Drill String Leak Positioning Using Pressure Drop Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately identify the precise position of holes or cracks in drill strings during well drilling, necessitating manual visual inspection and disassembly, which is time-consuming and risky.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using pressure and turbine rotation drops to calculate the position of leaks in a drill string by calibrating head losses and applying equations to determine the distance of the hole or crack from the bottom-hole assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual visual inspection and disassembly are used to identify leak position, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak position identification accuracyVSAvoidtime for visual inspection and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical disassembly with an automated computer-implemented method that uses pressure differential calculations and turbine rotation data to electronically determine leak position, eliminating the need for physical inspection while maintaining or improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of the drill string system by collecting operational data (pressure, turbine rotation) and using computational algorithms to simulate and identify leak positions, replacing the need for physical inspection of each pipe section

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual visual inspection is performed, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfidence in leak identificationVSAvoiddrilling operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring operational parameters, calculating pressure differentials, and identifying leak positions without requiring external manual inspection, thereby maintaining drilling continuity while ensuring reliable leak detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous monitoring of pressure and turbine rotation data, using real-time feedback from sensors to detect anomalies and calculate leak positions, enabling rapid response without stopping drilling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If drill string is removed for inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe integrity assessment accuracyVSAvoidtime to remove and reassemble drill string

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical removal and physical inspection with computational analysis of operational data, using pressure differential equations and turbine rotation measurements to identify leak positions without touching or moving the drill string

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If real-time leak position identification is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoidcomputer-implemented method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing operational data (pressure readings, turbine rotation) that are already collected for other drilling purposes, making the leak detection system multi-functional and avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware while achieving real-time leak identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 real-time identification of leak positions, reducing downtime, labor costs, and operational risks by providing precise leak location, thus enhancing drilling efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a drop in pressure in the standpipe (a cane-shaped pipe installed vertically, which receives the drill fluid from the mud pump and conducts it to the injection head through the Kelly hose) accompanied by a drop in the rotation of the downhole sensor turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

obtaining the head losses in the bottom-hole assembly; calibrating the head losses inside the drill string

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHead loss: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS20260009326A1Computer-implemented method for identifying the position of a hole or a crack in a drill string and computer-readable storage material

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for identifying the position of a hole or a crack in a drill string, comprising the steps of identifying a pressure drop in the standpipe and/or a drop in the rotation of the turbine of the continuous logging instrument; obtaining the head losses in the bottom-hole assembly; calibrating the head losses inside the drill string; and calculating the distance from the hole or crack to the bottom-hole assembly.