Automatic Drilling Fluids Monitoring

Abstract The drilling fluid is the primary barrier against well control incidents when drilling a well in conventional mode and the drilling fluid properties must be correct at all times to prevent well control incidents. Automatic drilling fluid monitoring through automated measuring techniques combined with real time data transfer into control center with 24/7 surveillance substantially improves this control compared to conventional methods relying on manual measurements with long sampling intervals. New measurement devices have been introduced to the industry which measure the drilling fluid properties of all fluid going into the well as well as fluid coming out from the well. Properties measured are among others density and a full rheology profile. The data are transferred to users on the rig as well as directly to onshore operation centers. This highly improves the fluid engineering, enabling a more precise diagnostician and treatment in real time. This also improves efficiency when performing displacements from one fluid system to another. This paper will present new units for automatic drilling fluids measurements and its use in offshore drilling. The surveillance of fluid properties and the use of data at an onshore operation center will be presented. The drilling fluid properties are also detrimental for drilling parameters such as ECD (equivalent circulating density), surge and swab pressures and hole cleaning properties and the added data will improve any estimation of such parameters. The paper will present experiences from use of these data into advanced real time hydraulic measurements and models for automatic drilling control and explain how this can improve safety in the drilling operations as well as improve the drilling efficiency.