Downhole Fluid Diverters for Representative Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole sensors often fail to accurately represent the fluid flowing in wellbores due to phase stratification and stagnation, especially in deviated or horizontal sections, leading to incomplete and skewed measurements.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a housing and fluid diverters that extend along the circumference of the housing, diverting a representative portion of the fluid to the sensor, ensuring that the fluid flowing past the sensor is representative of the entire cross-section, including elongate spring members and multiple angularly spaced diverters to handle multi-phase fluids and prevent stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single phase of wellbore fluid remains adjacent the sensor, then the sensor can detect fluid properties, but the measurements do not fully represent the fluid flowing in the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore circumference is divided into multiple segments with diverters positioned at different angular locations (e.g., 0°, 120°, 240°). Each segment samples fluid from a specific sector, and the combined sample represents the entire cross-section, resolving the issue of single-phase dominance at one location
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from single-point sampling to multi-dimensional sampling by positioning diverters at different angular positions around the wellbore circumference. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions ensures comprehensive representation of all fluid phases present in the wellbore
2Quantity of substance
If multi-phase fluids stratify in deviated or horizontal wellbores, then fluid layers form, but sampling at one axial location cannot accurately represent the entire fluid volume
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is segmented into multiple angular zones with diverters positioned in each zone. This segmentation allows the sensor to capture fluid from different stratified layers (e.g., oil at top, water at bottom, gas in middle) by sampling from multiple angular positions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different angular positions around the wellbore have different local fluid qualities due to stratification. The diverter system is designed to sample from each local region with its specific fluid composition, ensuring that the aggregate sample reflects the true multi-phase composition of the entire wellbore flow
3Measurement precision
If fluid stagnates adjacent to the sensor, then the sensor can take measurements, but the measurements become skewed and unrepresentative of flowing fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter system is designed to dynamically capture and redirect flowing fluid to the sensor rather than allowing static accumulation. The diverters create continuous fluid motion from the wellbore through the sampling chamber, ensuring that measurements reflect the dynamic properties of flowing fluid rather than stagnant fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter acts as an intermediary element that intercepts flowing fluid from the wellbore and redirects it to the sensor. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct contact between stagnant fluid and the sensor by continuously supplying fresh flowing fluid through the diverter structure
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 tool provides accurate and representative fluid sampling by ensuring that a representative portion of the fluid is diverted to the sensor, overcoming the issues of phase stratification and stagnation, and improving measurement accuracy across various wellbore conditions.
Implementation Method 1
elongate spring members having ends that couple wife the housing, and wherein the fluid diverter mounts between the spring members
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of sensing fluid in a wellbore, where fluid along a range of radial locations in the wellbore is diverted along a flow path that runs adjacent a fluid sensor. Diverting the fluid from the range of radial locations provides a representative sample of the fluid flowing in the wellbore. Further, the diverted fluid forms a continuous volumetric flow past the fluid sensor to avoid fluid stagnation adjacent the fluid sensor. Diverting the fluid flow can be accomplished by elongate diverter wings attached at discrete circumferential locations around an outer surface of a fluid sensor and that project at oblique angles to the direction of flow. Elongate members can be used for diverting flow, where the distal ends of the elongate members attach to a downhole tool, and vane members span across selected adjacent members for directing flow to the sensor.