US20240117690A1

US20240117690A1 - Drilling return flowline continuous agitation flocculant metering dispenser

Info

Publication number: US20240117690A1
Application number: US18/485,216
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher Freeman; Marie Freeman
Original assignee: Freeman Pump Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Freeman Pump Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2022-10-11
Filing date: 2023-10-11
Publication date: 2024-04-11

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Drilling Return Flowline Continuous Agitation Flocculant Metering Dispenser in a flowline. The metering device includes a pump and a reservoir. The reservoir contains flocculant (e.g., a polymeric drilling fluid, MF55 drilling fluid) in a suspension (e.g., water). The pump maintains a continuous circulation of the flocculant suspension through the pump. A first outlet meters a predetermined flow rate of the flocculant suspension into a flowline in a drilling reserve pit. The remainder of the flocculant suspension is returned to the reservoir through a first outlet. A valve on the first outlet and a second valve on the second outlet allows an adjustment of the return and metering outlet streams. The metered flow allows the flocculant into the flowline such that the drilling fluid is constantly mixed with the flocculant suspension as the drilling fluid is returned to the drilling reserve pit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/379,091, titled “Drilling Return Flowline Continuous Agitation Flocculant Metering Dispenser,” filed by Freeman Pump Solutions, Inc, et al., on 10/11/2023.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to a flocculant pretreatment process before reintroducing contaminated drilling fluids to a drilling pit used for drilling purposes.

BACKGROUND

Boreholes are narrow shafts bored in the ground. Boreholes may, for example, be either vertical or horizontal. A borehole may, for example, be constructed to extract water. A borehole may, for example, be constructed to drill petroleum. A bore hole may, for example, be constructed to drill for natural gas. Boreholes may, for example, be used in a geotechnical investigation. Boreholes may, for example, be used in an environmental site assessment. Boreholes may, for example, be used in mineral explorations. Boreholes may, for example, be used for temperature measurement. Boreholes may, for example, as a pilot hole for installing piers or underground utilities. Boreholes may, for example, be used in geothermal installations. Boreholes may, for example, be used for underground storage of unwanted substances (storage and/or CO2 capture projects).
Drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, is used to aid the drilling of boreholes. Often drilling fluid is used while drilling oil and natural gas wells. Drilling fluids may, for example, be used on exploration drilling rigs. Drilling fluids may, for example, be used for simpler boreholes, such as water wells.
Drilling fluids may, for example, include water-based muds (WBs). Water based muds may, for example, be dispersed and non-dispersed. Drilling fluids may, for example, include non-aqueous muds. Non-aqueous mud may, for example, be called oil-based muds (OBs). Drilling fluids may, for example, include gaseous drilling fluid. Gaseous drilling fluids may, for example, include a wide range of gases. Drilling fluids may, for example, include appropriate polymer and clay additives for drilling various oil and gas formations.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Drilling Return Flowline Continuous Agitation Flocculant Metering Dispenser in a flowline. The metering device includes a pump and a reservoir. The reservoir contains flocculant (e.g., a polymeric drilling fluid, MF55 drilling fluid) in a suspension (e.g., water). The pump maintains a continuous circulation of the flocculant suspension through the pump. A first outlet meters a predetermined flow rate of the flocculant suspension into a flowline in a drilling reserve pit. The remainder of the flocculant suspension is returned to the reservoir through a first outlet. A valve on the first outlet and a second valve on the second outlet allows an adjustment of the return and metering outlet streams. The metered flow allows the flocculant into the flowline such that the drilling fluid is constantly mixed with the flocculant suspension as the drilling fluid is returned to the drilling reserve pit.
Some embodiments may, for example, be configured such that the continuous circulation keeps the flocculant agitated and in suspension to prevent settling out.
Accordingly, solids in the used drilling fluid may advantageously be brought into substantially uniform contact with the flocculant suspension such that the solids are bound and settle out (e.g., flocculation). A drilling rig supplied from the drilling reserve pit may advantageously operate with less solids, reducing friction, which may advantageously increase drilling speeds.
The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary flocculant pretreatment of a contaminated drilling fluids before being reintroduced into a drilling pit in an illustrative use-case scenario.

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C are block diagrams depicting exemplary flow schematics of the introduction of a flocculant to the contaminated drilling fluids.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method to control an amount of flocculant being mixed with the contaminated drilling fluids in the flocculant pretreatment process.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary illustrative use-case scenario of a flocculant dispenser.

