Patent Application
20220235656
The present invention relates to a system and method for performing laboratory tests suitable for wellbore operations and, in particular, to a system and method for automated testing of fluids from a wellbore.
In the field of drilling and completions fluids, cementing, and other oil field operations in which fluids are involved, mud checks and routine laboratory tests are conducted to determine properties and composition of fluids retrieved from a wellbore. These tests are typically conducted with the use of several specially designed testing devices and can be conducted at a rig site, or in a suitable laboratory. Testing is limited to the time during which personnel are actively working, i.e., during work hours. Also, due to the number, complexity and coordination required among these tests, there is the possibility of error on the part of the lab personnel. Accordingly, there is a need to be able to automate the performance and scheduling of these tests.
Disclosed herein is a testing system for a wellbore operation. The testing system includes a first robot arm for performing a test on a fluid sample at a first test station, the fluid sample obtained from the wellbore operation, and a controller that receives data on the wellbore operation, selects the test based on the data and controls the first robot arm to perform the test, wherein a result of the test is used to adjust a parameter of the wellbore operation.
Also disclosed herein is a method of testing a fluid sample from a wellbore. The method includes receiving the fluid sample at a first test station, the first test station having a first robot arm for performing a test on the fluid sample, receiving data on a wellbore operation at a controller, selecting, at the controller, the test based on the data, and controlling the first robot arm via the controller to perform the test.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
The wellbore system 100 further includes a mud pit 120 at a surface location 110 having a fluid 112 stored therein. Fluid 112 can include a drilling fluids or drilling mud, a completion fluid, a cementing fluid, a displacement fluid or other fluid used downhole or any combination thereof. A standpipe 122 serves as a conduit for flow of the fluid 112 from the mud pit 120 to an entry of the drill string 102 at a top of the drill string 102. A return line 126 allows for flow of fluid 112 and any wellbore fluids and cuttings entrained in the fluid 112 from the drill string 102 to the mud pit 120. Various devices (not shown) can be used to separate cuttings from the fluid 112 at the return line 126. During drilling, a mud pump 124 in the standpipe 122 pumps the fluid 112 from the mud pit 120 through the standpipe 122 and into the drill string 102. The fluid 112 flows downhole through the inner bore 114 of the drill string 102 and exits the drill string 102 via the drill bit 108 at the bottom of the wellbore 104. The fluid 112 then flows upward to the surface through the annulus 116 and returns to the mud pit 120 via the return line 126.
The return line 126 includes an inlet or valve 128 that allows the fluid 112 returning from the wellbore 104 to be collected or diverted to a testing laboratory 130. Alternatively, fluids 112 may be collected or diverted from mud pit 120. The testing laboratory 130 includes various equipment, disclosed in further detail herein, for performing tests on wellbore fluid, which includes the fluid 112 and/or any other fluids obtained from the wellbore 104. The results of the tests performed at the testing laboratory 130 can be sent to a system controller 140.
The system controller 140 includes a processor 142 and a memory storage device 144. The memory storage device 144 can be a solid-state device. A set of programs 146 are stored on the memory storage device 144. The processor 142 accesses the programs 146 in order to perform the methods disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the programs 146 can provide instructions to be used at the testing laboratory 130 to perform various tests, as disclosed herein. The system controller 140 can adjust a parameter of the wellbore system 100 based on the test results. In various embodiments, the system controller 140 can adjust a parameter of the fluid 112, such as chemical composition, density, etc. The system controller 140 can also adjust other parameters of the wellbore operation, such as a pumping rate of mud pump 124, etc.
Each MIET 404 includes a plurality of support faces, such as side support surface 406 and front support surface 408. For example, the side support surface 406 supports a first working device 410 and the front support surface 408 supports a second working device 412. Each support face is capable having a working device attached or detached, thereby allowing the MIET 404 to have a plurality of configurations. A working device can be a device that performs a direct test on the fluid sample, such as a titration device, thermometer, etc. Alternatively, the working device can be a manipulation device that is capable of manipulation of the fluid sample or a component at the test station, such as a container, a knob, a control setting, etc. In various embodiments, the manipulation device includes a gripper for lifting and moving, a rotating collar to actuate valves, a rotating tool for fastening screws or other hardware, etc. Several working devices can be disposed on the same MIET, allowing the robot arm 304 to select a working device for use by rotating the MIET accordingly.
