CA2891177A1 - Novel bead recovery system - Google Patents
Novel bead recovery system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2891177A1 CA2891177A1 CA2891177A CA2891177A CA2891177A1 CA 2891177 A1 CA2891177 A1 CA 2891177A1 CA 2891177 A CA2891177 A CA 2891177A CA 2891177 A CA2891177 A CA 2891177A CA 2891177 A1 CA2891177 A1 CA 2891177A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- drilling
- bead
- tank
- pump
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP 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
- E21B21/063—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by separating components
- E21B21/065—Separating solids from drilling fluids
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
- B03B5/00—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating
- B03B5/28—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating by sink-float separation
- B03B5/30—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating by sink-float separation using heavy liquids or suspensions
- B03B5/32—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating by sink-float separation using heavy liquids or suspensions using centrifugal force
- B03B5/34—Applications of hydrocyclones
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
- B03B9/00—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets
Abstract
An open loop drilling beads recovery system comprising: a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a shale shaker having at least one screen adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a used drilling fluid; said shale shaker being in fluid communication with a well rig tank; a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a manifold hydrocyclone system; a first and a second pump;
said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the the well rig tank and the bead catch tank; where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting saki manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the the well rig tank and the bead catch tank; where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting saki manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
Description
NOVEL BEAD RECOVERY SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bead recovery system used in drilling and excavation applications.
More specifically, the invention relates to an open loop bead recovery system for use in oil and gas drilling operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the oil and gas industry, drilling mud is used to control subsurface pressures, lubricate the drill bit, stabilize the well bore, and carry the cuttings to the surface, among other functions. Mud is pumped from the surface through the hollow drill string, exits through nozzles in the drill bit, and returns to the surface through the annular space between the drill string and the walls of the hole.
As the drill bit grinds rocks into drill cuttings, these cuttings become entrained in the mud flow and are carried to the surface. In order to return the mud to the recirculating mud system and to make the solids easier to handle, the solids must be separated from the mud. The first step in separating the cuttings from the mud involves circulating the mixture of mud and cuttings over vibrating screens called shale shakers.
The liquid mud passes through the screens and is recirculated back to the mud tanks from which mud is withdrawn for pumping downhole. The drill cuttings remain on top of the shale shaker screens; the vibratory action of the shakers moves the cuttings down the screen and off the end of the shakers to a point where they can be collected and stored in a tank or pit for further treatment or management.
US Patent no, 4,116,288 discloses a method and apparatus for processing drilling mud wherein mud containing lost circulating material is passed from the well to a separator device where it is separated from the drilling mud and is reintroduced into the drilling mud after the mud has been cleaned of undesirable solid particulate. In the separator, the lost circulating material is retained on a coarse screen while the mud and drilling solids pass to a finer mesh screen. The finer mesh screen removes the drilling solids and allows the mud to pass to the mud tank. The separator includes a structure to recirculate the lost circulating material to the mud tank.
US patent no. 5,996,484 A entitled "Drilling fluid recovery defluidization system a press process and structure" discloses a process for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling -7stem while producing a dense, drier material which may be chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination.
US patent no. 6,607,659 B2 entitled "Drilling mud reclamation system with mass flow sensors"
discloses a drilling mud clarification or reclamation system. High gravity and low gravity solids are removed from the drilling mud in respective centrifugal separator stages. A plurality of in-line mass flow sensors are provided to provide real-time indication of the effectiveness of the clarification of the drilling mud, and to provide control signals to a central control station. The heavier weight components are separated from the mud and returned to the system for further use. The lighter weight components are removed and are discarded to clean the mud. A cuttings dryer is provided to remove oil from cuttings which have been separated from a shale shaker stage. A de-sludging centrifuge is also provided to remove very fine cuttings which may have a harmful effect on the viscosity of the mud.
US Patent No. 6,892,887 B2 entitled "Polymer drilling bead recovery system and related methods"
discloses a polymer bead recovery apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a recovery tank having an internal cavity and an exterior surface, the recovery tank having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the recovery apparatus having a least one circulation system for creating a force within the internal cavity of the recovery tank, the housing further comprising a walkway situated on the exterior surface of said recovery tank, the recovery tank comprising a shaker deck having a plurality of interchangeable screens and the walkway providing access to said screens, and wherein a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, polymer beads and drilled solids are separated by a first screen of the shaker deck and the remaining mixture of small materials, fluids and beads enters the recovery tank and are separated by the force created by the circulation system, the undesired small particulate materials are removed from the recovery tank and then separated and isolated by a second screen of the shaker deck and then the polymer beads are isolated, recovered and collected.
US Patent No. 7,438,142 B2 entitled "Recovery system" discloses a process for the recovery of industrial carbon material from a mixture. The mixture may include drilling fluids, drilled solids, and industrial carbon from a mud system. The process may include: separating at least a portion of the drilled solids from the mixture to form a first effluent and a drilled solids fraction; separating at least a portion of the industrial carbon from the first effluent to form a second effluent and a recovered industrial carbon fraction;
and recycling at least a portion of the recovered industrial carbon to the mud system
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bead recovery system used in drilling and excavation applications.
More specifically, the invention relates to an open loop bead recovery system for use in oil and gas drilling operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the oil and gas industry, drilling mud is used to control subsurface pressures, lubricate the drill bit, stabilize the well bore, and carry the cuttings to the surface, among other functions. Mud is pumped from the surface through the hollow drill string, exits through nozzles in the drill bit, and returns to the surface through the annular space between the drill string and the walls of the hole.
As the drill bit grinds rocks into drill cuttings, these cuttings become entrained in the mud flow and are carried to the surface. In order to return the mud to the recirculating mud system and to make the solids easier to handle, the solids must be separated from the mud. The first step in separating the cuttings from the mud involves circulating the mixture of mud and cuttings over vibrating screens called shale shakers.
The liquid mud passes through the screens and is recirculated back to the mud tanks from which mud is withdrawn for pumping downhole. The drill cuttings remain on top of the shale shaker screens; the vibratory action of the shakers moves the cuttings down the screen and off the end of the shakers to a point where they can be collected and stored in a tank or pit for further treatment or management.
US Patent no, 4,116,288 discloses a method and apparatus for processing drilling mud wherein mud containing lost circulating material is passed from the well to a separator device where it is separated from the drilling mud and is reintroduced into the drilling mud after the mud has been cleaned of undesirable solid particulate. In the separator, the lost circulating material is retained on a coarse screen while the mud and drilling solids pass to a finer mesh screen. The finer mesh screen removes the drilling solids and allows the mud to pass to the mud tank. The separator includes a structure to recirculate the lost circulating material to the mud tank.
US patent no. 5,996,484 A entitled "Drilling fluid recovery defluidization system a press process and structure" discloses a process for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling -7stem while producing a dense, drier material which may be chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination.
US patent no. 6,607,659 B2 entitled "Drilling mud reclamation system with mass flow sensors"
discloses a drilling mud clarification or reclamation system. High gravity and low gravity solids are removed from the drilling mud in respective centrifugal separator stages. A plurality of in-line mass flow sensors are provided to provide real-time indication of the effectiveness of the clarification of the drilling mud, and to provide control signals to a central control station. The heavier weight components are separated from the mud and returned to the system for further use. The lighter weight components are removed and are discarded to clean the mud. A cuttings dryer is provided to remove oil from cuttings which have been separated from a shale shaker stage. A de-sludging centrifuge is also provided to remove very fine cuttings which may have a harmful effect on the viscosity of the mud.
US Patent No. 6,892,887 B2 entitled "Polymer drilling bead recovery system and related methods"
discloses a polymer bead recovery apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a recovery tank having an internal cavity and an exterior surface, the recovery tank having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the recovery apparatus having a least one circulation system for creating a force within the internal cavity of the recovery tank, the housing further comprising a walkway situated on the exterior surface of said recovery tank, the recovery tank comprising a shaker deck having a plurality of interchangeable screens and the walkway providing access to said screens, and wherein a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, polymer beads and drilled solids are separated by a first screen of the shaker deck and the remaining mixture of small materials, fluids and beads enters the recovery tank and are separated by the force created by the circulation system, the undesired small particulate materials are removed from the recovery tank and then separated and isolated by a second screen of the shaker deck and then the polymer beads are isolated, recovered and collected.
US Patent No. 7,438,142 B2 entitled "Recovery system" discloses a process for the recovery of industrial carbon material from a mixture. The mixture may include drilling fluids, drilled solids, and industrial carbon from a mud system. The process may include: separating at least a portion of the drilled solids from the mixture to form a first effluent and a drilled solids fraction; separating at least a portion of the industrial carbon from the first effluent to form a second effluent and a recovered industrial carbon fraction;
and recycling at least a portion of the recovered industrial carbon to the mud system
2 US Reissued Patent No. RE38367 El entitled "Recovery apparatus for drilling and excavation application and related methods" discloses a recovering system includes at least one shale shaker having at least one screen and a hydrocyclone manifold system; a recovery tank having a cavity and a base, the tank having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the recovery tank having at least one agitation system for creating force within the cavity of the recovery tank; and at least one recovery shaker having at least one screen.
Despite the systems disclosed in the prior art, there still exist a need for a system to recover beads used in drilling fluids through the use of an efficient process which minimizes spills and/or leaks as well as provides a more robust process for cleaning the beads. Further, and also desirable is a process which minimizes the time to set-up a bead recovery system on a well site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system which overcomes a number of the drawbacks enumerated above.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open loop drilling beads recovery system comprising:
- a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a shale shaker having at least one screen adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a used drilling fluid;
said shale shaker being in fluid communication with a well rig tank;
- a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a manifold hydrocyclone system;
- a first and a second pump; said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the well rig tank and the bead catch tank;
where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting said manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
Despite the systems disclosed in the prior art, there still exist a need for a system to recover beads used in drilling fluids through the use of an efficient process which minimizes spills and/or leaks as well as provides a more robust process for cleaning the beads. Further, and also desirable is a process which minimizes the time to set-up a bead recovery system on a well site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system which overcomes a number of the drawbacks enumerated above.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open loop drilling beads recovery system comprising:
- a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a shale shaker having at least one screen adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a used drilling fluid;
said shale shaker being in fluid communication with a well rig tank;
- a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a manifold hydrocyclone system;
- a first and a second pump; said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the well rig tank and the bead catch tank;
where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting said manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
3 According to a preferred embodiment, the open loop drilling beads recovery system further comprises a trough in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and said shale shaker and interposed therebetween.
According to a preferred embodiment, the open loop drilling beads recovery system further comprises a fluid flow control valve to maintain the flow of said first and second pumps equivalent.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning used bead-containing drilling fluid obtained from drilling operations, said method comprising the steps - collecting used bead-containing drilling fluid from a well;
- passing the used bead-containing drilling fluid through a shale shaker to separate solid particulate materials from the bead-containing fluid;
- passing the separated fluid through a manifold hydrocyclone system to separate fine particles from the bead-containing fluid;
- disposing of the fine particles; and - reintroducing the cleaned bead-containing fluid directly into the well rig mud tank.
