Composite Slickline Capacitive Coupling for Wellbore Signal Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slickline communication systems face challenges in reliable data transmission over long distances and in harsh wellbore environments due to interference from well fluids and lack of effective electrical insulation, which affects signal quality and requires physical contact that can lead to wear and signal degradation.

Innovation Solution

A composite slickline system with an electrical conductor surrounded by an electrically insulating structural material, such as Kevlar embedded in a PEEK matrix, providing improved electrical insulation and mechanical strength, allowing for capacitive coupling with a sensing element to transmit signals without physical contact, enhancing communication bandwidth and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional slickline is used for data transmission, then running speed and cost are improved, but signal quality and transmission reliability deteriorate due to interference from well fluids and lack of electrical insulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverunning speedVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a conductive core (for electrical signal transmission) with an insulating outer layer (protecting against well fluid interference). This composite structure maintains the mechanical properties needed for high-speed running while providing electrical insulation to ensure signal quality and transmission reliability in harsh wellbore environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of information

If physical contact is used for signal transmission, then data transmission is achieved, but wear and signal degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmissionVSAvoidsignal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based signal transmission with capacitive coupling. The insulating outer layer enables electrical signals to be transmitted through the slickline without physical contact between conductive elements, eliminating wear while maintaining data transmission capability. This substitution of mechanical contact with field-based coupling resolves the contradiction between achieving data transmission and preventing signal degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If coated slickline is used to avoid slip rings, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates over wide ranges of well depths and fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslip ring eliminationVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials with a specifically designed insulating outer layer that provides both the mechanical protection needed for slickline operation and the electrical insulation required for reliable capacitive coupling. This composite structure maintains communication reliability across wide ranges of well depths and fluid conditions while still eliminating the need for slip rings, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 composite slickline system enables reliable and efficient data transmission over longer distances with improved signal quality and reduced wear, capable of operating in open-hole situations without conductive tubulars, and reduces signal degradation from wellbore environments.

Implementation Method 1

the slickline and the sensing element are capacitively coupled so as to permit transmission of information between the downhole tool and the sensing element via the composite slickline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electrical conductor surrounded by an electrically insulating structural material, such as Kevlar embedded in a PEEK matrix, providing improved electrical insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10927665B2Composite slickline communication

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 PARADIGM TECH SERVICES

AI summary

A communication system, comprises a composite slickline including an electrical conductor surrounded by an electrically insulating structural material, a downhole tool; and a sensing element. The composite slickline is mechanically and electrically coupled to the downhole tool and extends from the downhole tool to the sensing element. The composite slickline and the sensing element are capacitively coupled so as to permit relative movement therebetween and so as to permit an electric field to extend from the electrical conductor of the composite slickline to the sensing element through the electrically insulating structural material of the composite slickline for the transmission of an electrical and/or an electromagnetic signal between the downhole tool and the sensing element via the composite slickline.