Tubing-Casing Annulus Scanner Tool for Non-Invasive Well Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, accessing the tubing-casing annulus without removing the production tubing from the well is challenging, as conventional methods require de-completing the well, which is time-consuming and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A scanner tool is deployed within the tubing-casing annulus, equipped with calipers and an electronically conductive cable, allowing it to move up and downhole to gather well data without removing the production tubing, and transmit data to a surface computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If de-completion and removal of production tubing is performed to access the tubing-casing annulus, then access to the annulus is achieved, but operational time increases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner tool is deployed within the production tubing while it remains installed in the well. The tool navigates through the tubing-casing annulus space without requiring removal of the production tubing, effectively nesting the scanning operation within the existing well configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner tool acts as an intermediary device that enables access to and measurement within the tubing-casing annulus through the production tubing without requiring de-completion of the well. This mediator allows annulus inspection while the well remains in its operational state.
2Ease of operation
If de-completion and removal of production tubing is performed to access the tubing-casing annulus, then access to the annulus is achieved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner tool operates within the production tubing that remains installed in the well, nesting the inspection operation within the existing well configuration. This eliminates the need to remove the production tubing, thereby maintaining well integrity and reducing safety risks associated with de-completion operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner tool serves as an intermediary that enables annulus access and measurement without requiring well de-completion. By maintaining the production tubing in place, the system preserves well safety and reliability while still achieving the measurement objective.
3Measurement precision
If conventional de-completion methods are used to access the tubing-casing annulus, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and operational procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner tool is deployed through the production tubing without requiring well de-completion, simplifying the operational procedure. The tool navigates the annulus space and performs measurements while the well remains in its operational configuration, reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner tool acts as an intermediary measurement device that can access the tubing-casing annulus through the production tubing. This approach achieves measurement capability without the complex de-completion procedures, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first tubular body deployed within a second tubular body, a scanner tool, and an electronically conductive cable. The scanner tool is movably disposed around the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular body and located within an annulus. The scanner tool includes a tool housing, a conduit, and calipers. The tool housing has a housing outer surface and a housing inner surface. The conduit is defined by the housing inner surface. The first tubular body extends therein. The calipers are distributed around the housing outer surface. The calipers are configured to measure well data. The electronically conductive cable is connected to the tool housing and is configured to transmit the well data between the scanner tool and a computer located at a surface location. The electronically conductive cable is further configured to move the scanner tool up hole and downhole along the first tubular body.