Preferably, there is fluid from the well rig mud tank being pumped into the bead catch tank. Preferably as well, the fluid pumped into the bead catch tank from the well rig mud tank is pumped at the same flow rate as that of the fluid that is pumped to the manifold hydrocyclone system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system takes the place of the existing rigs shale bin. The drilled particles and beads travels down the existing rig's slide into the built-in trough and directly onto the shale shaker. This preferred embodiment eliminates the need for an external trough and ABS piping system and consequently minimizes the potential for spills and leaks. The drilled particles flow directly over the rear screen on the shale shaker doing the primary separation of large particles before even entering the catch tank using a 10 mesh screen.
Subsequently, the first pump draws fluid from the catch tank into the hydrocyclones via a hard line pipe (lowering the risk of leakage). The hydrocyclones separate the smaller particles from the drilling fluids. The hydrocyclones discharge the fine particles onto the front screen of the shale shaker using the 60-300 mesh screens. Subsequently, the clean fluid with the remaining recovered beads leave the hydrocyclones continue directly back into the rig's suction tank. This eliminates the need for a bead shaker and all of the related equipment including hoses, piping, and use of the rig's mud row pump. The reduction in steps and equipment drastically reduces the potential for spills, breakdowns, etc.
According to a preferred embodiment, the open loop drilling beads recovery system further comprises a fluid flow control valve to maintain the flow of said first and second pumps equivalent.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning used bead-containing drilling fluid obtained from drilling operations, said method comprising the steps - collecting used bead-containing drilling fluid from a well;
- passing the used bead-containing drilling fluid through a shale shaker to separate solid particulate materials from the bead-containing fluid;
- passing the separated fluid through a manifold hydrocyclone system to separate fine particles from the bead-containing fluid;
- disposing of the fine particles; and - reintroducing the cleaned bead-containing fluid directly into the well rig mud tank.
Preferably, there is fluid from the well rig mud tank being pumped into the bead catch tank. Preferably as well, the fluid pumped into the bead catch tank from the well rig mud tank is pumped at the same flow rate as that of the fluid that is pumped to the manifold hydrocyclone system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system takes the place of the existing rigs shale bin. The drilled particles and beads travels down the existing rig's slide into the built-in trough and directly onto the shale shaker. This preferred embodiment eliminates the need for an external trough and ABS piping system and consequently minimizes the potential for spills and leaks. The drilled particles flow directly over the rear screen on the shale shaker doing the primary separation of large particles before even entering the catch tank using a 10 mesh screen.
Subsequently, the first pump draws fluid from the catch tank into the hydrocyclones via a hard line pipe (lowering the risk of leakage). The hydrocyclones separate the smaller particles from the drilling fluids. The hydrocyclones discharge the fine particles onto the front screen of the shale shaker using the 60-300 mesh screens. Subsequently, the clean fluid with the remaining recovered beads leave the hydrocyclones continue directly back into the rig's suction tank. This eliminates the need for a bead shaker and all of the related equipment including hoses, piping, and use of the rig's mud row pump. The reduction in steps and equipment drastically reduces the potential for spills, breakdowns, etc.
4 According to a preferred embodiment, the system will use a second pump to constantly pump fluid from the rig's mud tank to the catch tank through a mud gun system for agitation in the catch tank.
Preferably, both of the bead recovery system's pumps will be controlled via a variable speed control to allow for equal fluid movement in both directions and keeping the fluid level static. This allows the system of this preferred embodiment to be in an open loop configuration with constant fluid movement between the bead recovery system and the rig's system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pump flows are controlled with variable speed drives extending pump life. This will minimize leaks and spills from pump failure.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system is manifolded and valved in a way to eliminate any switching of hoses in the event of failure. Swapping pumps at time of failure is done simply by changing which valves are open and closed.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will be completely contained in one unit hauled to site by a normal oilfield tractor.
This allows for even lower operating costs by eliminating the picker.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system allows for a simplified rig up, where the rig up time is of approximately 30-60 minutes.
This greatly reduces the response time to come online therefore, the need for prior rig ups can substantially reduced or even eliminated.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will take the position of the existing rigs shale bin, which virtually eliminates the footprint of the system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will combine all of the equipment into a single unit combined with a low shale bin, this will eliminate the need for fall restraint as the personnel operating the bead recovery system will never be more than 2 meter off the ground, and will have access to the system via a small stairway.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will be utilizing smaller pumps than conventional systems and will also eliminate the use of an entire shaker unit.
Preferably, both of the bead recovery system's pumps will be controlled via a variable speed control to allow for equal fluid movement in both directions and keeping the fluid level static. This allows the system of this preferred embodiment to be in an open loop configuration with constant fluid movement between the bead recovery system and the rig's system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pump flows are controlled with variable speed drives extending pump life. This will minimize leaks and spills from pump failure.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system is manifolded and valved in a way to eliminate any switching of hoses in the event of failure. Swapping pumps at time of failure is done simply by changing which valves are open and closed.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will be completely contained in one unit hauled to site by a normal oilfield tractor.
This allows for even lower operating costs by eliminating the picker.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system allows for a simplified rig up, where the rig up time is of approximately 30-60 minutes.
This greatly reduces the response time to come online therefore, the need for prior rig ups can substantially reduced or even eliminated.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will take the position of the existing rigs shale bin, which virtually eliminates the footprint of the system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will combine all of the equipment into a single unit combined with a low shale bin, this will eliminate the need for fall restraint as the personnel operating the bead recovery system will never be more than 2 meter off the ground, and will have access to the system via a small stairway.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system will be utilizing smaller pumps than conventional systems and will also eliminate the use of an entire shaker unit.
