Abstract: A fluid flow system may comprise an input line connected to a drilling system, one or more fluid flow lines connected to the input line, and an output line connected to the one or more fluid flow lines. The system may further include one or more valves disposed in each of the one or more fluid flow lines and one or more pressure sensors disposed in each of the one or more fluid flow lines. A method for controlling a fluid flow system may comprise moving a drilling fluid from a borehole into an input line of the fluid flow system, directing the drilling fluid through the input line into a fluid flow line, measuring a first pressure at a first pressure sensor in the fluid flow line, and measuring a second pressure at a second pressure sensor in the fluid flow line.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a process to determine characteristics of a subterranean formation proximate a borehole. Borehole material can be typically pumped from the borehole, though borehole material can be used within the borehole as well. Extracted material of interest can be collected from the borehole material and prepared for analyzation. Typically, the preparation can utilize various processes, for example, separation, filtering, moisture removal, pressure control, cleaning, and other preparation processes. The prepared extracted material can be placed in a photoacoustic device where measurements can be taken, such as a photoacoustic imager or a photoacoustic spectroscopy device. A photoacoustic analyzer can generate results utilizing the measurements, where the results of the extracted material can include one or more of fracture parameters, fracture plane parameters, permeability parameters, porosity parameters, and composition parameters.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a process and system to determine characteristics of a subterranean formation proximate a borehole. Borehole material is typically pumped from the borehole, though borehole material can be used within the borehole as well. Extracted material of interest is collected from the borehole material and prepared for analyzation. Typically, the preparation can be a separation process, a filtering process, a moisture removal process, a pressure control process, a flow control process, a cleaning process, and other preparation processes. The prepared extracted material is placed in a laser dispersion spectroscopy device (LDS) where measurements can be taken. A LDS analyzer can generate results utilizing the measurements, where the results of the extracted material can include one or more of composition parameters, alkene parameters, and signature change parameters. The results can be communicated to other systems and processes to be used as inputs into well site operation plans and decisions.

Abstract: A gas extraction system comprising a heater configured to receive a wellbore servicing fluid sample and discharge a heated wellbore servicing fluid sample, wherein the heater comprises an internal heat exchange surface coated with a superhydrophobic coating composition; a gas extractor configured to receive at least a portion of the heated wellbore servicing fluid sample and extract an extracted gas from the heated wellbore servicing fluid sample; and one or more detectors configured to receive at least a portion of the extracted gas and provide an analysis of the extracted gas.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a system that monitors for kick and lost circulation in the riser string of an offshore drilling rig. The system compensates for annulus outflow fluctuation induced by wave (heave) motion in order to reduce false alarms, resulting in fewer drilling operation disruptions. The system includes a sensor or sensors disposable with respect to a drilling rig subject to rig motion. A processor receives a real-time position signal indicative of the rig motion from the sensor and applies a state observer to the position signal to determine annular flow parameters. The system models an annular flow for the wellbore to produce a modeled flow signal that reflects a position of the drilling rig relative to influx flow. The system uses the modeled flow to determine kick-loss-alarm parameters that take into account the heave motion.

Abstract: Aspects and features include a system and method for drilling fluid measurement using active gas dilution. Active and automatic correction of the flow of a mixture of a sample gas and a carrier gas supplied to detectors is used while making measurements. A computing device measures a physical state of the mixture, determines a gas flow rate for the mixture, and determines a corrected flow rate for the carrier gas based on the physical state of the mixture and the mixture gas flow rate. The computing device then adjusts the flow rate of the carrier gas into the drilling fluid to maintain the corrected flow rate. This control improves accuracy by reducing the introduction of contaminants from the measurement environment and allowing compositional measurement to be made well above the lower detection limits of the detectors being used for the measurements.

Abstract: Drill bit wear can be quantified through an analysis of chemical reactions that occur during drilling. A detector measures the molar composition of a dissolved gas sample. From the molar composition, the moles of hydrogen, ethylene, and propylene in the dissolved gas sample are determined. A thermal cracking reaction and a thermal decomposition reaction determine moles of hydrogen produced during drill bit wear based on the moles of ethylene and propylene. The moles of hydrogen produced is subtracted from the total moles of hydrogen to determine moles of hydrogen produced by metal oxidation. A metal-water reaction determines the moles of metal that have been oxidized. This can be converted into mass or volume of metal loss to quantify drill bit wear.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining operation of gas sampling equipment utilized in oil and gas operations, wherein an isolation valve is deployed along a gas extraction conduit in order to isolate a gas analysis system from pressurized fluid that may be injected into the extraction conduit from a fluid delivery system. A parameter of the flow stream, such as a particular gas content or the presence of a bump gas, may be monitored. A change in the parameter may be indicative that debris is inhibiting fluid flow into the extraction conduit. When such a condition is suspected, gas sampling is suspended and the valve between the gas analysis system and the intake of the extraction conduit is closed. With the valve closed in order to protect the gas analysis system, a fluid is injected into the extraction conduit from the fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A method for identifying cuttings volume may comprise taking one or more inlet measurements of a drilling fluid at an inlet meter before the drilling fluid is circulated into a wellbore, taking one or more outlet measurements of a drilling fluid at an outlet meter after the drilling fluid is returned from the wellbore with cuttings, subtracting the one or more inlet measurements from the one or more outlet measurements and adding hole fill to determine mass of the cuttings, identifying a density of the cuttings, and converting the mass of the cuttings to the volume of the cuttings using the density of the cuttings. A system may comprise an inlet meter, an outlet meter, a pump for circulating a drilling fluid and one or more cuttings through the inlet meter and the outlet meter, and an information handling system.

