Downhole Camera Jet-Flushing for Clear Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole camera systems face compatibility issues with other logging tools due to high bandwidth requirements and often produce unclear images due to poor visibility caused by opaque fluids and debris, necessitating costly fluid replacement.
Innovation Solution
The development of 'smart' downhole camera systems with a 360-degree optical field-of-view and a jet-flushing system that cleans the optical field-of-view between the camera and target, allowing for high-speed image processing and compatibility with various oilfield tools, enabling real-time imaging without replacing the entire well fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional downhole camera systems are used, then images can be captured downhole, but the images are unclear due to poor visibility from opaque fluids and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by jet-flushing the optical path before image capture. The jet-flushing system activates to clear opaque fluids and debris from the optical path between the camera and target, ensuring the optical path is clean prior to capturing the image, thus preventing visibility obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (clear flushing fluid) to mediate between the camera and the target. This flushing fluid displaces the opaque downhole fluid in the optical path, creating a transparent medium that allows clear image transmission without requiring replacement of the entire well fluid.
2Loss of information
If downhole camera systems with their own telemetry are used, then images can be transmitted, but bandwidth requirements are large and compatibility with other logging tools is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole camera system is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of logging tools and telemetry systems. It can interface with both dedicated camera telemetry and general-purpose logging tool telemetry systems, allowing the same camera system to be used across different logging operations without requiring specialized dedicated infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If clear fluid is pumped to create jet-flushing, then the optical field-of-view is cleaned, but fluid volume and pumping requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing or cleaning the entire well fluid system, the jet-flushing system applies clear fluid locally only in the specific optical path region between the camera and target. This localized approach cleans only the necessary area (the optical field-of-view) using minimal clear fluid volume, rather than treating the entire well fluid system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by jet-flushing only the specific region needed for imaging (the optical path) rather than replacing the entire well fluid. The clear fluid is pumped in controlled amounts sufficient to clear the optical path temporarily during image capture, without requiring excessive fluid volume to replace or treat all downhole fluid.
4Measurement precision
If jet-flushing is used to clean the optical path, then image quality improves, but operational complexity and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jet-flushing system and camera system are merged into a single integrated downhole tool assembly. The flushing fluid delivery mechanism, nozzles, and camera are combined in one tool string, allowing simultaneous operation of imaging and flushing functions without requiring separate tools or complex coordination between multiple independent systems.
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 clear image capture and real-time data transmission with reduced fluid usage and operational time, maintaining image quality while being compatible with diverse oilfield tools and logging systems.
Implementation Method 1
capturing a set of image frames downhole using a video camera having a 360 degree optical field-of-view and substantially simultaneously projecting a flushing fluid downhole using a jet-flushing system configured to project flushing fluid along all azimuths
Data Source
AI summary
Downhole Camera systems and methods. Certain systems include a high-speed video camera configured with a 360 degree optical field-of-view, a jet-flushing system capable of temporarily displacing debris substantially simultaneously along all azimuths within the optical field-of-view, and optionally a downhole real-time image processing system for reducing the amount of captured video transmitted to surface. Certain methods include capturing a set of images downhole using a high-speed video camera having a 360 degree optical field-of-view, substantially simultaneously temporarily displacing debris in the optical field-of-view for at least a portion of the time the camera is capturing video using a jet-flushing system capable of projecting flushing fluid substantially simultaneously along all azimuths in the borehole. The methods may also involve pre-processing the set of images to reduce the number of images or reduce the amount of information transmitted to surface.