Power system for downhole toolstring

Abstract

A downhole power system is provided that includes an energy storage adapted to operate at high temperatures, and a modular signal interface device that serves to control the energy storage component as well as offer a means of data logging at high temperatures. The controller is fabricated from pre-assembled components that may be selected for various combinations to provide desired functionality. The energy storage may include at least one ultracapacitor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 896,009, filed Oct. 25, 2014; the present application is also a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2014 / 029992 filed Mar. 15, 2014, which in turn claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 843,746 filed Mar. 15, 2013, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 888,133 filed Oct. 8, 2013. The entire contents of each of the foregoing references is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Systems and methods directed to providing power to instruments in a downhole environment are generally described.[0003]As people and companies continue to search for and extract oil, the quest for hydrocarbons has grown increasingly complex. For example, it is well known that the “easy oil” is generally gone, and exploration now requires searching to greater depths than ever before by drilling a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a power system that can store and use energy. It includes a high temperature rechargeable energy storage (HTRES) and a controller that manages its charging and discharging. The controller is designed to increase the efficiency of the power system to over 90%. The power system is suitable for use in a temperature range of 75 to 210 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the invention describes a method to improve drilling dynamics by using the described data system.

Problems solved by technology

As people and companies continue to search for and extract oil, the quest for hydrocarbons has grown increasingly complex.

While drilling of the wellbore permits individuals and companies to evaluate sub-surface materials and to extract desired hydrocarbons, many problems are encountered in these harsh environments, where downhole temperatures may range up to or in excess of 300 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, present day instrumentation is generally not built to operate in such an environment, and will fail well before reaching ambient temperatures within this range.

This complication has given rise to all sorts of complex instrumentation.

Consistent with other segments of technology, increasing complexity of instrumentation presents users with increasing power demands.

In particular, elevated temperatures often present technical limitations where conventional systems fail.

For example, conventional power systems comprising electronics and energy storage will fail at temperatures found in downhole environments either due to degradation or destruction of the conventional energy storage or of the conventional electronics.

Moreover, improved instrumentation systems often demand greater capabilities of power systems.

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