Method and system for detecting changes in drilling fluid flow during drilling operations

摘要

A method of detecting changes in return drilling fluid flow during drilling operations includes injecting at least one tracer gas at a measured rate into a return drilling fluid. A first sample of gasses are extracted from the return drilling fluid at a location downstream of injection of the at least one tracer gas. A first concentration of the tracer gas in the first sample of gasses is measured. A second sample of gasses is extracted from the return drilling fluid at the location. A second concentration of the tracer gas in the second sample is measured. Changes in measured concentration of the tracer gas from the first and second samples are determined. The method includes using the change in measured concentration to infer a change in the flow rate.