5 This translates into much lower power requirements for the present system. The system according to the present invention will be using a smaller power cord and drawing less power.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system can also be used as an invert dryer. This is a common practice in the oilfield by many companies. The proposed system shares similarities with standard invert dryer with the addition of the hydrocyclone manifold to deal with the beads. Therefore, when running on invert-based mud systems, the rig can use the bead recovery system according to the present invention while only needing the dryer, and call in bead personnel when needing to use beads. This can be accomplished through the use of the manifold system to isolate the hydrocyclones when not needed, and changing the screen sizes to accommodate the rig's operation.
Previous methods for recovering beads in drilling mud utilized a closed loop pump system with a second shaker to separate the beads from the fluid used in order to separately wash the beads back to the drilling rigs mud system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a novel bead recovery system which uses an open loop system where drilling fluid is pumped constantly from the drilling rig's mud system into the bead recovery unit. Another pump pumps fluid from the bead recovery unit through the hydrocyclone manifold directly back to the rig mud system. These pumps are preferably controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD) to control the exact amount of fluid being transferred to equalize the flow going each way and make the level in the bead recovery unit static. This eliminates the need for the second recovery shaker thereby making the footprint of the system much more compact than conventional units/systems. Doing so also eliminates a number of potential spill points.
This, in turn, translates into fewer spillage, fewer work stoppages to clean up spills, overall cleaner sites.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unit is amalgamated into the shale bin to eliminate the need for a separate trough system to carry the drilled solids from the rig shakers to the system.
This eliminated the need to do a primary separation within the recovery catch tank as the rig shakers flow directly onto the condor shaker.
The elimination of a recovery shaker requires performing separate testing of the beads in order to ensure that what is being sent back to the rig mud system is acceptable for continued use. The beads going back must preferably be fully cleaned of all drilling solids. The test performed off-line is a sand concentration test done on the returning fluids to the rigs mud system rather than a visual check.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bead recovery system can also be used as an invert dryer. This is a common practice in the oilfield by many companies. The proposed system shares similarities with standard invert dryer with the addition of the hydrocyclone manifold to deal with the beads. Therefore, when running on invert-based mud systems, the rig can use the bead recovery system according to the present invention while only needing the dryer, and call in bead personnel when needing to use beads. This can be accomplished through the use of the manifold system to isolate the hydrocyclones when not needed, and changing the screen sizes to accommodate the rig's operation.
Previous methods for recovering beads in drilling mud utilized a closed loop pump system with a second shaker to separate the beads from the fluid used in order to separately wash the beads back to the drilling rigs mud system.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a novel bead recovery system which uses an open loop system where drilling fluid is pumped constantly from the drilling rig's mud system into the bead recovery unit. Another pump pumps fluid from the bead recovery unit through the hydrocyclone manifold directly back to the rig mud system. These pumps are preferably controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD) to control the exact amount of fluid being transferred to equalize the flow going each way and make the level in the bead recovery unit static. This eliminates the need for the second recovery shaker thereby making the footprint of the system much more compact than conventional units/systems. Doing so also eliminates a number of potential spill points.
This, in turn, translates into fewer spillage, fewer work stoppages to clean up spills, overall cleaner sites.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unit is amalgamated into the shale bin to eliminate the need for a separate trough system to carry the drilled solids from the rig shakers to the system.
This eliminated the need to do a primary separation within the recovery catch tank as the rig shakers flow directly onto the condor shaker.
The elimination of a recovery shaker requires performing separate testing of the beads in order to ensure that what is being sent back to the rig mud system is acceptable for continued use. The beads going back must preferably be fully cleaned of all drilling solids. The test performed off-line is a sand concentration test done on the returning fluids to the rigs mud system rather than a visual check.
6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The invention may be more completely understood in cons derai on of the following descri pti on of various embodi merits of the invention in connection with the accompanyi ng figure, in which:
Figure 1 is a front top perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a back top perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a side perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the tubing going back to the well rig tank;
Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the tubing going back from the bead catch tank to the manifold hycrocyclone system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Conventional bead recovery systems install catch troughs at the end of the rig shakers to catch all drilled particles and beads, taped together using duct tape. This creates the potential for spills and leaks.
Then, 6" ABS pipe are installed from the troughs to the bead unit catch tank and are taped together with duct tape. Once again, this causes a potential for spills and leaks. There can also be issues with slope, also can be tripping hazard when on top of the mud tanks.
The conventional recovery systems work as follows: fluid is pumped from bead unit catch tank via a pump. This pump sucks directly from the bottom of the tank over the back of the shale shaker to remove large drilled particles using a 6-10 mesh screen on the rear of the shale shaker, allowing the beads and small
The invention may be more completely understood in cons derai on of the following descri pti on of various embodi merits of the invention in connection with the accompanyi ng figure, in which:
Figure 1 is a front top perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a back top perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a side perspective view of an open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the tubing going back to the well rig tank;
Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the open loop drilling beads recovery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the tubing going back from the bead catch tank to the manifold hycrocyclone system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Conventional bead recovery systems install catch troughs at the end of the rig shakers to catch all drilled particles and beads, taped together using duct tape. This creates the potential for spills and leaks.
Then, 6" ABS pipe are installed from the troughs to the bead unit catch tank and are taped together with duct tape. Once again, this causes a potential for spills and leaks. There can also be issues with slope, also can be tripping hazard when on top of the mud tanks.
The conventional recovery systems work as follows: fluid is pumped from bead unit catch tank via a pump. This pump sucks directly from the bottom of the tank over the back of the shale shaker to remove large drilled particles using a 6-10 mesh screen on the rear of the shale shaker, allowing the beads and small
7 drilled particles to flow through the screen back into the catch tank. This is how primary separation is accomplished. As well simultaneously, it pumps fluid through the catch troughs and ABS pipe to wash all drilled particles and beads back into the bead unit catch tank. There is a potential leak at this point on 2-3"
cam lock hoses as well as possible leaks and trough overflow. A centrifugal agitator is used inside the bead unit catch tank to push the larger particles in the drilled fluid to the bottom of the bead catch tank. This ensures large particles are picked up by pump 2 and flowed over the back of the shale shaker to separate them out.
