Wellbore liquid level measuring device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of oil exploration, and is a wellbore liquid level measuring device, which includes a wellhead sound generating device, a control device, a gas generating device and a connecting pipe. The outlet of the gas generating device is fixedly connected and communicated with the inlet of the wellhead sound generating device, and the outlet of the wellhead sound generating device is fixedly connected and communicated with a connecting pipe. The structure of the present invention is reasonable and compact, and it is convenient to use. Through the control device, the gas generating device transmits gas into the wellhead conduit and generates sound waves. The sound waves are transmitted to the lower part of the wellhead conduit. When the sound waves reach the liquid surface, echoes can be generated. The reflected sound waves are received by the wellhead sound generating device, and then the liquid surface position can be calculated through the control device. It can timely master the dynamic information of the drilling fluid liquid level, effectively prevent the occurrence of drilling accidents, provide technical guarantee for engineering prediction, and has the characteristics of safety, labor saving, simplicity and high efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of oil exploration and is a wellbore liquid level measuring device. Background Art

[0002] By summarizing and analyzing well control safety accidents over the years and learning from the experience and lessons, with the gradual transformation of the well control safety management concept, a working mode has been formed with drilling as the core and other specialized units closely cooperating to jointly ensure well control safety. At present, major domestic oilfields are also continuously strengthening the role of mud logging in well control safety work and putting forward higher and stricter requirements for mud logging work. How to implement "early detection, early reporting, early treatment, and early control" without compromise is a difficult problem facing mud logging technicians.

[0003] The most core work of mud logging in ensuring well control safety is how to detect well leakage and overflow in a timely and accurate manner and give early warnings. However, there are deficiencies in the current mud logging in detecting well leakage. It only relies on monitoring parameters such as pit volume and outlet flow rate to detect well leakage, and the disadvantages are manifested as single means and parameter distortion. Therefore, the current technologies and methods cannot ensure well control safety throughout the production cycle. The research on wellbore liquid level monitoring technology is to continuously monitor the wellbore liquid level in real time, timely master the dynamic of the drilling fluid level in the wellbore, prevent drilling accidents from occurring, always maintain the primary well control state, provide technical support for engineering early warning, and achieve absolute well control safety. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a wellbore liquid level measuring device, which overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art and can effectively solve the problems of single means, parameter distortion, inability to timely master the dynamic of the drilling fluid level, and inability to effectively prevent drilling accidents existing in the current mud logging operation.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is achieved by the following measures: A wellbore liquid level measuring device includes a wellhead sound generating device, a control device, a gas generating device, and a connecting pipe. The outlet of the gas generating device is fixedly connected and communicated with the inlet of the wellhead sound generating device. The outlet of the wellhead sound generating device is fixedly connected with a connecting pipe. The lower end surface of the connecting pipe is an inclined surface with an angle not greater than 30 degrees with its central axis. The wellhead sound generating device is electrically connected with a control device that can control it to emit sound waves to the connecting pipe and collect data according to the back-propagated sound wave information.

[0006] The following is a further optimization and / or improvement of the above-mentioned technical solution of the invention:

[0007] As a preference, the above-mentioned connecting pipe can be a vertically arranged tubular structure, and the lower end surface of the connecting pipe is an inclined surface with an angle of 30 degrees with its central axis.

[0008] As another preference, the above may further include a shell, which is a semi-circular shell with an opening to the left. A connecting through-hole communicating left and right is provided in the upper part of the shell. The outer side of the shell corresponding to the position of the connecting through-hole is fixedly communicated with the lower end of the connecting pipe. The front side and the rear side of the lower end of the shell are respectively fixed with a front connecting plate and a rear connecting plate. At least two front mounting through-holes are spaced along the axial direction of the shell on the front connecting plate. A rear mounting through-hole is provided on the rear connecting plate corresponding to each front mounting through-hole. A U-shaped bolt is provided in each of the front mounting through-hole and the corresponding rear mounting through-hole. A fastening nut is screwed on the outer side of the U-shaped bolt corresponding to the right side of the front connecting plate and the right side of the rear connecting plate.

