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WO2015105505A1 - Plate-forme de communication sans fil pour un fonctionnement dans des conduits - Google Patents

Plate-forme de communication sans fil pour un fonctionnement dans des conduits Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015105505A1
WO2015105505A1 PCT/US2014/011087 US2014011087W WO2015105505A1 WO 2015105505 A1 WO2015105505 A1 WO 2015105505A1 US 2014011087 W US2014011087 W US 2014011087W WO 2015105505 A1 WO2015105505 A1 WO 2015105505A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conduit
measuring device
electrode
electrical contact
component
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2014/011087
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
S. Aronstam Peter
Fincher ROGER
Original Assignee
Peter S Aronstam
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Peter S Aronstam filed Critical Peter S Aronstam
Priority to PCT/US2014/011087 priority Critical patent/WO2015105505A1/fr
Publication of WO2015105505A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015105505A1/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/01—Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
    • E21B47/017—Protecting measuring instruments
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/06—Measuring temperature or pressure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/125—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using earth as an electrical conductor

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is related to oil and gas production environments.
  • the present disclosure is related to communication systems and methods within a production environment.
  • conduits are commonly used to transport or direct fluid and gas. Examples of such conduits are well casings buried within the earth, subterranean pipelines, and aboveground pipelines. In order to effectively manage the production systems, performance of the conduits and conditions within them must be monitored on a regular basis. Thus, many conduits are designed with a number of permanently installed sensors and detection devices used to measure various attributes of the fluid or gas flowing therein.
  • the retrofit instrumentation should also include a reliable wireless
  • instrumentation may comprise an elongate body having one or more electrodes spaced some distance apart along the body. The electrodes are placed in contact with the conduit and a signal may be passed to and from the instrumentation and the conduit.
  • the retrofit instrumentation device is secured at two fixed locations by the packers/slips, a 50°C change in temperature can produce an axial strain in the measuring device in excess of 80,000 pounds. Often, this strain is sufficient to cause the release mechanism of common packers, i.e., shear pins, to fail and/or disrupt the nature of the electrical contact, allowing fluid and corrosion access to the contact electrodes. Any corrosion or change in the electrical characteristics of the contact electrodes can have a debilitating effect on the ability to deliver electrical power to the conduit. In the worst case, the anchor/electrode system can fail completely allowing the tool to fall further into the well, or be blown out by production fluids.
  • oil and gas systems and methods could benefit from improved devices and techniques for retrofitting instrumentation within a live production environment, reducing the likelihood of damage to equipment during a thermal event, and wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to the surface.
  • the device may comprise an electronics vessel comprising one or more sensors for sensing properties of interest within a conduit.
  • the device may further comprise a power source, a setting component for setting the device within the conduit, and at least one electrical contact component.
  • the setting component may be configured to serve as a second electrical contact component.
  • a second electrical contact component independent of the setting component may be provided.
  • the electrical contact components may be placed in contact with the conduit to create an electrical contact at the interfaces therebetween.
  • the device may further comprise a strain-reducing component for preventing strain at the first and second interfaces when the measuring device undergoes a thermal expansion or is exposed to a thermal event.
  • the strain-reducing component may comprise an expansion joint.
  • the strain-reducing component may comprise a flexible electrode assembly coupled to one of the electrical contact components and configured to translate along a central axis of the apparatus.
  • the device may comprise a retractable electrode assembly housing one or more of the electrical contact components. The retractable electrode assembly may be configured to selectively or automatically retract the one or more electrical contact components in certain circumstances.
  • FIG. 1 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a computing system as described herein.
  • FIG. 3 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 4 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 5 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 6 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 7 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 8 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 9 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 10 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • FIG. 11 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a method as described herein.
  • FIG. 12 depicts some aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a system as described herein.
  • a retrofit measuring device for use in oil and gas production environments.
  • the device can be lowered and secured to a production conduit such as a well casing or pipeline, measure attributes of fluids or gases within the conduit, receive information from the surface, and transmit information to the surface.
  • a production conduit such as a well casing or pipeline
  • the anchoring devices serve to both secure the device within the conduit and provide electrical contacts with the conduit.
  • the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein solve these problems by introducing elements of consumer presence detection, demographic and behavior information collection, and the facilitation of real-time transactions for the display of advertisements at advertising space within view of the detected consumer. Moreover, in situations where more than one consumer is within view of the advertising space, marketers can decide, in real-time, whether to display an advertisement targeting one of the consumers within a group, or display an advertisement targeted at the group as a whole or some subset of the group.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a system 100.