Appendix A depicts an exemplary drilling return flowline continuous agitation flocculant metering dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, to help introduce discussion of various embodiments, a system to pretreat the contaminated drilling fluids is introduced with reference to FIG. 1 . Second, that introduction leads into a description of the pretreatment process with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B of exemplary embodiments of FIG. 4 . Third, with reference to FIGS. 3 , this document describes an exemplary method useful for pretreating the contaminated drilling fluids in a flocculent suspension before the contaminated drilling fluids is reintroduced into the drilling pit.
FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary illustrative use-case scenario displaying a flocculant pretreatment of contaminated drilling fluids before being reintroduced in an exemplary drilling pit. In the depicted exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100, a drilling pit 105 is provided in an exemplary drilling location. The drilling pit 105 may, for example, be used to hold a reservoir of drilling fluids 110, wastes, or some combinations thereof. For example, the drilling pit 105 may be a reserve pit.
Drilling fluids 110 in various embodiments may serve many different functions including, by way of example and not limitation, be used to control formation pressures, to remove subterranean cuttings from a wellbore, to seal permeable formations encountered while drilling, to cool downhole tools, to lubricate downhole tools, to maintain wellbore stability, to transmit hydraulic energy to downhole tools, or some combination thereof. In some implementations, by way of example and not limitation, downhole tools may include a drilling bit and/or other drilling equipment.
Drilling fluids 110 may be pumped from the drilling pit 105 through a supply line 115. The supply line 115 may, for example, include a pipe, a tubing, a hose structure, or some combination thereof.
In the depicted illustrative example 100, the supply line 115 connects to the well 120 which may be used to, for example, harvest petroleum oil hydrocarbons. The well 120 may be used, for example, to support a drill stem 125. The drill stem 125 may be used, for example, to transport drilling fluids 110, to support axial loads, and/or to support torsional loads. The drill stem 125 may be used to create a wellbore 130 to drill beneath a grounds surface. The wellbore 130 may, for example, include a hole that is drilled to aid in the exploration and recovery of natural resources including but not limited to oil, gas, water, or some combinations thereof.
The wellbore 130 and the drill stem 125 in the depicted example 100 are protected by an exterior casing 130. The exterior casing, for example, may be larger in diameter than the drill stem 125, may be longer in length than the drill stem 125, and/or may be used to line the wellbore 130. An exterior casing 135 may be used to offer support to prevent the wellbore 130 from collapsing. The exterior casing 135 may, for example, be used to protect the drill stem 125. The exterior casing also may, for example, be used to protect the drilling fluids 105 from contaminants, as the drilling fluids are used to lubricate the drilling stem 125 and a drill bit 125 a connected to a bottom of the drilling stem 125. The drill bit 125 a, may be attached to the drill stem 125 to drill a subterranean surface 140.
The drilling fluids 110 may, for example, lubricate the drill bit 125 a as the drill bit 125 a drills into a subterranean formation 140. A drill bit 125 a may be used, for example, to reduce the torsional forces required to drill the subterranean formation 140. As the drill bit 125 a drills into the subterranean formation 140, the drilling fluids 110 may become contaminated with drill cuttings from the subterranean formation 140 to create a contaminated drilling fluids 110 a. Drill cuttings may comprise of subterranean particles generated by the drilling of the subterranean formation 140. Subterranean particles may, for example, be small pieces of rock varying in size and texture from fine silt to gravel. Drilling fluids may, for example but is not limited, may to become contaminated from subterranean particles, subterranean fluids, subterranean gases, or combinations thereof located in the subterranean formation 140. For example, subterranean particles may contaminate the drilling fluids making it no longer suited for drilling purposes without further treatment to remove the subterranean particles.
The contaminated drilling fluids 110 a may be pumped from the drill bit 125 a to a return line 145 which may, for example, be used to transport the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a to the drilling pit 105. The return line 145 may, for example, comprise of a pipe, a tubing, hose structure, or some combinations thereof. The return line 145 may be connected to a two-way valve 150. The two way-valve connection may be used to pretreat the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a with a flocculant fluid 160 before being pumped to the drilling pit 105. The two-way valve 150 may for example be connected by means of a pipe, tube, hose structure or combination thereof to a Continuous Agitation Flocculant Metering Dispenser (CAFMD) 155, which may be used to mix the flocculant fluid 160 with the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a. The CAFMD 155 may, for example, be connected to a series of valves, flocculant containers, and pumps, and combinations thereof.
The amount of flocculant fluid disbursed may, for example, be dependent on parameters such as the brand of flocculant fluid, the viscosity of the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a, the density of the contaminated fluid, the power consumed by the pump to generate flow, the structural integrity of the return line 145, the diameter of the return line 145, or some combination thereof.
