# US 11,994,017 B2 · Method and system for monitoring and controlling fluid movement through a wellbore > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,017 B2 - Document ID: US11994017B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/814,246 - Filed: 2022-07-22 - Published: 2022-11-17 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-28 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Oney Erge; Ginger Vinyard Hildebrand; Wayne Kotovsky - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994017B2 ## CPC - E21B 47/005: Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level - E21B 33/13: Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like - E21B 33/14: for cementing casings into boreholes - E21B 47/047: Liquid level (measuring depth or liquid level using radioactive markers E21B47/053) - E21B 47/06: Measuring temperature or pressure - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: receiving sensor-based measurements associated with pumping of fluid into a conduit in fluid communication with an annulus that is disposed between the conduit and an interior wall of a wellbore; determining a pump pressure and flow rate of the fluid based on the sensor-based measurements; determining an annulus pressure profile and flow regime profile based on the pump pressure, the flow rate, and rheological properties of the fluid pumped in the conduit and in the annulus, wherein the flow regime profile depends on density and viscosity of the fluid; and adjusting a fluid pumping rate of the fluid based on an analysis of the flow regime profile and the annulus pressure profile against at least one predetermined pressure profile to maintain the pumping of the fluid within a predetermined range to optimize bonding between the fluid, the conduit, and the interior wall of the wellbore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid includes cement that is pumped into the conduit to be displaced from an interior of the conduit into the annulus to a selected axial position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the pumping of the fluid continues until a top of the cement is disposed at the selected axial position along the annulus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the annulus pressure profile is determined for various flow rates and is tracked based on measurements of the flow rate into the conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including displaying an alert comprising an instruction to adjust the pumping of the fluid to increase the flow rate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including displaying an alert comprising an instruction to adjust the pumping of the fluid to decrease the flow rate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including displaying an alert comprising an instruction to maintain the flow rate for the pumping of the fluid within the predetermined range. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including displaying a graphic of the annulus and a dynamic representation of the fluid in the annulus with respect to depth. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including displaying a graphic of the annulus and at least one indicator as to a flow of the fluid in the annulus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor-based measurements comprise measurements of a volume of the fluid discharged from the annulus that include measurements of changes in volumetric flow rate with respect to time. ### Claim 11 A system for monitoring and controlling fluid movement through a wellbore comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive sensor-based measurements from electronic sensors, wherein the sensor-based measurements are associated with pumping of fluid into a conduit in fluid communication with an annulus that is disposed between the conduit and an interior wall of the wellbore; determine a pump pressure and flow rate of the fluid based on the sensor-based measurements received from the electronic sensors; determine an annulus pressure profile and flow regime profile based on the pump pressure, the flow rate, and rheological properties of the fluid pumped in the conduit and in the annulus, wherein the flow regime profile depends on density and viscosity of the fluid; and adjust a fluid pumping rate of the fluid based on an analysis of the flow regime profile and the annulus pressure profile against at least one predetermined pressure profile to maintain the pumping of the fluid within a predetermined range to optimize bonding between the fluid, the conduit, and the interior wall of the wellbore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid includes cement that is pumped into the conduit to be displaced from an interior of the conduit into the annulus to a selected axial position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the pumping of the fluid continues until a top of the cement is disposed at the selected axial position along the annulus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the annulus pressure profile is determined for various flow rates and is tracked based on measurements of the flow rate into the conduit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display an alert comprising an instruction to adjust the pumping of the fluid to increase the flow rate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display an alert comprising an instruction to adjust the pumping of the fluid to decrease the flow rate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display an alert comprising an instruction to maintain the flow rate for the pumping of the fluid within the predetermined range. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a graphic of the annulus and a dynamic representation of the fluid in the annulus with respect to depth. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a graphic of the annulus and at least one indicator as to a flow of the fluid in the annulus. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor-based measurements comprise measurements of a volume of the fluid discharged from the annulus that include measurements of changes in volumetric flow rate with respect to time.