  • System 100 comprises a conduit 105 and a measuring device 110.
  • measuring device 110 may be configured to detect or otherwise measure a number of attributes pertaining to a fluid or gas within conduit 105, transmit information to the surface or an operator outside the conduit, and receive information from the surface or the operator outside the conduit.
  • conduit 105 may comprise a well casing residing within a subterranean well bore for oil or gas production.
  • conduit 105 may be a subterranean or aboveground pipeline for transporting oil or gas.
  • conduit 105 is substantially tubular having an inner diameter and an outer diameter.
  • conduit 105 may be some other shape.
  • conduit 105 may exhibit a square, rectangular, or triangular cross section.
  • conduit 105 may exhibit any cross sectional shape corresponding to the well bore in which it resides and/or suitable for transporting oil or gas.
  • conduit 105 can exhibit sufficient structural strength to prevent the caving in of the well bore in which it resides, as well as contain any pressures exerted on it by a fluid or gas flowing therein.
  • conduit 105 may comprise an electrically conductive metallic structure. Any suitable conductive material, such as steel, may be used. Conduit 105 may be comprised entirely of the electrically conductive metallic material. Alternatively, only a portion of conduit 105 may be comprised of the electrically conductive metallic material in order to facilitate signaling between the surface and downhole locations.
  • Measuring device 110 may comprise a first anchor system 120, a second anchor system 130, an electronics vessel 140, and a flexible coupling 150.
  • measuring device 110 may be a tubular structure having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. In use, measuring device 110 may be lowered into conduit 105 and fluids or gases flowing within conduit 105 may flow through measuring device 110.
  • measuring device may be cylindrical in shape and fluids and/or gases within conduit 105 may flow around measuring device 110.
  • measuring device 110 may be any other suitable shape configured to allow fluids or gases within conduit 105 to flow through or around it.
  • first and second anchor systems 120, 130 each comprise an electrode setting component 122, 132, respectively, comprising one or more electrodes and having a conventional structure known and commonly used in the oil and gas industry for setting tools within a conduit.
  • each electrode setting component may comprise a plurality of teeth that can be forced into surrounding conduit 105 using wedges.
  • Various methods for setting the teeth into conduit 105 exist, including the use of pyrotechnic, hydraulic, and atmospheric sources of force.
  • the particular structure of electrode setting components 122, 132 and the methods for forcing them into conduit 105 described above are only exemplary, and any suitable electrode setting structure and/or method of setting anchor systems 120 and 130 into conduit 105 may be used.
  • the electrode setting components may be electrically conductive and set into conduit 105 so as to create sufficient contact with conduit 105 not only to support the weight of measuring device 110 within conduit 105 and resist forces exerted on it by fluids or gases within conduit 105, but also to ensure a relatively low impedance electrical contact between the electrode setting components 122, 132 and conduit 105.
  • Measuring device 110 may further comprise an electronics vessel 140.
  • Electronics vessel 140 may contain a number of sensors, gauges, and other measuring
  • electronics vessel 140 may contain sensors for detecting the pressure, temperature, and other attributes of a fluid or gas flowing within the conduit.
  • electronics vessel 140 may comprise actuating components for controlling other equipment within the conduit, as well as a processor- or controller-based computer system for interpreting, analyzing, transmitting, and receiving data. Further details regarding an exemplary computer system are described below with respect to Fig. 2.
  • measuring device 110 may comprise a flexible coupling 150 located between anchor systems 120 and 130.
  • Coupling 150 may comprise any suitable structure that facilitates electrical signaling therethrough while affording relief of any thermally induced strain, and thus, allowing electrode setting components 125, 135 to remain undisturbed by any resulting thermal expansion of measuring device 110.
  • coupling 150 may be an expansion joint comprising any suitable conductive material for facilitating transmission of an electric signal between anchor systems 120 and 130.
  • the expansion joint may be, for example, mechanical or hydraulic in nature.
  • the expansion joint may comprise upper and lower portions that mate along a plurality of opposing, elongate teeth that remain in contact with one another despite having the ability to move towards and away from one another.
  • the expansion joint may comprise a flexible sleeve of non- conductive material with conductive wiring or pathways embedded therein for the transmission of electrical signals therethrough.
  • the expansion joint may comprise a flexible sleeve of conductive or non-conductive material and may or may not house and/or protect wiring therein.
