EP4731874A1

EP4731874A1 - Method and apparatus to measure pressurized density in a sampling loop

Info

Publication number: EP4731874A1
Application number: EP24844089.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Timothy Lesko; Brian LIGERTWOOD; Bojan MITRIC; Kenneth Slater; Zakhar CHIZHOV; Paul Bertrand
Original assignee: Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA; Schlumberger Technology BV
Current assignee: Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA; Schlumberger Technology BV
Priority date: 2023-07-20
Filing date: 2024-07-22
Publication date: 2026-04-29
Also published as: MX2026000715A; WO2025019866A1

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure density of a fluid are described herein. A system herein includes a fluid pathway; a pressure sensor coupled to the fluid pathway; a density sensor coupled to the fluid pathway; and a volume reduction device coupled to the fluid pathway. A method herein includes circulating a fluid through a fluid pathway; closing a first valve in the fluid pathway; closing a second valve in the fluid pathway; using a volume reduction device located in the fluid pathway between the first valve and the second valve to increase pressure of the fluid; measuring pressure of the fluid in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve; and measuring a density of the fluid in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MEASURE PRESSURIZED DENSITY IN A SAMPLING LOOP

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/514,695, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MEASURE PRESSURIZED DENSITY OF DRILLING FLUID IN A SAMPLING LOOP” and filed July 20, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] This patent application relates to apparatus and methods for measuring properties of fluids used in hydrocarbon prospecting. Specifically, a process and system are described for measuring pressure density of fluids.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Measuring density of fluids encountered and used in drilling and operating subterranean wells is often useful. It is often particularly desired to measure the density of such fluids under pressure to simulate the effect of subterranean pressures on the density of the fluids and/or to remove any effect of dissolved gases that may come out of solution when a subterranean fluid is brought to the surface. A number of devices are conventionally used to measure pressure density of fluids, but such devices are typically manually operated to measure the density of a small quantity of fluid in a manner that is not real-time. Such devices also commonly suffer from inaccuracies caused by inclusion of undissolved gases and methods of mitigating such effects. Non-standard pressurization techniques and potential for improper cup filling are human error issues with certain conventional analyses. In some cases, pumps are used to apply pressure to a fluid for pressure density measurement. Such methods are imprecise with respect to pressure, difficult to control at a target pressure, and vulnerable to drift from pump wear. While pump systems are more accurate than manual systems, many of which might use a pressurized cup that is placed on a scale, the use of standard pumps against a closed or partially closed system still presents challenges in reliability, repeatability, and overall accuracy in achieving desired predetermined pressures. Efficient, effective, and repeatable methods for measuring pressure density of fluids are needed.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments described herein provide a method of measuring pressure density, comprising circulating a fluid through a fluid pathway; closing a first valve in the fluid pathway; closing a second valve in the fluid pathway; using a volume reduction device located in the fluid pathway between the first valve and the second valve to increase pressure of the fluid; measuring pressure of the fluid using a pressure sensor located in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve; and measuring a density of the fluid using a density sensor located in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve.

[0005] Other embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising pumping a drilling fluid through a sample loop; remotely closing a first control valve in the sample loop; remotely closing a second control valve in the sample loop; remotely actuating a volume reduction device located in the sample loop between the first control valve and the second control valve to increase pressure of the drilling fluid in the sample loop between the first control valve and the second control valve; and measuring a density of the drilling fluid using a density sensor located in the sample loop between the volume reduction device and one of the first control valve and the second control valve.

