Surface Data Logging

EAGLE : The Constant Volume, Constant Temperature,

Continuous Measurement Gas Extraction System
With the increasing need to improve hydrocarbon gas measurement while drilling, Halliburton Sperry Drilling Services has developed a new gas extraction system, the EAGLE, that addresses issues that long compromised the process. Drilling industry had witnessed several improvements in gas analysis equipment that were unfortunately not accompanied by equal improvements in the gas extraction process. This system offers a true constant volume, constant temperature, gas-in-mud extraction with consistent, repeatable results. Issues with existing technology For years, conventional gas traps (including QGM design) have been the industry standard. They are installed in the shaker header box to break down the mud to liberate entrained gases. Despite their deficiencies on various fronts, drilling industry had to tolerate these deficiencies, which include: - Mud volume that goes into the trap chamber is continuously changing QGM due to fluctuating mud level in the header box. Floating traps have their mechanical drawbacks with known difficulty to install on all shaker boxes due to size limitations. - Along the mud path in the flowline, an amount of gases are given the chance to evaporate. As lighter gases liberate from the mud easier, the resulting gas ratios are expected to be compromised. - Unless the mud reaches the trap with a high temperature, the chances are slim for heavier gases above C5 to be effectively liberated. C6 and heavier gases naturally exist in liquid state and the header box trap has limited capability to extract them. - Uncontrolled mud temperature (especially in deep water wells) leads to inconsistent temperature for the extraction process. - Resulting measurement is considered gas-in-air as the liberated gas is mixed with makeup ambient air (possibly not pure air) before being sent to the gas analyzers. Unlike gas-in-air measurement typically run throughout the well, gas-in-mud measurement is usually used while drilling into reservoirs. The technique uses a special instrument, e.g. Sperry

Steam Still, that enhances gas extraction and hence provides a better picture of the presence and concentrations of formation hydrocarbons. The main advantages offered by this technique are, a) a constant volume of mud is consistently analyzed and, b) all entrained gases are liberated.

Steam Still

The disadvantage of existing gas-in-mud measurement is the time it takes to catch and analyze each gas sample. The instrument is often run few times Gas-in-mud measurement only within the reservoir. Unlike the continuous gas-in-air measurement offered by the shaker box trap, existing gas-in-mud measurement is run on discrete samples. A New Concept, A New Gas Extraction System Recently, a new concept has been introduced as an attempt to get the best out of two worlds a system that provides a continuous gas-in-mud measurement while having constant volume and constant temperature. Halliburton Sperry Drilling Services has developed a system that offers all advantages of this new concept: the EAGLE System (Enhanced Alkane Gas Liberation and Extraction).
EAGLE design addresses all the deficiencies seen in conventional gas traps while

maintaining consistent gas extraction. With its ability to extract heavier hydrocarbons far more efficiently (see figure below), EAGLE represents the perfect choice for advanced gas analysis systems, e.g. Sperry/FIT DQ1000 Mass Spectrometer, that analyzes up to C10.
EAGLE System main features
True constant volume gas extraction system with a hermetic degassing chamber Continuous Gas-in-Mud measurement fully software controlled Extraction probe mounts on the highest point on the flowline close to the bell nipple Consistent fixed volume mud sample sucked from the flow line for gas extraction before

being pumped back to the flowline Controlled temperature for constant degassing temperature Heated mud sample for the extraction of hydrocarbon heavies (C6+) Enhanced mud agitation in sealed degasser chamber guarantees full gas extraction Non-condensing gas sample line prevents re-condensation of the heavies Optionally provides measurement for mud temperature and mud density

Gas sample from a conventional trap. Only traces of heavy gases could be detected

Gas sample from EAGLE System. Heavy gases up to C10 could be detected

Reliable Performance To guarantee reliable, repeatable performance, EAGLE design features include:
In order to avoid probe blockage with cuttings, EAGLE features a cleaning

mechanism with frequent blowbacks to keep the filter clear of cuttings. To further keep the probe clean, a unique protector is used not only to reduce the amount of air drawn down by the flowing mud but also to clean the filter by the velocity of the main mud flow. The degassing chamber is hermetically sealed to ensure that a pure mud sample with an exact constant volume is being processed. The sealed degassing chamber is continuously purged in order to guarantee a fresh sample is being degassed. The trap uses a peristaltic self-priming pump able to handle a certain size of solids in viscous dense fluids. The pump has a low shear to avoid releasing part of the gases inside the pump. The heater is controlled to provide a constant temperature degassing process. Using the heater is vital when drastic mud temperature variations are observed. The EAGLE design permits the use of the heater to be optional and can perfectly run without it.

EAGLE System Specifications

Item
Form factor Lifting certification Certification Heater power supply Heater operating range Data connection Sample out flow rate range Minimum sample pressure Maximum sample pressure Mud delivery and return pump rate Gas trap Coriolis meter Flow meter Vent air to trap Pump type

Specifications
Skid mounted with removable side panels DNV 2.7.1 Class 1 div 1 / Zone 1 3 phase supply 480v (EEX) 20 to 90 C (thermostat controlled, 1.0 C) IS Circuits & EXD 0 10 L/min 10 psi 25 psi 1 to 8 L/min (adjustable) Configurable, speed control for air motor Mud flow in, mud density in, temperature Sample flow, vent air in Nitrogen or Zero air Peristaltic, self priming with low shear

For more information, contact us at sperry@Halliburton.com

QGM is a patented design of Texaco DQ1000 is a trademark of Fluid Inclusion Technologies (FIT)

www.halliburton.com
April 2009