Systems and methods for detecting kick and well flow

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting a gas kick within a wellbore are provided. The system includes a rotatable tool including one or more acceleration sensors and/or oscillators. The method includes rotating the rotatable tool in contact with fluid inside the wellbore and detecting changes in rotational velocity of the rotatable tool to detect the gas kick. In other aspects, the method includes detecting a change in density of the fluid within the wellbore by at least one or more pressure waves to determine the gas kick within the wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting a gas kick within a wellbore through a subterranean formation containing a fluid, comprising:
 rotating a rotatable tool at least partially in contact with the fluid within the wellbore;   detecting a change in density of the fluid within the wellbore by a pressure wave; and   determining presence of the gas kick within the wellbore from the detected change in density of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the change in density of the fluid within the wellbore by the pressure wave further comprises:
 producing a first pressure wave within the wellbore;   measuring a first velocity of the first pressure wave within the wellbore;   determining a primary density of the fluid from the first velocity of the first pressure wave;   producing a second pressure wave within the wellbore;   measuring a second velocity of the second pressure wave within the wellbore; and   determining a secondary density of the fluid from the second velocity of the second pressure wave, wherein the primary and secondary densities are different.   
     
     
         3 . The method for  claim 2 , wherein determining presence of the gas kick within the wellbore further comprises determining the difference between the primary and secondary densities of the fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure wave is generated by at least one of a radial vibration, a side vibration, a lateral vibration, an axial vibration, a torsional vibration, an eccentrical vibration, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the density of the fluid is determined by an acceleration sensor coupled to the rotatable tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure wave is generated by an oscillator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the oscillator is coupled to the rotatable tool and comprises at least one of a radial vibration oscillator, a side vibration oscillator, a lateral vibration oscillator, an axial vibration oscillator, a torsional vibration oscillator, an eccentrical vibration oscillator, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a mass influx of the fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an influx fluid density for at least one of oil, gas, water, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method for detecting a gas kick within a wellbore through a subterranean formation containing a fluid, comprising:
 rotating a rotatable tool at least partially in contact with the fluid within the wellbore;   producing a first pressure wave within the wellbore;   measuring a first velocity of the first pressure wave within the wellbore;   determining a primary density of the fluid from the first velocity of the first pressure wave;   producing a second pressure wave within the wellbore;   measuring a second velocity of the second pressure wave within the wellbore; and   determining a secondary density of the fluid from the second velocity of the second pressure wave, wherein the primary and secondary densities are different;   detecting a change in density of the fluid within the wellbore between the primary density and the secondary density; and   determining presence of the gas kick within the wellbore from the detected change in density of the fluid.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising producing the first and second pressure waves using at least one of a radial vibration, a side vibration, a lateral vibration, an axial vibration, a torsional vibration, an eccentrical vibration, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining the primary and secondary densities of the fluid using an acceleration sensor coupled to the rotatable tool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising producing the first and second pressure waves using an oscillator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the oscillator is coupled to the rotatable tool and comprises at least one of a radial vibration oscillator, a side vibration oscillator, a lateral vibration oscillator, an axial vibration oscillator, a torsional vibration oscillator, an eccentrical vibration oscillator, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining a mass influx of the fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining an influx fluid density for at least one of oil, gas, water, or any combination thereof.