Measuring Drilled Cuttings and Fluid Recovery by Real Time Mass Balance

摘要

A mass balance method of calculating drilled cuttings recovery and fluid loss/influx is presented. Field results are shown that illustrate hole cleaning effectiveness, hole enlargement, and wellbore breathing. A drilling fluid system including mass flow and density meters on the inlet and outlet of the circulating system is used to continuously measure and trend drilling fluid density, flow rate, and drilled cuttings recovery. Drilling fluid density measurements of the inlet and outlet flow streams are compensated for temperature and pressure and then used to calculate cuttings recovery based on the drilled rock density. Mass balance calculations also account for drill string fluid displacement and fluid seepage/loss/influx across the face of the borehole.