Gas Detection Principles: Competence Assurance System

Competence Assurance System
Gas Detection Principles
Support for test DE2.1.5

This presentation contains information proprietary to Geoservices and is not to be displayed or reproduced for
third parties without prior authorization.
DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Gas Detection
Expression of Gas Values Measured at Surface
Gases most frequently measured:

 Light alkanes (C1, C2, C3, iC4, nC4, iC5, nC5)
 H2S
 CO2
Units of Measurement:
 % Gas in Air
 Parts per million (ppm); 10,000ppm = 1%
 Units (varies; usually 50 units = 1%)

Gas Detection
Hydrocarbon Reservoir Fluid Types
Black Oil: gas-oil ratio of 2000 standard cu. ft. (SCF)/ bbl or less
Volatile Oil: gas-oil ratio of 2000-3300 SCF/bbl
Retrograde Gas: gas-oil ratio of 3300 SCF/bbl or more, up to

approx. 150K SCF/bbl
Wet Gas: >0.3 gallons of condensable liquids per 1000 SCF
Dry gas: <0.3 gallons of condensable liquid per 1000 SCF
Fluids recovered from zones of retrograde and wet gases are commonly
called ‘condensates’.
A saturated reservoir contains sufficient gas to result in a ‘cap’ of free gas.

Gas Detection
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Saturated hydrocarbons have single bonds between carbon atoms.
Paraffins
Also known as alkanes, these are the most common types of hydrocarbon).
Alkanes form straight or branched (isomer) chains of atoms with the general
arrangement:
Cn H(2n + 2)
Cycloparaffins
Also known as napthenes, these form ring structures. Each component is given the
name of the corresponding paraffin, with the prefix cyclo-. They have the general
arrangement:
Cn H2n

Gas Detection
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Unsaturated hydrocarbons have double or triple bonds between
carbon atoms.
The arrangement of unsaturated hydrocarbons can be expressed as:
Cn H(2n - 6)
They are classified in five groups:
- Alcenes - straight or branched chains with only one double bond.

- Polyenes - straight or branched with several double bonds.
- Cyclenes - Ring structures.
- Alcynes - Straight or branched with triple bond.
- Aromatics - Simple or multiple C6 (Benzene) rings.

Gas Detection
Structure of Light Alkanes
The different arrangements

(and thus physical sizes) of
C4-C5 alkanes of the same
composition explains why we
must measure each
arrangement separately in
chromatography.
In practice, neo pentane does

not occur in amounts
measurable by conventional
equipment.

Gas Detection
Boiling points of Alkanes
C1: -161.52°C -258.73°F

C2: -88.51°C -127.49°F
C3: -42.08°C -43.75°F
iC4: -11.81°C -10.75°F
nC4: -0.51°C 31.08°F
iC5: 27.84°C 82.12°F
nC5: 36.07°C 96.82°F
neoC5: 9.5°C 49.1°F

Gas Detection
Hydrocarbon (reservoir and source) data is obtained from

analysis of drilled gases and mud hydrocarbon content
 Gas Extraction from Mud Logging
Drilling Mud Unit
Vent
Gas Line Pump
Degasser In-line Drying Total Gas
 Gas transport to Mud Spare
H2S Sensor Agent Detector
Gas Line
Logging Unit Pump Chromato-
Vent
Return Mud Flow
From Well graph
 Hydrocarbon Analysis Compressed

Air Supply
Total Gas
Chromatograph C1 - nC5 Calibration
System
 Data Recording & Recording

Correlation Equipment
(Auxiliary Gas Detection Equipment Not Shown)

Gas Detection
Standard Colors Used for Gas Charts
Total gas: Black

C1: Red
C2: Green
C3: Medium Blue
iC4: Magenta (reddish-purple)
nC4: Cyan (light blue)
iC5/nC5: Not defined, usually black

Gas Detection
Total Gas vs. Chromatography
Total Gas Measurement: Continuous curve of aggregate

hydrocarbons C1-nC5 (plus occasional heavier HCs)
Gas % TG
in air
Time
Chromatography: batch separation and individual measurement

of light hydrocarbons (usually C1-nC5)
Gas % C1
in air
Time
Gas Detection
Chromatogram
The arrival of the separated gases at the detector results in a signal that
describes a series of peaks vs. time. This chromatogram is normally
only displayed for calibration and troubleshooting purposes. Final output
is a histogram plotted for each gas, after computer processing.

