Method and system for monitoring and controlling fluid movement through a wellbore
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsOney Erge, Ginger Vinyard Hildebrand, Wayne Kotovsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for moving fluid through a pipe in a wellbore includes placing at least two different fluids in the pipe and in an annular space between the pipe and the wellbore. Fluid is pumped into the pipe at a rate to achieve a desired set of conditions. Using a predetermined volume distribution of the annular space, an axial position of each of the at least two fluids in the annular space during the pumping the displacement fluid is calculated.
Claims22
A method for moving fluid through a pipe in a wellbore, comprising:
- placing at least two different fluids in an interior of the pipe in fluid communication with an annular space, the annular space being between the pipe and the wellbore or between the pipe and a conduit in the wellbore;
- pumping fluid into the interior of the pipe;
- measuring a parameter related to a volume of fluid pumped into the interior of the pipe;
- in a computer, using a predetermined volume distribution of the annular space and the measured parameter, calculating an axial position of each of the at least two fluids in the annular space during the pumping the fluid;
- calculating a flow state with respect to axial position along the annular space and selecting a rate of pumping fluid to cause a selected flow state at at least one selected axial position along the annular space, wherein the flow state is calculated using a model of the pipe in the wellbore wherein the pipe is eccentered in the wellbore;
- and
- displaying the axial position on a display in signal communication with the computer.
A system for determining axial positions of fluids moving through a pipe in a wellbore, comprising:
- a fluid pump for moving a first fluid into the wellbore through the pipe inserted therein, the first fluid disposed in a flow path behind a second fluid in the wellbore;
- a sensor for measuring a parameter related to a volume of the first fluid pumped into the interior of the pipe;
- a computer in signal communication with the sensor, the computer programmed to:
- use a predetermined volume distribution of an annular space between the wellbore and the pipe and the measured parameter to calculate an axial position of each of the at least two fluids in the annular space during the pumping the first fluid;
- calculate a flow state with respect to the axial position along the annular space and selecting a rate of pumping fluid to cause a selected flow state at at least one selected axial position along the annular space, wherein the flow state is calculated using a model of the pipe in the wellbore wherein the pipe is eccentered in the wellbore;
- and
- a display in signal communication with the computer for displaying the axial position of each of the first and second fluid in the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.