US20080156532A1 - Flow density tool - Google Patents
Flow density tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080156532A1 US20080156532A1 US12/000,723 US72307A US2008156532A1 US 20080156532 A1 US20080156532 A1 US 20080156532A1 US 72307 A US72307 A US 72307A US 2008156532 A1 US2008156532 A1 US 2008156532A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flow
- drill cuttings
- flow density
- density tool
- sensor
- 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
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 41
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 230000005251 gamma ray Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- LXQXZNRPTYVCNG-YPZZEJLDSA-N americium-241 Chemical group [241Am] LXQXZNRPTYVCNG-YPZZEJLDSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052790 beryllium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N beryllium atom Chemical compound [Be] ATBAMAFKBVZNFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052778 Plutonium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- OYEHPCDNVJXUIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N plutonium atom Chemical compound [Pu] OYEHPCDNVJXUIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V5/00—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity
- G01V5/04—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity specially adapted for well-logging
- G01V5/08—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity specially adapted for well-logging using primary nuclear radiation sources or X-rays
- G01V5/12—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity specially adapted for well-logging using primary nuclear radiation sources or X-rays using gamma or X-ray sources
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for logging discreet media flow density, for example as on drilling rig during drilling the subsurface stratas.
- drilling mud is circulated down the hole to flow up the drill bit cuttings.
- the cuttings are separated from the mud and then may be directed to an apparatus for further processing and measurements, for example as described by the author in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 “Cuttings Sample Catcher and Method of Use” and additionally disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 “Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and Methods of Applications” (Published US 2005-0082468).
- the method and apparatus disclosed here is the new Flow Density Tool using sensors, such as Gamma Ray and Neutron sensors for Logging Flow Density of mud with drill cuttings in return flow, while drilling and other discreet media materials.
- Neutron sensors may provide, among other things, an assessment or measurement of the porosity of the media flowing through the apparatus.
- the flow density tool provides a configuration and two (2) or more sensors which in combination provide measurement of the flow density of the discreet media moving through the apparatus (for example drilling mud or fluid containing drill cuttings or drill cuttings).
- the present invention provides a flow density tool for measuring the density of drilling mud containing drill cuttings, including a gamma ray source for directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, a gamma ray sensor for detecting the gamma rays, and a flow housing for directing the flow of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings past the gamma ray sensor.
- the flow density tool further includes a neutron source for directing neutrons through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, and a neutron sensor for detecting neutrons.
- a neutron source for directing neutrons through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings
- a neutron sensor for detecting neutrons.
- the gamma ray sensor and the neutron sensor are housed in a sensor tube.
- the flow housing is an elongate tubular having a first end and a second end, an inflow orifice adapted to receive the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings proximate the first end.
- the sensor tube is received in the second end, forming an annular gap between the sensor tube and the flow housing.
- an outflow window is adapted to discharge the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings from the annular gap.
- the annular gap is between about 0.5 inch (13 mm) and about 0.75 inch (19 mm).
- the flow housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the outflow window formed in the lower portion.
- the gamma ray source is americium 241 .
- the neutron source is americium 241 upon a beryllium target.
- the present invention provides a method of calculating the bulk density of drilling fluid containing drill cuttings including directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings and measuring gamma rays, measuring neutron emissions from the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings, and calculating a bulk density based on the gamma rays measured and neutrons measured.
- the measurement of gamma rays and neutrons measured are synchronized in time.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a flow density tool of the present invention.
- the present invention provides a method and system for measuring or logging the flow density of a fluid slurry, such as drilling mud (drilling fluid) containing drill cuttings.
- a fluid slurry such as drilling mud (drilling fluid) containing drill cuttings.
- the flow density tool 20 includes a tubular, such as a pipe 30 with an inflow orifice 7 and an outflow window 8 and a sensor holder tube 9 inserted from the opposite side from the inflow orifice 7 within a flow housing 4 . Drilling fluid containing discrete media 10 are received in the inflow orifice 7 .