As the flocculant fluid 160 mixes with the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a in a flocculant pretreatment process 165, the rock cuttings and other contaminants from the subterranean formation 140 in the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a may begin to clump and aggregate creating larger particles 170. The flocculant pretreatment process 165, may, for example, be used to maximize the contact and mixing between the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a and the flocculant fluid 160 to create larger particles 170 in a flocculent suspension before the pretreated contaminated drilling fluids 110 b reenter the drilling pit 105.
As depicted in the exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100, the larger particles 170 created in the flocculant pretreatment process 165 may outflow from the two-way valve 150 as a pretreated contaminated drilling fluids 110 b. The pretreated contaminated drilling fluids 110 b may, for example, be outflown to drilling pit 105 where the contaminated drilling fluids may, for example, separate and sink to a bottom 175 of the drilling pit 105. The larger particles 170 containing contaminants may, for example, advantageously facilitate less costly and faster removal of contaminants once the larger particles 170 are reintroduced into the drilling pit 105.
FIG. 2A is block diagram depicting an exemplary flocculent pretreatment process configured to control, for example, the output quality of the contaminated drilling fluid. From time to time, the amount of flocculant dispensed into the pretreatment process location may be needed to be increased or decreased. For example, when the contaminated drilling fluid needs more or less flocculant to be pretreated, the Flowline Continuous Agitation Flocculant Metering Dispenser 155 may be used to increase or decrease the amount of flocculant dispensed into the return line 145 dynamically as depicted in the depicted exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100.
In the depicted exemplary system 200, a drilling pit 205 acts as a reservoir for drilling fluids 210. The drilling fluids 210 may be pumped to a well 215. The well, may for example, be used to pump drilling fluids 210 below the ground and also collect contaminated drilling fluids 210 a from the drilling process.
The contaminated drilling fluids 210 a may be transported to a pretreatment process location 255. At the pretreatment process location 255, flocculant from a flocculant storage container 250 may be dispensed by means of a flocculant dispenser 225 (e.g., the CAFMD 155). The flocculant dispenser may release flocculant through a dispenser valve 230. The dispenser valve 230 may, for example, be connected to a pump 235. The pump 235 may, for example, be used to pump flocculant from the flocculant storage container 250 to the dispenser valve 230. The pump 235 may, for example, be connected to the flocculant storage container 250 by a suction valve 245 that transports the flocculant to the pump 235. The pump 235 may, for example, pump excess flocculant back into the flocculant storage container 250 through the connection of a receiver valve 240. The suction valve 245, the dispenser valve 230, the receiver valve 240, and combination thereof, may be set to various flow rates, for example, to control the amount of flocculant dispersed from the flocculant dispenser 225 into the pretreatment process location 255.
Controlling the amount of flocculant dispensed at the pretreatment process location 255, may, for example, control properties which may contribute to the flow speed of a pretreated contaminated drilling fluids 220 b, such as, for example, the viscosity of the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a, density of the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a, and combination thereof. The density of the fluid may be determined by the mass of the fluid contained in a specific volume.
In various embodiments, the viscosity of the fluid may be determined by various parameters. For example, viscosity may be determined based on a force applied to the fluid (e.g., by a drilling pump) to produce a given flow. In some examples, viscosity may be determined based on a cross-sectional area that the fluid flows through. Viscosity may, for example, be determined in some examples based on temperature. The viscosity may, for example, be determined based on a shear rate of deformation.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram depicting an exemplary flow schematics of the introduction of a flocculant to the contaminated drilling fluid using a venturi mixer and a flow meter. In the depicted example, the flocculant dispenser 225 is provided with a flow meter 260. The flow meter 260 may, for example, include a digital flow meter. The flow meter 260 may, for example, monitor (e.g., automatically, periodically, manually-triggered) a flow rate of flocculant (e.g., flocculant solution, flocculant particles) being dispensed.
In some implementations, by way of example and not limitation, the flow meter 260 may be configured as a laser meter. In some implementations, the flow meter 260 may, for example, be configured as an electronic meter. In some implementations, the flow meter 260 may include an ultrasonic meter. In some embodiments, the flow meter 260 may be configured as a mechanical meter (e.g., sensing changes in motion and/or position of a spinning and/or displaceable element responsive to flow).
In some implementations, an electronic control system (not shown) may be operably coupled to the flow meter. The control system may, for example, read data from the flow meter and make automatic changes to valves based on the flow meter. For example, the control system may maintain a predetermined flow rate. For example, the control system may be configured to maintain a predetermined flocculant concentration in the dispensed flow stream. In some implementations, the control system may maintain a predetermined relationship between at least one attribute of the dispensed flocculant stream and at least one other attribute (e.g., composition of the flow stream in the return line 145, contaminants present in the return line 145, flow rate in the return line 145, flocculant in the reservoir 150).