[0006] Other embodiments described herein provide a system for measuring pressure density of a fluid, the system comprising a fluid pathway; a pressure sensor coupled to the fluid pathway; and a volume reduction device coupled to the fluid pathway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is a flow diagram summarizing a process for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to one embodiment. [0008] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram summarizing a process for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to another embodiment.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram summarizing a process for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Methods and apparatus are described herein for measurement of pressure density of a fluid such as a drilling fluid or other fluid used or encountered in the context of drilling and operating a subterranean well, such as a hydrocarbon well.. The methods and apparatus herein include used of adjustable-rate pumps, highspeed sensors, and feedback loops featuring volume reduction devices. The volume reduction devices operate to reduce the volume of the fluid flow system by a specific amount to achieve a target pressure in the fluid system so a reliable pressure density measurement of the fluid can be obtained.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a system diagram summarizing a system 100 for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to one embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a sample loop for drawing the fluid from a container and returning the fluid to the container. The fluid is circulated along a fluid pathway that has a volume reduction device located in the fluid pathway. A pressure sensor and density sensor are also located along the fluid pathway. The volume reduction device is operable to pressurize the fluid in the fluid pathway, by reducing the volume in the fluid pathway, so that density of the fluid can be measured under pressure.

[0012] In this case, a pump 102 is used to circulate a fluid from a container 104 along a fluid pathway 106. In one implementation, the fluid is a drilling fluid used to facilitate drilling a subterranean well.

[0013] The system 100 uses a volume reduction device (“VRD”) 108 to reduce the volume of the fluid pathway 106. The system 100 is operated such that the fluid pathway is fluid-filled, with no entrained gas, so that reducing the volume of the fluid pathway 106 by a small amount can raise internal pressure of the fluid pathway substantially. Raising the pressure of the fluid in the fluid pathway can force any gases released by surfacing a subterranean fluid to the lower-pressure surface environment back into solution, removing the effect of any released gas bubbles on density measurement. The VRD 108 is able to reduce the volume of the fluid pathway, which can provide a predictable increase in fluid pressure, in most cases, such that a certain pressure, or pressure range, can be targeted.

[0014] A pressure sensor 114 can be coupled to the fluid pathway 106 to measure pressure in the fluid pathway 106. A valve 110 is provided in the fluid pathway 106 to stop flow in the fluid pathway 106 and block any movement or expansion of fluid. The VRD 108 is positioned along the fluid pathway 106 at a location between the pump and the valve 110 such that when the valve 110 stops flow within the fluid pathway 106, the VRD 108 can be operated, manually, remotely, or automatically, to raise pressure within the fluid-filled stopped portion of the fluid pathway 106 by partially or fully closing the flow path within the VRD 108.

[0015] The VRD 108 can be a pinch valve that reduces the diameter of the flow pathway within the VRD, for example using a flexible body within the outer body of the VRD that changes shape upon application of outer force to the flexible body. The VRD 108 can be manually operated, for example using a handwheel or lever to deform the flexible body, or can be configured to be a pressure-actuated device, for example operated by injecting pressurized air or other gas (a gas-actuated device), hydraulic fluid (a hydraulically-actuated device), a piston action device, or a mechanically-actuated device that uses other mechanical means, any of which can be actuated manually, remotely, or automatically. The flexible body can be made of, or include, a material selected to be compatible with the fluid being analyzed. For example, a rubber-like flexible material that is chemically compatible with the fluid in the system, for example being scale resistant, corrosion resistant, and/or abrasion resistant, can be used within the body of the VRD. An example of a valve that can be used herein as a VRC is the PAV Type A air-actuated pinch valve available from Red Valve Co., Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA. In one example, using such a pinch valve as a VRD, the VRD can be actuated using gas pressurized to 110 psi. In such cases, the VRD will remain in actuated configuration while pressure in the fluid pathway 106 rises to an equalizing pressure. Such pressure may be less than 110 psi, in some cases, where the flexible body has an internal structural reaction that absorbs some applied pressure. In most cases, the reaction of such flexible bodies can be known or ascertained, and some VRD types may include compensation to reduce the effect of internal structural changes on pressure equalization in the VRD. Another variety of mechanically-actuated VRD that can be used is a pinch tube valve, featuring an axially aligned or cross-axis lever, which can likewise be manually, remotely, or automatically actuated.

