Systems and methods for detecting and characterizing contamination in gas sampling systems
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsElena Borisova, Jean-Pierre Bailly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided herein are gas analysis systems comprising a sampling circuit and a gas analyzer operable to measure a gas flowing through the sampling circuit. A purge fluid may be routed through the sampling circuit and measured by the gas analyzer to detect contamination in the sampling circuit. One or more remedial actions may be taken, by an operator and/or a controller, in response to detected contamination in the sampling circuit to improve the reliability, accuracy, and/or longevity of the gas analysis system.
Claims20
A gas analysis system, the system comprising:
- (a) a sampling circuit comprising:
- a conduit connectable to a gas supply for receiving a gas sample during a sample analysis operation and to a purge fluid supply for receiving a purge fluid during a contaminant analysis operation;
- and
- at least one valve positionable to enable connection between the conduit and the gas supply during the sample analysis operation, and to enable connection between the conduit and the purge fluid supply during the contaminant analysis operation;
- and
- (b) a gas analyzer connected to the sampling circuit, the gas analyzer being operable to obtain measurement data indicative of gas content in the gas sample during the sample analysis operation and measurement data indicative of gas content in the purge fluid during the contaminant analysis operation.
A well site installation for analyzing drilling fluid exiting a wellbore, the installation comprising:
- (a) a pipe drawing the drilling fluid from the wellbore;
- (b) a sampling circuit in fluid communication with the pipe, the sampling circuit comprising:
- an extractor operable to separate gas contained in the drilling fluid;
- a conduit connectable to the extractor for receiving a sample of the gas during a sample analysis operation and to a purge fluid supply for receiving a purge fluid during a contaminant analysis operation;
- and
- at least one valve positionable to enable connection between the conduit and the extractor during the sample analysis operation, and to enable connection between the conduit and the purge fluid supply during the contaminant analysis operation;
- and
- (c) a gas analyzer connected to the sampling circuit, the gas analyzer being operable to obtain measurement data indicative of gas content in the sample of the gas during the sample analysis operation and measurement data indicative of gas content in the purge fluid during the contaminant analysis operation.
A method of analyzing gas contained in a working fluid, the method comprising:
- (a) sampling the gas via a sampling circuit connected to a gas analyzer;
- (b) measuring the gas using the gas analyzer to detect one or more gas compounds in the gas;
- (c) intermittently ceasing the sampling of the gas and, when the sampling is ceased, purging the sampling circuit with a purge fluid;
- and
- (d) measuring the purge fluid using the gas analyzer to detect one or more contaminants in the sampling circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.