Conductive Wellbore Coating for Continuous Integrity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining wellbore integrity require well shutdown and can disrupt the cement sheath, leading to potential cracks or fractures, and existing electrical connections provide a fluid communication pathway.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an electrically conductive data conduit coating formed by mixing conductive materials into a fluid or drilling fluid, which coats the subsurface formation, allowing for continuous monitoring of well integrity without shutting down the well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional electrical connections (continuous fiber optic cable) are used to connect sensors to surface, then data transmission is enabled, but fluid communication pathway is created between subsurface formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the continuous fiber optic cable from the wellbore system, replacing it with discrete sensor nodes that transmit data wirelessly or through alternative means, thereby eliminating the fluid communication pathway while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system or alternative data transmission mechanism that mediates between the subsurface sensors and surface equipment, enabling data transmission without requiring physical electrical connections that create fluid pathways
2Measurement precision
If conventional logging tools are used to determine wellbore integrity, then integrity assessment is enabled, but well shutdown is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, periodic integrity assessment into a dynamic, continuous monitoring system where sensors remain deployed in the wellbore and transmit data in real-time, enabling integrity assessment without interrupting well production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary deployment of sensors during initial well construction or maintenance operations, so that continuous monitoring can begin immediately without requiring subsequent shutdowns for installation or assessment
3Measurement precision
If conventional logging tools are used to determine wellbore integrity, then integrity assessment is enabled, but cement sheath disruption occurs leading to cracks or fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the physical logging tools that require cement sheath disruption for installation, replacing them with sensors that can be deployed through existing well pathways or embedded during construction without compromising cement integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical logging tools that physically interact with and disrupt the cement sheath with electronic sensors and wireless communication systems that assess integrity without mechanical contact or disruption
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 continuous monitoring of wellbore integrity by transmitting data through the conductive coating, ensuring the integrity of the wellbore is maintained without disrupting the cement sheath and allowing for real-time assessment.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting data through the electrically conductive data conduit coating to determine the integrity of the well
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of determining the integrity of a well are provided. The methods include mixing conductive materials into a fluid, introducing the fluid into the well, and allowing the conductive materials to coat a surface of a subsurface formation, thereby forming an electrically conductive data conduit coating. The methods further include transmitting data through the electrically conductive data conduit coating to determine the integrity of the well.