Real-Time Mud pH and EC Monitoring While Drilling

The proposed system consists of real-time monitoring and automatic treatment systems for mud contamination control. First, we detect the influx of H2S by continuously measuring drilling fluid pH and electric conductivity (EC) as the fluid circulates through the laboratory fluid flow loop.

This facility integrates lab-scaled circulation with a pipe representing the wellbore with a set of sensors that mimic the rig mud logger for pH and EC. Second, when the presence of H2S is indicated through significant change in EC accompanied with decreasing pH, an automatic mud treatment system activates to restore and maintain a targeted mud pH value. This treatment system consists of a chemical injection device operated by a programmable logic controller (PLC).