- a small nuclear source or sources 5 are covered with a lead blanket 1 or other shielding from the outside so that the sensors are exposed only to the given source and covered by the same other shielding or lead blanket 1 from outside (or external or background) radiation.
- the two sensors are preferably a Gamma Ray detector/sensor 2 and a Neutron detector/sensor 3 similar to conventionally used in logging optionally, with some changes that will enhance the signal measurements, such as low temperature operation.
- the drilling fluid with the drill cuttings flows through the inflow orifice 7 past the sensors 2 and 3 and the gamma ray absorption by the media is measured synchronously as the neutron count is measured to provide a signal or other indication usable by one skilled in the art to determine the gamma ray absorption and neutron count for determination of bulk density of the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.
- the apparatus of the present invention is preferably situated before the mini shaker (for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026) and the cuttings are pumped with the mud pump through the mud flow house into the flow density tool 20 .
- the apparatus is preferably connected to the mud flow house (e.g. inflow orifice 7 receives drilling fluid containing cuttings from the mud flow house) and the outflow window 8 , preferably at or proximate the bottom of the flow density tool 20 discharges drilling fluid containing cuttings to the feeder.
- the mud flow house e.g. inflow orifice 7 receives drilling fluid containing cuttings from the mud flow house
- the outflow window 8 preferably at or proximate the bottom of the flow density tool 20 discharges drilling fluid containing cuttings to the feeder.
- the sensor holder tube 9 may be suspended by the sensor holder 40 at a spacing of about 0.5 inch (13 mm) to about 0.75 inch (19 mm) between the sensor holder tube 9 and the bottom of the flow housing 4 and inserted from the opposite side from the inflow orifice 7 .
- two or more sources 5 of gamma rays such as Am 241 may be placed from outside of the tool flow housing 4 for creating a gamma ray flow through the discreet media 10 .
- two sources 5 may be placed in the lower portion of the flow housing 4 so that they are within the drilling fluid containing cuttings.
- additional sources 5 may be placed a distance from the first two sources 5 .
- a resistivity sensor 6 may optionally be placed in the flow density tool 20 to further improve the accuracy of the bulk density determination.
- a small neutron source 50 may provide a stream of neutrons into the drilling fluid with drill cuttings.
- the small neutron source 50 may include a Americium 241 source directed upon a Beryllium film, or plutonium, or other neutron source.
- a shield, such as water bath 60 or other shielding covers the neutron source 50 and neutron sensor 3 .
- an increased density in the drilling fluid flow with drill cuttings may indicate the potential caving in of the well bore and a decreased density may indicate a plug generating in the well by deficient hydraulic properties of drilling fluid in the well.
- resistivity sensor 6 with additional interpretation in combination with the other parameters measured by surface logging while drilling (SLWD) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 (Sample Catcher), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 mentioned above.
- SLWD surface logging while drilling
- drilling mud and drilling fluid are used interchangeably.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
- Measurement Of Radiation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/870,306, filed Dec. 15, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for logging discreet media flow density, for example as on drilling rig during drilling the subsurface stratas.
- During drilling of sub-surface formations, drilling mud is circulated down the hole to flow up the drill bit cuttings. The cuttings are separated from the mud and then may be directed to an apparatus for further processing and measurements, for example as described by the author in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 “Cuttings Sample Catcher and Method of Use” and additionally disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 “Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and Methods of Applications” (Published US 2005-0082468).
- It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for logging flow density.
- It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous flow density meters.
- The method and apparatus disclosed here is the new Flow Density Tool using sensors, such as Gamma Ray and Neutron sensors for Logging Flow Density of mud with drill cuttings in return flow, while drilling and other discreet media materials. Neutron sensors may provide, among other things, an assessment or measurement of the porosity of the media flowing through the apparatus. The flow density tool provides a configuration and two (2) or more sensors which in combination provide measurement of the flow density of the discreet media moving through the apparatus (for example drilling mud or fluid containing drill cuttings or drill cuttings).
