Method And Apparatus For Automatically Testing High Pressure And High Temperature Sedimentation Of Slurries

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016238504-A1
Application number	US-201615096469-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 12, 2016
Priority date	May 23, 2012
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically testing high pressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries is described. The method includes pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cell. The sample drilling fluid may be subjected to a pre-determined pressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time. The test cell may also be oriented at non-vertical angle. The sample drilling fluid may be pumped out of the test cell and the density of the sample drilling fluid automatically measured relative to a displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for testing sag properties of drilling fluids, comprising:
pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cell; subjecting the sample drilling fluid within the test cell to a pre-determined pressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time; pumping the sample drilling fluid out of the test cell; and measuring a density of the sample drilling fluid relative to a displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein pumping the sample drilling fluid into the test cell comprises pumping the sample drilling fluid through a side port of the test cell.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein subjecting the sample drilling fluid within the test cell to a pre-determined pressure includes moving a plunger within the test cell.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein subjecting the sample drilling fluid within the test cell to a pre-determined temperature includes heating the test cell to a pre-determined temperature using a heating jacket at least partially surrounding the test cell.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of measuring the density of the sample drilling fluid relative to the displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid is accomplished at least in part using a density transducer in fluid communication with the test cell.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the syringe pump, the heating jacket, and the density transducer are at least partially controlled by an automated control system.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the automated control system comprises a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of orienting the test cell at a pre-determined, non-vertical angle.

9 . A test cell for measuring sag properties of a sample drilling fluid, comprising:
a first tubular portion, wherein the first tubular portion defines a top opening of the test cell; a second tubular portion aligned with the first tubular portion, wherein the first tubular portion defines a bottom opening of the test cell; a tee fitting disposed between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion, wherein the tee fitting defines a side port, wherein the first tubular portion, the second tubular portion, and the third tubular portion define a single test chamber; and an isolation piston disposed within the test chamber.

10 . The test cell of claim 9 , wherein the test cell receives a pressurization fluid within the test chamber through the bottom opening.

11 . The test cell of claim 10 , wherein the test cell receives a sample drilling fluid within the test chamber through the side port on an opposite side of the isolation piston from the pressurization fluid.

12 . The test cell of claim 11 , wherein the isolation piston is operable to impart a pre-determined pressure on the sample drilling fluid within the test chamber.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Jamison Dale E
• Murphy Robert J

Classifications

• G01N15/04 Primary

  Investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions · CPC title

• G01N9/00

  Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity · CPC title

• G01N9/32 Primary

  by using flow properties of fluids, e.g. flow through tubes or apertures · CPC title

• E21B41/00

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