Autonomous Drift Robot for Wellbore Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drifting operations in wellbore completions require manual monitoring and extensive setup, relying on wireline/slickline systems, which are labor-intensive and prone to errors, and do not allow for real-time remote surveillance and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled drift robot equipped with a propulsion system, retractable landings, sensors, a smart camera, and a wireless communication interface for autonomous navigation and data transmission, enabling real-time monitoring and reduced operational personnel and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireline/slickline systems are used for drifting operations, then the drifting operation can be performed, but the operation requires extensive manual monitoring and setup, increasing labor intensity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The drift robot is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities using sensors (ultrasonic, laser, camera) and a controller that automatically monitors wellbore parameters and navigates through the conduit without requiring manual monitoring or intervention during the drifting operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline/slickline deployment system with an autonomous robotic system that uses electronic sensors, wireless communication, and automated propulsion to perform drifting operations, eliminating the need for manual wire handling and monitoring
2Ease of operation
If wireline/slickline systems are used for drifting operations, then the drifting operation can be performed, but extensive setup and mobilization of equipment is required, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drifting function from the complex wireline/slickline system, creating a standalone autonomous robot that integrates all necessary functions (propulsion, sensing, navigation, communication) into a single deployable unit, eliminating the need for separate wireline trucks, cable drums, and rigging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The drift robot is designed as a multi-functional platform that performs drifting operations while simultaneously conducting surveillance, monitoring wellbore parameters, capturing images, and transmitting data wirelessly, replacing multiple specialized equipment systems with one universal device
3Loss of information
If conventional wireline/slickline drifting is used, then the operation can be performed, but real-time remote surveillance and monitoring are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The drift robot incorporates multiple sensors (ultrasonic, laser, camera) that continuously measure wellbore parameters and transmit real-time data wirelessly to surface equipment, providing immediate feedback on drift diameter, wellbore geometry, and interior features, enabling real-time surveillance and monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the downhole drift robot and surface equipment, enabling real-time data transmission without requiring physical connection through wireline or slickline, thus providing continuous remote monitoring capability
Data Source
AI summary
A drift robot performs a drifting operation of a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The drift robot includes an elongated body to be deployed into a well conduit in the wellbore, a propulsion system for propelling the elongated body to traverse the well conduit, retractable landings attached to the elongated body for selectively anchoring the elongated body to an internal surface of the well conduit, sensors attached to the elongated body to generate sensor measurements of the well conduit, a smart camera disposed at one end of the elongated body to capture camera images of interior features of the well conduit, and a controller that adjusts the elongated body based at least on the sensor measurements and the camera images.