Pipeline instrumentation and control system

Abstract

A pipeline instrumentation and control system comprising a first electrically insulated radiating cable for controlled radiation and reception of electromagnetic signaling carried to a second electrically insulated radiating cable wherein first and second electrically insulated radiating cables are axially disposed along a production well pipe and wherein first axially radiating cable comprises a section configured to substantially overlap second radiating cable section and further wherein electrical signals present in first radiating cable section is configured to induce a corresponding signal in said second radiating cable section to facilitate the transfer of electromagnetic radiation therebetween. The present invention provides reliable data communication from any location within the production system and improves reservoir management, well planning and resource exploitation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of GB 1010095.6 filed Jun. 16, 2010, which application is fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a radiating cable for the transfer of data signals in a confined space. More particularly, the present invention relates to a leaky radiating cable for the transfer of signals within a pipe structure. Further, the invention relates to a method for providing signal coupling between a first transmission line and a second transmission line e.g. for a hydrocarbon extraction facility.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In some industrial applications communications may be required between two pieces of equipment deployed inside a pipe structure. One example of such an application is found in the oil and gas industry. The extraction of hydrocarbons from a well system is a very challenging task with such systems typically comprising a complex network of meta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The radiating cable system enables simple, reliable, and efficient data transfer in hostile environments, maintaining communication links between downhole sensors and control stations without interference from fluids and solids within the pipes, reducing the risk of single-point failures.

Problems solved by technology

The extraction of hydrocarbons from a well system is a very challenging task with such systems typically comprising a complex network of metallic pipes through which oil or gas is supplied from an underground reservoir to a production platform.

The requirement to provide such information is extremely challenging due to the very constrained nature of the pipe structure.

However, these systems suffer from interference from the acoustic noise generated by drilling operations.

Acoustic signaling within the pipe walls and through the fluid carried by production pipes suffers from similar limitations.

This technique has also been found to be unreliable in an extreme environment such as in a well system.

Furthermore, the production tubing and casing are assembled in sections and this complicates deployment of a wired system which has to be threaded through the centre of the pipe as each section is deployed.

In this environment electrically conductive cables and electrically conductive connectors provide very low reliability.

Moreover, hard wired cables are permanently interfaced to control devices and sensors and should one part of the system fail then this often results in failure of the whole command and control network.

Such single point failure is highly undesirable in a well based production facility.

In summary, the communication systems described above are disadvantageous in that they are complicated in use, unreliable due to the harsh environment in which they are exposed, and expensive to install.

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