Patent ID: 6105689
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A computerized monitoring system for oil and gas drilling operations including a mud separator to provide indications of conditions in a well bore comprising:i. a mud pit;ii. an injection line including a pump for injecting mud into a drill string;iii. the mud separator having a gas phase and a liquid phase;iv. a gas transfer line having a laminar flow segment for transporting gas from the mud separator to a flare or other equipment;v. a mud return line for transferring return mud from the well bore containing a mixture of mud, gas and other hydrocarbons to the mud separator;vi. a transfer line extending from the bottom of the mud separator to the mud pit;vii. a mud pressure transducer for measuring the hydrostatic pressure of the mud phase;viii. a thermal transducer for measuring the temperature of the mud in the mud phase;ix. a first gas pressure transducer for measuring the gas pressure in the mud separator;x. a second gas pressure transducer located in the laminar flow segment of the gas transfer line;xi. a monitor display at the drilling rig to indicate conditions of the mud separator; andxii. a computer for analyzing data from all the transducers and determining changes in the mud density and activate the monitor display to indicate conditions of the mud separator.