  • the examples of expansion joints described herein are only exemplary, and any suitable expansion joint that affords measuring device 110 a degree of freedom between anchor systems 120 and 130 in case of a thermal event while still facilitating electrical signaling between the anchor systems may be used.
  • a signal may be applied to the metallic structure of conduit 105 at the surface of the production rig.
  • the signal may be transmitted along the length of conduit 105 and flow into measuring device 110 at electrode setting component 125. Presuming a sufficiently low impedance, the signal can then flow from electrode setting component 125 and anchor system 120 to anchor system 130 and electrode setting component 135, and back to the metallic structure of conduit 105. Between electrode setting components 125 and 135, the signal may flow through electronics vessel 140 wherein one or more components may detect, measure, and/or analyze the signal. In this manner, measuring device is able to receive information transmitted from the surface.
  • any displacement may be absorbed by flexible coupling 150 and the electrical contacts at anchor systems 120, 130 may remain undisturbed.
  • electronics vessel 140 may further comprise a power source for generating signals and a transmitter for transmitting information back to the surface.
  • the signals can be processed within a processor- or controller-based system of electronics vessel 140 and communicated along a similar transmission path as that described for receiving signals from the surface.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary processor-based computing system 200
  • the computing system 200 is exemplary only and does not exclude the possibility of another processor- or controller-based system being used in electronics vessel 140.
  • system 200 may include one or more hardware and/or software components configured to execute software programs, such as software for storing, processing, and analyzing data.
  • system 200 may include one or more hardware components such as, for example, processor 205, a random access memory (RAM) module 210, a read-only memory (ROM) module 220, a storage system 230, a database 240, one or more input/output (I/O) modules 250, and an interface module 260.
  • system 200 may include one or more software components such as, for example, a computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for performing methods consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. It is contemplated that one or more of the hardware components listed above may be implemented using software.
  • storage 230 may include a software partition associated with one or more other hardware components of system 200.
  • System 200 may include additional, fewer, and/or different components than those listed above. It is understood that the components listed above are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
  • Processor 205 may include one or more processors, each configured to execute instructions and process data to perform one or more functions associated with system 200.
  • processor 205 may be communicatively coupled to RAM 210, ROM 220, storage 230, database 240, I/O module 250, and interface module 260.
  • Processor 205 may be configured to execute sequences of computer program instructions to perform various processes, which will be described in detail below. The computer program instructions may be loaded into RAM for execution by processor 205.
  • RAM 210 and ROM 220 may each include one or more devices for storing information associated with an operation of system 200 and/or processor 205.
  • ROM 220 may include a memory device configured to access and store information associated with system 200, including information for identifying, initializing, and monitoring the operation of one or more components and subsystems of system 200.
  • RAM 210 may include a memory device for storing data associated with one or more operations of processor 205.
  • ROM 220 may load instructions into RAM 210 for execution by processor 205.
  • Storage 230 may include any type of storage device configured to store information that processor 205 may need to perform processes consistent with the disclosed embodiments.
  • Database 240 may include one or more software and/or hardware components that cooperate to store, organize, sort, filter, and/or arrange data used by system 200 and/or processor 205.
  • database 240 may include user-specific account information, predetermined menu/display options, and other user preferences.
  • database 240 may store additional and/or different information.
  • Instrumentation module 250 may include one or more sensors, gauges, and/or instrumentation components configured to detect, record, and/or communicate information to a user associated with system 200.
  • I/O module 250 may include a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and any other suitable sensor for providing useful information associated with system 200.
  • Interface 260 may include one or more components configured to transmit and receive data via a communication channel.
  • interface 260 may include one or more modulators, demodulators, multiplexers, demultiplexers, network communication devices, wireless devices, antennas, and any other type of device configured to enable data
  • Fig. 3 depicts an alternative measuring device 300.
  • measuring device 300 may comprise an anchor system 310, a first flexible electrode assembly 320, a second flexible electrode assembly 330, an electronics vessel 340, and a power source 350.
  • Measuring device 300 may further optionally comprise a conductive spacer 360 comprising a material exhibiting a high degree of electrical conductivity and a flexible coupling 370 substantially similar to the flexible coupling described above with respect to Fig. 1.
  • Power source 350 may be any suitable power source, including a turbine or a battery system.
  • the power generated by power source 350 can be used to power the circuitry within electronics vessel 340 which is substantially similar to electronics vessel 140 discussed above with respect to Fig. 1 and may contain components substantially similar to those discussed above with respect to Fig. 2.