[0009] The above connecting pipe may include a first straight pipe section, a tapered pipe section and a second straight pipe section which are fixedly communicated with each other in sequence from top to bottom. The lower end face of the second straight pipe section is an inclined plane with an included angle of 30 degrees with its central axis. The tapered pipe section is a cone with a smaller upper part and a larger lower part. There is a connecting thread in the first straight pipe section.

[0010] An inverted "L"-shaped sound insulation ear may be fixedly installed on the inner side of the shell corresponding to the upper end position of the connecting through-hole.

[0011] The above gas generating device may include an air compressor, a nitrogen generator, a booster and a gas storage tank. The outlet of the air compressor is fixedly communicated with the inlet of the nitrogen generator. The outlet of the nitrogen generator is fixedly communicated with the inlet of the booster. The outlet of the booster is fixedly communicated with the inlet of the gas storage tank. An air inlet pipe is fixedly communicated between the outlet of the gas storage tank and the inlet of the wellhead sound generating device. An air inlet valve is provided on the air inlet pipe. The air inlet valve is electrically connected with the control device. The nitrogen generator is electrically connected with an electric contact pressure gauge capable of controlling its start and stop.

[0012] The above control device may include a host computer, a control box with a box cover, and a control module and a power module installed in the control box. The power module, the wellhead sound generating device and the air inlet valve are all electrically connected with the control module. The control module is communicatively connected with the host computer.

[0013] The structure of the present invention is reasonable and compact, and it is convenient to use. Through the control device, the gas generating device transmits gas into the wellhead conduit and generates sound waves. The sound waves are transmitted to the lower part of the wellhead conduit. When the sound waves reach the liquid level, an echo can be generated. The reflected sound waves are received by the wellhead sound generating device, and then the liquid level position can be calculated through the control device, which can timely master the dynamic information of the drilling fluid level, effectively prevent the occurrence of drilling accidents, provide technical guarantee for engineering forecasting, and has the characteristics of safety, labor saving, simplicity and high efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Attached Figure 1 It is a front view structural schematic diagram when the wellhead sound generating device and the connecting pipe are connected in the first embodiment.

[0015] AttachedFigure 2 Schematic structural diagram when used in the first embodiment.

[0016] Appendix Figure 3 Schematic partial sectional front view of the wellhead sound generating device and the connecting pipe when connected in the second embodiment.

[0017] Appendix Figure 4 Schematic structural diagram when used in the second embodiment.

[0018] The codes in the attached drawings are respectively: 1 is the wellhead sound generating device, 2 is the air compressor, 3 is the nitrogen generator, 4 is the booster, 5 is the gas storage tank, 6 is the electric contact pressure gauge, 7 is the inlet valve, 8 is the upper computer, 9 is the control box, 10 is the control module, 11 is the power supply module, 12 is the first straight pipe section, 13 is the tapered pipe section, 14 is the second straight pipe section, 15 is the sound insulating ear, 16 is the pipe shell, 17 is the front connecting plate, 18 is the U-bolt, 19 is the fastening nut, 20 is the conduit, and 21 is the rotating assembly. Detailed implementation manners

[0019] The present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and the specific implementation manners can be determined according to the technical solution of the present invention and the actual situation.

[0020] In the present invention, for the convenience of description, the relative position relationships of various components are all described according to the layout mode of the attached Figure 1 drawings of the specification. For example, the position relationships such as front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right are determined according to the layout direction of the attached drawings of the specification.

[0021] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments and the attached drawings:

[0022] Embodiment 1: As shown in the attached Figure 1 , 2 , the wellbore liquid level measuring device includes a wellhead sound generating device 1, a control device, a gas generating device, and a connecting pipe. The outlet of the gas generating device is fixedly and communicatively connected to the inlet of the wellhead sound generating device 1. The outlet of the wellhead sound generating device 1 is fixedly communicatively connected with a connecting pipe. The lower end surface of the connecting pipe is an inclined surface with an angle not greater than 30 degrees with its central axis. The wellhead sound generating device 1 is electrically connected to a control device that can control it to emit sound waves to the connecting pipe and collect data according to the returned sound wave information.

