Burst Disc Fluid Detection for Cement Placement Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cementing operations in oil and gas wells face challenges such as fluid leak-off into low-pressure zones during cementing, requiring high pumping pressures and expensive tool systems for accurate fluid placement, which can damage equipment and necessitate costly remedial operations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing burst discs with sensors to detect fluid property changes and generate pressure pulses, allowing for controlled cement placement without high pressures and expensive tool retrieval, using a series of burst discs to confirm cement reach at the well's end and stop pumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pumping pressure is used to force cement into the annulus, then cement placement is achieved, but fluid leak-off into low-pressure zones occurs causing cement to set prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect fluid properties (density, resistivity, temperature) in real-time during cement pumping, providing feedback to control the pumping process and prevent leak-off into low-pressure zones while ensuring complete annulus filling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure-based cement placement with a sensor-based detection system that monitors fluid properties and controls pumping, eliminating the need for excessive pressure and preventing premature cement setting
2Measurement precision
If expensive tool systems (neutron density tools, resistivity tools) are used to detect cement reach, then accurate fluid placement detection is achieved, but equipment damage and high cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs simple, inexpensive sensors that can be easily deployed and retrieved, replacing expensive neutron density tools and resistivity tools. These sensors detect fluid properties through basic physical measurements and can be cost-effectively replaced if damaged
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are designed to be self-contained with integrated power and communication systems, allowing them to operate independently without requiring complex external tool systems or expensive support equipment for deployment and retrieval
3Ease of operation
If continuous pumping is used without detection, then cement placement is simplified, but cement may be forced into the casing requiring drill out operations
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time sensor detection of fluid properties provides continuous feedback during pumping, allowing operators to stop pumping precisely when cement reaches the annulus end, preventing overshot into the casing and cement material waste
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are positioned in advance at strategic locations within the annulus to detect cement arrival before it reaches the far end, enabling proactive stopping of pumping to prevent cement intrusion into the casing
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
Effectively prevents cement leak-off into low-pressure zones, reduces equipment damage, and eliminates the need for expensive tool systems by using acoustic waves to confirm cement placement, enabling efficient and cost-effective cementing operations.
Implementation Method 1
using acoustic waves to confirm cement placement
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for signaling the detection of a fluid change in a wellbore can be used during wellbore operations, such as cementing a casing in the wellbore. The systems and methods involve using burst discs to provide a pressure pulse that can be detected uphole and there by provide a signal related to when a fluid change has reached a predetermined position in the wellbore. The burst discs can be activated to prevent fluid flow in a portion of the wellbore by a sensor that detects a property that is different between two fluids. Once activated, the pressure of the fluid on the burst discs subsequently ruptures the burst disc and creates the pressure pulse.