Casing Collar Locator With Annular Magnet Coil Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate positioning of perforating guns within a wellbore is challenging due to the lack of precise correlation between casing collars and open hole logs, necessitating improved tools for depth determination in subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A casing collar locator (CCL) with a coil assembly and pressure bulkheads that produce an electrical signal in response to magnetic field changes, utilizing annular magnets and tungsten carbide inserts to enhance positioning accuracy by correlating collar kicks with open hole logs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a CCL is used to determine depth by correlating collar kicks with open hole logs, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to multiple components including coil assemblies, pressure bulkheads, and electrical connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The CCL device is divided into distinct functional modules: a housing containing a coil assembly for detecting magnetic field changes, pressure bulkheads with annular seals for fluid isolation, electrical connectors for signal transmission, and optional tungsten carbide inserts for wear resistance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil assembly is disposed within the housing passage, and pressure bulkheads are positioned within the same passage to restrict fluid communication. The electrical connectors are integrated into the pressure bulkheads. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions into a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity while preserving measurement capabilities.
2Reliability
If pressure bulkheads with annular seals are added to restrict fluid communication, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seals are extracted as separate components that can be independently manufactured and then installed within the pressure bulkheads. This allows the seals to be produced using optimized sealing technologies while the pressure bulkheads themselves can be manufactured using standard machining processes, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Strength
If tungsten carbide inserts are added to cylindrical members, then wear resistance is improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Tungsten carbide inserts are applied only to specific regions of the cylindrical members where wear resistance is most critical, such as surfaces that contact the casing string or other moving components. This localized application provides enhanced wear protection exactly where needed while minimizing the cost and manufacturing complexity associated with using tungsten carbide throughout the entire component.
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
The CCL enables precise depth determination by correlating collar kicks with open hole logs, improving the accuracy of fluid communication establishment between the wellbore and subterranean formation, thereby enhancing perforation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic lines of flux from the magnets are distorted, inducing a current in the coiled conductor known as a collar that is transmitted to the surface and recorded as a collar kick
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure bulkhead disposed in the passage of the first cylindrical member and comprising an annular seal to restrict fluid communication through the passage of the first cylindrical member
Data Source
AI summary
A casing collar locator including a housing having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending between the first end and the second end, a first cylindrical member having a passage extending therethrough and coupled to the first end of the housing, and a second cylindrical member having a passage extending therethrough and coupled to the second end of the housing, and a coil assembly disposed in the passage of the housing and configured to produce an electrical signal in response to a change in a magnetic field, wherein the coil assembly comprises an annular magnet having a diameter greater than an axial width of the annular magnet.