[0023] According to requirements, the wellhead sound generating device 1 is a well-known prior art, such as the external explosion wellhead sound generating device 1 with a microphone and a pressure sensor produced by Shanghai Shenkai Petroleum Technology Co., Ltd. During the conventional drilling operation, the lower end of the connecting pipe is fixedly connected and communicated with the upper part of the wellhead conduit 20. The distance between the highest point of the connection between the connecting pipe and the wellhead conduit 20 and the wellhead is L1, and L1 is greater than 600 mm. The distance between the lowest point of the connection between the connecting pipe and the wellhead conduit 20 and the highest point of the drilling fluid outlet is L2, and L2 is greater than 400 mm. The included angle between the central axis of the connecting pipe and the central axis of the wellhead conduit 20 is 30 degrees. Through the control device, the gas generating device transmits gas into the wellhead conduit 20 to generate sound waves. The sound waves are transmitted to the lower part of the wellhead conduit 20. When the sound waves reach the liquid level, an echo can be generated. The reflected sound waves are received by the wellhead sound generating device 1, and then the liquid level position can be calculated through the control device, enabling timely grasp of the dynamic information of the drilling fluid level, effectively preventing the occurrence of drilling accidents, and providing technical guarantee for engineering forecasting. The structure of the present invention is reasonable and compact, easy to use, and has the characteristics of safety, labor saving, simplicity, and high efficiency.

[0024] According to actual needs, the above-mentioned wellbore liquid level measuring device can be further optimized and / or improved as follows:

[0025] As shown in the appendix Figure 1 、 2 As shown, the connecting pipe is a vertically arranged tubular structure, and the lower end face of the connecting pipe is an inclined plane with an included angle of 30 degrees with its central axis.

[0026] During use, through such a setting, it is convenient for the installation of the connecting pipe.

[0027] As shown in the appendix Figure 2 As shown, the gas generating device includes an air compressor 2, a nitrogen generator 3, a booster 4, and a gas storage tank 5. The outlet of the air compressor 2 is fixedly connected and communicated with the inlet of the nitrogen generator 3. The outlet of the nitrogen generator 3 is fixedly connected and communicated with the inlet of the booster 4. The outlet of the booster 4 is fixedly connected and communicated with the inlet of the gas storage tank 5. There is an inlet pipe fixedly connected between the outlet of the gas storage tank 5 and the inlet of the wellhead sound generating device 1. An inlet valve 7 is provided on the inlet pipe, and the inlet valve 7 is electrically connected to the control device. The nitrogen generator 3 is electrically connected to an electric contact pressure gauge 6 capable of controlling its start and stop.

[0028] According to requirements, the air compressor 2 is a known technology in the art, and the nitrogen generator 3 is a known technology in the art. For example, the nitrogen generator 3 with the model HYFD99-1, nitrogen flow rate of 0-15 L / min, nitrogen purity of 99%, and maximum output pressure of 6.5 bar. A dryer for drying air is provided between the inlet of the nitrogen generator 3 and the outlet of the air compressor 2. The booster 4 is a known technology in the art. For example, the booster 4 with the model PU-05, maximum working pressure of 3.5 MPa, zero-pressure flow rate of 620 L / min, and driving air source regulating pressure of 0-10 bar. The inlet of the gas storage tank 5 is provided with a gas storage valve, and the gas storage valve is electrically connected to the air compressor 2. During use, through such a setting, a monitoring station can be established at the wellhead, effectively solving the problem that high-pressure containers need to be transported by professional vehicles, and at the same time meeting the liquid level monitoring under different drilling rigs, different well types, and different drilling conditions.

[0029] As shown in the attached Figure 2 figure, the control device includes a host computer 8, a control box 9 with a box cover, and a control module 10 and a power module 11 installed in the control box 9. The power module 11, the wellhead sound generating device 1, and the intake valve 7 are all electrically connected to the control module 10, and the control module 10 is communicatively connected to the host computer 8.

