# US 2017/0284918 A1 · Automated fluid monitoring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284918 A1 - Document ID: US20170284918A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/086,444 - Filed: 2016-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Katherine Palazzo; Christopher Leake; Anthony Scott Parker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284918A1 ## CPC - E21B 21/062: {by mixing components} - G01N 11/04: through a restricted passage, e.g. tube, aperture - E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations} - E21B 43/267: reinforcing fractures by propping - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method of monitoring characteristics of a viscosified fluid in a substantially continuous manner. Devices and techniques for such methods include use of an in-line Coriolis flowmeter to continuously circulate a portion of the viscosified fluid therein for analysis as the fluid may be directed to a blender for combining with a constituent such as proppant for forming a fracturing slurry. Devices and techniques herein allow for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the developing viscosified fluid and/or halting of the fracturing application depending on results of the ongoing monitoring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of monitoring a characteristic of a viscosified fluid, the method comprising: adding, at a given rate, a viscosifying agent to a fluid base at a mixer to form the viscosified fluid for an application at a well at an oilfield; transporting a portion of the viscosified fluid to a monitoring unit at the oilfield simultaneous with the transporting to the well in a substantially continuous manner during the application; and employing the monitoring unit to acquire dynamic information regarding the characteristic in an automated manner during the substantially continuous transporting of the portion of the viscosified fluid thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising transporting the viscosified fluid from the mixer to a blender; combining with the viscosified fluid with a constituent to form a slurry for an application in a well at an oilfield, wherein the combining of the constituent with the viscosified fluid provides the slurry with a cross-linked character. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the slurry is a fracturing slurry and the application in the well is a fracturing application. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing the dynamic information regarding the characteristic against predetermined upper and lower bounds of acceptability for the characteristic in light of the application. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the characteristic is viscosity of the viscosified fluid, the method further comprising: determining from the analyzing that the viscosity of the fluid is trending toward the lower bound; and one of ensuring that the given rate of the adding is occurring and increasing the given rate of the adding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the characteristic is viscosity of the viscosified fluid, the method further comprising: determining from analyzing that the viscosity of the fluid is trending toward the upper bound; and decreasing the given rate of adding. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising: determining that the characteristic is outside of one of the upper and lower bounds of acceptability; and halting the application. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic is viscosity and employing of the monitoring unit comprises: routing the portion of the viscosified fluid through a measuring tube of a flowmeter of the unit; applying a torsional movement on the measuring tube by a pendulum during the routing of the portion of the fluid therethrough; and attaining a dynamic viscosity of the fluid based on changes in power requirements necessary to attain the torsional movement by the pendulum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the reading is provided based on a non-industry standard shear rate, the method further comprising one of: providing an operator with at least one conversion chart for converting the reading to an industry standard shear rate; and utilizing a processor to convert the reading to an industry standard shear rate for the operator. ### Claim 10 A viscosified fluid monitoring unit comprising: a fluid intake line for receiving a portion of a viscosified fluid from a mixer forming the fluid from a base fluid and a viscosifying agent; a fluid outlet line for returning the portion of the viscosified fluid to a circulating flow of viscosified fluid; and an in-line Coriolis flowmeter to circulate the portion of the viscosified fluid from the fluid intake line to the fluid outlet line and provide ongoing, substantially continuous monitoring of a characteristic of the viscosified fluid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 wherein the characteristic of the viscosified fluid is viscosity, the flowmeter further comprising: a measuring tube to accommodate the circulating portion of the viscosified fluid therethrough; and a pendulum to impart a torsional movement on the tube during the circulating for establishing the viscosity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 further comprising a standalone modular frame for accommodating the flowmeter at a worksite. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 further comprising a pump for operating at a substantially constant rate to draw the portion of the fluid into the intake line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 wherein the fluid outlet line is in fluid communication with a blender for forming an application fluid from the viscosified fluid and at least one added constituent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 further comprising a secreen secured to the flowmeter for displaying the characteristic to an operator and wherein the characteristic is one of density, temperature, flow rate, and viscosity of the portion of the viscosified fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The unit of claim 10 further comprising a pH probe transecting the inlet line to the flowmeter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The unit of claim 16 further comprising a display to provide pH readings from the probe to an operator. ### Claim 18 A system at an oilfield accommodating a well, the system comprising: a tank for holding a base fluid; a mixer for combining the base fluid with a viscosifying agent to form a viscosified fluid; a blender for combining the viscosified fluid with a constituent to form an application slurry directed at the well; and a viscosified fluid monitoring unit with an in-line Coriolis flowmeter to monitor a characteristic of a portion of the viscosified fluid on a substantially continuous basis as the viscosified fluid is transported to the blender. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the characteristic of the viscosified fluid is viscosity, the monitoring unit including a flowmeter comprising: a measuring tube to accommodate the circulating portion of the viscosified fluid therethrough; and a pendulum to impart a torsional movement on the tube during the circulating for establishing the viscosity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the base fluid is a non-Newtonian fluid, the viscosifying agent is guar and the constituent is proppant.