75
Petroleum
Indicator by Electric Relaxation--Physical
Optics, Photonic Systems Division, 20600 Gramercy Place, Building 100, Torrance,
CA 90501-1821;
310-320-3088, www.poc.com
Dr.
Michael Reznikov, Principal Investigator,
Mr.
Gordon Drew, Business Official,
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83748
Amount:
$749,988
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking advanced “smart drilling”
technologies to improve the nation's competitiveness in petroleum drilling.
In response to this need, this project will develop a petroleum indicator
that uses an electric relaxation sensor to monitor the drilling process in real
time, allowing the operator to avoid blowouts and increasing safety, drilling
efficiency, and environmental protection. The
oil drilling monitoring device, based on dielectric spectroscopy, will be
capable of detecting drilling fluid composition and flow with 1 percent accuracy
of the oil component in the drilling mud volume.
All the active elements will be robust, capable of withstanding the harsh
environment encountered in the drilling process.
Phase I developed a proof-of-concept sensor and demonstrated the
detection of five percent oil in drilling fluid volume.
Sensitivity measurements were limited by the available equipment;
however, analysis indicated that sensitivities of 1 percent or better could
easily be achieved. In Phase II, a
working prototype will be constructed that will be capable of detecting oil
concentrations between 1 percent and 100 percent.
Tests will be conducted to demonstrate that the system can withstand the
harsh drilling downhole environment, and that it can detect and discriminate
oil, mud, gases, and various levels of salinity and other relevant minerals.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: The
proposed technology and its spin-off products should enhance “smart
drilling” capabilities in petroleum drilling process control and monitoring.
Other potential applications include chemical/biological process
monitoring, waste management, biological engineering, explosive gas warning
systems, environmental monitoring, homeland security, military (monitoring of
underground facilities), and space (aeronautic) and ground (automotive) vehicle
fluid sensors.