Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring, analyzing, and characterizing well bores and reservoir fluids in a subterranean formation are provided. In particular, methods and systems for determining and using correction coefficients for quantitative analysis of gas samples extracted from fluids at a well site based on Fick's laws of diffusion are provided. In one embodiment, the systems include: a gas trap configured to extract one or more gaseous samples from a fluid at a well site; a gas analyzer configured to receive one or more gaseous samples from the gas extraction system and generate data regarding the amount of one or more gas species in the gaseous sample; and an information handling system communicatively coupled to the gas analyzer that is configured to use data received from the gas analyzer to determine an extraction efficiency coefficient for the gas species.

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: 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: 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: 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: Some aspects determining formation gas composition during well drilling can be implemented as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable medium, or a computer system. A theoretical diffusion coefficient for a drilling fluid that comprises gas from a formation through which the drilling fluid is flowed is determined. The theoretical diffusion coefficient is based on an extraction of all of the gas from the drilling fluid. An experimental diffusion coefficient for the drilling fluid based on well drilling parameters is determined. A concentration of the gas at the formation is determined based, at least in part, on a difference between the theoretical diffusion coefficient and the experimental diffusion coefficient. The determined concentration at the formation is provided.

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: 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: An apparatus for performing reservoir hydrocarbon calculations from surface hydrocarbon compositions during a drilling operation in a reservoir using a drilling fluid is described herein. The apparatus comprises a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The memory device may contains a set of instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine a raw gas value for a gas species measured at a surface gas analyzer; determine a first set of constant values corresponding to the gas species and the reservoir; determine a fluid characteristic of the drilling fluid; and calculate a subsurface gas concentration for the gas species based, at least in part, on the raw gas value, the first set of constant values and the fluid characteristic.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring, analyzing, and characterizing well bores and reservoir fluids in a subterranean formation are provided. In particular, methods and systems for determining and using correction coefficients for quantitative analysis of gas samples extracted from fluids at a well site based on Fick's laws of diffusion are provided. In one embodiment, the systems comprise: a gas trap configured to extract one or more gaseous samples from a fluid at a well site; a gas analyzer configured to receive one or more gaseous samples from the gas extraction system and generate data regarding the amount of one or more gas species in the gaseous sample; and an information handling system communicatively coupled to the gas analyzer that is configured to use data received from the gas analyzer to determine an extraction efficiency coefficient for the gas species.