  • measuring device 300 may be configured to detect or otherwise measure a number of attributes pertaining to a fluid or gas within conduit 105, transmit information to the surface or an operator outside the conduit, and receive information from the surface or an operator outside the conduit.
  • anchor system 310 may not necessarily comprise electrodes for establishing electrical connectivity with conduit 105.
  • anchor system 310 may comprise a setting component 312 commonly used in the industry for setting a device within a conduit.
  • setting component 312 may comprise a plurality of teeth that can be forced into surrounding conduit 105 using wedges.
  • the particular structure of setting component 312 and the methods for forcing it into conduit 105 are not critical. Any suitable setting structure and/or method of setting anchor system 310 into conduit 105 may be used in order to create sufficient contact with conduit 105 to support the weight of measuring device 300 within conduit 105 and resist forces exerted on it by fluids or gases within conduit 105.
  • measuring device 300 may comprise a pair of flexible electrode assemblies 320 and 330.
  • flexible electrode assemblies 320 and 330 can establish an electrical connection between measuring device 300 and conduit 105 that may remain undisturbed even in instances where measuring device 300 undergoes some degree of thermal expansion as a result of a thermal event. This is accomplished using structure that affords flexible electrode assemblies 320 and 330 a degree of freedom with respect to measuring device 300 rather than being fixedly coupled to measuring device 300.
  • each flexible electrode assembly may comprise an actuator rod 322, 332, respectively.
  • Actuator rods 322, 332 may be solid, elongate members comprising a conductive material capable of transmitting an electrical signal.
  • actuator rods 322, 332 may be tubular structures having a hollow center through which fluids or gases may flow, and/or connective wiring may be located.
  • Each actuator rod may slidingly engage a respective shoe deployment ring 324, 334.
  • Shoe deployment rings 324, 334 may be solid or hollow donut-like structures through which actuator rods 322, 332 pass.
  • shoe deployment rings may comprise a conductive material capable of transmitting an electrical signal.
  • shoe deployment rings 324, 334 may house wiring for the transmission of electrical signals.
  • shoe deployment rings 324, 334 are slidingly engaged with actuator rods 322, 332, sufficient contact between the components exists to afford a low impedance electrical connection at an interface between the two components.
  • each shoe deployment ring may comprise one or more electrode arms 326, 336.
  • electrode arms 326, 336 may comprise an elongate member extending from a proximate end adjacent shoe deployment rings 324, 334 to a distal end extending toward conduit 105.
  • Electrode arms 326, 336 may be coupled to their respective shoe deployment ring at, for example, a pivot point located at the proximate end of each electrode arm in order to allow each electrode arm to rotate relative to measuring device 300. In this manner, electrode arms 326, 336 may be energized to contact conduit 105, allowing for the transmission of electrical signals to and from the surface in a manner similar to that described above with respect to electrode setting components 125, 135 in Fig.
  • electrode arms 326, 336 may be coupled to their respective shoe deployment ring in another manner.
  • electrode arms 326, 336 may be coupled to shoe deployment rings 324, 334, respectively, using springs and the electrode arms may be spring urged towards conduit 105.
  • electrode arms 326, 336 may be set in a vertical channel within their respective shoe deployment rings, each vertical channel having a variable depth such that as each electrode arm moves up or down within the channel, the distal end of each electrode arm moves toward or away from conduit 105.
  • electrode arms 326, 336 may be fixedly coupled to shoe deployment rings 324, 334.
  • measuring device 300 may be lowered to an appropriate location within conduit 105 and secured within the conduit via one or more of anchor system 310 and flexible electrode assemblies 320, 330.
  • two or more of anchor system 310 and flexible electrode assemblies 320, 330 may also be in electrical communication with electronics vessel 340 and/or power source 350 in order to facilitate transmission and/or reception of electrical signals to and from the surface.
  • shoe deployment rings 324, 334 (and electrode arms 326, 336) are free to slide along actuator rods 322, 332. As a result, no thermal strain develops at any of the electrical contacts established at one or more of setting component 312 and electrode arms 326, 336.
  • measuring device 300 may comprise more than two sets of electrodes for establishing electrical contact with conduit 105. This can be advantageous in situations where one or more locations within conduit 105 are not ideal for electrical
  • measuring device 300 comprises three possible sets of one or more electrodes (anchor system 310 and flexible electrode assemblies 320, 330), however other embodiments are possible comprising two or more anchor systems 310 and/or three or more flexible electrode assemblies.
  • FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a measuring device 400.
  • Measuring device 400 may comprise an anchor system 410, an electrode assembly 420, an electronics vessel 430, a power source 440, and optionally a conductive spacer 450.
  • anchor system 410 may comprise setting component 412 and may function substantially similar to anchor system 120 described above with respect to Fig. 1.
  • electronics vessel 430, power source 440, and conductive spacer 450 may comprise substantially similar structure and exhibit substantially similar function to corresponding components described above with respect to Figs. 1-3.
  • electrode assembly 420 may comprise one or more electrode arms 422 substantially similar to electrode arms 326, 336 described above with respect to Fig. 3. Additionally, electrode arms 422 may be coupled to a main body 424 of electrode assembly 420 in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect to electrode arms 326, 336 and shoe deployment rings 324, 334. However, rather than main body 424 being mounted on an actuator bar or otherwise afforded a degree of freedom with respect to the remainder of measuring device 400, a flexible coupling 460 substantially similar to flexible coupling 150 described above with respect to Fig. 1 may be interposed between anchor system 410 and electrode assembly 420.
  • any displacement of the components may be absorbed by flexible coupling 460 and the electrical contacts at anchor system 410 and/or electrode assembly 420 may remain undisturbed.
  • Fig. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of measuring device 500.
  • Measuring device 500 may comprise an anchor system 510, an electrode assembly 520, an electronics vessel 540, a power source 550, a flexible coupling 560 interposed between anchor system 510 and electrode assembly 520, and optionally a conductive spacer 570.
  • Measuring device 500 is substantially similar to device 400 depicted in Fig. 4 with the exception that device 500 may further comprise an additional electrode assembly 530 and an additional flexible coupling 565 interposed between electrode assemblies 520, 530.
  • a reliable electrical connection cannot always be established at every location along conduit 105.
  • additional flexible coupling 565 may be interposed between electrode assemblies 520, 530 in order to absorb any expansion/displacement of one or more components of measuring device 500.
  • a flexible electrode assembly substantially similar to those described above with respect to Fig. 3 can be substituted for one or more of electrode assemblies 520, 530, and optionally flexible couplings 560, 565.
  • Device 600 may comprise a first electrode assembly 610, a second electrode assembly 620, an electronics vessel 630, a power source 640, a pair of flexible couplings 650, 655, and optionally a pair of conductive spacers 660, 665. These components are substantially similar to those described above with respect to previous embodiments. It should also be clear that one or more combinations of electrode assemblies 610, 620 and flexible couplings 650, 655 can be substituted for a flexible electrode assembly as described above with respect to Fig. 3.
  • Device 600 may further comprise a receptacle system 670 and a retrieval component 680.
  • receptacle system 670 may serve substantially the same function as anchor systems 120, 310, and 410 described above with respect to previous embodiments, supporting some, most or all of the weight of device 600 within conduit 105.
  • receptacle system 670 may comprise a setting component 672 for securing receptacle system 670 to conduit 105.
  • Setting component 672 may or may not comprise one or more electrodes and serve as an optional point of electrical connectivity.
  • receptacle system 670 may be a polished bore receptacle.
  • receptacle system 670 may be lowered into conduit 105 and secured within the conduit prior to lowering the remainder of device 600 into the casing. The remainder of device 600 may then be lowered into conduit 105, inserted into receptacle system 670, and locked into place. Depending upon whether setting component 672 is relied upon to establish an electrical connection with conduit 105, receptacle system 670 may or may not comprise electrical connectivity means for electrically coupling setting component 672 to power source 640 or some other component of device 600.
  • retrieval component 680 may be positioned atop device 600 and provide structure for securing and/or retrieving device 600 from conduit 105. Any known, suitable structure may be appropriate, including a loop, a hook, magnetic means, or some other appropriate structure. In Fig. 6, retrieval component 680 is depicted atop device 600. In alternative embodiments, however, retrieval component 680 may be located at any suitable location along the elongate body of measuring device 600.
  • device 600 may withstand axial strains resulting from a thermal event due to the interposition of flexible coupling 650 between electrode assemblies 610 and 620, and the interposition of flexible coupling 655 between electrode assembly 620 and receptacle system 670 that serve to absorb displacements within the elongate body of device 600 when it undergoes thermal expansion.