Gas Detection
• Gas sampling should take place as close to the well

bore as possible

Gas Detection
Imaging Reservoir Zones

1. Conventional degasser with standard chromatograph (cycle >200 sec)
2. Conventional degasser with high speed chromatograph (cycle <50 sec)
3. Reserval degasser, installed near bell nipple, with Reserval analyser

Gas Detection
Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

Min. Sensitivity: 500-1000ppm Sensitivity
F1-F3 Measurement Adjust
F2-F4 Reference
Measurement Range: 0-100%
gas in air F1 F2
3 Zero
Advantages: Signal
Adjust Sensitivity
Selector
(GD 12
 No combustion of gases 4
only)
F3 F4
 Non-combustible gases can be detected
Disadvantages: - +
2 10V DC 1
 Extreme sensitivity to Hydrogen
 High threshold of detection
 Low sensitivity to hydrocarbon gases
other than methane.
Gas Detection
Catalytic Conductivity Detector (CCD)

Min. Sensitivity: 100-200ppm
gas in air 16 
3
2V DC
Advantages: 4 64  16  Reference
 Lower detection threshold than TCD Zero - +

Measurement
Adjust 2 1
 Catalytic burning process means 10k
Signal
gas/air mix does not have to be in
combustible range
Disadvantages:
 Poor detector response for non-
combustible gases
 Heavy HC vapors can cause
breakdown of measurement filament
Gas Detection
Flame Ionization Detector (FID)

Resistance
Min. Sensitivity: 1-5 ppm
Measurement Range: 0-30% Signal to flame jet
(0-100% with dilution) Ionising

Flame
+ Signal
Advantages: 'Collector' out
-
 Very low threshold of detection
Electrometer
(signal amplifier)
Polarising voltage
from regulated
 High repeatability Carrier + gas

Hydrogen
power supply
Signal
ground
Combustion air
 Linear signal response
Disadvantages:
 Detects alkane HC only
 Requires continuous supply of H2
 Increased complexity
Gas Detection
Standard Gas Detection
FCP / FGP and GFF (Geoservices Standard or QGM

Pump Unit
or Fast FID) + Gas Trap
C1-C5 Analysis C1-C5 Analysis

Chromato cycle: 240 seconds Chromato cycle: 42 seconds
Min. Resolution 5-10 ppm Min. Resolution 5 ppm

Gas Detection
Reserval Advanced Gas Evaluation
Reserval Gas Analyser + GZG Gas Trap

C1-C5 Analysis
Chromato cycle: 42 seconds
Min. Resolution 1 ppm
Gas In-Gas Out measurement (optional)

Gas Detection
Methane Equivalence
FID response is very specific to the detection of alkanes.
The FID Total Hydrocarbon Detector, which is calibrated to respond in
equivalent methane in air, thus provides a quantitative gas richness
indicator.
• Response will be specific to petroleum hydrocarbons only.
• Response will be proportional to the carbon content.
Methane equivalence is determined by applying the following equation
to the chromatographic response:
C1 + 2C2 + 3C3 + 4(iC4 + nC4) + 5(iC5 + nC5)

Gas Detection
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Min. Sensitivity: 0.1 ppm
Measures hydrocarbon and non-
hydrocarbon gases
Advantages:
 Extremely low threshold of detection Mass Spectra
 ‘Universal’ gas detector

 C1/C2 ratio higher than 8500
Mass Chromatograms

Gas Detection
FLAIR Gas Analysis (GC-MS)
Gas Chromatograph-
Mass Spectrometer
+ FLEX Gas Trap
C1-C8 (plus non-hydrocarbon gases)

Chromato cycle: 60-90 seconds
Min. Resolution 0.1 ppm
Gas In-Gas Out Measurement (optional)