[0016] The VRD 108 may be operated to compress the flexible body to partially close the flow path within the VRD, or to fully close the flow path within the VRD. For example, the VRD 108 may be operated, as described above, to compress the flexible body by at least about 10 % of its resting shape or volume, so that fluid flow within the fluid pathway 106 is not completely stopped, or another target amount to provide a target pressure increase. In some cases, the VRD 108 is operated to reduce the flow path within the VRD symmetrically, for example in a circular or elliptical shape, by applying a symmetrical force around the perimeter of the flexible body within the VRD, for example using pressure around the entire perimeter of the flexible body, of by applying a directional force to the flexible body to displace a portion thereof, for example by urging a depressor against one side of the flexible body.

[0017] The pressure effects of the VRD 108 can be ascertained in advance by testing the VRD using a fluid system of known volume. A pressure sensor can provide pressure readings while the VRD is operated to close the internal flow path by different amounts. Using the pressure readings, a calibration relation can be defined. The calibration relation can be used to determine an amount to close the VRD 108 to reach a specific pressure within the fluid volume.

[0018] The fluid pathway 106 can have any suitable volume, which can be related to the volume change within the VRD 108 to provide a desired pressure increase behavior. For example, the volume of the fluid pathway 106, defined by the length and diameter of the conduits that define the fluid pathway 106, can be selected based on the volume change capacity of the VRD 108 so that the VRD 108 can be expected to provide pressure rise, within the fluid pathway 106, within a predictable range. For example, the fluid pathway volume 106 can be selected to be a value that is based on the fluid compressibility of the fluid to be sampled using the fluid pathway 106. In another example, the VRD can be configured to provide a target pressure to the fluid in the fluid pathway 106 by applying a volume reduction that responds to fluid pressure in the fluid pathway 106.

[0019] A second valve 112 can be provided in the fluid pathway 106 so that the first valve 110 and the second valve 112 can be closed to capture a fluid sample between the two valves. Here, the second valve 112 is located in the fluid pathway 106 between the pump 102 and the first valve 110, and the VRD 108 is located in the fluid pathway 106 between the first and second valves 110 and 112. After closing the first valve 110, the second valve 112 can be closed to capture a fluid-full volume between the first valve 110 and the second valve 112. With no trapped gas between the two valves, the VRD 108 can be operated to reduce the volume of the fluid-full conduit between the two valves, thus raising the pressure of the fluid contained between the two valves.

[0020] The pressure sensor 114 is coupled to the fluid pathway 106 at a location subject to the pressure increase caused by operation of the VRD 108. The pressure sensor can be part of a sensor station 116, which can include other sensors such as a temperature sensor 118. A density sensor 120 is also coupled to the fluid pathway 106 at a location subject to the pressure increase cause by the VRD 108. The pressure sensor 114 provides signals representing pressure within the fluid pathway 106. The density sensor 120, which can be a densitometer, provides signals representing density of the fluid within the fluid pathway 106. Upon operating the VRD 108, pressure rises within the fluid captured between the valves 110 and 112, and is measured by the pressure sensor 114. The density sensor 120 measures the density of the fluid, either prior to capturing a still volume of the fluid, for example if the density sensor 120 is a Coriolis-type sensor measuring density based on fluid flow through the fluid pathway 106, or of the fluid captured between the two valves 110 and 112 for other types of density sensors such as acoustic or optical sensors. A combination of multiple density sensors, potentially of different types, can also be used to measure density of the fluid between the valves 110 and 112. [0021] A controller 122 can be operatively coupled to the pump 102, the valves 110 and 112, the VRD 108, and the sensors 114, 118, and 120 to operate the system 100 remotely. The controller 122 can send and receive signals to and from the devices above to control the system 100 to collect pressure density data for the fluid in the container 104. The controller 122 can be configured to remotely operate the pump 102 to circulate fluid from the container 104 through the fluid pathway 106 and back to the container 104. The controller 122 can be configured to remotely operate the first valve 110, which may be a remotely operated, or automatic, control valve, to stop flow within the fluid pathway 106. The controller 122 can be configured to subsequently operate the second valve 112 remotely to capture a gas-free fluid sample between the two valves 110 and 112. The controller 122 can be configured to receive signals from the sensors 114, 118, and 120 to register pressure of the fluid, optionally temperature of the fluid, and density of the fluid. The controller can be configured to register density of the fluid, based on signals from the density sensor, or sensors, 120, prior to stopping fluid flow within the fluid pathway 106, or after stopping fluid flow. The controller 122 can be configured to store the pressure, temperature, and density data electronically in a time-stamped database for reference so that density predictions can be made about the fluid in the container 104, for example based on conditions expected to be encountered in a subterranean environment.

