Downhole Interrogation Device for Fluid Flow Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for interrogating fluid flow in hydrocarbon wells, such as tracer injection, are costly and time-consuming, with significant uncertainty in results, necessitating an improved approach to understand downhole conditions and optimize hydrocarbon reserve development and production.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hydrocarbon wells equipped with an interrogation device that is released into the tubing conduit to determine properties of fluid flow, using a detection structure to query the device as it flows to the surface, allowing for the collection and analysis of data on fluid properties like temperature, pressure, and pH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracer injection is used to characterize fluid flows, then fluid flow characterization can be achieved, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming with significant uncertainty in results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical tracer injection system with an electromagnetic interrogation system. Downhole devices equipped with sensors and transponders are interrogated via electromagnetic fields generated by surface or downhole antennas, eliminating the need for physical tracer chemicals and their associated injection, circulation, and analysis infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic field interactions to create information copies of downhole conditions without physically transporting or injecting material. The transponders and sensors downhole capture fluid flow information and transmit it back via electromagnetic signals, creating a digital copy of the physical downhole environment that can be analyzed without disturbing the actual fluid system.
2Loss of information
If traditional interrogation methods are used, then fluid flow properties can be determined, but the process is costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal electromagnetic interrogation system that can determine multiple fluid flow properties (velocity, direction, temperature, pressure) using the same basic infrastructure of antennas and transponders. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each measurement type, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from physical/chemical (tracer concentration, density changes) to electromagnetic (signal phase, frequency, amplitude). This parameter transformation allows for simpler, more direct measurements that can be processed electronically without complex chemical analysis equipment.
3Productivity
If gas lift operations are optimized without accurate data, then production efficiency is reduced, but implementing accurate monitoring increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where downhole devices continuously or periodically report fluid flow conditions to the surface, and gas lift operations are adjusted based on this real-time or near-real-time information. This closed-loop control enables optimization of gas lift valve timing and positioning without requiring complex manual intervention or trial-and-error procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole devices are designed to autonomously measure and report their own operational status and surrounding fluid conditions without requiring external intervention. The system self-diagnoses and communicates information about valve performance, fluid flow characteristics, and equipment status, enabling operators to make informed decisions without increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrocarbon wells and methods of interrogating fluid flow within hydrocarbon wells. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore and downhole tubing that defines a tubing conduit and extends within the wellbore. The hydrocarbon wells also include an interrogation device. The interrogation device is configured to indicate at least one property of fluid flow within the hydrocarbon wells. The hydrocarbon wells also include a downhole location at which the interrogation device is released into the tubing conduit and a detection structure configured to query the interrogation device to determine the at least one property of fluid flow within the hydrocarbon wells. The methods include releasing an interrogation device at a downhole location within a hydrocarbon well and flowing the interrogation device from the downhole location to a surface region. The methods also include querying the interrogation device to determine at least one property of fluid flow within the hydrocarbon well.