Plug detection system and method
AssigneeNabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
InventorBrian Dale Dewald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system that can include a first sensor disposed within a tubular and configured to monitor a pressure within the tubular, a second sensor disposed within the tubular downstream of the first sensor and configured to monitor the pressure within the tubular, and a controller. The controller being configured to detect a launch of the cement plug when the first sensor detects a first pressure drop and when the second sensor detects a second pressure drop, where the second pressure drop occurs after the first pressure drop within a predetermined elapsed time range.
Claims20
A cement plug detection system, comprising:
- a cement plug;
- and
- a sensor system, comprising:
- a first sensor disposed within a tubular and configured to monitor a pressure within the tubular;
- a second sensor disposed within the tubular downstream of the first sensor with respect to a flow of fluid through the tubular, wherein the second sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the tubular;
- and
- a controller configured to detect a launch of the cement plug when the first sensor detects a first pressure drop and when the second sensor detects a second pressure drop, wherein the second pressure drop occurs after the first pressure drop within a predetermined elapsed time range.
A drilling system, comprising:
- a casing string configured to receive and direct drilling fluids from a rig floor to a wellbore;
- a cement swivel configured to supply cement into the casing string to secure the casing string in the wellbore;
- a cement plug configured to remove cement from within the casing string;
- and
- a sensor system, comprising:
- a first sensor disposed within the casing string and configured to monitor a pressure within the casing string;
- a second sensor disposed within the casing string downstream of the first sensor with respect to a flow of drilling fluid through the casing string, wherein the second sensor is configured to monitor the pressure within the casing string;
- and
- a controller configured to detect a launch of the cement plug when the first sensor detects a first pressure drop and when the second sensor detects a second pressure drop, wherein the second pressure drop occurs after the first pressure drop within a predetermined elapsed time range.
A method, comprising:
- receiving feedback from a first sensor disposed in a casing string and a second sensor disposed in the casing string, wherein the second sensor is positioned downstream of the first sensor with respect to a flow of fluid within the casing string;
- detecting a first pressure drop from the first sensor;
- detecting a second pressure drop from the second sensor;
- and
- determining a launch of a cement plug in the casing string when the first pressure drop and the second pressure drop occur within a predetermined elapsed time range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.