Method for near real time surface logging of a hydrocarbon or geothermal well using a mass spectrometer

• US 9,528,372 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2013
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Selman and Associates Limited
• Original Assignee: Selman and Associates Limited
• Inventors: Selman, Thomas H., Jennings, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Satanovsky, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): KUAN, JOHN CHUNYANG
• Application Number:
  US14/064,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20150039233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/022 of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/005 Testing the nature of borehole walls or the formation by using drilling mud or cutting data
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/088 combined with sampling
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/0027 Methods for using particle spectrometers

Abstract

An automatic method for providing geological trends and real time mapping of a geological basin using a mass spectrometer. The method provides information from a mass spectrometer on fluid samples from a wellbore into a geochemical surface well log with graphical tracks in real time. The dataset includes geochemical, engineering, and geological. The viewable geochemical well log provides information on well fluids and rock, and displays data in graphical tracks on client devices. The mass spectrometer receives samples from a gas trap connected to the wellbore, performs analysis on the samples, and communicates in real time to a geochemical surface well log with a plurality of graphical tracks which is then further communicated to a client device via a network.

Claims

1. A continuous and automatic computer implemented method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time for a geothermal, hydrocarbon, or testing well, using a well fluid processor and communicating the analyzed fluid information to at least one client device using a network, comprising:

a. connecting a total hydrocarbon analyzer to a wellbore to receive wellbore fluid samples and produce positive pressure fluid samples, connecting the total hydrocarbon analyzer to electronically communicate with the network, performing fluid analysis using the total hydrocarbon analyzer on the wellbore fluid samples forming total hydrocarbon analyzer fluid testing data;

b. receiving the formed total hydrocarbon analyzer fluid testing data by the well fluid processor;

c. connecting a mass spectrometer to the total hydrocarbon analyzer to receive the positive pressure fluid samples and to electronically communicate with the network, the mass spectrometer comprising;

i. a mass spectrometer processor;

ii. a mass spectrometer data storage;

iii. computer instructions to measure a mass to charge ratio of molecular weights for components in the wellbore fluid samples forming mass spectrometer fluid testing data; and

iv. computer instructions to communicate the mass spectrometer fluid testing data to the well fluid processor;

d. measuring a mass to charge ratio of molecular weights of components for each positive pressure fluid sample using the mass spectrometer forming the mass spectrometer fluid testing data;

e. communicating the mass spectrometer fluid testing data to the well fluid processor using the network;

f. storing the total hydrocarbon analyzer fluid testing data and the mass spectrometer fluid testing data in a well fluid data storage connected to the well fluid processor;

g. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to calculate molecular concentrations of molecular species using measured mass to charge ratios from the mass spectrometer of the positive pressure fluid samples;

h. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to transmit identified molecular species to the at least one client device using the network;

i. using computer instructions to compute and display well event based observations into the geochemical well log template; and

j. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to edit values of the geochemical surface well log using a pointer and using computer instructions to perform the steps of;

i. providing a pattern when the pointer connects with a track;

ii. automatically displaying a selected pattern and a percent value of the selected pattern where the pointer connects with the track;

iii. automatically changing the percent value of the selected pattern by moving the pointer in the track;

iv. connecting the pointer to an index of the track; and

v. inserting the selected pattern by moving the connected pointer along the index.

2. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising:

a. connecting the well fluid processor to;

at least one of;

i. at least one rig sensor on a drilling rig to receive rig sensor information;

ii. a third party processor that receives downhole sensor information from at least one downhole sensor in the wellbore; and

iii. a remote processor with a remote data storage containing engineering information on equipment in the wellbore;

b. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to create a geochemical well log template;

c. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to populate the geochemical well log template with user information from the at least one client device connected to the network;

d. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to populate the geochemical well log template with the rig sensor information;

e. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to populate the geochemical well log template with the downhole sensor information;

f. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to populate the geochemical well log template with (i) measured mass to charge ratios from the mass spectrometer and (ii) calculated molecular concentrations of molecular species using measured mass to charge ratios; and

g. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to populate the geochemical well log template with the engineering information from the remote data storage connected to the remote processor in electronic communication with the network, forming the geochemical surface well log and transmitting the formed geochemical surface well log to the at least one client device.

3. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 2, comprising using computer instructions to calculate molecular curves from calculated molecular concentrations and plot the molecular curves into the geochemical well log template.

4. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 3, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to calculate ratios for calculated molecular concentrations forming synthetic curves and plot the synthetic curves into the geochemical well log template.

5. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 4, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to use the downhole sensor information from the third party processor with a third party data storage to calculate well sensor curves and plot the well sensor curves into the geochemical well log template.

6. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 5, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to scale at least one of:

the molecular curves, the synthetic curves, and the well sensor curves, and plot the scaled curve in the geochemical well log template.

7. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 6, further comprising:

a. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to allow insertion of lithology observational comments into the geochemical surface well log; and

b. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to automatically update the geochemical surface well log continuously import 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, comprising at least one of;

the molecular curves, the synthetic curves, the well sensor curves, engineering data, geological information including lithology observational comments.

8. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 5, comprising graphically identifying trends in the geochemical surface well log by at least one of the following:

a. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to graphically identify trends by placing a visual marker across at least one of;

the synthetic curves, the molecular curves, and the well sensor curves;

b. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to create and transmit a first alarm to the at least one client device identifying when a value in at least one of;

the molecular curves, the synthetic curves, or the well sensor curves exceeds or falls below a first user defined preset limit, wherein the first user defined preset limit is stored in at least one;

the well fluid data storage, and a client device data storage; and

c. using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to create and transmit a second alarm to the at least one client device identifying when;

i. at least two molecular curves intersect;

ii. at least two synthetic curves intersect;

or

iii. one molecular curve and one synthetic curve intersect.

9. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 8, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to enable:

a. safety interpretations for drilling and economic analysis;

b. geochemical interpretations for at least one of;

regional reservoir mapping, local reservoir mapping, timeline modeling of a geological reservoir, economic analysis of a reservoir, and operations concerning the reservoir; and

c. engineering interpretations for at least one of;

drilling, operations, and economic analysis.

10. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 5, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to calculate for at least one of:

the molecular curves, the well sensor curves, and the synthetic curves, at least one of the following;

a. a slope;

b. a rate of change for the slope;

c. a comparison between slopes or between rates of change of the slopes to a second user defined preset limit, wherein the second user defined preset limit is in at least one of;

a client device data storage and the well fluid data storage; and

using the comparison to determine if an anomaly is present for either;

a drilling process, a rock formation, or for a drilling process and a rock formation;

thereby creating in near real time, a geochemical surface well log with a plurality of graphical curves.

11. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 5, comprising using computer instructions to create an operator dashboard that is customizable to present the user information, well sensor information, engineering information, fluid testing information, the molecular curves, the synthetic curves, and the well sensor curves.

12. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 5, comprising using computer instructions to compute and display a microview log plot in the geochemical well log template, microview log plot comprises at least one of:

the molecular curves, the well sensor curves, and the synthetic curves and at least one of;

a measured depth index and a measured time index.

13. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 12, comprising using computer instructions to compute and display a macroview log plot, wherein the macroview log plot comprises at least one of:

the molecular curves, the well sensor curves, and the synthetic curves and a compressed view of the entire drilling project at any point in time during drilling and at all the depths of the wellbore.

14. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 13, comprising using computer instructions to display the macroview log plot and the microview log plot simultaneously on the geochemical surface well log.

15. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 3, using computer instructions in a client device data storage and the well fluid data storage to form a track header for the molecular curves, wherein the molecular curve track header has at least one of:

a. benzene concentration;

b. toluene concentration;

c. ethyl benzene concentration;

d. xylenes concentration;

e. naphthalene concentration;

f. naphthene and cycloalkane concentration;

g. acetic acid concentration;

h. nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and water vapor concentration;

i. carbon dioxide, helium and hydrogen concentration;

j. sulfur species concentration;

k. methane concentration (C1);

l. ethane concentration (C2);

m. propane concentration (C3);

n. butane concentration (C4);

o. pentane concentration (C5);

P. hexane concentration (C6);

q. heptane concentration (C7);

r. octane concentration (C8);

s. nonane concentrate (C9); and

t. decane concentration (C10).

16. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 4, using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage and a client device data storage in the at least one client device to provide a synthetic curve track header for the synthetic curves, the synthetic curve track header having at least one of:

a. pixler ratios;

b. wetness balance character ratios; and

c. an air to hydrocarbon ratio.

17. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 2, further comprising using computer instructions in at least one of the well fluid data storage and a client device data storage to form a plurality of job buttons that perform specific functions using the geochemical surface well log, the plurality of job buttons comprising at least one of:

a. create a new job;

b. open an existing job;

c. restore a job from backup;

d. close an open job;

e. import data comprising at least one of;

well fluid testing data, and well sensor information;

f. export data from geochemical surface well log;

g. print the geochemical surface well log;

h. edit the geochemical surface well log;

i. save; and

j. exit.

18. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 2, further comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to form an operator dashboard for viewing analysis from (i) the mass spectrometer analyzer, and (ii) the at least one rig sensor to present:

a real time depth graphical display;

a lag depth graphical display;

a lag depth digital display;

a hole depth;

a mass spectrometer reaction chamber pressure;

a current value of analyzed components of a fluid sample; and

well sensor information.

19. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 18, further comprising using computer instructions for importing the downhole sensor information from the third party data storage into the operator dashboard.

20. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 18, further comprising importing into the geochemical well log template and the operator dashboard, fluid testing analysis from at least one of:

(1) a total hydrocarbon analyzer, (2) a carbon dioxide sensor, (3) a hydrogen sulfide sensor and (4) a gas chromatograph.

21. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 18, further comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to present a report to the at least one client device using the geochemical surface well log, the operator dashboard, or an executive dashboard.

22. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising using computer instructions to create an executive dashboard that is customizable to present the user information, well sensor information, engineering information, and fluid testing information in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation using at least one of:

a. a measured depth index;

b. a true vertical depth index; and

c. a vertical section index.

23. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising using computer instructions to convert the well event based observations into a graphical lithology track in the geochemical well log template.

24. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising using computer instructions to compute and display information from the total hydrocarbon analyzer as a graphical drilling track in the geochemical well log template.

25. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to form color coded comments, wherein the colors are selected to separately indicate at least one of:

a. a trend identification;

b. at least one drill pipe connection;

c. survey comments to authenticate actual survey information or reference actual survey information;

d. a drilling parameter;

e. a gas peak indicated as a text value on the top of each total gas peak;

f. at least one piece of faulty equipment;

g. a dated depth; and

h. a gas show.

26. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising using computer instructions to graphically plot on the geochemical surface well log, at least one of:

a. a porosity histogram track;

b. a gas graph track;

c. a symbol track;

d. a horizontal line track; and

e. a wellbore profile track.

27. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, further comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to present a sample picture in the geochemical surface well log.

28. The continuous and automatic method for analyzing fluids from boreholes in near real time of claim 1, comprising using computer instructions in the well fluid data storage to change the geochemical surface well log from a plurality of graphical information tracks to a grid view.