Then, the fluid is pumped from the bead unit catch tank via a pump which suction is located above the bottom of the catch tank floor approximately 30" (so as to keep from sucking in large particles), through the hydrocyclones which separate the finer drilled particles from the beads.
The finer drilled particles are discharged out the bottom of the cones onto the front screen of the shale shaker (generally an 84 mesh screen, but can range from a 60-300 mesh screen). The screen dries the discharged particles allowing the extra fluid to flow through and back into the catch tank, while the drilled particles travel off the end of the shale shaker into the shale bin.
The clean fluid containing the remaining beads then travels from the outlet of the hydrocyclones through a 3" cam lock hose up to the top bead shaker. This is another area of potential leak. The fluid then flows over the back of the bead shaker over screens of 45-60 mesh to dry off the beads which separates them from the clean fluid. Meanwhile, the clean fluid flows through the screens, and are fed back by gravity to the bead unit catch tank via a 4" cam lock hose. Once again, another area for a potential leak, as well can cause overflow on shaker catch basin if the slope on the hose is too gradual. This creates a closed loop system but also creates several potential leak areas.
The clean separated beads travel off the end of the bead shaker into a catch trough. From the catch trough there is another 6" ABS pipe installed from it returning back to the rigs suction tank, taped together using duct tape. This is another area for potential spills and leaks. A 1 1/2"
cam lock hose is installed running from the rigs mud row pump to the catch trough, this is another area for potential leaks. This fluid flows through the catch trough and ABS pipe washing the beads back into the rigs active system. This is another area for potential leaks. Moreover, running the system in this fashion creates a reliance on rig's pump and crew to keep it running. This setup has lead, on many occasions, to cause a system shut off which, in turn, caused the beads to overfill the catch trough and spill out onto the ground.
cam lock hoses as well as possible leaks and trough overflow. A centrifugal agitator is used inside the bead unit catch tank to push the larger particles in the drilled fluid to the bottom of the bead catch tank. This ensures large particles are picked up by pump 2 and flowed over the back of the shale shaker to separate them out.
Then, the fluid is pumped from the bead unit catch tank via a pump which suction is located above the bottom of the catch tank floor approximately 30" (so as to keep from sucking in large particles), through the hydrocyclones which separate the finer drilled particles from the beads.
The finer drilled particles are discharged out the bottom of the cones onto the front screen of the shale shaker (generally an 84 mesh screen, but can range from a 60-300 mesh screen). The screen dries the discharged particles allowing the extra fluid to flow through and back into the catch tank, while the drilled particles travel off the end of the shale shaker into the shale bin.
The clean fluid containing the remaining beads then travels from the outlet of the hydrocyclones through a 3" cam lock hose up to the top bead shaker. This is another area of potential leak. The fluid then flows over the back of the bead shaker over screens of 45-60 mesh to dry off the beads which separates them from the clean fluid. Meanwhile, the clean fluid flows through the screens, and are fed back by gravity to the bead unit catch tank via a 4" cam lock hose. Once again, another area for a potential leak, as well can cause overflow on shaker catch basin if the slope on the hose is too gradual. This creates a closed loop system but also creates several potential leak areas.
The clean separated beads travel off the end of the bead shaker into a catch trough. From the catch trough there is another 6" ABS pipe installed from it returning back to the rigs suction tank, taped together using duct tape. This is another area for potential spills and leaks. A 1 1/2"
cam lock hose is installed running from the rigs mud row pump to the catch trough, this is another area for potential leaks. This fluid flows through the catch trough and ABS pipe washing the beads back into the rigs active system. This is another area for potential leaks. Moreover, running the system in this fashion creates a reliance on rig's pump and crew to keep it running. This setup has lead, on many occasions, to cause a system shut off which, in turn, caused the beads to overfill the catch trough and spill out onto the ground.
8 Certain drawbacks and potential drawbacks of conventional bead recovery systems include the following:
(a) pumps flows are controlled with valves on the outlet. This can cause backpressure to the pump, pushing out seals and drastically shortening pump life. This makes pump replacing routine, and each time a pump is swapped out there is spillage;
(b) manifold systems are not used on the pumps. Thus, when a pump fails and a spare pump is required, the outlet hose has to be quickly changed to the spare pump. This causes spillage each time;
(c) equipment is required to be hauled to the site and setup using a picker, and the same applies when moving the system to another site. This is costly and time consuming;
(d) rig up time. To rig in all equipment to bring the bead unit online takes an average of 4-8 hours. This timeframe can be a problem when a rig needs the bead recovery system online quickly.
Thus, many times specifically trained personnel must travel to a site and rig it up prior to the use or dismantling thereof. This step can cost an operator anywhere from $1500-2500 each time.
(e) large equipment footprint. Conventional systems can require an area to spot the main bead unit beside the rig's shale bin as well as a spot to set the bead shaker stand. This can sometimes be an issue on tight locations. As well, the bead shaker stand can on some occasions, require to be set up a long distance from the main bead unit. This increases the potential for spillage, as well as increases issues with slope on the hoses travelling between them;
(f) with the bead shaker on top of a stand, a ladder is required for access by personnel to the bead shaker. This makes the use of fall restraints necessary, thereby increasing hazards to personnel.
The following examples, although not intended to be limiting, are illustrative of this invention.
