3.

DEGASSER TECHNOLOGY

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Surface gas detection process

There are 3 main parts to any gas detection service today and
Geoservices have focused on all of them.
Logging
Unit

Gas Extraction
Degasser

Gas Transport

Gas Line
Spare
Gas Line

Return Mud Flow

From Well

Vent
In-line
H2S Sensor

Drying
Agent

Pump

Total Gas
Detector

Pump

Chromatograph

Vent

Compressed
Air Supply

Gas Analysis

Calibration
System

We measure the amount of

extracted gas in the gas air
mixture , at the trap suction: It is a
gas in Air measurement

Recording
Equipment

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Conventional gas extractor

R ubber H ose,
8 m m I.D .

To Mud Logging Unit

C heck
V a lv e

C y lin d r ic a l
Tank

T u b u la r
M o u n tin g
A rm s

D e c a n tin g
Tube
F lo a t
R ubber H ose,
1 2 m m I.D .
G a s /a ir
O u tle t

M o to r
A ir In le t
C o n n e c t io n
Box

R o to r C o u p lin g
P la t e

M u d O u tle t

Installed at Shaker header box

No volume or flow control

D e g a s s in g C h a m b e r
R ecom m ended
M ud Level
R o to r B la d e

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Variables in measurement: Losses of gas along flow

line
Losses at
bell nipple.
Degassing
depends on
molecular
weight

OU
T

Open flow line

Spontaneous
degassing

Flow line not

full.
Turbulences
-Mixing with air

IN
Misrepresentation of gas composition far from well head
4

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Impact of degasser position

104

Gas quantity (ppm)

10

Flow line
data

102
10

Change gas composition:

heavier remains longer in
mud than lighter

1
Time (A.U.)
104

Gas quantity (ppm)

103

Spontaneous degassing of
mud decreases gas quantity
far from well head

Shales shaker data

102
10
1
Time (A.U.)

C1
C2
C3
iC4
nC4
iC5
nC5 www.geoservices.c

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Gas in mud - generalities

air +
gas

air

mud from
flowline
mud
to pits

Gas measured are light components of the hydrocarbons contained in the m

Partly extracted (equilibrium)
Mixed in a flow of air (volumetric effect)
Extraction under dynamic conditions (kinetics effect)
6

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Constant volume gas extractor

Motor driving both Agitator
and pump - Constant ratio
Constant Volume
Pump

Installed in the flow

line
Constant mud and air
flow rate
Gas
Outlet

Sealed extraction
chamber

Self cleaning
mud intake
7

Increased extraction
efficiency
Qualitative gas
extraction
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The benefits of a constant volume trap

Gas quantity (ppm)

106
105

Conventional degasser

104
103

Conventional degasser:
spurious peak due to mud
level fluctuations
Constant volume degasser:
no spurious peak, consistent
with fluid reservoir
composition

102
10
Time (A.U.)

Gas quantity (ppm)

106
105

Constant volume degasser

TG
C1
C2
C3
iC4 and nC4 (dashed)
iC5 and nC5 (dashed)

104
103
102
10
Time (A.U.)

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The benefits of a constant volume trap

106

Gas quantity (ppm)

105

Conventional degasser

104
103
102
10
Time (A.U.)
105

Gas quantity (ppm)

104

Constant volume degasser

Conventional degasser:
decrease of gas detected due
to inadequate supply of mud
(Trap Starvation)
Constant volume degasser:
no decrease of gas quantity,
consistent with fluid
reservoir composition
TG
C1
C2
C3
iC4 and nC4 (dashed)
iC5 and nC5 (dashed)

103
102
10
1
Time (A.U.)

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Constant volume/temperature fluid extractor (Flex)

Mud Level
Sensor

Specially designed
mud outlet

Pump
Constant
volume
RPMAgitation
sensors speed
Constant
Temperature
sensors

Constant
Temperature
Heater
Self Cleaning
Mud Intake Probe

Sealed Extraction
Chamber
10

Repeatable gas extraction

Gas In correction

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On site extraction calibration
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Improved gas extraction: air and mud flow rate

1st difference: volumetric/flow rate ratio difference

Degasser

Mud Flow rate

Air flow rate

Ratio of Mud Flow/Gas

Flow

GZG

1.5 l/min

0.5 l/min

Flex

0.3 l/min

0.5 l/min

0.67

4.5

Assuming any other parameters constant, concentrations of

extracted gas expected to be 4.5 times less with Flex compared to
GZG
For light components, GZG can have higher readings than Flex

11

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Improved gas extraction: agitation and temperature

2nd difference: stirring

3rd difference: temperature

Degasser

Stirring

GZG

1300 rpm

Flex

2800 rpm

Degasser

Mud temperature

GZG

No control/regulation

Flex

70C(WBM)/90C(OBM)

Shift equilibrium to higher gas

concentration
Increase exchange kinetics

Higher mud/gas contact area

with Flex
Higher and constant stirring rpm
thus increases exchange kinetics

Reproducible gas extraction

conditions

12

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Positioning Flex Out and In probes

GAS OUT

GAS IN
13

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Extractor designed for Deep Water condition

Standard measurements overestimate light HC components
Standard Deep Water Data

FLAIR Deep Water Data

Coherent ratios
C3+~0
Good heavies

14

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C1-C8 boiling points

Name

Molecular Formula

Boiling Point (oC)

State (25oC, 101.3kPas

methane

CH4

-162

gas

ethane

C2 H 6

-88.6

gas

propane

C3 H 8

-42.1

gas

butane

C4H10

-0.5

gas

pentane

C5H12

36.1

liquid

hexane

C6H14

68.7

liquid

heptane

C7H16

98.4

liquid

octane

C8H18

126

liquid

Benzene

C6H6

80.1

liquid

15

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Extractor designed for Deep Water condition

Deep Off-shore Mud temperature 15
C

Standard Deep Water Data

FLAIR Deep Water Data

16

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Conclusion:
Degasser evolution from Gas Trap to Fluid Extractor

Repeatable gas extraction

Gas In correction

No volume or
flow control

Constant mud and air flow

rate
Increased extraction
efficiency
Qualitative gas extraction
17

On site extraction
calibration

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Thank you for your attention.

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