Downhole Tool Creep Determination via Accelerometer Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inaccuracy in determining the true position of a tool downhole due to 'creep' movement after the winch is stopped, leading to operational issues in well logging and sampling applications, as the depth correlation between reference and subsequent logs becomes challenging.
Innovation Solution
Equipping the tool with a movement detector, such as an accelerometer, to record and analyze tool velocity and acceleration data, allowing for the determination of creep by comparing it with winch movement data, ensuring precise tool positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the winch is stopped to position the tool at a specified depth, then the tool should remain stationary, but the tool continues to move due to creep effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors tool position via the movement detector and compares it with winch position data. When creep is detected (tool position diverges from winch position), the system provides feedback to correct the depth correlation, ensuring accurate positioning despite the creep effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement detector continuously records tool position data during the entire logging operation, including before, during, and after winch stopping. This preliminary continuous monitoring allows the system to detect and account for creep movements in advance, ensuring accurate depth correlation is maintained throughout the operation.
2Productivity
If the tool is moved quickly to reach the target depth, then the logging operation efficiency is improved, but the creep effect becomes more significant and positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from the movement detector to monitor tool position continuously. When the tool is moved quickly and creep is detected, the feedback mechanism allows for real-time correction of depth correlation, maintaining positioning accuracy despite high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement detector continuously records position data during rapid tool movement and winch stopping phases. This preliminary continuous data collection ensures that even during high-speed operations, the system has complete information to accurately determine and correct creep effects, maintaining both efficiency and precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the winch stopping time is extended to allow tool creep to settle, then the tool positioning stability is improved, but the overall operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement detector continuously monitors and records tool position data during the entire operation, including during winch stopping and creep periods. This preliminary continuous monitoring eliminates the need to wait for creep to settle by providing real-time data that allows immediate detection and correction of position deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback on tool position relative to winch position. When creep occurs during winch stopping, the feedback mechanism allows for immediate correction, eliminating the need to extend stopping time for creep settlement while maintaining positioning stability.
4Device complexity
If no movement detection system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect and correct creep effects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The movement detector is integrated into the tool itself, allowing the tool to self-monitor its own position and provide data about creep effects. This self-service capability enables accurate depth measurement without requiring complex external monitoring systems, balancing simplicity with precision.
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
This method enables accurate accounting for tool creep, ensuring precise data correlation and correct positioning during logging and sampling operations, reducing the risk of delivering the tool to the wrong depth.
Implementation Method 1
Equipping the tool with a movement detector, such as an accelerometer, to record and analyze tool velocity and acceleration data
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining an amount of creep for a tool on a cable and positioned in a well at an oilfield. The method includes moving a winch at a surface of the oilfield to effect movement of the tool below the surface in the well. The winch may then be stopped with the tool still in the well, but frequently the tool will continue to move, or “creep”, for some time after the winch is stopped. After the winch is stopped, data may be recorded indicative of movement of the tool. This data may then be used for the determining of the amount of creep.