H2S/CO2/Methane Detection
Semiconductor H2S Sensor

Min. Sensitivity: 1 ppm
Measurement Range: 0-100ppm
Advantages:
 Simplicity (solid state)
 Good reliability
Disadvantages:
 Highly sensitive to moisture
 Requires periodic activation with H2S
 Must be capped when not powered to
prevent damage

H2S/CO2/Methane Detection
Infrared Absorption (IFR)

Source Detector Rubber Detector
Min. Sensitivity: 100ppm Source Spacer Front Rings Assembly
Housing

(0-100% w/reduced low-end
sensitivity)
Advantages: Thermistor Analysis Thin Film
Cell with Filter
(Temp.
 Simplicity (solid state) monitor) Window
 High reliability
Disadvantages:
 Lower sensitivity than FID
 Only single gases can be measured

Gas Detection
Sources of Gas Recovered at Surface
1. Gas liberated from drilled cylinder

2. Produced gas
3. Recycled gas
4. Contamination gas.

Gas Detection
Gas Nomenclature
 Liberated Gas: Gas liberated from cuttings only
 Produced gas: gas entering borehole from adjacent, undrilled strata
(related to pressure imbalance)
 Recycled gas: residual gas in mud, re-circulated through mud system and
back into borehole
 Contamination gas: gas entering mud stream from source other than
formation or recycling
 Background gas: average or ‘baseline’ liberated gas values
 Connection gas/trip gas: gas produced by swabbing effects during a
pipe connection or trip

Gas Detection
Factors Affecting Gas Shows

Accountable: (Possibility of Correction)
• Rate of Penetration
• Hole Size
• Flow Rate
• Degasser Efficiency
• Recycled fluids
Unaccountable: (Not Possible to Correct)
• Differential Pressure ( Mud weight ) Petrophysical
• Type of Mud & viscosity
• Surface Losses * Saturation
• Swabbing * Permeability
• Surging * Porosity
• Caving * GOR
• Diffusion * Density of fluids
• Mud Loss / Mud gain
• Mud temperature at flow line.
Gas Detection
Sources of Gas Shows
Gas diffusion from

shale Caving and Swelling
Diffusion from Gas Zone Diffusion from Oil Zone
Gas seepage
from Fractures
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE OF MUD = FORMATION PRESSURE

Balanced drilling
BG DUE TO CAVING, SWELLLING ANDGAS DIFUSION FROM DIFFERENT
SOURCES, SUCH AS SHALE GAS, OIL AND GAS ZONES, FRACTURES etc.
Gas Detection
Effect of Differential Pressure

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE is the main parameter that affects the gas
data.
The amount of gas recovered at the surface is only a fraction of the

actual gas per unit volume in the reservoir drilled.
In addition, the proportion of gas components recovered is not the

same as the actual in-situ composition.
The extracted proportion of the gas components depends largely on

the differential pressure.
Higher differential pressure reduces mud gas content; in particular,

the heavier components will be reduced or absent

Gas Detection
Effect of Differential Pressure

Variations in differential pressure will affect the gas recovered at surface.
A B C Effect of differential
pressure where
differential is:
A: much greater
than zero
B: slightly greater
than zero
C: less than zero
Gas

Gas Detection
Liberated Gas PENETRATION RATE GAS DETECTOR RESPONSE

ROCK BORE CURVE mn/m DRILLING FLUID %
TYPE HOLE 0 20 40 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
DEPTH
WALL
BG
CAKE
LAG TIME
L
TOTAL
FILTRATE INVASION CIRCULATION
ZONE TIME
BG
NORMAL CONDITIONS
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE (MUD) > FORMATION PRESSURE

R BG: BACKGROUND
THE GAS RELEASED TO MUD IS THE CONTENTS OF GAS
DRILLED CYLINDER OF FORMATION (BIT-SIZED) L: LIBERATED GAS
R: RECYCLED GAS
Gas Detection
Effect of ROP PENETRATION RATE GAS DETECTOR RESPONSE

TYPE HOLE 0 20 40 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
DEPTH
BG
LAG TIME
NORMAL CONDITIONS
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE DUE TO MUD > FORMATION PRESSURE
DECREASE IN ROP PROLONGS GAS PEAKS ON THE CHART.

