Autonomous Bottomhole Choke for Managed Pressure Cementing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore cementing processes face challenges in maintaining real-time control of bottomhole pressure due to reliance on surface measurements and hydraulic models, leading to potential fluid loss and influx issues during drilling and cementing operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous bottomhole choke system that includes pressure sensors and a controller to provide real-time pressure sensing and control by actuating a choke valve at the wellbore's bottom, eliminating the need for surface equipment and hydraulic models, and allowing precise pressure management within defined operational windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface measurements and hydraulic models are used to control bottomhole pressure, then equipment complexity is reduced, but pressure control precision and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bottomhole choke system performs self-measurement and self-control of bottomhole pressure using integrated pressure sensors and an autonomous controller, eliminating the need for external surface equipment and hydraulic models. The system automatically adjusts the choke valve based on real-time pressure feedback from its own sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors bottomhole pressure through integrated pressure sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the choke valve position via the controller, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise pressure control without relying on surface measurements.
2Loss of time
If surface equipment and hydraulic models are relied upon, then device complexity is reduced, but response time to pressure variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bottomhole choke system performs self-measurement and self-control of bottomhole pressure using integrated pressure sensors and an autonomous controller, eliminating the need for external surface equipment and hydraulic models. The system automatically adjusts the choke valve based on real-time pressure feedback from its own sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors bottomhole pressure through integrated pressure sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the choke valve position via the controller, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise pressure control without relying on surface measurements.
3Reliability
If autonomous bottomhole choke with real-time sensing is implemented, then pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the pressure sensing function, control logic, and choke valve actuation into a single integrated bottomhole choke assembly. The pressure sensors, controller, and choke valve work together as one unified system that autonomously maintains bottomhole pressure without requiring separate surface equipment.
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 and timely pressure control, minimizing fluid loss and influx risks during cementing operations, and reducing the reliance on surface measurements and hydraulic models for pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor positionable to measure the bottomhole pressure of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
a controllable valve, and a controller positionable to receive pressure measurements from the sensor, and control the controllable valve to maintain a specified pressure in the wellbore based on the pressure measurements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling bottomhole pressure in a wellbore during cementing includes a sensor positionable to measure pressure in the bottomhole of the wellbore, a controllable valve, and a controller. The controller may be positionable to receive pressure measurements from the sensor and control the controllable valve to maintain a specified pressure in the wellbore based on the pressure measurements. The apparatus may be positionable in a bottomhole portion of the wellbore.