As depicted, the flocculant dispenser 225 includes a venturi mixer 265. In this example, the venturi mixer 265 is configured to mix a flocculant from an inlet 266 into a return line from the pump 235 to the flocculant storage container 250. For example, the flocculant storage container 250 may be filled with a pre-mixed flocculant. In some examples, the flocculant storage container 250 may be replenished with an unmixed (e.g., concentrated, dry, powdered, granular) flocculant. For example, unmixed flocculant may be supplied at the inlet 266, and the venturi mixer 265 may draw the unmixed flocculant in through the inlet 266, mixing it with fluid (e.g., water) in the return line, thus replenishing the flocculant storage container 250. In some implementations, the flocculant storage container 250 may, for example, be bypassed and/or omitted.
For example, some implementations may be configured such that the flocculant storage container 250 may be selectively bypassed (e.g., by an operator, by an electronic control unit). Some embodiments may, for example, be configured (e.g., by a valve, by a plug) such that the inlet 266 may be selectively (e.g., by an operator, by an electronic control unit) in fluid communication with the return line. For example, the venturi mixer 265 may be enabled (e.g., unplugged, selectively operated into a flow stream) when additional flocculant is needed and/or an unmixed source is to be used for flocculant.
In some implementations, for example, unmixed (e.g., dry powder) flocculant may be used to enable use of a particular flocculant (e.g., cationic, anionic). For example, a premixed flocculant may be only available in an anionic formulation. A cationic flocculant may be desired and/or required (e.g., based on contaminants present), but may be available only in a dry powder form. Accordingly, the venturi mixer 265 may be used to draw the dry powder into a fluid stream for dispensing through the dispenser valve 230. In some examples, costs may advantageously be reduced (e.g., by 80% or more) by using unmixed dry powder polymer flocculant vs premixed polymer flocculant. In some implementations, transport difficulties and/or costs may be reduced by using a concentrated flocculant and mixing it in the flocculant dispenser 225.
FIG. 2C is a block diagram 200 depicting an exemplary flow schematics of the introduction of a flocculant to the contaminated drilling fluid using a venturi mixer and a flow meter. The block diagram includes a switch 260 a fluidly coupled to the pretreatment process location 255. As a fluid is allowed to flow from the return line to the flocculant dispenser it will trigger the switch activating the pump automatically. An additional valve may, for example, be attached to check for displaced air and filter it out from the return line.
The flocculant dispenser includes a bypass valve 250 a. The bypass valve may, for example, be used to switch between two types of flocculent. The bypass valve 250 a connects to a secondary flocculant chamber 250 a. The second flocculant chamber is configured such that it mixes the second type of flocculant contained within chamber with receiving fluid. The flocculant mixture is then directed to the return line to treat the line through an exit line 251.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for controlling flocculent disbursement. In the depicted exemplary method 300, the method begins in step 305 when the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a are received. The drilling fluids, for example, may be received at the pretreatment location. The contaminated drilling fluids may, for example, be transported in a supply line 145 as depicted in the exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100.
In response to receiving the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a, a suction valve 245 may be operated to set flow rate Q1 in step 310. Flow rate Q1 may, for example, be used to transport the flocculant particles from the flocculant storage container 250 to the pump 235 in the depicted exemplary system 200.
In response to flow rate Q1, a dispenser valve may be operated to set flow rate Q2 in step 315. Flow rate Q2 may, for example, dispense flocculant to be mixed into the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a in the flocculant pretreatment process 165 depicted in the exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100.
In response to flow rate Q2, the receiver valve may be operated to set flow rate Q3 in step 315. Flow rate Q3 may, for example, be used to control the amount of flocculant pumped back into the flocculant storage container 250 from the receiver valve 240, as depicted in the depicted exemplary system 200. The pump 235, for example, may be used to dispense the flocculent fluids to pretreat the contaminated drilling fluids.
In response to and/or in correspondence to setting the dispenser valve, receiver valve, suction valve, or combination thereof, the pump may be used to dispense flocculant stream in step 320 from the Q2 dispenser valve.
In response to the operation of the pump, a determination of whether the output suspension is greater than a predetermined density or viscosity criterion may be made in step 330. If the output suspension is greater than a predetermined density or viscosity criterion the dispenser valve may, for example, be set to reduce the amount of flocculant dispensed from the CAFMD 155 as depicted in the exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100.
Density parameters may be determined, by way of example and not limitation, by an amount of mass contained within a specific amount of volume. The viscosity of the fluid may be determined by various parameters, such as disclosed at least with reference to FIG. 2 .