[0030] According to requirements, the host computer 8 is a known technology in the art. For example, a notebook with a dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) wireless network card configuration. The control module 10 is a known technology in the art. The control module 10 is composed of a known acquisition assembly and a controller. The controller is connected to the wellhead sound generating device 1 and the intake valve 7 through control cables respectively to drive the intake valve 7 and the wellhead sound generating device 1 to act. There is an acquisition board on the acquisition assembly for acquiring and processing the well liquid level acoustic wave curve signal. The acquisition board and the wellhead sound generating device 1 are connected together through a BNC audio cable. The control module 10 and the host computer 8 can be wirelessly communicatively connected. For example, the WIFI module on the host computer 8 is wirelessly communicatively connected to the WIFI module on the control module 10. The host computer 8 sends commands to the controller and then drives the sound generating driving device and the intake valve 7 to act. The liquid level acoustic wave curve signal acquired by the acquisition assembly is uploaded to the host computer 8, and the liquid level position information is obtained after being interpreted by the operator or the host computer 8. The control module 10 and the host computer 8 can also be wired communicatively connected. For example, the control module 10, a digital wireless receiver with a POE power adapter, and the control module 10 are connected in sequence through cables. During use, through such a setting, it is possible to remotely or on-site receive data and control the wellhead sound generating device 1, and it is also possible to automatically measure at time intervals set according to work requirements, realizing continuous monitoring of the dynamic liquid level, reducing the frequency of personnel going out, and reducing the safety risks in the operation area.

[0031] Embodiment 2: As shown in the attached Figure 3 、 4As shown, it further includes a shell 16. The shell 16 is a semi-cylindrical shell with an opening to the left. There is a connecting through-hole that is connected left and right on the upper part of the shell 16. The outer side of the shell 16 corresponding to the position of the connecting through-hole is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting pipe. The front side and the rear side of the lower end of the shell 16 are respectively fixed with a front connecting plate 17 and a rear connecting plate. There are at least two front mounting through-holes spaced along the axial direction of the shell 16 on the front connecting plate 17. There are rear mounting through-holes on the rear connecting plate corresponding to each front mounting through-hole. A U-shaped bolt 18 is provided in each front mounting through-hole and the corresponding rear mounting through-hole. A fastening nut 19 is screwed on the outer side of the U-shaped bolt 18 corresponding to the right side of the front connecting plate 17 and the right side of the rear connecting plate.

[0032] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the shell 16 is fixedly connected to the rotary control assembly. According to requirements, a flat washer and a spring washer are also installed on the U-shaped nut between the fastening nut 19 and the connecting plate. During the special drilling operation, after the rotary control assembly is installed at the wellhead, the shell 16 is fixedly installed at the position of the rotary control drilling fluid outlet through two U-shaped bolts 18. The control device enables the gas generating device to transmit gas into the wellhead conduit 20 and generate sound waves. The sound waves are transmitted to the lower part of the wellhead conduit 20. When the sound waves reach the liquid level, an echo can be generated. The reflected sound waves are received by the wellhead sound generating device 1, and then the liquid level position can be calculated through the control device, and the dynamic information of the drilling fluid level can be grasped in a timely manner.

[0033] As shown in the appendix Figure 3 、 4 As shown, the connecting pipe includes a first straight pipe section 12, a tapered pipe section 13, and a second straight pipe section 14 that are fixedly connected together in sequence from top to bottom. The lower end face of the second straight pipe section 14 is an inclined plane with an angle of 30 degrees with its central axis. The tapered pipe section 13 is a cone with a smaller upper part and a larger lower part. There is a connecting thread in the first straight pipe section 12.

[0034] According to requirements, the outer diameter of the first straight pipe section 12 is 80 mm, and the outer diameter of the second straight pipe section 14 is 108 mm. During use, by setting the tapered pipe section 13, the echo receiving area is increased, the echo amplitude is increased, and the problem that the waveform is not easy to analyze can be effectively solved.

