Drill Pipe Usage Tracking With Accelerometer Downhole Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for acquiring downhole information in oil field operations are costly and inefficient, particularly in incorporating measurement tools and telemetry systems into drill strings, which limits effective monitoring of wellbore parameters and drill string component operational data.
Innovation Solution
A downhole system comprising a tag with accelerometers, a processor, memory, and a transceiver configured for wireless communication, attached to the exterior of drill string components, which measures and records acceleration data, determines usage times, and transfers data via long wavelength inductive transmission to a surface facility for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If measurement tools and telemetry systems are incorporated into drill strings, then downhole information can be acquired, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic telemetry systems with a mechanical sensing approach. Accelerometers mechanically detect drill string motion and acceleration, converting mechanical energy to electrical signals through piezoelectric or capacitive sensing elements. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for complex wireline telemetry while preserving measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive accelerometer sensors that can be easily replaced rather than investing in costly, complex telemetry systems. These simple mechanical sensors provide sufficient data for monitoring drill string usage and can be replaced between drilling operations, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
2Loss of information
If traditional measurement methods are used, then downhole parameters can be monitored, but the expense associated with these methods is high
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer system is passive and self-powered, utilizing the natural mechanical vibrations and motions of the drill string during operation. The sensors harvest energy from the drill string's own mechanical activity, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex telemetry infrastructure, thereby reducing operational expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive electronic measurement systems with simple mechanical accelerometers that leverage the inherent mechanical energy already present in the drilling operation. This substitution dramatically reduces equipment costs and operational expenses while maintaining monitoring capabilities.
3Loss of information
If drill string component usage is monitored, then operational data can be obtained, but the complexity of data collection and analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer system continuously records drill string acceleration data during operation, capturing usage information in real-time before removal from service. This preliminary data collection eliminates the need for complex post-operation analysis, as the data is already captured and stored for straightforward retrieval and evaluation.
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 solution provides a cost-effective means to measure and record downhole and operational information, enabling efficient monitoring of drill string components and reducing the expense associated with traditional measurement methods while improving data accuracy and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the transceiver is configured to transfer the acceleration measurements via a communication link including long wavelength inductive transmission to a facility that analyzes operation of the drill string component
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided herein a downhole system and a method, in which the downhole system comprises a tag comprising: a set of accelerometers for detecting acceleration of the tag along multiple axes; a processor for processing the acceleration measurements, wherein processing comprises: sorting the acceleration measurements according to direction and degree of acceleration detected by the set of accelerometers, setting a use start time based on the acceleration detected exceeding a predetermined threshold after initialization of the tag; and setting a use end time based on the acceleration detected exceeding the predetermined threshold and the use start time being set; wherein the use start time specifies a time at which a drill string component to which the tag is attached is put into a service, and the use end time specifies a time at which the drill string component to which the tag is attached is no longer in the service.