- In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flow density tool for measuring the density of drilling mud containing drill cuttings, including a gamma ray source for directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, a gamma ray sensor for detecting the gamma rays, and a flow housing for directing the flow of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings past the gamma ray sensor.
- Preferably the flow density tool further includes a neutron source for directing neutrons through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings, and a neutron sensor for detecting neutrons.
- Preferably, the gamma ray sensor and the neutron sensor are housed in a sensor tube. Preferably, the flow housing is an elongate tubular having a first end and a second end, an inflow orifice adapted to receive the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings proximate the first end. Preferably, the sensor tube is received in the second end, forming an annular gap between the sensor tube and the flow housing.
- Preferably an outflow window is adapted to discharge the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings from the annular gap. Preferably the annular gap is between about 0.5 inch (13 mm) and about 0.75 inch (19 mm). Preferably the flow housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the outflow window formed in the lower portion. Preferably the gamma ray source is americium 241. Preferably the neutron source is americium 241 upon a beryllium target.
- In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of calculating the bulk density of drilling fluid containing drill cuttings including directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings and measuring gamma rays, measuring neutron emissions from the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings, and calculating a bulk density based on the gamma rays measured and neutrons measured.
- Preferably, the measurement of gamma rays and neutrons measured are synchronized in time.
- Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figure, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a flow density tool of the present invention. - Generally, the present invention provides a method and system for measuring or logging the flow density of a fluid slurry, such as drilling mud (drilling fluid) containing drill cuttings.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , theflow density tool 20 includes a tubular, such as apipe 30 with aninflow orifice 7 and anoutflow window 8 and asensor holder tube 9 inserted from the opposite side from theinflow orifice 7 within aflow housing 4. Drilling fluid containingdiscrete media 10 are received in theinflow orifice 7. - A small nuclear source or
sources 5 are covered with alead blanket 1 or other shielding from the outside so that the sensors are exposed only to the given source and covered by the same other shielding orlead blanket 1 from outside (or external or background) radiation. - The two sensors are preferably a Gamma Ray detector/
sensor 2 and a Neutron detector/sensor 3 similar to conventionally used in logging optionally, with some changes that will enhance the signal measurements, such as low temperature operation. The drilling fluid with the drill cuttings flows through theinflow orifice 7 past thesensors - Other parameters may be obtained from this apparatus with additional interpretation in combination with the other parameters measured by surface logging while drilling (SLWD) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 mentioned above (Published US 2005-0082468), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The apparatus of the present invention is preferably situated before the mini shaker (for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026) and the cuttings are pumped with the mud pump through the mud flow house into the
flow density tool 20. - The apparatus is preferably connected to the mud flow house (
e.g. inflow orifice 7 receives drilling fluid containing cuttings from the mud flow house) and theoutflow window 8, preferably at or proximate the bottom of theflow density tool 20 discharges drilling fluid containing cuttings to the feeder. - The
sensor holder tube 9 may be suspended by thesensor holder 40 at a spacing of about 0.5 inch (13 mm) to about 0.75 inch (19 mm) between thesensor holder tube 9 and the bottom of theflow housing 4 and inserted from the opposite side from theinflow orifice 7. Preferably, two ormore sources 5 of gamma rays, such as Am 241 may be placed from outside of the tool flowhousing 4 for creating a gamma ray flow through thediscreet media 10. As shown, twosources 5 may be placed in the lower portion of theflow housing 4 so that they are within the drilling fluid containing cuttings. To increase signal,additional sources 5 may be placed a distance from the first twosources 5. - These small
nuclear sources 5 are covered with alead blanket 1 or other shielding from the outside so that thesensors same lead blanket 1 from outside radiation. Aresistivity sensor 6 may optionally be placed in theflow density tool 20 to further improve the accuracy of the bulk density determination. - A
small neutron source 50 may provide a stream of neutrons into the drilling fluid with drill cuttings. As an example, thesmall neutron source 50 may include a Americium 241 source directed upon a Beryllium film, or plutonium, or other neutron source. A shield, such aswater bath 60 or other shielding covers theneutron source 50 andneutron sensor 3. - While drilling, an increased density in the drilling fluid flow with drill cuttings may indicate the potential caving in of the well bore and a decreased density may indicate a plug generating in the well by deficient hydraulic properties of drilling fluid in the well.
