Encapsulated Data Beads for Subsurface Wellbore Information Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore data acquisition methods face challenges such as entanglement of logging tools with subsurface equipment and difficulties in deploying and retrieving tools without wirelines, limiting effective data transfer from subsurface locations to the surface.
Innovation Solution
The use of encapsulated data recording devices within beads, which are released into well fluids and carried to the surface, allowing for wireless data recording and retrieval using a bead feeder mechanism and wireless programming device, enabling efficient data transfer of subsurface wellbore conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If logging tools are lowered on wireline into the wellbore to acquire and transmit information, then data transfer capability is improved, but the logging tools may become entangled with subsurface equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data recording function from traditional wireline logging tools and encapsulates it in small independent beads that are released into the well fluid flow. This separates the data collection function from the wireline system, eliminating entanglement issues while maintaining data acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces well fluid flow as an intermediary carrier to transport the encapsulated data recording devices from subsurface locations to the surface. This fluid-mediated transport system replaces direct mechanical connection (wireline) and eliminates entanglement problems.
2Reliability
If wirelines are used to transmit data from logging tools, then data transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and entanglement risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable encapsulated data recording devices that are released into the well fluid, carry out their data collection function, and are then discarded or retrieved separately. This eliminates the need for complex, reusable wireline systems while maintaining data transfer reliability through multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the data collection system into multiple small, independent encapsulated devices rather than using a single complex wireline tool. This segmentation reduces individual device complexity and eliminates entanglement risks while improving overall system reliability through redundancy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If logging tools are deployed without wirelines, then equipment entanglement is reduced, but deployment and retrieval difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by releasing encapsulated data recording devices into the well fluid flow, which naturally transports them from subsurface locations to the surface. This eliminates the need for mechanical deployment and retrieval operations, significantly improving ease of operation while preventing entanglement.
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 method allows for reliable and efficient transfer of subsurface data, including pressure, temperature, and flow rate, without the need for wirelines, reducing equipment entanglement and improving data retrieval processes.
Implementation Method 1
The bead filler material can be encapsulated with a bead shell
Implementation Method 2
transferring the beads to the well fluid. The multiple beads can be captured at the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Some examples of transferring data from a subsurface of a wellbore using well fluids include positioning multiple data recording devices at a subsurface location in a wellbore. When a well fluid flows through the wellbore past the subsurface location to a surface, each data recording device is configured to receive and store data describing subsurface wellbore conditions at or near the subsurface location. At least a portion of the data describing the subsurface wellbore conditions are stored on each data recording device. Each data recording device is released from the subsurface location. The well fluid flows each data recording device to the surface.