In one embodiment, the working device tool is a modified viscometer attachment for measuring the rheological properties of several preparations of fluids and a cleaning device for cleaning the viscometer between tests. In another embodiment, the working device is a pipette tool for conducting titrations, with cleanable or disposable pipettes suitable for handling different products. In other embodiments, the working device tool can include a scooping tool suitable for handling dry products, a fastener driver head for turning mechanical fasteners, etc. This list of tools is not intended to limit the scope of application of this invention.
Specific working devices of the MIET can vary from test station to test station. The robot arm 304 can be manipulated to rotate either of the first working device 410 and the second working device 412 into position with respect to a sample or test station to perform a test on a fluid sample using the tool.
In operation, the master controller 702 can send a requests or instruction to the cobot network controller 704, which sends an acknowledgement of receipt of the instructions to the master controller 702. The cobot network controller 704 then prioritizes, sequences, and executes individual tasks and records data to fulfill the request from the master controller 702. The cobot network controller 704 then sends confirmation, data, response, or other relevant information to the master controller 702 to close the original request.
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
Embodiment 1. A testing system for a wellbore operation, including: a first robot arm for performing a test on a fluid sample at a first test station, the fluid sample obtained from the wellbore operation, and a controller that receives data on the wellbore operation, selects the test based on the data and controls the first robot arm to perform the test, wherein a result of the test is used to adjust a parameter of the wellbore operation.
Embodiment 2. The testing system of any prior embodiment, further comprising a delivery system in communication with the controller, the delivery system configured to fulfill a delivery request from the controller to deliver the fluid sample to the first test station.
Embodiment 3. The testing system of any prior embodiment, further comprising an interchangeable end-of-arm tool attachable to the first robot arm for performing the test.
Embodiment 4. The testing system of any prior embodiment, wherein the test includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: (i) API filtration; (ii) High Pressure High Temperature testing; (iii) fluid loss; (iv) titration; (v) rheology; (vi) electrical stability; (vii) pH; (viii) Viscometer Sag Shoe Test; (ix) Particle Plugging Test; (x) any other fluid test requested by an operator.
Embodiment 5. The testing system of any prior embodiment, wherein the interchangeable end-of-arm tool includes a plurality of working devices disposed thereon.
Embodiment 6. The testing system of any prior embodiment, wherein the first robot arm is configured to move along a track between the first test station and a second test station.
Embodiment 7. The testing system of any prior embodiment, wherein the first robot arm is configured to rotate between the first test station and a second test station.
Embodiment 8. The testing system of any prior embodiment, further comprising a second robot arm, wherein the controller operates the second robot arm to collaborate with the first robot arm.
Embodiment 9. A method of testing a fluid sample from a wellbore, including receiving the fluid sample at a first test station, the first test station having a first robot arm for performing a test on the fluid sample, receiving data on a wellbore operation at a controller, selecting, at the controller, the test based on the data, and controlling the first robot arm via the controller to perform the test.
Embodiment 10. The method of any prior embodiment, further comprising communicating a delivery request from the controller to a delivery system and fulfilling the delivery request at the delivery system to deliver the fluid sample to the first test station.
Embodiment 11. The method of any prior embodiment, further comprising performing the test use an interchangeable end-of-arm tool attached to the first robot arm.
Embodiment 12. The method of any prior embodiment, wherein the test includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: (i) API filtration; (ii) High Pressure High Temperature testing; (iii) fluid loss; (iv) titration; (v) rheology; (vi) electrical stability; (vii) pH; (viii) Viscometer Sag Shoe Test; (ix) Particle Plugging Test; (x) any other fluid test requested by an operator.
Embodiment 13. The method of any prior embodiment, wherein the interchangeable end-of-arm tool includes a working device, further comprising removing the working device from the interchangeable end-of-arm tool.
Embodiment 14. The method of any prior embodiment, further comprising moving the first robot arm along a track between the first test station and a second test station.
Embodiment 15. The method of any prior embodiment, further comprising rotating the robot arm between the first test station and a second test station.
Embodiment 16. The method of any prior embodiment, further comprising controlling, via the controller, the first robot arm and a second robot arm to collaborate with each other.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