[0022] The system 100 can include a branch 124 to carry fluid from the fluid pathway 106 to another destination or use. The branch 124 can be used to flush or empty the fluid pathway 106 and/or the container 104, or the branch 124 can be used to route some of the fluid from the fluid pathway 106 to another analysis apparatus. For example, in some cases, the branch 124 may include a rheology sensor, or sensor station, to provide signals representing rheological properties, such as viscosity of the fluid in the container 104. A valve 126 can be coupled to the branch 124 to control flow of fluid through the branch 124. In some cases, a rheology sensor, or sensor station, can be coupled to the fluid pathway 106 between the first and second valves 110 and 112. [0023] Other sensors can be coupled to the fluid pathway 106 between the first and second valves 110 and 112. Such sensors can be stand-alone sensors, or may be included in the sensor station 116. Such sensors can include pH sensors, electrical sensors such as electrical stability sensors, oil/water ratio sensors, and other chemical sensors.

[0024] The components of the system 100, including the pump 102, the valves 110, 112, and 126, and the VRD 108, can be operated manually, remotely, and/or automatically, for example by configuring the controller 122 to operate those components. Thus, any or all of the valves 110, 112, and 126 can be control valves of any suitable variety. In such configuration, the system 100 can be used to capture pressure density data for a fluid, or for many different fluids, automatically by activating the system 100 using the controller 122. Using the system 100, pressure density data for fluids at different pressures can be measured and recorded in a database, which can then be used to make predictions about the fluid in subterranean environments.

[0025] It should be noted that the components of the system 100 that are between the first and second valves 110 and 112 can be arranged in any order. Thus, whereas in Fig. 1 the VRD 108 is located adjacent to the second valve 112, the pressure sensor 114 is located adjacent to the first valve 110, and the density sensor 118 is located in the fluid pathway 106 between the VRD 108 and the pressure sensor 11 , in another embodiment, the VRD 108 could be located adjacent to the first valve 110 or between the pressure sensor 114 and the density sensor 118. Likewise, whereas the branch 124 connects the fluid pathway 106 between the pressure sensor 114 and the first valve 110 in Fig. 1 , in another embodiment, the branch 124 could connect to the fluid pathway 106 at a location adjacent to the second valve 112 or in a middle location of the fluid pathway 106 between any two of the components thereof.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a system diagram summarizing a system 200 for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to another embodiment. The system 200 is similar to the system 100, except that two VRDs are used instead of one. Other components of the system 200 that are the same as components of the system 100 are labeled using the same reference numbers. In the system 200, a first VRD 202 and a second VRD 204 are disposed in the fluid pathway 106 in a serial configuration. The two VRDs 202 and 204 can be independently operated to provide flexibility in targeting a broad range of pressures in the fluid pathway 106 to provide a pressure density relationship for the fluid that covers a broad range of pressures.

[0027] For example, in the system 200, the first VRD 202 and the second VRD 204 can be configured to operate according to different conditions such as different closing force. Alternately, the first VRD 202 and the second VRD 204 can be configured to operate under the same conditions such as the same closing force. The configuration of Fig. 2 allows the fluid pathway 106 to be pressurized to different target pressures using different combinations of settings of the two VRDs 202 and 204. For example, the first VRD 202 can be operated to close, while the second VRD 204 remains fully open, raising the pressure of the fluid pathway 106 to a first target pressure. While the first VRD 202 is in a closed or partially closed state, the second VRD 204 can be operated to close, raising the pressure of the fluid pathway 106 to a second target pressure. The two VRDs 202 and 204 can be partially closed the same amount or different amounts to provide density readings at many different pressures. The two VRDs 202 and 204 may be the same type, or different type, devices, and may be the same size/capacity, or different size/capacity. For example, where the first VRD 202 has a larger closing capacity than the second VRD 204, the first VRD can be used to select a pressure range, and the second VRD can be used to select multiple pressures within the pressure range targeted by operating the first VRD 202.

