Autonomous Downhole Logging Tool with Inflatable Balloon Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole logging tools are limited in their ability to traverse oil and gas wells due to buoyancy issues, preventing them from floating back to the surface in gas phases, which restricts their practical use in oil wells.
Innovation Solution
A balloon-equipped autonomous downhole logging tool that incorporates a compressed gas chamber, triggered by a timer to inflate a balloon, creating buoyancy and allowing the tool to float in both oil and gas phases, enabling it to ascend and collect data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional downhole logging tools are used in oil wells, then data collection during downward travel is possible, but the tools cannot float back to the surface in gas phases due to buoyancy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The logging tool employs dynamic buoyancy control through a balloon that can transition from deflated to inflated state. During downward travel, the balloon remains deflated to maintain tool weight. At the desired depth, the balloon inflates to create buoyancy for upward travel, enabling the tool to adapt its buoyancy characteristics based on operational phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the balloon from deflated to inflated, fundamentally altering the tool's density and buoyancy parameters. This parameter change enables the tool to overcome buoyancy resistance in gas phases and return to the surface, resolving the limitation of conventional tools
2Measurement precision
If wireline logging equipment and offshore barges are used for conventional surveys, then downhole measurements can be obtained, but significant logistical preparations and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The logging tool is designed to be self-contained and autonomous, carrying its own power source (battery), timing mechanism, and buoyancy control system. The tool independently determines release points, controls balloon inflation, and returns to surface without requiring wireline equipment or barge support, eliminating complex logistical dependencies
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the logging tool from the conventional wireline system, making it an independent autonomous unit. By removing the dependency on wireline equipment and offshore barges, the system achieves operational simplicity while maintaining measurement capabilities
3Force
If a balloon is inflated with compressed gas in the downhole logging tool, then buoyant force is created for flotation, but the tool weight must be reduced effectively to enable floating
Solution Approach 1:
The inflated balloon acts as a counterweight mechanism, generating buoyant force that opposes the gravitational force on the logging tool. By strategically placing the balloon and using compressed gas expansion, the system creates sufficient upward buoyant force to overcome the tool's weight and enable flotation in both oil and gas phases
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 autonomous logging operations in oil and gas wells without the need for expensive logistics and equipment, reducing costs and risks, and extends the use of pressure/temperature surveys to oil wells by facilitating flotation in both phases.
Implementation Method 1
The compressed gas is released by the release sub at the release point, inflating the balloon to an inflated state, and creating a buoyant force for the downhole logging tool
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a method for using a downhole logging tool. A downhole logging tool is inserted into a well. The downhole logging tool includes a gauge chamber containing gauges, a compressed gas chamber containing compressed gas, a timer powered by a battery, a release sub, and a balloon housing containing a balloon in a deflated state. Data is collected by the gauges of the downhole logging tool during a downward travel of the downhole logging tool. A release point to release compressed gas is determined by the timer based on a travelling speed of the downhole logging tool. The compressed gas is released by the release sub at the release point, inflating the balloon to an inflated state, creating a buoyant force for the downhole logging tool. Additional data is collected by the gauges of the downhole logging tool during an upward travel of the downhole logging tool.