Intelligent Mud Solutions A.S., Stavanger, Norway has over 71400 hours to date with the RheoSense unit and remotely operating fluids measuring system. The system has proven to be dependable and durable in the field, and the 12-month uptime as of March 2022 is 98.8% exceeding 20 000 operating hours during the said period.
The RheoSense system registers and provides true real-time shear stress and shear rate values with high resolution, converting that data to density, rheology and gel strengths in API format. The raw shear stress & rate data is directly available for hydraulics, MPD operations and as drilling fluid Tau τ stress values to optimise fluid characteristics. Rheology values are measured continuously in real time at the ambient mud temperature. The rheology values are also converted to the API standard temperature on a continuous basis. The API values are constantly refreshed for ambient and API temperatures making the data valuable in curve format for fluids and wellbore analysis.
Current operations in the IMS Technology Centre involve the testing of sensors for additional critical fluid properties, automated fluid mixing and fluid control systems, adapting the RheoSense unit for onsite barite sag potential characteristics.
The figure below is of the unit’s HMI data display on one of the 8 optional information screens. This information can also be available to individual smart device screens.
Overview of the screen information:
Density – provided from a vertical pipe system on the RheoSense (DualDP) unit, and from a Coriolis device. The primary significance of the Coriolis device is to provide actuate flow data for use in conjunction with the unit’s density and rheology algorithms. Note: The Coriolis density value is erratic if subjected to rig vibrations – the observation is from IMS operating experience.
Temperature – the RheoSense unit measures and reports the fluid properties at ambient temperature, also converting and reporting the data at API standard (50⁰C/120°F). The manually entered mud engineer’s data can be displayed if needed.
Viscometer equivalent rheology – shown in the RheoSense (DualDP) columns at both ambient and API temperatures. PV and YP values are also available. The example below is from an oil-based fluid.
Gel strengths – shown at pre-determined intervals for selected periods, e.g., 10 seconds; 10 minutes taken each 2 hours. The RheoSense unit must remain static for the gelling periods, and this operation is program initiated.
All data points are available as fluid property curves from the real-time values. The visualization of the density and rheology curve trends can be analyzed for potential drilling fluid and hole condition anomalies. A build-up of undesirable fines, as an example would show as increasing 6 & 3 rpm rheology values that would impact filter cake quality and thickness, drill string torque and drag, and possibly contribute to a non-production-time condition.
Start-up / shutdown is with one button on the HMI screen, the RheoSense unit can be calibrated remotely, flushing is typically not required during operations unless static for more than 48 hours but should be performed if the units are not used, e.g., when running casing or completions. All data from screens can be communicated to smart devices globally via Cloud based solutions. The unit is gravity fed with fluid, and the only moving/rotating component in the entire system is the electric motor and progressive displacement pump.
IMS have and will continue to develop technology that contributes to a more sustainable world.
Our technologies simplify and fully automate any type of fluid management process.
By doing so we support our client towards a sustainable cost reduction, safer and less operational emissions.