Figures 1 to 4 illustrate an open loop drilling beads recovery system (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The open loop drilling beads recovery system (1) comprises a fluid inlet (10) in fluid communication with a shale shaker (60) having at least one screen (65) adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a drilling fluid. The drilling fluid containing various particles of varying sizes and beads travels down the existing rig's slide into the built-in trough (40) and directly onto the shale shaker (60).
The shale shaker (60) is, itself, in fluid communication with the bead catch tank (100) and disposes of the shale into the shale bin (50). In fact, the shale shaker (60) slopes directly into the tank (100).The system uses a pump (20) to constantly pump fluid from the rig's mud tank (not shown) to the bead catch tank (100) through a mud gun system (not shown) for agitation in the bead catch tank (100). This agitation
(a) pumps flows are controlled with valves on the outlet. This can cause backpressure to the pump, pushing out seals and drastically shortening pump life. This makes pump replacing routine, and each time a pump is swapped out there is spillage;
(b) manifold systems are not used on the pumps. Thus, when a pump fails and a spare pump is required, the outlet hose has to be quickly changed to the spare pump. This causes spillage each time;
(c) equipment is required to be hauled to the site and setup using a picker, and the same applies when moving the system to another site. This is costly and time consuming;
(d) rig up time. To rig in all equipment to bring the bead unit online takes an average of 4-8 hours. This timeframe can be a problem when a rig needs the bead recovery system online quickly.
Thus, many times specifically trained personnel must travel to a site and rig it up prior to the use or dismantling thereof. This step can cost an operator anywhere from $1500-2500 each time.
(e) large equipment footprint. Conventional systems can require an area to spot the main bead unit beside the rig's shale bin as well as a spot to set the bead shaker stand. This can sometimes be an issue on tight locations. As well, the bead shaker stand can on some occasions, require to be set up a long distance from the main bead unit. This increases the potential for spillage, as well as increases issues with slope on the hoses travelling between them;
(f) with the bead shaker on top of a stand, a ladder is required for access by personnel to the bead shaker. This makes the use of fall restraints necessary, thereby increasing hazards to personnel.
The following examples, although not intended to be limiting, are illustrative of this invention.
Figures 1 to 4 illustrate an open loop drilling beads recovery system (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The open loop drilling beads recovery system (1) comprises a fluid inlet (10) in fluid communication with a shale shaker (60) having at least one screen (65) adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a drilling fluid. The drilling fluid containing various particles of varying sizes and beads travels down the existing rig's slide into the built-in trough (40) and directly onto the shale shaker (60).
The shale shaker (60) is, itself, in fluid communication with the bead catch tank (100) and disposes of the shale into the shale bin (50). In fact, the shale shaker (60) slopes directly into the tank (100).The system uses a pump (20) to constantly pump fluid from the rig's mud tank (not shown) to the bead catch tank (100) through a mud gun system (not shown) for agitation in the bead catch tank (100). This agitation
9 prevents the various solids and particulates from settling into the tank. The partially separated drilling fluid collected in the bead catch tank (100) is then pumped via a second pump (25) to the manifold hydrocyclone system (30). This partially separated drilling fluid enters the manifold hydrocyclone system (30) where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining fluid using the centrifugal force created by the manifold hydrocyclone system. The remaining fluid exiting said manifold hydrocyclone system and containing the cleaned drilling beads is sent back to the well rig tank (not shown) through the fluid outlet (15). The separated solids exiting the manifold hydrocyclone system (30) end up in the shale bin (50) and are typically dried and discarded.
Figure 5 shows the tubing (80) going back to the well rig tank. Figure 6 shows the tubing (90) going back from the bead catch tank (100) to the manifold hycrocyclone system (30).
As described previously, a pump (25) is used to pump the fluid in the bead catch tank (100) into the hydrocyclones (30).
The system is equipped with a platform (70) on which the operator can stand to supervise the operations and inspect the screens (65) on the shale shaker (60), the trough (40), the shale bin (50) as well as the tank (100) and the manifold hydrocyclone system (30).
Preferably, the shale shaker has a series of two different mesh screens, a first screen having a screen size of 10 mesh, a second screen having a screen size from about 60 to about 300 mesh.
The process according a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be described as follows:
all drilled particles and beads travel down the existing rigs slide into a built-in trough and directly onto the shale shaker. This eliminates the need for an external trough and ABS piping system minimizing the potential for spills and leaks. This allows to skip two steps of the conventional process.
Subsequently, all drilled particles flow directly over the rear screen on the shale shaker doing the primary separation of large particles before entering the bead catch tank.
This eliminates the need for another one of the steps present in the conventional process.
A first pump draws fluid from the bead catch tank into the hydrocyclones via a hard line pipe (lowering the risk of fluid leak). The hydrocyclones separate the smaller particles and discharges the fine particles onto the front screen of the shale shaker using standard size screens. The hydrocyclones separate the finer drilled particles from the beads. The finer drilled particles are discharged out the bottom of the cones (as the underflow) onto the front screen of the shale shaker (generally an 84 mesh screen, but can range from a 60-300 mesh screen). The screen dries the discharged particles allowing the extra fluid to flow through and back into the bead catch tank, while the drilled particles travel off the end of the shale shaker into the shale bin for disposal.
Afterwards, the clean fluid containing the remaining beads (the overflow) leaving the hydrocyclones will continue directly back into the rig's suction tank. This eliminates the need for any additional equipment the related hoses, piping, as well as the use of the rig's mud row pump, which in turn, drastically reduces the potential for spillage. This method of processing the drilling fluid to clean the beads eliminates a number of steps the conventional process.
The process uses a second pump to constantly pump fluid from the rig's mud tank into the bead catch tank through a mud gun system for agitation in the bead catch tank.