[0028] Multiple pressure ranges can be targeted by operating the first VRD 202 at different settings, while multiple pressures within each target range can be selected by operating the second VRD 204 at different settings. In this way, the fluid pathway 106 can be pressurized to a plurality of different target pressures using different combinations of settings of the two VRDs 202 and 204. Where the VRDs 202 and 204 are actuated using pressure of some kind (gas or liquid), a pressure rise cause by operation of one of the VRDs can cause the other VRD to experience pressure that is higher than the pressure of the fluid used to actuate the VRD. For example, where the first VRD 202 is actuated using gas pressurized to 50 psi and the second VRD 204 is actuated using gas pressurized to 100 psi, pressure in the fluid pathway 106 may rise above 50 psi when both VRDs are fully or partially actuated. Pressure above 50 psi will cause the first VRD 202, actuated using 50 psi gas, to open. In such cases, the first VRD will not contribute to any pressure rise in the fluid pathway 106 about 50 psi, but the second VRD, actuated using higher pressure gas, can support reaching higher pressures in the fluid pathway 106.

[0029] Such a configuration enables analyzing pressure density of a fluid at multiple pressures to create a pressure density relation representing the fluid. The system 100 of Fig. 1 can also be used to create a pressure density relation by operating the VRD 108 at multiple different settings to provide multiple target pressures for density readings. The system 200 of Fig. 2 offers additional flexibility to cover a broader range of pressures.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a system diagram summarizing a system 300 for measuring pressure density of a fluid according to another embodiment. The system 300 is similar to the system 100 and the system 200, with the exception that two VRDs are used in a parallel configuration. Other components of the system 300 that are the same as components of the systems 100 and 200 are labeled using the same reference numbers. In the system 300, a first VRD 302 and a second VRD 304 are disposed in the fluid pathway 106 in a parallel configuration. The configuration of the system 300 offers advantages similar to those of the system 200, where the two VRDs can be independently operated to achieve a broad range of pressures in the fluid pathway 106.

[0031] The systems 100, 200, and 300 enable methods of measuring pressure density of a fluid. One such method includes circulating a fluid through a pathway; closing a first valve in the pathway; closing a second valve in the pathway; using a VRD located in the fluid pathway between the first valve and the second valve to increase pressure of the fluid; measuring pressure of the fluid using a pressure sensor located in the fluid pathway between the VRD and one of the first valve and the second valve; and measuring a density of the fluid using a density sensor located in the fluid pathway between the VRD and one of the first valve and the second valve. Temperature of the fluid can also be measured using a temperature sensor located in the fluid pathway. The fluid can be a drilling fluid, or another fluid encountered or

-IQ- used in drilling subterranean wells. The VRD can be any of the types of VRDs described herein, such as a gas actuated pinch valve. The fluid pathway can be a sample loop for sampling and analyzing a drilling fluid used to facilitate drilling a subterranean well, and other properties of the fluid, in particular rheological properties, can also be measured using the systems 100, 200, and 300. A portion of the fluid can be routed along a branch of the fluid system to a sensor or sensor station for measuring rheological properties.

[0032] In the description of Figs. 1 , 2, and 3, the fluid pathway 106 is described and shown as a sample loop, but the fluid pathway 106 can be any suitable fluid pathway to which the pressure sensor 114, density sensor 120, and VRDs 108, 202, 204, 302, and 304 can be coupled. A valve such as the valve 110 is advantageous for temporarily stopping fluid flow where the fluid pathway containing the VRDs and sensors can be fluid-filled. Where the pump 102 prevents backflow under pressure, the valve 112 can be omitted from the system so long as the pump 102 can prevent backflow at pressures created by the VRDs. Thus, the fluid pathway can be a slipstream from a drilling fluid line carrying drilling fluid from a tank to one or more wells being drilled. In other cases, the fluid pathway can be a pipe or tubing to carry any fluid being used for any purpose where ascertaining pressure density behavior of the fluid is desired.

