Active fluid containment for mud tanks

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10544656-B2
Application number	US-201514983181-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 29, 2015
Priority date	Apr 1, 2015
Publication date	Jan 28, 2020
Grant date	Jan 28, 2020

Abstract

Apparatus, method, and a containment system for a mud tank The system includes a pan extending from a base of the mud tank and configured to receive fluids leaked therefrom, a fluid sensor coupled with the pan, and a pump in fluid communication with the pan, wherein the pump is configured to remove fluid from the pan when the fluid sensor reads a predetermined threshold fluid level in the pan.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a mud tank for containing a fluid to be deployed into a wellbore, the mud tank comprising a base and an upper portion;
a pan extending from the mud tank, proximal to the base, such that the upper portion shields the pan, and an overhang space is open between a top of the pan and the upper portion;
a fluid sensor coupled with the pan; and
a pump in fluid communication with the pan, wherein the pump is configured to remove fluid from the pan when the fluid sensor indicates a predetermined threshold fluid level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pan extends to a first distance from a center of the mud tank, and the upper portion extends to a second distance from the center of the mud tank, the first distance being less than or equal to the second distance.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary containment vessel in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the pump pumps fluid into the secondary containment vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the fluid sensor and the pump, wherein the controller is configured to receive a fluid level signal from the fluid sensor, determine that a fluid level in the pan is at least a predetermined threshold based on the fluid level signal, and energize the pump in response thereto.

5. A method for fluid containment of a mud tank, comprising:
catching fluid leaked from the mud tank or a connection therewith in a pan extending outwardly from a base of the mud tank;
determining, using a fluid sensor coupled with the pan, that a fluid level in the pan is at least at a predetermined threshold level; and
in response to determining that the fluid level in the pan is at least at the predetermined threshold level, pumping the fluid from the pan,
wherein an upper portion of the mud tank is spaced apart from and shields the pan, such that an opening to the space between the upper portion and the pan is provided around the perimeter of the pan.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Rogers Brian
• Orban Jacques

Classifications

• G05D9/12 Primary

  characterised by the use of electric means · CPC title

• Y10T137/5762

  With leakage or drip collecting · CPC title

• E21B41/00 Primary

  Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 · CPC title

• E21B21/01 Primary

  Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes · CPC title