Method and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow between a borehole and the surrounding formations in the course of drilling operations
A method and apparatus for establishing the rate at which fluid is transferred between a borehole and the surrounding formations in the course of moving drill string upward or downward in the borehole. A bell nipple is situated at the upper portion of the borehole. While tripping, drilling fluid is circulated into the borehole and exits through an outflow port in the bell nipple. The level of drilling fluid is maintained constant at the outflow port. Meters are provided to measure inflow and outflow rates. Circuitry is provided to establish the volume rate at which the amount of drill string within the borehole changes. The outputs of the meters and rate establishing means are summed to establish the compensated rate at which fluid is transferred between the formations and the borehole. This compensated rate is compared to an alarm limit. An alarm is activated if the compensated rate exceeds the alarm limit.
- Assignee:
- Exxon Production Research Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4553429
- OSTI ID:
- 5755897
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Feb 1984; Other Information: PAT-APPL-578721
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
DRILLING FLUIDS
MONITORING
FLOWMETERS
DESIGN
MWD SYSTEMS
DRILL PIPES
FLOW RATE
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
PIPES
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing