Drilling fluid flow monitoring system
First Claim
1. A drilling system having a fluid flow monitoring apparatus, comprising an inflow line supplying fluid under pressure into a wellbore, a return line having a known cross-sectional area carrying fluid returning from the wellbore, and a sensor assembly disposed in the return line, the sensor assembly including a floatable carrier placed on the fluid in the return line, the carrier carrying a first flow rate sensor for providing measurements representative of the velocity of the fluid flowing through the return line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a fluid flow measurement system for an oil well drilling system that includes a supply of drilling fluid to a wellbore under pressure and a return line carrying fluid leaving the wellbore during drilling of the wellbore. The system includes at least one floating sensor in the return line that provides a measure of the velocity of the fluid in the return line. The sensor may be a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. A height sensor provides the fluid level in the return line and a density sensor provides the density of the returning fluid. A controller determines the inflow rate and out flow rate of the drilling fluid and further determines the presence of a kick and wash out from the flow rates. The system also determines the operating condition of the pumps supplying fluid to the wellbore.
105 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A drilling system having a fluid flow monitoring apparatus, comprising an inflow line supplying fluid under pressure into a wellbore, a return line having a known cross-sectional area carrying fluid returning from the wellbore, and a sensor assembly disposed in the return line, the sensor assembly including a floatable carrier placed on the fluid in the return line, the carrier carrying a first flow rate sensor for providing measurements representative of the velocity of the fluid flowing through the return line.
-
19. A method of determining a parameter of interest of a drilling system having an inflow line supplying fluid under pressure into a wellbore and a return line carrying fluid returning from the wellbore, the method comprising:
-
(a) passing the return fluid through a substantially horizontal section of the return line, the horizontal section having a known cross-sectional area;
(b) placing a sensor assembly including a floatable carrier on the return fluid in the horizontal section;
(c) providing measurements representative of the velocity of the fluid flowing through the return line using a first flow rate sensor on the carrier; and
(d) using a controller to determine the parameter of interest from the provided measurements. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification