Downhole Camera Integration for Wellbore Casing Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbores with metallic casing often develop ruptures or flaws, making it difficult to identify and address issues such as blockages within the casing effectively using existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A camera apparatus is integrated into downhole tools, capable of capturing visual images, including video, within wellbores, equipped with a power source, memory, and light sources, and connected via a severable communications conduit for image transmission and storage, allowing for the identification of flaws and issues in the wellbore casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a camera apparatus is integrated into downhole tools to capture visual images of wellbore casing, then the ability to identify flaws and blockages is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of camera sensor, memory, power source, and communications conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The camera sensor is disposed within the downhole tool housing, with the lens positioned at the distal end to capture images of the wellbore casing. The camera components are nested within the existing tool structure, allowing integration without significantly increasing external dimensions or complexity of the downhole tool assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is segmented into separate functional components: camera sensor disposed within the tool, memory for storing images disposed within the tool, power source disposed within the tool, and a severable communications conduit for data transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates retrieval of specific components (such as retrieving only the memory at surface while leaving the camera sensor in the wellbore).
2Ease of operation
If memory and power source are incorporated into the running arrangement and severed from the emplaceable device, then the ease of retrieving diagnostic data is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the severable communications conduit arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separable parts: the emplaceable wellbore device (such as a frac plug) that remains in the wellbore with the camera sensor, and the running arrangement that includes the memory and power source. The severable communications conduit physically connects these parts during operation but can be cleanly separated, allowing the running arrangement with diagnostic data to be retrieved independently from the emplaceable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory and power source are extracted from the emplaceable wellbore device and incorporated into the running arrangement. This extraction allows the diagnostic data storage and power functions to be separated from the permanent wellbore installation, enabling easy retrieval of data at surface while the camera remains deployed in the wellbore for potential future use.
3Measurement precision
If the camera is disposed at the distal end of the tool to capture images, then the measurement precision of wellbore conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the distal positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The camera sensor is nested within the downhole tool housing, with the lens positioned at the distal end opening. This nested arrangement allows the camera to be precisely positioned at the forwardmost point of the tool for optimal image capture of the wellbore casing, while the sensitive electronic components remain protected within the tool body.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end of the tool is designed with specific local characteristics to accommodate the camera lens and provide an unobstructed viewing path. The housing at the distal end may include optical windows or openings that are optimized for image capture, while other portions of the tool maintain their functional characteristics for wellbore interaction.
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 the capture and analysis of visual data from within the wellbore, facilitating the identification of problems and improving the effectiveness of operations like fracturing by providing clear images of the subterranean environment.
Implementation Method 1
the camera is associated with one or more light sources, such as light-emitting diode (LED) lights which provide illumination of the subterranean surroundings for the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A camera apparatus that is at least partially incorporated within a downhole tool to be disposed to a subterranean location by a running arrangement. The camera apparatus includes a camera sensor for capturing one or more visual images of a subterranean location and a memory storage operably associated with camera sensor, the camera sensor providing one or more visual images to the storage memory.