Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Patrick E Goschy

William C Morris, Jr

Jason Z Gahr

Catalin D Ivan

An intrinsically-safe sensor system, as well as a method for assembling the intrinsically-safe sensor system and a method for monitoring sound corresponding to a source using the intrinsically-safe sensor system, are provided herein. The intrinsically-safe sensor system includes a number of sensors, including a microphone, as well as a processor for processing sensor data obtained from the sensors. The intrinsically-safe sensor system also includes a memory component for storing the sensor data obtained from the sensors, a power source, a communication connection for communicably coupling the intrinsically-safe sensor system to a remote computing system, and a connector including internal and external connection regions for internally and/or externally connecting one or more additional devices to the intrinsically-safe sensor system on demand. The intrinsically-safe sensor system further includes an enclosure, as well as potting material for encapsulating an internal region of the intrinsically-safe sensor system that resides within the enclosure.

Intrinsically-safe sensor system

Techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying downhole conditions during a drilling operation using a vibratory separator. The method includes calibrating a sensor system attached to the vibratory separator by periodically measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under steady-state operating parameters. The method also includes determining the relationship between the G-force acting on the vibratory separator and the flow rate and rate of penetration (ROP) for the drilling operation by measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under different non-steady-state operating parameters. The method further includes determining an expected total basket weight for each G-force measurement using the G-force/flow rate/ROP relationship, monitoring a current total basket weight of the vibratory separator functioning under current operating parameters, and identifying a downhole condition if the current total basket weight is greater or less than the expected total basket weight for the current operating parameters.

Growing community of inventors

Katy, TX, United States of America

Patrick E Goschy