Drilling Cutting Analyzer System and Methods of Applications

Abstract

An apparatus and method for analyzing the continuous flow of drilling cuttings in real time on a surface while drilling employs a set of sensors placed around an analyzer tube and main auger or within the main auger related to the formation with a defined space-time shift. The method includes measuring the sample to obtain specific properties related to physical and petrophysical parameters of this formation (radiation, resistivity, inductivity, density, elasticity, others). Obtained signals are conditioned and digitized in order to derive the desired discrimination in target properties, such as rock type, porosity, density, and oil saturation. An expanding auger, with a hollow end adapted to receive a sensor tube in which the sensors or sources may be placed, is adapted to rotate or circulate a discrete media about the sensors.

1 . An apparatus for measuring signals in discrete media of drilling cuttings comprising:
 a) at least one sensor placed proximate an analyzer tube for analysis of the drilling cuttings; and   b) an auger within the analyzer tube for conveying the drilling cuttings through the analyzer tube, past the at least one sensor.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the at least one sensor comprising:
 a. a natural gamma radiation sensor;   b. a natural beta radiation sensor;   c. a sensor for measuring the absorption properties of gamma radiation;   d. a sensor for measuring the absorption properties of beta radiation; and   e. a sensor for measuring the sonic velocities and penetration properties.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , adapted to convey the drilling cuttings through the analyzer tube, past the at least one sensor, in the order a, b, c, d, e. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor for measuring the absorption properties of gamma radiation (and beta radiation) comprising a gamma ray sensor ( 15 ) and a beta ray receiver ( 16 ) proximate one another on a side of the analyzer tube. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a sensor for measuring the resistivity. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor for measuring resistivity is a contact sensor. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor for measuring resistivity is an induction sensor. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , the induction sensor comprising:
 a. a source coil, proximate the drilling cuttings, the electrical coil adapted to receive an alternating electrical current; and   b. a receiver coil adapted to detect electrical current induced in the receiver coil by the source coil.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzer tube is a plastic tube. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the auger is made of non-conductive materials. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a. injection means for injecting a dissolvent ( 55 ) into the drilling cuttings; and   b. a fluorescence brightness measurement sensor for measuring the amplitude and frequency of light emission produced.   
   
   
       12 . A method of analyzing drilling cuttings comprising:
 a. providing at least one sensor placed proximate an analyzer tube for analysis of the drilling cuttings; and an auger within the analyzer tube for conveying the drilling cuttings through the analyzer tube, past the at least one sensor;   b. receiving the drilling cuttings from a subsurface formation;   c. conveying the drilling cuttings through the analyzer tube, past the at least one sensor;   d. recording readings from the at least one sensor; and   e. correlating the readings to the subsurface formation.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising injecting small dose of dissolvent into the drilling cuttings and measuring the fluorescent brightness of the drilling cuttings containing the small dose of dissolvent. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for logging the properties of a discrete media, comprising:
 a. a rotatable auger, having a generally central auger shaft, the auger shaft having at least a portion having a central void, the void adapted to receive a sensor; and   b. an analyzer tube for containing the auger and the discrete media, wherein the auger is adapted to rotate the discrete media about the sensor.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is rotationally fixed relative to the analyzer tube. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein there is relative rotational movement between the sensor and the auger shaft. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is fixed and the shaft rotates. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the shaft rotates in a first direction and the sensor rotates in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the auger is further adapted to convey the discrete media axially along the generally central shaft. 
   
   
       20 . A method of logging a property of a discrete media, comprising:
 a. providing at least one sensor for determining the property of the discrete media; and   b. providing relative movement of the discrete media about the sensor.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the discrete media is cuttings from a drilling operation. 
   
   
       22 . A method to correlate the quantity of sample passing through an auger, comprising correlating the relative deflections depending on quantity of sample passing through the auger.