[0033] The systems 100, 200, and 300 can be used to ascertain the pressure density behavior of fluids at different temperatures by using the temperature sensor 118 to record temperature at the time of recording pressure density. Temperature control can be added to the system 100, 200, or 300 to bring the fluid to a target temperature for pressure density analysis, if desired, so that pressure density data for a fluid at different temperatures can be recorded. In so doing, predictions can be made about the density of a fluid in subterranean environments based on the pressure and temperature to be encountered in those environments. In general, using the systems 100, 200, and 300 to gather fluid density data, statistical methods, for example methods commonly used in machine learning applications, can be used to make predictions about behavior of a fluid in a subterranean environment. Machine learning methods can also be applied to the systems 100, 200, and 300, for example by configuring the controller 122 to practice such methods, to control operation of the systems to gather useful data about fluid behavior and properties.

[0034] The preceding description has been presented with reference to present embodiments. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this disclosure pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, and scope of this present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and shown in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read as consistent with and as support for the following claims, which are to have their fullest and fairest scope.

Claims

1 . A method of measuring pressure density, comprising: circulating a fluid through a fluid pathway; closing a first valve in the fluid pathway; closing a second valve in the fluid pathway; using a volume reduction device located in the fluid pathway between the first valve and the second valve to increase pressure of the fluid; measuring pressure of the fluid using a pressure sensor located in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve; and measuring a density of the fluid using a density sensor located in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring a temperature of the fluid using a temperature sensor located in the fluid pathway between the volume reduction device and one of the first valve and the second valve.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid is a drilling fluid.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the volume reduction device is a gas-actuated pinch valve.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising measuring a rheological property of the fluid using a rheological sensor located in the fluid pathway.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fluid pathway is a drilling fluid sample loop.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the volume reduction device is a first volume reduction device, and further comprising using a second volume reduction device located in the fluid pathway between the first valve and the second valve to increase pressure of the fluid.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first volume reduction device and the second volume reduction device is a gas actuated pinch valve and the first and second volume reduction devices are actuated by two different gas pressures.

9. A method, comprising: pumping a drilling fluid through a sample loop; remotely closing a first control valve in the sample loop; remotely closing a second control valve in the sample loop; remotely actuating a volume reduction device located in the sample loop between the first control valve and the second control valve to increase pressure of the drilling fluid in the sample loop between the first control valve and the second control valve; and measuring a density of the drilling fluid using a density sensor located in the sample loop between the volume reduction device and one of the first control valve and the second control valve.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the volume reduction device is a pressure- actuated device.

11 . The method of claim 9, wherein the volume reduction device is a mechanically- actuated device.

12. The method of any of claims 9 through 11 , further comprising measuring a temperature of the drilling fluid in the sample loop at the time the density of the drilling fluid is measured.

13. The method of any of claims 9 through 12, further comprising measuring a rheological property of the drilling fluid.

14. The method of any of claims 9 through 13, wherein the volume reduction device is a first volume reduction device, and further comprising remotely actuating a second volume reduction device located in the sample loop between the first control valve and the first volume reduction device to increase pressure of the drilling fluid in the sample loop between the first control valve and the second control valve.

15. A system for measuring pressure density of a fluid, the system comprising: a fluid pathway; a pressure sensor coupled to the fluid pathway; a density sensor coupled to the fluid pathway; and a volume reduction device coupled to the fluid pathway.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the volume reduction device is a first volume reduction device, and further comprising a first valve coupled to the fluid pathway, a second valve coupled to the fluid pathway, and a second volume reduction device coupled to the fluid pathway between the first volume reduction device and the first valve, and each of the first and the second volume reduction device is a gas actuated pinch valve.