Rather than assisting in separation of the drilling solids, the mud gun system is used to stop separation and keep the drilling fluid from settling to the bottom of the bead catch tank. Both pumps are preferably controlled via a variable speed control to allow for equal fluid movement in both directions and keeping the fluid level static. This makes the system an open loop with constant fluid movement between the system and the rig's system.
The above embodiment of the present invention has at least one or more of the following advantages:
(a) pump flows are controlled with variable speed drives, thus extending pump life. This will minimize leaks and spillage from pump failure;
(b) a bead recovery system which is manifolded and valved in a way to eliminate any switching of hoses in cases of failure. Swapping pumps at time of failure is done simply by changing which valves are open and closed eliminates spillage when replacing defective or damaged pumps;
(c) the bead recovery unit is completely contained in one unit which can be hauled to a site by a normal oilfield tractor. This allows lowering the costs of mobilization and demobilization greatly by eliminating the picker;
(d) a simplified rig up time. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rig up time can be done in approximately 30-60 mins. This greatly reduces the response time to come online therefore the need for prior rig ups can be substantially reduced if not completely eliminated;
(e) the bead recovery unit can take the footprint previously taken up by the existing rigs shale bin, which eliminates the necessity for any additional landspace to accommodate the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(f) by amalgamating the equipment into a single unit combined with a low shale bin, the need for fall restraint is virtually eliminated as the personnel should never be more than 2 meter off the ground.
Whenever access points require an elevated view, the personnel can preferably access an elevated point through a small stairway;
(g) the power requirements of a bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment will be far less than conventional units. Smaller pumps will be used and as well as the elimination of a shaker will result in running a smaller power cord and drawing less power;
(h) the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be used as an invert dryer. This is a common practice in the oilfield by many other companies. Our system is very similar to the standard invert dryer with the addition of the hydrocyclone manifold to deal with the beads. Therefore, when running on invert-based mud systems, the rig can use the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention while only needing the dryer, and only call in the specialised "bead personnel" when needing to use beads. This can be accomplished this by using the manifold system of a preferred embodiment to isolate the hydrocyclone manifold when not needed, and changing the screen sizes to accommodate the rig's operation.
The embodiments described herein are to be understood to be exemplary and numerous modification and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.
Figure 5 shows the tubing (80) going back to the well rig tank. Figure 6 shows the tubing (90) going back from the bead catch tank (100) to the manifold hycrocyclone system (30).
As described previously, a pump (25) is used to pump the fluid in the bead catch tank (100) into the hydrocyclones (30).
The system is equipped with a platform (70) on which the operator can stand to supervise the operations and inspect the screens (65) on the shale shaker (60), the trough (40), the shale bin (50) as well as the tank (100) and the manifold hydrocyclone system (30).
Preferably, the shale shaker has a series of two different mesh screens, a first screen having a screen size of 10 mesh, a second screen having a screen size from about 60 to about 300 mesh.
The process according a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be described as follows:
all drilled particles and beads travel down the existing rigs slide into a built-in trough and directly onto the shale shaker. This eliminates the need for an external trough and ABS piping system minimizing the potential for spills and leaks. This allows to skip two steps of the conventional process.
Subsequently, all drilled particles flow directly over the rear screen on the shale shaker doing the primary separation of large particles before entering the bead catch tank.
This eliminates the need for another one of the steps present in the conventional process.
A first pump draws fluid from the bead catch tank into the hydrocyclones via a hard line pipe (lowering the risk of fluid leak). The hydrocyclones separate the smaller particles and discharges the fine particles onto the front screen of the shale shaker using standard size screens. The hydrocyclones separate the finer drilled particles from the beads. The finer drilled particles are discharged out the bottom of the cones (as the underflow) onto the front screen of the shale shaker (generally an 84 mesh screen, but can range from a 60-300 mesh screen). The screen dries the discharged particles allowing the extra fluid to flow through and back into the bead catch tank, while the drilled particles travel off the end of the shale shaker into the shale bin for disposal.
Afterwards, the clean fluid containing the remaining beads (the overflow) leaving the hydrocyclones will continue directly back into the rig's suction tank. This eliminates the need for any additional equipment the related hoses, piping, as well as the use of the rig's mud row pump, which in turn, drastically reduces the potential for spillage. This method of processing the drilling fluid to clean the beads eliminates a number of steps the conventional process.
The process uses a second pump to constantly pump fluid from the rig's mud tank into the bead catch tank through a mud gun system for agitation in the bead catch tank.
Rather than assisting in separation of the drilling solids, the mud gun system is used to stop separation and keep the drilling fluid from settling to the bottom of the bead catch tank. Both pumps are preferably controlled via a variable speed control to allow for equal fluid movement in both directions and keeping the fluid level static. This makes the system an open loop with constant fluid movement between the system and the rig's system.
The above embodiment of the present invention has at least one or more of the following advantages:
(a) pump flows are controlled with variable speed drives, thus extending pump life. This will minimize leaks and spillage from pump failure;
(b) a bead recovery system which is manifolded and valved in a way to eliminate any switching of hoses in cases of failure. Swapping pumps at time of failure is done simply by changing which valves are open and closed eliminates spillage when replacing defective or damaged pumps;
(c) the bead recovery unit is completely contained in one unit which can be hauled to a site by a normal oilfield tractor. This allows lowering the costs of mobilization and demobilization greatly by eliminating the picker;
(d) a simplified rig up time. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rig up time can be done in approximately 30-60 mins. This greatly reduces the response time to come online therefore the need for prior rig ups can be substantially reduced if not completely eliminated;
(e) the bead recovery unit can take the footprint previously taken up by the existing rigs shale bin, which eliminates the necessity for any additional landspace to accommodate the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(f) by amalgamating the equipment into a single unit combined with a low shale bin, the need for fall restraint is virtually eliminated as the personnel should never be more than 2 meter off the ground.
