Method and apparatus for analyzing gas from drilling fluids
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing fluid returning from a well at a surface of a subterranean formation comprising:
- a gas extractor disposed at the surface including;
a gas extraction chamber within a gas extractor housing; and
a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow gas separated from a drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber to exit the gas extraction chamber; and
wherein the gas extractor includes;
a drilling fluid inlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow the drilling fluid returning from the well to enter the gas extraction chamber;
a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow liquid of the drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber to exit the gas extraction chamber,a gas agitator to facilitate separation of gas from the drilling fluid in the gas extraction chamber,a gas analyzer including an optical analyzer and an optical source that are situated outside of the gas extractor, wherein a gas analysis zone in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber is optically connected via at least one fiber optic cable to the optical source and the optical analyzer, wherein the gas extractor includes the gas analysis zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for analyzing gas extracted from drilling fluid is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a gas extractor having a gas extraction chamber within a gas extractor housing and a gas outlet for gas separating from the drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber. Further, the system includes a gas analyzer, which has an optical analyzer and an optical source that are situated outside of the gas extractor. A gas analysis zone is in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber and is optically connected via at least one fiber optic cable to the optical source and the optical analyzer. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
19 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing fluid returning from a well at a surface of a subterranean formation comprising:
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a gas extractor disposed at the surface including; a gas extraction chamber within a gas extractor housing; and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow gas separated from a drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber to exit the gas extraction chamber; and
wherein the gas extractor includes;a drilling fluid inlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow the drilling fluid returning from the well to enter the gas extraction chamber; a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow liquid of the drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber to exit the gas extraction chamber, a gas agitator to facilitate separation of gas from the drilling fluid in the gas extraction chamber, a gas analyzer including an optical analyzer and an optical source that are situated outside of the gas extractor, wherein a gas analysis zone in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber is optically connected via at least one fiber optic cable to the optical source and the optical analyzer, wherein the gas extractor includes the gas analysis zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for analyzing fluid returning from a well at a surface of a subterranean formation comprising:
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a gas extractor disposed at the surface including; a gas extraction chamber within a gas extractor housing; and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber so as to allow gas separated from a drilling fluid within the gas extraction chamber to exit the gas extraction chamber; and a gas analyzer including an optical analyzer and an optical source that are situated outside of the gas extractor, wherein a gas analysis zone in fluid communication with the gas extraction chamber is optically connected via at least one fiber optic cable to the optical source and the optical analyzer, comprising a gas analysis cell mounted to the gas extractor housing so that the gas analysis cell contacts the gas extractor housing, wherein he gas analysis cell is configured to receive and facilitate analysis of the separated gas exiting the gas extraction chamber via the gas outlet. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for analyzing fluid returning from a well at a surface of a subterranean formation comprising:
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receiving a drilling fluid returning from the well in a gas extractor disposed at the surface, wherein the gas extractor includes a gas extractor housing, and a gas extraction chamber; agitating the drilling fluid in the gas extraction chamber with an agitator to extract a gas from the drilling fluid; conveying the extracted gas to a gas analysis zone in the gas extractor chamber; transmitting an optical signal from an optical source via a fiber optic cable and through the gas within the gas analysis zone; and analyzing the gas, via the optical signal, with an optical analyzer optically coupled to the gas analysis zone via the fiber optic cable or an additional fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification