CA2385092E - Method and appartus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank - Google Patents
Method and appartus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2385092E CA2385092E CA002385092A CA2385092A CA2385092E CA 2385092 E CA2385092 E CA 2385092E CA 002385092 A CA002385092 A CA 002385092A CA 2385092 A CA2385092 A CA 2385092A CA 2385092 E CA2385092 E CA 2385092E
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- solids
- drilling fluid
- tank
- conditioning tank
- fluid conditioning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 230000035508 accumulation Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 19
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
- E21B21/062—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by mixing components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
- B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
- B01F25/212—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers the injectors being movable, e.g. rotating
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
- B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
- B01F25/212—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers the injectors being movable, e.g. rotating
- B01F25/2121—Pivoting or oscillating in a multidirectional way during jetting
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
- Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)
Abstract
A method and apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank and, in particular, a floc tank. A first step involves equipping the drilling fluid conditioning tank with a high pressure water agitation gun. A second step involves fluidizing accumulated solids by subjecting the accumulated solids to a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid from the agitation gun. A
third step involves removing the accumulated solids that have been fluidized by circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge.
third step involves removing the accumulated solids that have been fluidized by circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Method and apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank, and, in particular, a floc tank.
BACKGROIIND OF THE INVENTION
There are different types of drilling fluids that are used when drilling an oil or gas well. One drilling fluid that is used is floc water. Water is treated with chemicals, typically calcium, so that solids will drop out in the floc tanks when a polymer is added.
The floc water is pumped down the drilling string to the drill bit. As pumping continues the drilling fluid is forced back up an annular space referred to as the "annulus" between the outside of the drill string and the borehole. The floc water which passes up the annulus carries with it cuttings from the drill bit. On surface, the floc water is passes over a shale shaker to remove large cuttings. Polymer is then added to the floc water, which causes the solids to join together. As the solids join together they become heavy and drop out of the liquid. The dirty floc water is then directed into floc tanks.
Floc tanks have several compartments. Smaller solids from the floc water drop out as the floc water passes from compartment to compartment. A vacuum truck is used to suck up the solids that drop to the bottom of the floc tank. The vacuum truck unavoidably draws floc water with the solids.
This adds to the cost as more water and more chemicals must be added to replace those which have been removed. It also causes environmental problems, as the floc water and solids from the vacuum truck must be disposed of.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method and an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank. A first step involves equipping the drilling fluid conditioning tank with a high pressure water agitation gun. A second step involves fluidizing accumulated solids by subjecting the accumulated solids to a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid from the agitation gun. A third step involves circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge to remove the solids from the drilling fluid and returning the drilling fluid to the drilling fluid conditioning tank.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in drilling fluid conditioning tanks. This apparatus consists of a combination of a drilling fluid conditioning tank, a centrifuge and a high pressure water agitation gun. The drilling fluid conditioning tank has a bottom and a peripheral sidewall. The centrifuge is in fluid communication with fluids in the tank. The high pressure water agitation gun is mounted in the tank. The agitation gun has an outlet nozzle positioned to direct a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid at the bottom of the tank. This causes solids accumulated on the bottom of the tank to be fluidized for removal by the centrifuge.
By simply fluidizing accumulated solid for removal by the centrifuge, as described above, the method and apparatus addresses the problems relating to loss of chemical and disposal of removed fluids.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the apparatus, as described above, it is preferred that the agitation gun have a substantially vertical conduit and a substantially horizontal conduit. The vertical conduit has an axis which is positioned substantially parallel to the peripheral sidewall of the tank. The horizontal conduit is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the tank. The vertical conduit is mounted within the tank for rotation about its axis. Rotation of the vertical conduit causes the jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid exiting the horizontal conduit to sweep the bottom of the tank, thereby providing a more thorough cleaning action.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to a particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view, in section, of a floc tank equipped with an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the floc tank illustrated in FIGURE 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1, apparatus 10, includes a combination of a floc tank 12, a centrifuge 14, and a high pressure water agitation gun 16. Floc tank 12 has a bottom 18 and a peripheral sidewall 20. Centrifuge 14 is in fluid communication with fluids in tank 12. High pressure water agitation gun 16 is mounted in tank 12. Agitation gun 16 has an outlet nozzle 22 positioned to direct a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid at bottom 18 of tank 12, whereby solids accumulated on bottom 18 of tank 12 are fluidized for removal by centrifuge 14. Agitation gun 16 has a vertical conduit 24 with an axis 26 substantially parallel to peripheral sidewall 20 of tank 12, and a substantially horizontal conduit 28 positioned adjacent to bottom 18 of tank 12. Referring to FIGURE 2, vertical conduit 24 is mounted by mounting brackets 30 on peripheral sidewall 20 within tank 12 for rotation about its axis 26, such that rotation of vertical conduit 24 causes jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid exiting horizontal conduit 28 to sweep bottom 18 of tank 12.
Operation:
The operation of apparatus 10 in accordance with the 5 preferred method for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Referring to FIGURE 1, to prevent accumulations of solids, tank 12 is equipped with high pressure water agitation gun 16, as described above. Accumulated solids are fluidized by subjecting the accumulated solids to a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid from agitation gun 16.
Accumulated solids that have been fluidized are removed by circulating the fluidized solids through centrifuge 14.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Method and apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank, and, in particular, a floc tank.
BACKGROIIND OF THE INVENTION
There are different types of drilling fluids that are used when drilling an oil or gas well. One drilling fluid that is used is floc water. Water is treated with chemicals, typically calcium, so that solids will drop out in the floc tanks when a polymer is added.
The floc water is pumped down the drilling string to the drill bit. As pumping continues the drilling fluid is forced back up an annular space referred to as the "annulus" between the outside of the drill string and the borehole. The floc water which passes up the annulus carries with it cuttings from the drill bit. On surface, the floc water is passes over a shale shaker to remove large cuttings. Polymer is then added to the floc water, which causes the solids to join together. As the solids join together they become heavy and drop out of the liquid. The dirty floc water is then directed into floc tanks.
Floc tanks have several compartments. Smaller solids from the floc water drop out as the floc water passes from compartment to compartment. A vacuum truck is used to suck up the solids that drop to the bottom of the floc tank. The vacuum truck unavoidably draws floc water with the solids.
This adds to the cost as more water and more chemicals must be added to replace those which have been removed. It also causes environmental problems, as the floc water and solids from the vacuum truck must be disposed of.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method and an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank. A first step involves equipping the drilling fluid conditioning tank with a high pressure water agitation gun. A second step involves fluidizing accumulated solids by subjecting the accumulated solids to a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid from the agitation gun. A third step involves circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge to remove the solids from the drilling fluid and returning the drilling fluid to the drilling fluid conditioning tank.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in drilling fluid conditioning tanks. This apparatus consists of a combination of a drilling fluid conditioning tank, a centrifuge and a high pressure water agitation gun. The drilling fluid conditioning tank has a bottom and a peripheral sidewall. The centrifuge is in fluid communication with fluids in the tank. The high pressure water agitation gun is mounted in the tank. The agitation gun has an outlet nozzle positioned to direct a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid at the bottom of the tank. This causes solids accumulated on the bottom of the tank to be fluidized for removal by the centrifuge.
By simply fluidizing accumulated solid for removal by the centrifuge, as described above, the method and apparatus addresses the problems relating to loss of chemical and disposal of removed fluids.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the apparatus, as described above, it is preferred that the agitation gun have a substantially vertical conduit and a substantially horizontal conduit. The vertical conduit has an axis which is positioned substantially parallel to the peripheral sidewall of the tank. The horizontal conduit is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the tank. The vertical conduit is mounted within the tank for rotation about its axis. Rotation of the vertical conduit causes the jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid exiting the horizontal conduit to sweep the bottom of the tank, thereby providing a more thorough cleaning action.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to a particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view, in section, of a floc tank equipped with an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the floc tank illustrated in FIGURE 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1, apparatus 10, includes a combination of a floc tank 12, a centrifuge 14, and a high pressure water agitation gun 16. Floc tank 12 has a bottom 18 and a peripheral sidewall 20. Centrifuge 14 is in fluid communication with fluids in tank 12. High pressure water agitation gun 16 is mounted in tank 12. Agitation gun 16 has an outlet nozzle 22 positioned to direct a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid at bottom 18 of tank 12, whereby solids accumulated on bottom 18 of tank 12 are fluidized for removal by centrifuge 14. Agitation gun 16 has a vertical conduit 24 with an axis 26 substantially parallel to peripheral sidewall 20 of tank 12, and a substantially horizontal conduit 28 positioned adjacent to bottom 18 of tank 12. Referring to FIGURE 2, vertical conduit 24 is mounted by mounting brackets 30 on peripheral sidewall 20 within tank 12 for rotation about its axis 26, such that rotation of vertical conduit 24 causes jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid exiting horizontal conduit 28 to sweep bottom 18 of tank 12.
Operation:
The operation of apparatus 10 in accordance with the 5 preferred method for preventing accumulations of solids in a floc tank will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Referring to FIGURE 1, to prevent accumulations of solids, tank 12 is equipped with high pressure water agitation gun 16, as described above. Accumulated solids are fluidized by subjecting the accumulated solids to a jet stream of high pressure drilling fluid from agitation gun 16.
Accumulated solids that have been fluidized are removed by circulating the fluidized solids through centrifuge 14.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Claims
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank, comprising the steps of:
positioning fluid agitation guns adapted to deliver a jet stream of high pressure fluid in a drilling fluid conditioning tank used to settle out solids from drilling fluid;
circulating drilling fluid by drawing fluid from the drilling fluid conditioning tank and using the fluid agitation guns to direct a jet stream of high pressure fluid across a bottom of the drilling fluid conditioning tank to fluidize solids; and circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge to remove the solids from the drilling fluid and returning the drilling fluid to the drilling fluid conditioning tank.
positioning fluid agitation guns adapted to deliver a jet stream of high pressure fluid in a drilling fluid conditioning tank used to settle out solids from drilling fluid;
circulating drilling fluid by drawing fluid from the drilling fluid conditioning tank and using the fluid agitation guns to direct a jet stream of high pressure fluid across a bottom of the drilling fluid conditioning tank to fluidize solids; and circulating the fluidized solids through a centrifuge to remove the solids from the drilling fluid and returning the drilling fluid to the drilling fluid conditioning tank.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002385092A CA2385092E (en) | 2002-05-06 | 2002-05-06 | Method and appartus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002385092A CA2385092E (en) | 2002-05-06 | 2002-05-06 | Method and appartus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2385092A1 CA2385092A1 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
| CA2385092C CA2385092C (en) | 2004-07-13 |
| CA2385092E true CA2385092E (en) | 2008-07-15 |
Family
ID=4171160
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002385092A Expired - Fee Related CA2385092E (en) | 2002-05-06 | 2002-05-06 | Method and appartus for preventing accumulations of solids in a drilling fluid conditioning tank |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2385092E (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20070084638A1 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2007-04-19 | Clyde Bohnsack | Drilling fluid flow facilitation |
| CN110952941A (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2020-04-03 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Drilling fluid treatment method and system |
-
2002
- 2002-05-06 CA CA002385092A patent/CA2385092E/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2385092C (en) | 2004-07-13 |
| CA2385092A1 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| NARE | Reissued | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20190506 |