Electromagnetic Logging Tool for Nested Pipe Bend Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electromagnetic (EM) techniques face challenges in accurately detecting deformations, such as bends, in multiple nested pipes within wellbores, which can lead to increased stress and corrosion, and existing methods may not effectively assess the severity and extent of these deformations.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electromagnetic logging tool with a transmitter and receiver configured to measure eddy currents in both time-domain and frequency-domain, allowing for continuous in-situ monitoring of pipe integrity, including the determination of metal loss and deformation characteristics, and the creation of a pipe trajectory map to identify and quantify bends and sagging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic techniques are used to detect bends in multiple nested pipes, then the ability to monitor pipe integrity is improved, but the difficulty of accurately detecting and measuring deformations in innermost pipes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into segments by using multiple receiver coils positioned at different locations and orientations within the tool assembly. Each coil detects electromagnetic signals from specific regions of the nested pipes, allowing the system to separately analyze and identify bends in innermost versus outer pipes, thereby resolving the measurement difficulty in multi-layer configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs receiver coils oriented in different spatial dimensions (axial and radial orientations) to detect electromagnetic signals from pipes at multiple levels. This multi-dimensional detection approach enables the system to distinguish between bends in different nested pipes by analyzing signal variations across multiple spatial dimensions, overcoming the limitation of single-detection-point methods
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiver coils are used to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiver coils and their associated signal processing functions into a single integrated tool assembly that can be lowered through the wellbore on a conveyance. The coils are electrically connected and processed together, merging what would otherwise be separate detection devices into one unified system, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assembly is designed with universal functionality to detect bends, corrosion, and other deformations in multiple nested pipes simultaneously. The same receiver coils and processing system handle various detection tasks across different pipe layers, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
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 approach enables accurate and continuous monitoring of pipe deformations, providing valuable insights into well tubular integrity, allowing for timely intervention to prevent corrosion and maintain pipe stability.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an electromagnetic field from the transmitter; energizing the casing string with the electromagnetic field to produce an eddy current
Implementation Method 2
when the transmitter coil emits the primary transient EM fields, eddy currents are induced in the casing. These eddy currents then produce secondary fields which are received along with the primary fields by the receiver coil
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for identifying a deformation. The method may comprise disposing an electromagnetic logging tool in a pipe string, performing a logging operation with the electromagnetic logging tool, transmitting an electromagnetic field from a transmitter, energizing the casing string with the electromagnetic field to produce an eddy current, measuring the eddy current with at least one receiver, processing the measurements of the eddy current to find a point-wise eccentricity between the casing string and the pipe string, identifying a zone with the deformation based at least in part on the point-wise eccentricity, determining at least one characteristic of the deformation, and making a wellbore decision related to an integrity of the casing string based on the at least one characteristic of the deformation or the point-wise eccentricity. The system may comprise an electromagnetic logging tool which may comprise a transmitter and at least one receiver.