Electroacoustic Data Transmission Across Downhole Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas exploration, existing technologies face challenges in installing fiber optics over the entire length of production strings due to connections like couplings, packers, and swivels, which prevent or complicate direct electrical or optical data transmission, especially in multi-lateral wells and areas with obstructions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electroacoustic technology (EAT) that converts sensor data into acoustic signals, allowing transmission through the production string or casing fluid, bypassing obstructions, and utilizing vortex energy harvesters for self-powering EAT transmitters and receivers to communicate with optical fiber systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If fiber optics are installed over the entire length of production strings, then data transmission capability is improved, but installation complexity increases due to connections like couplings, packers, and swivels that prevent or complicate direct installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber optic installation system with an electroacoustic transmission system. Instead of physically installing fiber optics through complex downhole connections, the system uses electroacoustic transmitters and receivers that convert electrical signals to acoustic signals and back, allowing data transmission through the production string without requiring physical fiber continuity across connections like couplings, packers, and swivels.
2Ease of manufacture
If wet or dry fiber connects are used to overcome installation difficulties, then fiber installation is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to limitations of these connects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for wet or dry fiber connects by replacing the mechanical fiber transmission system with an electroacoustic system. The electroacoustic transmitters and receivers allow data transmission without requiring physical fiber connections across downhole components, thereby avoiding the reliability issues associated with these connects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fiber is wound around a collar like a spring to provide rotation flexibility, then rotation flexibility is improved, but manufacturing and operational problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber winding system with an electroacoustic transmission system. Instead of winding fiber around collars to accommodate rotation, the system uses electroacoustic transmitters and receivers that transmit data through the production string, eliminating the need for rotationally flexible fiber installations and their associated manufacturing and operational complexities.
4Loss of information
If sensors are installed in multi-lateral wells, then monitoring capability is improved, but installation feasibility deteriorates due to obstructions like slips and packers that clamp to liners and prevent fiber passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber optic installation system with an electroacoustic transmission system that can install sensors in multi-lateral wells. The electroacoustic transmitters and receivers transmit data through the production string and casing, allowing sensor installation in locations previously inaccessible to fiber optics due to obstructions like slips and packers.
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 data collection and transmission across downhole connections that previously blocked data transmission, allowing for flexible sensor placement and enhanced monitoring of parameters like pressure, temperature, and flow, optimizing production and reservoir coverage.
Implementation Method 1
electroacoustic technology (EAT) that converts sensor data into acoustic signals
Implementation Method 2
utilizing vortex energy harvesters for self-powering EAT transmitters and receivers
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include methods and systems structured to transmit data from downhole sensors to the surface at a well site. The transmission can be implemented to overcome downhole connections that can act as obstructions to direct electrical and optical communication in a wellbore. Electrical signals from one or more sensors in a sensor unit, located on a side of a downhole connection in a wellbore opposite the surface of the wellbore, can be used to drive an acoustic transmitter to transmit an acoustic signal via a production string or casing or fluid in the production string or casing across the downhole connection, where the acoustic signal is received on the surface side of the downhole connection. Data correlated to the received acoustic signal can be provided to a surface location of the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.