[0035] As shown in the appendix Figure 3 As shown, an inverted "L"-shaped sound blocking ear 15 is fixedly installed on the inner side of the shell 16 corresponding to the upper end position of the connecting through-hole.

[0036] According to requirements, the inner wall of the sound blocking ear 15 can be an arc surface with an opening facing downwards. During use, by setting the sound blocking ear 15, it is easier to transmit nitrogen into the conduit 20, generate sound waves, and improve the working efficiency and the reliability of the present invention.

[0037] The above technical features constitute an embodiment of the present invention, which has strong adaptability and implementation effects. Non-essential technical features can be added or subtracted according to actual needs to meet the requirements of different situations.

Claims

1. A wellbore liquid level measuring device, characterized in that It includes a wellhead sound - generating device, a control device, a gas - producing device, and a connecting pipe. The outlet of the gas - producing device is fixedly and communicatively connected to the inlet of the wellhead sound - generating device. The outlet of the wellhead sound - generating device is fixedly and communicatively connected with a connecting pipe. The lower end surface of the connecting pipe is an inclined surface with an angle not greater than 30 degrees with its central axis. The wellhead sound - generating device is electrically connected to a control device that can control it to emit sound waves into the connecting pipe and collect data according to the returned sound - wave information. It further includes a pipe shell. The pipe shell is a semi - circular shell with an opening to the left. There is a connecting through - hole that is communicated left - right on the upper part of the pipe shell. The outer side of the pipe shell corresponding to the position of the connecting through - hole is fixedly and communicatively connected to the lower end of the connecting pipe. The front side and the rear side of the lower end of the pipe shell are respectively fixed with a front connecting plate and a rear connecting plate. There are at least two front mounting through - holes spaced along the axial direction of the pipe shell on the front connecting plate. There is a rear mounting through - hole on the rear connecting plate corresponding to each front mounting through - hole position. A U - shaped bolt is arranged in each front mounting through - hole and the corresponding rear mounting through - hole. A fastening nut is screwed on the outer side of the U - shaped bolt corresponding to the right side of the front connecting plate and the right side of the rear connecting plate. The connecting pipe includes a first straight - pipe section, a tapered pipe section, and a second straight - pipe section that are fixedly and communicatively connected together from top to bottom. The lower end surface of the second straight - pipe section is an inclined surface with an angle of 30 degrees with its central axis. The tapered pipe section is a cone with a smaller upper part and a larger lower part. There is a connecting thread in the first straight - pipe section. An inverted "L" - shaped sound - blocking ear is fixedly installed on the inner side of the pipe shell corresponding to the upper end position of the connecting through - hole. During the conventional drilling operation, the lower end of the connecting pipe is fixedly and communicatively connected to the upper part of the wellhead conduit. The distance between the highest point of the connection between the connecting pipe and the wellhead conduit and the wellhead is greater than 600 mm. The distance between the lowest point of the connection between the connecting pipe and the wellhead conduit and the highest point of the drilling fluid outlet is greater than 400 mm.

2. The wellbore liquid level measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting pipe is a vertically - arranged tubular structure. The lower end surface of the connecting pipe is an inclined surface with an angle of 30 degrees with its central axis.

3. The wellbore liquid level measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The gas - producing device includes an air compressor, a nitrogen generator, a booster, and a gas storage tank. The outlet of the air compressor is fixedly and communicatively connected to the inlet of the nitrogen generator. The outlet of the nitrogen generator is fixedly and communicatively connected to the inlet of the booster. The outlet of the booster is fixedly and communicatively connected to the inlet of the gas storage tank. There is an inlet pipe fixedly and communicatively connected between the outlet of the gas storage tank and the inlet of the wellhead sound - generating device. An inlet valve is arranged on the inlet pipe. The inlet valve is electrically connected to the control device. The nitrogen generator is electrically connected to an electric contact pressure gauge that can control its start - stop.

4. The wellbore liquid level measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that The control device includes a host computer, a control box with a box cover, and a control module and a power module installed in the control box. The power module, the wellhead sound - generating device, and the inlet valve are all electrically connected to the control module. The control module is communicatively connected to the host computer.

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