This document describes a new ultrasound technology for early detection of gas kicks during deepwater drilling operations. The technology can measure tiny differences in the speed of sound in drilling mud, achieving longitudinal spatial resolution of less than 10 mm per second. This high resolution allows detection of small changes in sound speed and attenuation caused by the presence of gas bubbles, even under high pressure conditions. The non-invasive system uses multiple sensors at different depths to monitor for variations in sound speed and attenuation correlated with hydrostatic pressure, enabling early warning of gas influx into the drilling mud. The universal technique can be applied to marine risers as well as riserless installations.

1. IBJ Technology
Ingenieurbüro Jäger
Ingenieurbüro Jäger
Bankverbindung: Colkwitzer Weg 7 Tel.:+49(0)341 33 80172
Commerzbank Leipzig 04416 Markkleeberg Email:fmj@ibj-technology.de
101899100 (BLZ:86080000) GERMANY Web:www.ibj-technology.com
1
Early Kick Detection for Deepwater Drilling: New High Resolution Method with
Ultrasound
Fig. 1 Sensor for marine riser Fig. 2 Applications for riser and riserless
Early detection of gas kicks in water and oil -based mud is possible through a new improved ultrasound
technology in a new quality.
Until now, concerns about the speed of sound measurement of oil -based drilling muds partially saturated under
high hydrostatic pressure.
But it is possible with new circuits, to measure even the smallest time differences. In particle physics it has for a
long time standard in studies on particle accelerators to analyze the trajectories and durations of the components
of the atoms in the range of picoseconds.
With this technology you can dissolve the sound velocity is very high. For example, can be measured with a
standard deviation of better than 1 nanosecond with a measurement base of 20 inches (0.5 meters) between
transmitter and receiver, the transit time of the ultrasonic wave. This corresponds to a longitudinal spatial
resolution better than 10 mm per second.
Fig. 4 Transit time resolution with intervall inflow of hydrocarbons
Fig. 3 Speed resolution with a small inflow of hydrocarbons
h:min:s
10:32:30 10:35:00 10:37:30 10:40:00
1475,0
1474,5
1474,0
1473,5
1473,0
1472,5
1472,0
1471,5
1471,0
1470,5
1470,0
Schreiber 0 Schreiber 1

2. IBJ Technology
Ingenieurbüro Jäger
Ingenieurbüro Jäger
Bankverbindung: Colkwitzer Weg 7 Tel.:+49(0)341 33 80172
Commerzbank Leipzig 04416 Markkleeberg Email:fmj@ibj-technology.de
101899100 (BLZ:86080000) GERMANY Web:www.ibj-technology.com
2
The signal noise of the ultrasonic wave can be lowered below a nanosecond through appropriate measures.
The new solution for the early detection of gas kicks, therefore the measurement of the speed of sound of the P
wave in the mud inside the marine riser is proposed.
In measuring systems, the velocity resolution was confirmed.
So as to obtain a sensitive measuring tool, which is able to detect the speed of sound in different discontinuity
saturation of the dissolved gas, even at very high pressures.
A plurality of detectors are arranged at different depths, can be seen the different signal changes in correlation
with the hydrostatic pressure.
At the same time to speed the attenuation of the ultrasonic signal is measured. The higher the percentage of gas
bubbles and with an increase of the gas volume of the gas bubbles, the attenuation of the ultrasonic signal is
increased. With decreasing hydrostatic pressure, the proportion of free gas will rise very quickly and be
recognized as a loss.
The system is universal for all marine riser applicable. Also riserlose installations with mud return lines can be
equipped with specific systems. The method and devices are patent penting.
Fig. 5 Measurement of sonic speed solvent Fig. 6 Measurement of attenuation with free gas bubbles
Fig. 7 Test equipment