be adjusted based on the determined origin of the particles. For example, a clean-out procedure may be initiated if it is determined that particles are settling in an undesirable location in the wellbore.
Abstract:
A method for drilling may comprise disposing a bottom hole assembly into a first wellbore. The bottom hole assembly may include a pulse power drilling assembly having one or more electrodes disposed on a drill bit and a pulse-generating circuit. The method may further include activating the one or more electrodes by applying an amperage, a voltage, and a cycle rate to the one or more electrodes to form an arc and a spark, adjusting the arc and the spark based at least in part on a hydrodynamic energy balance and a thermal energy balance, identifying one or more chemical reaction products created from an interaction of the arc and the spark with a formation, and adjusting the amperage, the voltage, and the cycle rate based on the chemical reaction products and storing the adjusted amperage, voltage, and cycle rate.
Abstract:
This disclosure presents a process to determine characteristics of a subterranean formation proximate a borehole. Borehole material can be typically pumped from the borehole, though borehole material can be used within the borehole as well. Extracted material of interest can be collected from the borehole material and prepared for analyzation. Typically, the preparation can utilize various processes, for example, separation, filtering, moisture removal, pressure control, cleaning, and other preparation processes. The prepared extracted material can be placed in a photoacoustic device where measurements can be taken, such as a photoacoustic imager or a photoacoustic spectroscopy device. A photoacoustic analyzer can generate results utilizing the measurements, where the results of the extracted material can include one or more of fracture parameters, fracture plane parameters, permeability parameters, porosity parameters, and composition parameters. The results can be communicated to other systems and processes to be used as inputs.
Abstract:
Certain aspects and features relate to a system that monitors for kick and lost circulation in the riser string of an offshore drilling rig. The system compensates for annulus outflow fluctuation induced by wave (heave) motion in order to reduce false alarms, resulting in fewer drilling operation disruptions. The system includes a sensor or sensors disposable with respect to a drilling rig subject to rig motion. A processor receives a real-time position signal indicative of the rig motion from the sensor and applies a state observer to the position signal to determine annular flow parameters. The system models an annular flow for the wellbore to produce a modeled flow signal that reflects a position of the drilling rig relative to influx flow. The system uses the modeled flow to determine kick-loss-alarm parameters that take into account the heave motion.
Abstract:
A method includes receiving an image of drill cuttings with a data acquisition system that includes one or more processors, the drill cuttings originating from a wellbore being drilled and including a plurality of particles. The image of the drill cuttings is analyzed with the one or more processors by obtaining three two-dimensional distance measurements for each particle and obtaining four angular measurements for each particle. The one or more processors then determine at least one of a particle size distribution of the drill cuttings and a shape distribution of the drill cuttings based on the three two-dimensional distance measurements and the four angular measurements of each particle.
Abstract:
The present disclosure generally relates to a standalone gas extraction and detection system comprising a gas extraction chamber operable to receive a wellbore fluid and a carrier gas; a gas detection chamber in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber, the gas detection chamber comprising reflective surfaces operable to receive infrared radiation (IR) and an extracted gas sample from the gas extraction chamber; an open-path detector operable to detect the IR in the gas detection chamber; and a shaft extending through the gas extraction chamber and the gas detection chamber of the standalone gas extraction and detection system.
Abstract:
Various apparatus or methods are arranged to determine a first isotope ratio of an effluent drilling fluid, wherein the effluent drilling fluid is a drilling fluid after the drilling fluid has interacted with a plasma discharge produced via one or more electrodes of a drill bit of a pulsed power drill string disposed in a borehole. A second isotope ratio is estimated based on the first isotope ratio and a downhole reaction generated by the plasma discharge.