THE NET RESULT WILL BE TO GET LOW PEAK ON THE MASTERLOG, BG
OFTEN OCCURS IF BIT IS WORN OUT OR DUE TO SOME OTHER REASONS BG: BACKGROUND GAS
SUCH AS - DECREASE IN FLOW RATE, CONTROLED DRILLING, L: LIBERATED GAS
DIFFERENT TYPE OF BIT USED ON OFFSET WELLS, ETC. R: RECYCLED GAS

Gas Detection
Detection of Fluid Contact

PENETRATION RATE GAS DETECTOR RESPONSE
TYPE HOLE 0 20 40 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
DEPTH
BG
POROUS GAS LAG TIME

NON
WATER
L
POROUS
BG
NORMAL CONDITIONS
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE DUE TO MUD > FORMATION PRESSURE

BG: BACKGROUND GAS
L: LIBERATED GAS
R: RECYCLED GAS
Gas Detection
Flushing of Formation
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE DUE TO MUD
EXCESSIVELY HIGH( MW / SG) COMPARED
TO FORMATION PRESSURE.
INVASION OF PERMEABLE ZONES WILL

STOP AS MUD CAKE IS BUILT UP.
IF VERTICAL PERMEABILITY OF ZONE IS

GOOD, MUD WILL FLUSH GAS OR
FORMATION FLUIDS AWAY FROM BORE HOLE.
SOME PART OF FLUIDS MAY COME TO

BORE HOLE AS BIT PENETRATES
LOWER & LOWER IN OPENED ZONE.
Excessive mud density results in little

or no recovery of C4/C5 hydrocarbons,
making show identification very difficult.

Gas Detection
Produced Gas Penetration Rate Gas Detector Response

ROCK BORE Curve mn/m Total Gas %
TYPE HOLE 0 20 40 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
BG: Background Gas
DEPTH
L : Liberated Gas
BG R : Recycled Gas
P : Produced Gas
LAG TIME
L
P TOTAL
 CIRCULATION
TIME
BG P
Formation Pressure > Hydrostatic Pressure due to Mud.
R P
EXTRA GAS compared to gas liberated by cylinder of formation
drilled is due to PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM ADJACENT
FORMATION.

Gas Detection
Swabbing : Produced gas that enters hole because of

suction. This can occur due to:
1. High viscosity of mud.
2. Balled up bit.
3. Fast rate of pulling out.
4. Collar size too large for the hole.
5. Swelling of clays
6. Insufficient cutting transport.
Surging : Injection effect – mud is pushed into the

formation. This can occur due to fast rate of
running in, and other aspects as above.
Before each trip we are supposed to provide a Swab and

Surge report to the drilling personnel.

Gas Detection
Drilled Gases
A good indicator of an increase of Pf is gas swabbed from the formation
during a trip or a pipe connection.
Effect of differential
A B C pressure on
CG CG connection gas:
CG CG A. Positive, stable
DP
CG CG
B. Positive,
CG CG
decreasing DP
CG CG
C. Negative DP
Gas

Gas Detection
COMPARISON BETWEEN A GAS KICK AND A LARGE GAS SHOW
WELL BALANCED WELL UNDERBALANCED
INCREASED FLOW AT INCREASED FLOW AT

FLOWLINE AND FOAM FLOWLINE AND MUD
AT BELL NIPPLE DUE OVERFLOWS BELL NIPPLE
TO GAS CONTENT BEFORE INTRUDING FLUID
REACHES SURFACE
GAS FROM CUTTINGS

EXPANDS IN ANNULUS
INCREASING TOTAL
OUTFLOW VOLUME
DRILLING FLUID IS
DISPLACED BY
INTRUDING FORMATION
FLUID
GAS, OIL OR WATER

GAS - BEARING FLOWS INTO BOREHOLE
CUTTINGS FROM FORMATION

Gas Detection
Recycled Gas
Amount of recycled fluids depends on:
1. Efficiency of rig degasser.
2. Mud Properties, such as Visc., Temp. etc.
3. Type of mud: WBM or OBM (synthetic).
4. Oil / diesel in mud.
Reserval can measure Gas in and Gas out.