Whenever access points require an elevated view, the personnel can preferably access an elevated point through a small stairway;
(g) the power requirements of a bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment will be far less than conventional units. Smaller pumps will be used and as well as the elimination of a shaker will result in running a smaller power cord and drawing less power;
(h) the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be used as an invert dryer. This is a common practice in the oilfield by many other companies. Our system is very similar to the standard invert dryer with the addition of the hydrocyclone manifold to deal with the beads. Therefore, when running on invert-based mud systems, the rig can use the bead recovery unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention while only needing the dryer, and only call in the specialised "bead personnel" when needing to use beads. This can be accomplished this by using the manifold system of a preferred embodiment to isolate the hydrocyclone manifold when not needed, and changing the screen sizes to accommodate the rig's operation.
The embodiments described herein are to be understood to be exemplary and numerous modification and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.
Claims (6)
1. An open loop drilling beads recovery system comprising:
- a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a shale shaker having at least one screen adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a used drilling fluid;
said shale shaker being in fluid communication with a well rig tank;
- a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a manifold hydrocyclone system;
- a first and a second pump; said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the well rig tank and the bead catch tank;
where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting said manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
- a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a shale shaker having at least one screen adapted for the separation of solid particulate material present in a used drilling fluid;
said shale shaker being in fluid communication with a well rig tank;
- a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a manifold hydrocyclone system;
- a first and a second pump; said first pump being in fluid communication with the bead catch tank and the manifold hydrocyclone system, and said second pump being in fluid communication with the well rig tank and the bead catch tank;
where, in operation, a used drilling fluid containing drilling beads enters the system through the inlet and is directed to said shale shaker for separating a mixture of solid particulate material, drilling fluids, thin particles of drilled solids and drilled solids from the drilling fluid; the resulting fluid enters the bead catch tank; said second pump pumping clean drilling fluid from the well rig mud tank to the bead catch tank; the fluid in the bead catch tank is pumped by said first pump to a manifold hydrocyclone system where fine particles of drilled solids are separated from the remaining mixture using the centrifugal force created by said hydrocyclone system; and said remaining fluid containing the drilling beads exiting said manifold hydrocyclone system back to the well rig mud tank through the fluid outlet.
2. An open loop drilling beads recovery system according to claim 1, further comprising a trough in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and said shale shaker and interposed therebetween.
3. An open loop drilling beads recovery system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a fluid flow control valve to maintain the flow of said first and second pumps equivalent.
4. Method of cleaning used bead-containing drilling fluid obtained from drilling operations, said method comprising the steps - collecting used bead-containing drilling fluid from a well;
- passing the used bead-containing drilling fluid through a shale shaker to separate solid particulate materials from the bead-containing fluid;
- passing the separated fluid through a manifold hydrocyclone system to separate fine particles from the bead-containing fluid;
- disposing of the fine particles; and - reintroducing the cleaned bead-containing fluid directly into the well rig mud tank.
- passing the used bead-containing drilling fluid through a shale shaker to separate solid particulate materials from the bead-containing fluid;
- passing the separated fluid through a manifold hydrocyclone system to separate fine particles from the bead-containing fluid;
- disposing of the fine particles; and - reintroducing the cleaned bead-containing fluid directly into the well rig mud tank.
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein fluid from the well rig mud tank is pumped into the bead catch tank.
6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the fluid pumped into the bead catch tank from the well rig mud tank is pumped at the same flow rate as that of the fluid that is pumped to the manifold hydrocyclone system.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2891177A CA2891177A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2015-05-13 | Novel bead recovery system |
| PCT/CA2016/000138 WO2016179686A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-05-11 | Novel bead recovery system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2891177A CA2891177A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2015-05-13 | Novel bead recovery system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2891177A1 true CA2891177A1 (en) | 2016-11-13 |
Family
ID=57247641
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2891177A Abandoned CA2891177A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2015-05-13 | Novel bead recovery system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2891177A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2016179686A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN115126430A (en) * | 2022-08-04 | 2022-09-30 | 承德石油高等专科学校 | High-density drilling fluid treatment device |
| US11585167B2 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2023-02-21 | Solid Fluids & Technologies Corp. | Apparatus and method for bead recovery |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4216836A (en) * | 1978-01-27 | 1980-08-12 | Rayborn Jerry J | Process and system for recovering solid particulate additives from a drilling fluid |
| US4269279A (en) * | 1980-01-14 | 1981-05-26 | Nl Industries, Inc. | Spheroidal plastic coated magnetizable particles and their use in drilling fluids |
| US6892887B2 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2005-05-17 | Alpine Mud Products Corp | Polymer drilling bead recovery system and related methods |
| US6953097B2 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-10-11 | Varco I/P, Inc. | Drilling systems |
| WO2007102971A2 (en) * | 2006-03-06 | 2007-09-13 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for managing variable density drilling mud |
| US7438142B2 (en) * | 2006-03-23 | 2008-10-21 | M-I Llc | Recovery system |
| WO2009137724A1 (en) * | 2008-05-07 | 2009-11-12 | Reddoch Jeffrey A | Method and apparatus for efficient handling of drill cuttings |
-
2015
- 2015-05-13 CA CA2891177A patent/CA2891177A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2016
- 2016-05-11 WO PCT/CA2016/000138 patent/WO2016179686A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11585167B2 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2023-02-21 | Solid Fluids & Technologies Corp. | Apparatus and method for bead recovery |
| CN115126430A (en) * | 2022-08-04 | 2022-09-30 | 承德石油高等专科学校 | High-density drilling fluid treatment device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2016179686A1 (en) | 2016-11-17 |
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