Adjustable Profile Casing Collar Locator for Depth Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore operations lack an effective method to accurately correlate depth within a wellbore, particularly for operations involving casing collars, as existing technologies struggle to reliably detect and engage these features.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a tubular mandrel, top and bottom sub-assemblies, and a profile that can be adjusted between engaged and disengaged states using hydraulic pressure, allowing for precise correlation of depth by engaging and disengaging with casing collars, and transmitting signals through fluid pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a profile is kept in a fixed engaged state to reliably detect casing collars, then detection reliability improves, but the tool cannot adapt to varying wellbore diameters and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The profile is designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged states rather than fixed. Hydraulic actuation allows the profile to dynamically adjust its position based on wellbore conditions, enabling reliable detection when engaged and smooth passage when disengaged, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and adaptability
2Measurement precision
If a profile is constantly engaged with the wellbore to ensure accurate depth correlation, then measurement precision improves, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The profile engages with the wellbore periodically rather than continuously - engaging when depth correlation is needed and disengaging when moving between measurement points. This periodic engagement reduces cumulative friction and wear while maintaining measurement precision during active correlation phases
3Ease of operation
If the profile is retracted to reduce friction during tool movement, then ease of operation improves, but depth correlation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic feedback control where pressure changes trigger profile engagement for depth correlation, then pressure release allows disengagement for smooth movement. This feedback mechanism ensures the profile is engaged only when needed for measurement, maintaining both operational ease and correlation reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate depth correlation by engaging and disengaging with casing collars, facilitating reliable depth determination and log generation, while reducing wear and improving tool movement in wellbores with varying diameters and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
the wedge sleeve is hydraulically-actuated
Implementation Method 2
a spring arranged between the wedge sleeve and the sliding piston sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore include a casing collar locator tool that includes a tubular mandrel defining a bore therethrough; a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly carried on the tubular mandrel; a profile carried on the tubular mandrel axially between the top sub-assembly and bottom sub-assembly and adjustable between an engaged state defined by the profile extending radially away from the mandrel and a disengaged state defined by the profile refracted towards the mandrel; and a wedge sleeve carried on the tubular mandrel between the top sub-assembly and the bottom sub-assembly and arranged, at least in part, axially adjacent the profile, the wedge sleeve actuatable to urge the profile into at least one of the engaged state or the disengaged state.