Automated Coordination of Wellbore Treatment and Pump-Down Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore stimulation jobs lack coordination and communication between different well services, leading to inefficiencies and reduced active pumping hours due to manual coordination and lack of automation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a treatment fluid system, pump-down system, and fluid valve system, controlled by a controller that monitors and automates the operational status and controls operations of these systems to facilitate coordinated pumping and perforating operations in wellbores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual coordination is used between well services, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity decreases due to fewer active pumping hours per day
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple well services (treatment fluid pumping, pump-down operations, and fluid valve control) into a single integrated automated system. The controller receives inputs from all services and coordinates their operations automatically, eliminating the need for separate manual coordination while increasing active pumping hours through streamlined transitions between operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors operational status from sensors and equipment feedback. This real-time information allows the automated system to adjust operations dynamically, optimize timing between services, and maximize productive pumping hours based on actual system conditions rather than fixed manual schedules.
2Reliability
If multiple well services operate independently, then each service can be optimized individually, but loss of information occurs due to lack of communication between services
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as a universal coordination platform that handles multiple functions simultaneously: monitoring treatment fluid pumping, managing pump-down operations, controlling fluid valves, and optimizing overall system performance. This multi-functional approach ensures all services operate reliably while sharing a common information architecture that prevents data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between all well services, receiving data from sensors and equipment across different services and distributing coordinated control signals back to them. This central mediation ensures continuous information flow between services that would otherwise operate in isolation, maintaining both individual service optimization and system-wide communication.
3Productivity
If automated coordination is implemented, then productivity increases through continuous operation, but device complexity increases due to integrated control system
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: treatment fluid pumping control, pump-down operation control, fluid valve control, and coordination logic. Each module handles specific tasks independently but communicates through the central controller, enabling continuous operation while managing complexity through modular design that simplifies implementation and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein enable coordinated pumping operations. An example system may include a treatment fluid system configured to pump a treatment fluid into a wellbore, a pump-down system configured to pump a pump-down fluid into the wellbore to convey a perforating tool, a fluid valve system configured to selectively fluidly connect and disconnect the treatment fluid system and the pump-down system to and from the wellbore, and a controller communicatively connected to the treatment fluid system, the pump-down system, and the fluid valve system. The controller may be configured to monitor operational status of the treatment fluid system, the pump-down system, and the fluid valve system, and control operations of the treatment fluid system, the pump-down system, and the fluid valve system based at least in part on the operational status of the treatment fluid system, the pump-down system, and the fluid valve system.