In response or in conjunction to step 330, it is determined whether the output suspension is greater than a predetermined flocculent concentration. If the flocculant suspension is not greater than a predetermined flocculant concentration ratio, the operator valve may be operated to increase the flow rate Q2 into the pretreatment location. If the output suspension becomes greater than a predetermined flocculant concentration ratio greater, then the pump may be operated to maintain the desired flocculent concentration.
The flocculant concentration may, for example, be increased to cause the contaminants within the contaminated drilling fluids to clump together. The drill shavings and subterranean particles may, for example, clump together until a point where it would be undesirable for the pretreated contaminated fluid to become more viscous. Increasing the viscosity of the contaminated drilling fluid beyond a certain point may, for example, cause the pump to stall, cause a leak in the return line, reduce drilling speed, or some combination thereof.
In some implementations, the flocculant concentration ratio may, for example, be selected to maximize the solid removal speed from the return line 145 depicted in the exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100.
In some embodiments, the flocculent concentration ratio may, for example, be selected to create larger clumps of subterranean particles that can be later be removed. Larger clumps may, for example, advantageously be more thoroughly removed from the drilling fluid. Cleaner drilling fluid may, for example, advantageously enable faster and/or more efficient drilling speeds. Faster and more efficient drilling speeds may, for example, be enabled because the contaminated drilling fluids 110 a would need less treatment at the drilling pit 105, because the contaminated drilling fluid 110 a has already been pretreated with flocculant fluid 160 in the flocculent suspension.
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary illustrative use-case scenario. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary CAFMD 400. For example, the CAFMD 155 in the depicted exemplary illustrative use case scenario 100, and/or the flocculant dispenser 225 in the depicted exemplary system 200 may be configured as shown in FIG. 4 . The flocculant container is connected to suction valve. The suction valve is connected to a pump. The suction valve controls the flow rate Q1. The pump is connected to a dispenser valve. The dispenser valve would be used to connect flow lines to the contaminated drilling fluids in the return line from the well. The dispenser valve would also control flow rate Q2. The pump is also connected to a flowline connected to a receiver valve. The receiver valve is used to set flow rate Q3. Flow rate Q1, Q2, Q3, or some combination thereof, may be set, for example, to control an amount of flocculant dispensed to the predetermined pretreatment location.
As an illustrative example, the flocculant may include a polymer suspension. The solvent may, for example, include water. The flocculant to solvent ratio may, for example, be selected based on a particulate flocculant, a particulate solvent, a particulate pump (e.g., pump 235), a particular drilling environment (e.g., subterranean formation 140), a particular drilling rig, a particular bottom hole assembly, or some combination thereof. For example, in the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 , the polymer suspension may, for example, include “MFF-55” (available from SUNWEST Fluids Company, Midland, Texas, USA).
The flocculant suspension may, by way of example and not limitation, include a ratio of between 1:2 to 1:25 flocculant to solvent. In the illustrative example, a ratio greater than 1:25 may, by way of example and not limitation, cause the flocculant to fall out of suspension and/or cause the suspension to exceed a target maximum viscosity. A flocculent ratio lower than 1:2 may, for example, cause the suspension to not sufficiently contact the solids in the flow line. In a test using the exemplary CAFMD 400 with the previously described illustrative flocculant suspension, drilling pump pressures were lowered by substantially 300 pounds per square inch (PSI). For example, without being bound to a particular theory, the automatic and continuous dispensing of the continuously agitated flocculant suspension into the flowline is believed to have increased flocculant contact (e.g., due to increased local concentration in the flowline) rather than being dilutely distributed in the entire reservoir pit) with solid contaminants suspending in the drilling fluid. Increased contact is believed to increase binding of the flocculant with the solids and so aggregation of the contaminants. Increased aggregation is believed to cause more effective removal (e.g., settling out, mechanical removal/separation) before recycling of the drilling fluid into the drilling rig. Accordingly, the drilling fluid being recycled into the drilling rig had a lower friction, reducing the pressure in the pump. In the test, the reduced friction enabled faster drilling of the well, enabling the well drilling to be completed ahead of schedule.
Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible.
Although an exemplary system has been described with reference to FIGS., other implementations may be deployed in other industrial, scientific, medical, commercial, and/or residential applications. Some embodiments of the drilling return flowline continuous agitation flocculant metering dispenser may, for example, be used in oil and gas refineries. The drilling return flowline continuous agitation flocculant metering dispenser may, for example, be used at drilling sites for liquids and gases (e.g., natural gas, petroleum, water). The drilling return flowline continuous agitation flocculant metering dispenser may, be used to drill holes used for CO2 capture or storage.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A flocculant dispenser comprising:

