Doppler Flow Sensor in Bridge Plug for Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for obtaining real-time downhole flow measurements and proppant concentration during hydraulic fracturing are inaccurate due to flow regime and temperature effects, and challenging to implement due to difficulties in running wirelines or coiled tubing, and designing permanent systems with data transmission through the casing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a Doppler-based flow sensor placed in bridge plugs with electro acoustic technology for communication via a permanently deployed fiber optic cable, allowing for real-time measurement of downhole flow and proppant concentration by converting electric signals to acoustic energy for transmission over a single fiber optic cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiber optic distributed sensing systems (DTS and DAS) are used for flow measurements, then measurement coverage and resolution are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to flow regime and temperature effects during warm-back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flow meters with a Doppler-based acoustic sensing system. The Doppler sensor measures flow by detecting frequency shifts in acoustic waves reflected from moving particles in the fluid, eliminating the need for physical contact with the flow and avoiding the temperature and flow regime sensitivity issues of fiber optic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from optical properties (DTS/DAS) to acoustic Doppler frequency shifts. By measuring the Doppler shift of acoustic waves rather than optical properties, the system achieves flow measurements that are insensitive to temperature variations and flow regime changes.
2Loss of information
If wirelines or coiled tubing are used for downhole measurements, then data transmission capability is improved, but operational complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plug system is self-contained with the Doppler sensor, power source, and memory integrated into the plug itself. The sensor can operate autonomously during the fracturing operation and store data for later retrieval, eliminating the need for external wirelines or coiled tubing during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the data transmission requirement from the deployment process by using acoustic communication through the casing. Instead of requiring physical connection via wirelines or coiled tubing, the system transmits data acoustically through the wellbore casing to the surface.
3Measurement precision
If permanent systems with downhole pressure gages and data transmission are designed, then measurement capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bridge plug function with the flow measurement function by integrating the Doppler sensor directly into the bridge plug structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate permanent downhole instrumentation systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plug serves multiple functions: it provides zonal isolation during hydraulic fracturing and simultaneously acts as a flow measurement device with the integrated Doppler sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated permanent measurement systems, simplifying the overall system design.
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 accurate, real-time monitoring of downhole flow and proppant concentration between perforations, reducing uncertainty and improving measurement accuracy by utilizing Doppler shifted frequencies and electro acoustic technology for data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The Doppler sensor will face up-hole so that it can record down-hole flow between perforations and/or perforation cluster during the pumping
Implementation Method 2
The means of communication will be a sound transmitted from the flow sensor that is picked up by using DAS technology in a fiber that is permanently deployed
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for obtaining real time down hole flow measurements and proppant concentrations between perforations and/or perforation clusters during hydraulic fracturing in multistage stimulated wells.