- Other parameters may be obtained from this apparatus, such as
resistivity sensor 6 with additional interpretation in combination with the other parameters measured by surface logging while drilling (SLWD) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,026 (Sample Catcher), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,333 mentioned above. - As used herein, and as known to one skilled in the art, drilling mud and drilling fluid are used interchangeably.
- In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the invention.
- The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/000,723 US20080156532A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-12-17 | Flow density tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US87030606P | 2006-12-15 | 2006-12-15 | |
US12/000,723 US20080156532A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-12-17 | Flow density tool |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080156532A1 true US20080156532A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
Family
ID=39537656
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/000,723 Abandoned US20080156532A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-12-17 | Flow density tool |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080156532A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2615140A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103628869A (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2014-03-12 | 孙俊佚雄 | Lithology-oriented online natural rock debris gamma logging instrument and logging method thereof |
US9222350B2 (en) | 2011-06-21 | 2015-12-29 | Diamond Innovations, Inc. | Cutter tool insert having sensing device |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4578579A (en) * | 1983-09-01 | 1986-03-25 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for depth referencing hydrocarbon gas shows on mud logs |
US5165275A (en) * | 1990-06-07 | 1992-11-24 | Donovan Brothers, Inc. | Compensated gamma ray mudlog |
US5571962A (en) * | 1993-03-26 | 1996-11-05 | Core Holdings B.V. | Method and apparatus for analyzing drill cuttings |
US6386026B1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2002-05-14 | Konstandinos S. Zamfes | Cuttings sample catcher and method of use |
US20050082468A1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2005-04-21 | Konstandinos Zamfes | Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and methods of applications. |
US20060254350A1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2006-11-16 | Peter Wraight | Measuring mud flow velocity using pulsed neutrons |
US7334465B2 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2008-02-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Integrated logging tool for borehole |
-
2007
- 2007-12-17 US US12/000,723 patent/US20080156532A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-12-17 CA CA002615140A patent/CA2615140A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4578579A (en) * | 1983-09-01 | 1986-03-25 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for depth referencing hydrocarbon gas shows on mud logs |
US5165275A (en) * | 1990-06-07 | 1992-11-24 | Donovan Brothers, Inc. | Compensated gamma ray mudlog |
US5571962A (en) * | 1993-03-26 | 1996-11-05 | Core Holdings B.V. | Method and apparatus for analyzing drill cuttings |
US6386026B1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2002-05-14 | Konstandinos S. Zamfes | Cuttings sample catcher and method of use |
US20060254350A1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2006-11-16 | Peter Wraight | Measuring mud flow velocity using pulsed neutrons |
US7334465B2 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2008-02-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Integrated logging tool for borehole |
US20050082468A1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2005-04-21 | Konstandinos Zamfes | Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and methods of applications. |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9222350B2 (en) | 2011-06-21 | 2015-12-29 | Diamond Innovations, Inc. | Cutter tool insert having sensing device |
CN103628869A (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2014-03-12 | 孙俊佚雄 | Lithology-oriented online natural rock debris gamma logging instrument and logging method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2615140A1 (en) | 2008-06-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CANADIAN LOGGING SYSTEMS CORP., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZAMFES, KONSTANDINOS S.;REEL/FRAME:021850/0756 Effective date: 20081002 Owner name: CANADIAN LOGGING SYSTEMS CORP.,CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZAMFES, KONSTANDINOS S.;REEL/FRAME:021850/0756 Effective date: 20081002 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ZAMFES, KONSTANDINOS, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CANADIAN LOGGING SYSTEMS CORP.;REEL/FRAME:027980/0471 Effective date: 20120330 |