Electric Pump Monitoring for Wellbore Property Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydraulic fracturing monitoring requires significant resources and lacks efficient methods to evaluate downhole conditions using pressure pulse technology.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that monitors variable frequency drive parameters of electric pumps in real-time, applies inversion techniques, and uses a model to estimate bottom-hole conditions, incorporating an electric pump motor to reduce diesel fuel consumption and enhance torque capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pressure pulse technology is used to evaluate downhole conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownhole condition evaluationVSAvoidmonitoring system resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure pulse monitoring systems with an electrical monitoring system that measures electrical parameters (current, voltage, power) of the pump motor. These electrical measurements are processed through inversion techniques to derive downhole conditions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pressure sensing equipment while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that links electrical pump parameters to downhole conditions. Instead of directly measuring downhole pressure pulses, the system uses electrical measurements as intermediaries and applies inversion algorithms to translate these electrical parameters into meaningful subsurface property evaluations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If electric pumps with variable frequency drives are used, then torque capacity is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque capacityVSAvoiddiesel fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs variable frequency drives that dynamically adjust the rotational speed of electric pumps based on real-time operational requirements and downhole conditions. This dynamic speed control allows the system to optimize the balance between torque capacity and energy consumption, delivering high torque when needed while reducing speed (and energy use) during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (motor speed, pump flow rate) based on measured downhole conditions and operational needs. By continuously adjusting these parameters through feedback from electrical measurements and inversion modeling, the system optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining adequate torque capacity for fracturing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250369331A1Evaluating subsurface properties through monitoring of electric pumps

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method for evaluating one or more properties of a wellbore. The method may include generating a tube wave in a wellbore, measuring one or more parameters of an electrical pump motor; and establishing a pump model and a wellbore model. The method may further include evaluating one or more properties of the wellbore based at least in part on the one or more parameters of the electrical pump motor.