  • electrical connectivity at electrode assemblies 610, 620 and/or receptacle system 670 may remain undisturbed.
  • flexible electrode assemblies substantially similar to those described above with respect to Fig. 3 may be substituted for electrode assemblies 610, 620, and optionally flexible couplings 650, 655.
  • Fig. 7 depicts another measuring device 700 for preventing thermal strain resulting from a thermal event from disrupting electrical connections with conduit 105.
  • measuring device 700 may comprise an anchor system 710, an electrode assembly 720, an electrode assembly 730, an electronics vessel 740, and a power source 750.
  • Device 700 may further comprise optional conductive spacers 760 and 765.
  • anchor system 701 may comprise a setting component 712 that may or may not comprise one or more electrodes for serving as an optional electrical connection location between device 700 and conduit 105.
  • Absent from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 7 are any flexible couplings and/or flexible electrode assemblies described above with respect to other embodiments.
  • electrode assemblies 720, 730 may comprise one or more retractable electrodes that can be automatically or selectively retracted away from conduit 105 during a thermal event or prior to a thermal event.
  • the one or more electrodes may also be automatically or selectively protracted toward conduit 105 either during installation of device 700 or to reestablish electrical contact with conduit 105 following a thermal event.
  • FIG. 7 One exemplary embodiment of a retractable electrode assembly is described in more detail with respect to Fig. 9. However, it should be noted that any suitable structure and/or method for automatically or selectively retracting one or more electrodes away from conduit 105 in response to a detected condition or command can be used. Additionally, though the embodiment depicted in Fig. 7 comprises a pair of retractable electrode assemblies 720, 730, any of the electrode assemblies described above with respect to other embodiments can be substituted for one or both of the retractable assemblies, including a flexible electrode assembly and/or a combination of an electrode assembly and a flexible coupling.
  • Fig. 8 depicts another measuring device 800.
  • Measuring device 800 may comprise an anchor system 810, retractable electrode assemblies 820, 830, an electronics vessel 850, a power source 860, and optionally a pair of conductive spacers 870, 872.
  • Measuring device 800 may be substantially similar to measuring device 700 of Fig. 7, however, measuring device 800 may further comprise an additional retractable electrode assembly 840, and optionally an additional conductive spacer 874.
  • Fig. 9 depicts a more detailed view of one exemplary embodiment of a retractable electrode assembly.
  • retractable electrode assembly 900 may comprise a main body 910, a drive component 920, and one or more electrodes 930.
  • electrodes 930 may comprise a slot 932 for mating with a protruding drive rail 922 of drive component 920 in such a manner that each electrode 930 may be slidingly associated with a respective drive rail 922.
  • protruding drive rail 922 may be arced or otherwise configured such that as electrode 930 slides along the length of the drive rail, it moves towards or away from the outer wall of main body 910.
  • a rotation imparted to drive component 920 may result in the relative movement of one or more electrodes 930 toward and/or away from the outer wall of main body 910.
  • main body 910 may comprise one or more electrode windows 912 corresponding to each electrode 930.
  • each electrode may be allowed to pass through main body 910 so as to achieve a protracted state.
  • each electrode 930 may comprise an electrode face 934 that may protrude through its respective electrode window 912 and contact the inner surface of conduit 105, in which main body 910 has been positioned.
  • each electrode 930 and its corresponding electrode face 934 can exert sufficient force against conduit 105 so as to secure electrode assembly (and the measuring device of which it may be a part) within conduit 105 and/or establish a reliable electrical contact with conduit 105.
  • a view of retractable electrode assembly 900 during which one or more electrodes 930 are set to a protracted position is depicted in Fig. 10.
  • drive component 920 can be rotated in an opposite direction causing one or more electrodes to slide the other direction along its respective drive rail 922 resulting in the relative movement of the electrodes 930 away from conduit 105 and/or back through electrode window 912.
  • the detection or prediction of a thermal event can be accomplished in any number of ways. For example, one or more components within an electronics vessel of any of the aforementioned measuring devices can be used to detect, analyze, and/or conclude that a thermal event is likely to occur, is occurring, or will occur. Alternatively, a determination regarding an ongoing or impending thermal event can be made by other equipment within the conduit or at the surface by operators.
  • drive component 920 may again be rotated in a direction causing one or more electrodes 930 to move back into a protracted position in which they extend through electrode windows 912 of main body 910 and/or re-establish electrical contact with conduit 105.