Abstract: An imaging device (124), laser(s) (190, 192), lag calculation, and/or volume calculations are used to determine cuttings volume per unit depth. A projected or theoretical volume can be calculated based on parameters of the borehole being drilled. At the surface of the borehole, cuttings can be captured in a shaker screen (108). The volume of the cuttings can then be directly measured on the shaker screen. Deviations from a projected volume can be logged and notifications can be communicated on and/or offsite of the borehole. Additionally, size and shape of cuttings can be logged. Deviations from projected size and shape can also be logged. Various hydrocarbon recover}? operations can be altered based on results of the cuttings analysis and other indicators of improper hole cleaning. For instance, the drilling can be stopped, or a direction of the borehole can be altered.

Abstract: An example method for analyzing drilling fluid used in a drilling operation within a subterranean formation may include receiving a drilling fluid sample from a flow of drilling fluid at a surface of the subterranean formation. A chemical composition of the drilling fluid sample may be determined using a mass spectrometer. A formation characteristic of the subterranean formation may be determined using the determined chemical composition. Determining the chemical composition of the drilling fluid sample may include determining the chemical composition of at least one of extracted gas from the drilling fluid sample and a liquid portion of the drilling fluid sample.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a drilling fluid receiving a drilling fluid sample from a flow of the drilling fluid at a surface of a borehole being drilled in a subterranean formation and extracting, using a gas extraction and sampling system, a dissolved gas from the drilling fluid sample. The method includes determining, using a gas chromatograph, a concentration over time of at least one chemical species of a dissolved gas from the drilling fluid sample and generating an area per concentration curve based on the concentration over time. The method includes determining, using a gas extraction and sampling system, at least one concentration value of the at least one chemical species of the dissolved gas from the drilling fluid sample and correcting bias caused by the gas extraction and sampling system, wherein correcting the bias comprises modifying the at least one concentration value based on the area per concentration curve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for formation characterization in a subterranean formation are disclosed. A set of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices may be disposed in a circulating fluid. Each MEMS device in the set may have a machine-scannable designator. A MEMS scanner may be configured to scan the designator of a MEMS device in response to circulation of the circulating fluid in a wellbore surrounded by the formation. A MEMS analysis subsystem communicatively coupled with the MEMS scanner may store the designator of each MEMS device in the set, detect a subset of MEMS device by receiving the designators of MEMS devices from the MEMS scanner, and determine a characteristic of the formation based on the subset of MEMS devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to determine total hydrocarbons from fluid-carrying fluids and solids from a geological formation during downhole operations. Gas extraction at a well site occurs through a gas extractor at a set pressure, detected temperature, detected density, and controlled volume rate. The quantities of various components of interest are determined from samples of fluid influent and effluent from the wellbore by solving a system of equations of state using a group contribution equilibrium model. Knowing approximate chemical compositions of the liquid fluid and solid phases before contamination with formation materials, with the detection of the gas phase and description of the solid phase from the geological formation, allows for determination of total detectable hydrocarbons from geological formations at the surface, and their concentrations to be expressed as mole or mass fraction for materials coming from a wellbore while downhole operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a cure state of cement in a wellbore. A drill device can be used to drill cement in a wellbore. Contact between the drill device and the cement can cause friction or heat, which can produce a gas. A gas detector can be positioned near a wellbore for detecting an amount of gas and a type of gas produced by contact between the drill device and the cement in the wellbore. The cure state of cement in the wellbore can be determined based on the amount of gas and the type of gas detected.

Abstract: A location of a fracture can be determined in a wellbore. Micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) devices of different sizes and shapes can be included in a sweep and injected into a wellbore. A MEM reader can be positioned within a downhole tool for detecting MEM devices in the wellbore after a sweep returns to the surface of the wellbore. The MEM reader can be disposed in the wellbore for measuring the position of the MEM devices remaining in the wellbore. A location, size, and shape of a fracture in the wellbore can be determined based on the position of the MEM devices in the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing isotopes of a gas from a wellbore to determine geological information associated with the wellbore. A drill device can be used to drill rocks or particles in a wellbore, which can cause a gas to be released within the wellbore. Fluid can be pumped into the wellbore as the drill bit drills the rocks or particles and the fluid, along with the gas released, can flow through the wellbore and to a surface of the wellbore. A gas detector can be positioned near the wellbore for detecting an amount of gas and a type of gas in the fluid and gas mixture and transmitting data about the amount and type of the gas to a computing device. The computing device can output data based on the amount and type of gas in the mixture for determining geological information about the wellbore.

Abstract: Fouling of or damage to an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window can preclude one from obtaining satisfactory images with an image acquisition unit, such as a camera. Certain types of environments may be particularly prone toward promoting fouling or damage, and manual cleaning or repair of an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window may be difficult in some circumstances. These issues may be particularly prevalent when imaging drill cuttings and other solids obtained from a wellbore due to the complex sampling environment in which these solids are often disposed.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring drilling operations by dividing a flow of fluid into at least one discrete fluid unit, circulating the fluid unit through a wellbore, and comparing a measured change to a property of the fluid unit to a predicted change in the property of the fluid unit. In addition to measuring the change to the property of the fluid unit, the fluid unit may be tracked by iteratively calculating the location of the fluid unit as it passes through the wellbore. Data collected for the fluid unit by a control system may be analyzed and used by the control system or an operator to diagnose problems or improve overall efficiency of drilling operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking system parameters in each of two or more circulatory systems, such as in a dual gradient drilling system. The systems and methods may include defining each of multiple circulatory systems and simultaneously tracking one or more system parameters for each circulatory system. Systems and methods may further include tracking a discrete portion of fluid circulating in each circulatory system, and associating one or more system parameters with each tracked discrete portion of fluid. Such association may be maintained as each portion of fluid circulates in each respective circulatory system.