Recycled fluids can be detected.

Gas Detection
Recycled Gas
40
17 February 2000
Important gas influx
(Trip gas)
35
30
Re-injection of the
25
recycled gas
20 Detection of the iC5 Out

recycled gas, iC5 In
at the flow line
15
10

Gas Detection
Influence of Hole Size on Gas Shows
17 1/2”
Same amount of
gas per unit volume
of rock.
12 1/4” But different bit
size changes the
Total Gas.
8 1/2” Even large gas show in

17 1/2 “ hole may be
water-bearing.
6”

Gas Detection
Influence of Flow Rate on Gas Shows
Slower flow rate

Cylinder of rock mixes
with small volume of mud.
Faster flow rate

• Same cylinder of rock mixes with
larger volume of mud.
Increase in Mud Flow Rate decreases Gas recorded.

Gas Detection
Influence of
Measurement Frequency
Reserval and Conventional

FID running simultaneously.
Curves show the difference

in data acquired .
Conventional FID is not able to

keep pace with fast rate of drilling.
This results in chromatographic

curve with step-like appearance.

Gas Detection
Influence of Threshold
of Measurement
Difference between Reserval and

ordinary FID out-put. Reserval has
greater consistency and higher
resolution so that heavier hydrocarbons
are better represented.

Gas Detection
Influence of Gas
Trap Mud Level
Conventional gas trap

may sometimes misrepresent
gas out put. Trap starvation
(decrease in mud level)
as in this case shows decrease
in gas level as against actual
zone shown in bottom of the figure.

Gas Detection
Effect of Mud Type
The TYPE OF MUD also affects the composition of the gas recorded.
Water-base mud is probably the best for gas recovery, whereas

contamination of the mud with crude oil increases retention of gas
in mud and thus increases recycled gas.
Recycled gas makes evaluation of the gas data very difficult.

Gas Detection Principles: Competence Assurance System

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Competence Assurance System

Gas Detection Principles

Support for test DE2.1.5

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Expression of Gas Values Measured at Surface

Gases most frequently measured:

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Hydrocarbon Reservoir Fluid Types

Volatile Oil: gas-oil ratio of 2000-3300 SCF/bbl

Retrograde Gas: gas-oil ratio of 3300 SCF/bbl or more, up to

Wet Gas: >0.3 gallons of condensable liquids per 1000 SCF

Dry gas: <0.3 gallons of condensable liquid per 1000 SCF

A saturated reservoir contains sufficient gas to result in a ‘cap’ of free gas.

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

They are classified in five groups:

- Alcenes - straight or branched chains with only one double bond.

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Structure of Light Alkanes

The different arrangements

In practice, neo pentane does

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Boiling points of Alkanes

C1: -161.52°C -258.73°F

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Hydrocarbon (reservoir and source) data is obtained from

 Hydrocarbon Analysis Compressed

 Data Recording & Recording

(Auxiliary Gas Detection Equipment Not Shown)

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Standard Colors Used for Gas Charts

Total gas: Black

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Total Gas vs. Chromatography

Total Gas Measurement: Continuous curve of aggregate

Chromatography: batch separation and individual measurement

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

• Gas sampling should take place as close to the well

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Imaging Reservoir Zones

2. Conventional degasser with high speed chromatograph (cycle <50 sec)

3. Reserval degasser, installed near bell nipple, with Reserval analyser

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

Catalytic Conductivity Detector (CCD)

 Lower detection threshold than TCD Zero - +

Flame Ionization Detector (FID)

(0-100% with dilution) Ionising

 High repeatability Carrier + gas

Standard Gas Detection

FCP / FGP and GFF (Geoservices Standard or QGM

C1-C5 Analysis C1-C5 Analysis

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Reserval Advanced Gas Evaluation

Reserval Gas Analyser + GZG Gas Trap

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

C1 + 2C2 + 3C3 + 4(iC4 + nC4) + 5(iC5 + nC5)

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

 Extremely low threshold of detection Mass Spectra

 ‘Universal’ gas detector

DE2.1.5A_GAS_PRINCIPLES.PPT 22 July 2004