Automated Drone Delivery System for Wellbore Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying downhole tools in wellbores are time-consuming, costly, and hazardous, requiring direct human interaction with wirelines and involving multiple steps, which limits efficiency and increases the risk of accidents in the 'red zone' around the wellhead.
Innovation Solution
A drone delivery system that includes a magazine for drones and a manipulating arm to automate the deployment of untethered drones into wellbores, reducing the need for direct human intervention and minimizing the time and steps required for tool deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireline and tool deployment methods are used, then downhole tools can be deployed into wellbores, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tool from the wireline system and places it on an autonomous drone platform. The drone independently navigates to the wellhead and deploys the tool, eliminating the time-consuming wireline deployment process and enabling parallel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, onboard propulsion, and self-contained power systems. It can independently travel to the wellhead, position itself, deploy the tool, and return without human intervention, significantly reducing deployment time and increasing productivity.
2Ease of operation
If direct human interaction with wirelines is required, then tools can be deployed and controlled, but personnel must be in the hazardous 'red zone' around the wellhead
Solution Approach 1:
The drone serves as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous wellhead environment. It performs all operations in the red zone remotely, eliminating direct human exposure to hazards while maintaining operational control through telemetry and remote command systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated drone system equipped with onboard sensors, navigation, and actuation systems. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to physically handle wirelines and tools in hazardous zones, improving safety while maintaining operational capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wirelines are deployed into wellbores, then additional tools can be deployed, but the process requires retracting and reattaching wirelines
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the deployment process into independent drone units, each capable of carrying and deploying specific tools. Multiple drones can operate simultaneously or sequentially without interfering with each other, enabling flexible tool deployment while simplifying the overall process compared to wireline retraction and reattachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone platform is designed as a universal system that can carry and deploy various types of downhole tools. The standardized drone interface and payload system allow different tool configurations without requiring changes to the deployment process, enhancing versatility while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into a wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone may include adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore, which may be done with fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver, such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.