US 11,982,176 B2
Systems and methods for monitoring annular fluid level
Michael Anthony Affleck, Aberdeen (GB); Krzysztof Karol Machocki, Aberdeen (GB); Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Dhahran (SA); and Timothy Eric Moellendick, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/649,026.
Prior Publication US 2023/0235661 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. E21B 47/047 (2012.01); E21B 21/08 (2006.01); E21B 47/12 (2012.01); G01F 23/30 (2006.01); G01F 23/60 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/047 (2020.05) [E21B 21/08 (2013.01); E21B 47/12 (2013.01); G01F 23/30 (2013.01); G01F 23/606 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A method comprising:
determine a time value that measures a time between a transmittal, by an antenna disposed above a floating element within an annulus of a well, of a first signal and a receipt, by the antenna, of a second signal from the floating element disposed on a surface of a drilling fluid within the annulus;
determining a state of a drilling fluid level within the annulus via:
accessing a return time threshold value from a database record;
determining that the time value exceeds the return time threshold value; and
determine that the drilling fluid level is below a drilling fluid threshold value, based on the determining that the time value exceeds the return time threshold value, and
updating a drilling program for the well based on the state of the drilling fluid level.