DAS-Based Downhole Tool Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools often lose radial alignment during deployment, making it difficult to determine their orientation relative to the borehole, which can be critical for tools like perforation tools to avoid damaging optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A system using a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) with an optical fiber along the pipe's outer surface and a processor to determine the radial orientation of the tool by measuring vibrations at different rotational positions, ensuring accurate alignment and preventing damage to the optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tool is conveyed downhole via a carrier, then the tool can be deployed to the destination depth, but the tool loses radial alignment and orientation becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
An orientation tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the carrier and the destination tool. This orientation tool includes features that interact with the DAS system to determine and communicate orientation information, serving as a mediator that preserves and transfers orientation data through the conveyance process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical orientation preservation mechanisms with an optical-based DAS (Distributed Acoustic Sensing) system. The DAS system uses optical fibers to detect vibrations and determine tool orientation, substituting traditional mechanical alignment preservation methods with an optical sensing approach
2Ease of operation
If a perforation tool is used without orientation determination, then the tool can operate freely, but the optical fiber may be accidentally perforated causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring tool orientation relative to the optical fiber position. The DAS system provides real-time orientation data that feeds back to control the perforation tool's operation, allowing the system to adjust or prevent operations that would endanger the optical fiber
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation determination system performs preliminary assessment of tool orientation before perforation operations are executed. By knowing the relative positions of the tool and optical fiber in advance, the system can prevent harmful actions (perforation of the fiber) before they occur
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 determines the radial orientation of downhole tools, preventing accidental perforation of optical fibers and ensuring proper tool operation by accurately aligning the tool with the borehole.
Implementation Method 1
a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) including an optical fiber disposed axially along an outer surface of the pipe; and a processor configured to determine an orientation of the orientation tool with respect to the optical fiber based on a measurement by the optical fiber at different rotational positions of the orientation tool
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool orientation determination system to determine a radial orientation of a tool conveyed downhole into a pipe via a carrier and a method of determining a radial orientation of a tool conveyed downhole into a pipe via a carrier are described. The system includes an orientation tool conveyed downhole by the carrier that conveys the tool, and a distributed acoustic sensor (DAS). The DAS includes an optical fiber disposed axially along an outer surface of the pipe; and a processor to determine an orientation of the orientation tool with respect to the optical fiber based on a measurement by the optical fiber at different rotational positions of the orientation tool. The processor determines the radial orientation of the tool with respect to the optical fiber based on the orientation of the orientation tool with respect to the optical fiber.