a pump comprising an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet; and,

a flocculant container fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pump and to the second outlet of the pump, wherein:

the first outlet is fluidly coupled to a conduit containing a flow of contaminated drilling fluid from a well to a reservoir such that the pump dispenses a fluid flow (Q2) of flocculant-bearing fluid into the contaminated drilling fluid,

the pump recirculates a fluid flow (Q3) recirculating into the flocculant container via the second outlet, and

the sum of Q2 and Q3 is less than or equal to a fluid flow (Q1) from the flocculant container to the pump via the inlet.

2. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump configured to fluidly coupled to an external return line containing contaminated drilling fluids.

3. The flocculant dispenser of claim 2, wherein the external return line is configured to receive fluids from a well.

4. The flocculant dispenser of claim 3, wherein the external return line is configured to dispense fluids through the return line to a drilling pit.

5. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flocculant fluid is a polymeric drilling fluid.

6. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flocculant fluid is MF55 drilling fluid.

7. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump is configured to maintain a continuous circulation of the flocculant bearing fluid through the pump.

8. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an inlet filter valve to the pump configured to release displaced air before fluids enter the pump.

9. The flocculant dispenser of claim 8, wherein the inlet filter valve is a ball valve.

10. The flocculant dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flocculant container is referred to as the first flocculant container, further comprising a second flocculant container fluidly coupled to the pump such that when a flocculant switch it released the flocculant container swaps from the first flocculant container to the second flocculant container.

11. A flocculant dispenser comprising:

A pump comprising an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;

A flocculant container selectively fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pump and selectively fluidly coupled to the second outlet of the pump; and

a flow-induced fluid injector comprising:

a first inlet selectively fluidly coupled to the second outlet of the pump;

a second inlet fluidly coupled to a source of flocculant; and,

an outlet fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pump,

wherein, the first outlet is fluidly coupled to a conduit containing a flow of contaminated drilling fluid from a well to a reservoir such that the pump dispenses a fluid flow (Q2) of flocculant-bearing fluid into the contaminated drilling fluid in:

a recirculation mode wherein the pump recirculates a fluid flow (Q3) recirculating into the flocculant container via the second outlet, and the sum of Q2 and Q3 is less than or equal to a fluid flow (Q1) from the flocculant container to the pump via the inlet; and

an injector mode, wherein the pump circulates a fluid flow (Qb) of contaminated drilling fluid from the conduit through the first inlet of the fluid injector, across the second inlet of the fluid injector, and out the outlet of the fluid injector such that a flow of flocculant from the source of flocculant is dispensed into Qb via the second inlet of the fluid injector to form the fluid flow Q2.

12. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, wherein the pump configured to fluidly coupled to an external return line containing contaminated drilling fluids.

13. The flocculant dispenser of claim 12, wherein the external return line is configured to receive fluids from a well.

14. The flocculant dispenser of claim 13, wherein the external return line is configured to dispense fluids through the return line to a drilling pit.

15. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, wherein the flocculant fluid is a polymeric drilling fluid.

16. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, wherein the flocculant fluid is MF55 drilling fluid.

17. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, wherein the pump is configured to maintain a continuous circulation of the flocculant bearing fluid through the pump.

18. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, further comprising an inlet filter valve to the pump configured to release displaced air before fluids enter the pump.

19. The flocculant dispenser of claim 18, wherein the inlet filter valve is a ball valve.

20. The flocculant dispenser of claim 10, wherein the flocculant container is referred to as the first flocculant container, further comprising a second flocculant container fluidly coupled to the pump such that when a flocculant switch it released the flocculant container swaps from the first flocculant container to the second flocculant container.