  • a retractable electrode assembly in Figs. 9 and 10 is only exemplary. It should be appreciated that any suitable structure and/or method for automatically or selectively retracting one or more electrodes away from conduit 105 in response to a detected condition or command can be used.
  • suitable retractable electrode assemblies may comprise axial slips, torsional cams, pivoting arms, mechanical bow springs, radial screw posts, inflates (swell packers), and eccentric rings, only to name some possibilities.
  • Fig. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method for utilizing a measuring device comprising one or more retractable electrode assemblies within an operating environment.
  • a measuring device as described previously herein may be positioned within a production conduit.
  • the conduit may be a well casing, a subterranean pipeline, or an
  • the measuring device after the measuring device has been positioned within the conduit at a desirable location, it can be secured to the inner wall of the conduit using any of the aforementioned structure and/or methods.
  • the measuring device may be secured within the conduit using one or more anchor systems.
  • a receptacle system or one or more electrode assemblies may be used to secure the measuring device.
  • the one or more retractable electrode assemblies may be signaled and the electrodes may move into a protracted position in which they contact the inner wall of the conduit.
  • the electrodes may establish sufficient contact with the inner wall of the conduit so as to provide a reliable electrical connection therebetween.
  • the protracted electrodes may not only serve to provide a reliable electrical connection with the conduit, but may also serve to secure the measuring device within the conduit as described above with respect to step 1110.
  • components within an electronics vessel of the measuring device may begin sensing, collecting, storing, and analyzing various information regarding the production environment, including temperature of fluids or gases flowing through or around the measuring device. Further, upon establishment of the electrical connection with the conduit, information can be transmitted to, and received from, the surface and/or other equipment within the conduit.
  • a commenced, ongoing, impending, or likely thermal event may be detected.
  • the event may be detected by the measuring device, by some other equipment within the conduit, or by equipment/operators at the surface. Alternatively, the event may be detected based, at least in part, on information gathered and/or analysis performed across multiple devices or operators within and outside the conduit.
  • the retractable electrode assembly may be signaled and the electrodes may move into a retracted position away from the inner wall of the conduit at step 1140.
  • the electrodes may retreat only a distance necessary such that contact with the inner wall of the conduit is lost.
  • the electrodes may retreat through corresponding electrode windows and into the retractable electrode assembly. Regardless, the electrodes are retracted sufficiently such that no substantial interface between the measuring device and the conduit exists at which to develop undesirable thermal strains resulting from any expansion of the components of the measuring device resulting from the thermal event.
  • measuring device comprises a pair of retractable electrode assemblies for securing the measuring device and establishing electrical contact with the conduit (and no other securing means such as an anchor system, a receptacle system, or other type of electrode assembly is present in the measuring device)
  • only one of the retractable electrode assemblies need be signaled to retract.
  • both retractable electrode assemblies may be signaled to retract without fear of altering the position of the measuring device within the conduit.
  • step 1150 it may be determined that the thermal event (or threat thereof) has passed or is no longer a concern. This determination may be made by the measuring device, by some other equipment within the conduit, or by equipment/operators at the surface. Alternatively, the determination may be made based, at least in part, on information gathered and/or analysis performed across multiple devices or operators within and outside the conduit.
  • the retractable electrode assembly or assemblies can be signaled and the electrodes can move back into a protracted position where securement and/or electrical contact may be re-established with the inner wall of the conduit.
  • Fig. 12 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a measuring device described herein.
  • the depicted measuring device may be configured for measuring the temperature and pressure of fluids or gases within a conduit and wirelessly transmitting that information to the surface or to a seafloor receiver.
  • the measuring device may further be configured for receiving information from the surface, a seafloor receiver, or other equipment within the operating environment.
  • Measuring device 1200 may comprise an electronics vessel 1210, a pair of electrode assemblies 1220, 1230, and a power source 1240.
  • the power source may be a turbine alternator that can serve to power the measurement and control electronics within electronics vessel 1210.
  • output and input signals of the electronics vessel may be coupled to electrode assemblies 1220, 1230 and a conductive spacer 1250 by a transformer chamber 1260.
  • An expansion joint 1270 may be interposed between the electrode assemblies, thereby protecting device 1200 from thermal strains resulting from thermal events in the production environment.
  • Measuring device 1200 may be further configured for securement within the conduit or casing by an anchor system (not shown) substantially similar to those described above by way of an adapter 1280.
