US 2019/0376355 A1 · NOVEL REAL-TIME DRILLING-FLUID MONITOR

Abstract

Drilling-fluid monitoring technology for a drilling rig's drilling-fluid circulation system is disclosed. Pairs of vertically separated pressure sensors are installed at various points in the circulation system, including at the bell nipple, to provide drilling-fluid density information at different points in the circulation system. The bell nipple sensors provide information about the height of the drilling fluid in the bell nipple and the density of the drilling fluid before the cuttings are removed from the fluid. Changes in the bell-nipple drilling-fluid density or height may indicate potentially dangerous borehole conditions. Similarly, comparisons between bell-nipple drilling-fluid density with the density at other points in the circulation system provide information about the status of the circulation system. This information may be used to operate the drilling rig more safely and efficiently during the drilling process.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A drilling-fluid monitor comprising:

(a) a pipe configured to be placed in a circulation system of a drilling rig before the drilling-fluid processing system and after the drill bit such that drilling fluid containing cuttings may flow through the pipe;
(b) a first pressure sensor mounted on a first position on the pipe and configured to measure the pressure inside the pipe;
(c) a second pressure sensor mounted on a second position on the pipe and configured to measure the pressure inside the pipe;
(d) wherein the pipe is configured such that when installed in the circulation system of a drilling rig, the first pressure sensor is positioned vertically lower than the second pressure sensor.

1 more element

A drilling-fluid circulation system comprising:

(a) a bell nipple;
(b) a drilling-fluid process pit;
(c) a drilling-fluid suction pit;
(d) a first pair of vertically separated pressure sensors installed at the bell nipple and each configured to measure a pressure of drilling fluid within the bell nipple;
(e) a second pair of vertically separated pressure sensors installed at the drilling-fluid process pit and each configured to measure a pressure of drilling fluid within the drilling-fluid process pit;
(f) a third pair of vertically separated pressure sensors installed at the drilling-fluid suction pit and each configured to measure a pressure of drilling fluid within the drilling-fluid suction pit;
and
(g) a controller connected to each of the first pair of vertically separated pressure sensors, the second pair of vertically separated pressure sensors, and the third pair of vertically separated pressure sensors.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Novel real-time drilling-fluid monitor

Life of this patent

Novel real-time drilling-fluid monitor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15