Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) devices removed from a fluid flow stream from a wellbore by a component of solids control equipment used with a drilling operation. The system can include a first MEM reader. The system can also include a second MEM reader. The first MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream for detecting MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The second MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream and between the fluid flow output and the wellbore for detecting at least a subset of the MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The system can further include a computing device for determining an amount and types of the MEM devices removed from the fluid flow stream by the component of solids control equipment.

Abstract: Measuring the amount of individual gases in drilling fluids in real-time may be performed with optical computing devices that are calibrated in real-time or periodically with gas analysis devices to provide more accurate gas content measurements. In some instances, one or more drilling or completion parameters may be altered in response thereto the concentration or change in concentration of individual gases in drilling fluids.

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 system and process for determining system operational characteristics of a drill string or completed well includes one or more detectors positioned along a fluid flow path in a wellbore. The detectors are operable to detect the presence of one or more transmitters circulated within the fluid flow path and to receive and record data based on detecting the transmitters. The system determines an operational characteristic, such as cutting sample identification information, flow rate, pump efficiency, lag, the presence of a washout, losses, or an equipment malfunction based on the data received and recorded by the detectors.

Abstract: Measuring the amount of individual gases in drilling fluids in real-time may be performed with optical computing devices that are calibrated in real-time or periodically with gas analysis devices to provide more accurate gas content measurements. In some instances, one or more drilling or completion parameters may be altered in response thereto the concentration or change in concentration of individual gases in drilling fluids.

Abstract: It can sometimes be difficult to determine accurately the in-process degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid, thereby leading to inaccurate feedback from an ongoing drilling operation. Methods for determining degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid can comprise: combining a measured amount of an analysis gas with a drilling fluid sample; transferring the drilling fluid sample and the analysis gas to a degassing unit; withdrawing at least a portion of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample in the degassing unit; conveying the withdrawn analysis gas from the degassing unit to a detector with an inert carrier gas; determining an amount of the withdrawn analysis gas with the detector; and calculating an extraction efficiency of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample based upon the amount of the withdrawn analysis gas. The extraction efficiency may provide an estimate of the degassing extent for other gases.

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: 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: Measuring the amount of individual gases in drilling fluids in real-time may be performed with optical computing devices that are calibrated in real-time or periodically with gas analysis devices to provide more accurate gas content measurements. In some instances, one or more drilling or completion parameters may be altered in response thereto the concentration or change in concentration of individual gases in drilling fluids.

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 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 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: 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 devices 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: A disclosed example embodiment of a fluid extraction system includes a fluid circuit fluidly coupled to a source of a fluid and configured to receive a fluid sample from the source, and a fluid separator arranged in the fluid circuit and configured to receive the fluid sample. The fluid separator includes a body that defines at least one fluid inlet, a flow chamber defined within the body, and is configured to receive and spin the fluid sample from the at least one fluid inlet. The fluid sample spirals inward and forms a vortex, and gases entrained within the fluid sample separate and migrate toward a center of the vortex. An outlet defined in the flow chamber provides a gas outlet that entrains and removes the gases and a liquid outlet receives and removes a remaining portion of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Systems, computer readable medium, program code, and methods are provided for monitoring micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) devices removed from a wellbore by a fluid flow stream. The system can include a first MEM reader and a second MEM reader. The first MEM reader can be positionable near the fluid flow stream for detecting MEM devices entering the wellbore in a fluid flow stream. The second MEM reader can be positionable near the fluid flow stream for detecting MEM devices exiting the wellbore in the fluid flow stream. The second MEM reader can detect MEM devices exiting the wellbore in a subsequent fluid flow stream. The system can further include a computing device for determining an amount and types of MEM devices remaining in the wellbore from the first fluid flow stream and an amount and types of MEM devices removed from the well-bore by the subsequent fluid flow stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) devices removed from a fluid flow stream from a wellbore by a component of solids control equipment used with a drilling operation. The system can include a first MEM reader. The system can also include a second MEM reader. The first MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream for detecting MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The second MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream and between the fluid flow output and the wellbore for detecting at least a subset of the MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The system can further include a computing device for determining an amount and types of the MEM devices removed from the fluid flow stream by the component of solids control equipment.

Abstract: It can sometimes be difficult to determine accurately the in-process degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid, thereby leading to inaccurate feedback from an ongoing drilling operation. Methods for determining degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid can comprise: combining a measured amount of an analysis gas with a drilling fluid sample; transferring the drilling fluid sample and the analysis gas to a degassing unit; withdrawing at least a portion of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample in the degassing unit; conveying the withdrawn analysis gas from the degassing unit to a detector with an inert carrier gas; determining an amount of the withdrawn analysis gas with the detector; and calculating an extraction efficiency of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample based upon the amount of the withdrawn analysis gas. The extraction efficiency may provide an estimate of the degassing extent for other gases.

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: A method includes receiving an image of drill cuttings with a data acquisition system that includes one or more processors, the drill cuttings originating from a wellbore being drilled and including a plurality of particles. The image of the drill cuttings is analyzed with the one or more processors by obtaining three two-dimensional distance measurements for each particle and obtaining four angular measurements for each particle. The one or more processors then determine at least one of a particle size distribution of the drill cuttings and a shape distribution of the drill cuttings based on the three two-dimensional distance measurements and the four angular measurements of each particle.

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.