  • measuring device 1200 may comprise a through-bore running the length of the device, allowing fluids or gases within the conduit to move through the device in operation.
  • All the embodiments of a measuring device described above can be used in a conduit for detecting, measuring, storing, analyzing, transmitting, or receiving information pertaining to a production environment.
  • a method of use can comprise the provision of one or more of the devices described above, including but not limited to a measuring device comprising one or more electrode assemblies, flexible electrode assemblies, retractable electrode assemblies, and/or flexible couplings.
  • Additional features can also be incorporated into the described systems and methods to improve their functionality. For example, while the aforementioned embodiments guard against thermal strain resulting from a thermal event, there are also strains and vibrations which can develop in the measuring device due to excitation of resonances in the measuring device caused by fluids or gases flowing within the conduit. It is particularly important to understand these resonances with respect to the spacing of the electrode assemblies and anchor mounting hardware (including receptacle systems) along the elongate body of a measuring device. It is often necessary to include additional mechanical contacts or damping along the body of the measuring device in order to control or mitigate these vibrations. Only with a well- connected, stable electrode system can communications be successfully conducted over long time periods in a live production environment.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des systèmes, des dispositifs et des procédés pour détecter, mesurer, transmettre et recevoir des informations concernant un environnement de production de pétrole ou de gaz. Un dispositif de mesure peut être positionné et fixé dans un conduit de production d'une telle manière que des changements soudains de température entraînant l'expansion d'un ou plusieurs éléments du dispositif de mesure n'interrompent pas ou n'ont pas d'impact négatif sur les connexions électriques établies entre le dispositif de mesure et la paroi interne du conduit. Comme résultat, le dispositif de mesure décrit dans la description peut demeurer dans le conduit pendant des périodes de temps plus longues tout en maintenant une performance optimale. De plus, le dispositif de mesure peut être adapté dans un environnement de production existant et fixé de façon sélective à un endroit souhaitable dans le conduit de production.
PCT/US2014/011087 2014-01-10 2014-01-10 Plate-forme de communication sans fil pour un fonctionnement dans des conduits WO2015105505A1 (fr)

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PCT/US2014/011087 WO2015105505A1 (fr) 2014-01-10 2014-01-10 Plate-forme de communication sans fil pour un fonctionnement dans des conduits

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PCT/US2014/011087 WO2015105505A1 (fr) 2014-01-10 2014-01-10 Plate-forme de communication sans fil pour un fonctionnement dans des conduits

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106980290A (zh) * 2017-03-28 2017-07-25 合肥创巢信息技术有限公司 一种基于物联网的隧道灯数据交换系统
WO2019086851A1 (fr) * 2017-11-03 2019-05-09 Expro North Sea Limited Dispositifs déployables et procédés

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020043369A1 (en) * 2000-01-24 2002-04-18 Vinegar Harold J. Petroleum well having downhole sensors, communication and power
US20070037034A1 (en) * 2005-08-11 2007-02-15 Ardica Technologies Fluid pump and connector assembly
WO2011067558A2 (fr) * 2009-12-04 2011-06-09 Sensor Developments As Procédé et appareil pour la mesure et la commande in situ dans un puits de forage grâce à une connectivité inductive
US20120193106A1 (en) * 2008-12-31 2012-08-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., A Delaware Corporation Recovering heated fluid using well equipment

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020043369A1 (en) * 2000-01-24 2002-04-18 Vinegar Harold J. Petroleum well having downhole sensors, communication and power
US20070037034A1 (en) * 2005-08-11 2007-02-15 Ardica Technologies Fluid pump and connector assembly
US20120193106A1 (en) * 2008-12-31 2012-08-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., A Delaware Corporation Recovering heated fluid using well equipment
WO2011067558A2 (fr) * 2009-12-04 2011-06-09 Sensor Developments As Procédé et appareil pour la mesure et la commande in situ dans un puits de forage grâce à une connectivité inductive

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106980290A (zh) * 2017-03-28 2017-07-25 合肥创巢信息技术有限公司 一种基于物联网的隧道灯数据交换系统
WO2019086851A1 (fr) * 2017-11-03 2019-05-09 Expro North Sea Limited Dispositifs déployables et procédés
US11828170B2 (en) 2017-11-03 2023-11-28 Expro North Sea Limited Method for communicating electrical signals in a well
US11933167B2 (en) 2017-11-03 2024-03-19 Expro North Sea Limited Deployable electrical contact device

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