Fiber-Optic Cable Blockage Positioning in Boreholes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of blockages in tubular members within boreholes are time-consuming, costly, and require extensive equipment, leading to significant drilling downtime and safety risks due to the need for multiple measurements and complex electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance device comprising a fiber-optic cable with holding guides that can be securely attached to the tubular member, allowing for precise and accurate deformation measurements over long distances without the need for active sensors or electrical systems, enabling a single set of measurements to determine the blockage point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement tools (FPI, HFPT, magnetic sensors, acoustic sensors) are used to determine blockage position, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic and mechanical measurement systems (FPI, HFPT, magnetic sensors, acoustic sensors) with a purely mechanical solution: a fiber-optic cable that transmits deformation information passively along its length. The cable itself becomes the measurement element, eliminating the need for active sensors, power supplies, and complex signal processing electronics downhole.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the measurement function from separate electronic sensors and integrates it directly into the fiber-optic cable structure. The cable's physical deformation under tension directly encodes the blockage position information, which is then read out optically without requiring extraction of separate sensor signals.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and repeated measurements are performed to accurately locate blockage, then measurement reliability improves, but drilling downtime increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-optic cable provides continuous deformation information along its entire length in a single measurement operation. Unlike discrete sensors that require multiple measurements at different positions, the continuous cable allows the entire drill string to be assessed simultaneously, eliminating repeated descent and ascent cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber-optic cable is installed on the drill string before drilling operations begin, positioned and secured in advance. This preliminary installation ensures the measurement system is already in place and operational, eliminating setup time during critical measurement phases and allowing immediate blockage detection when needed.
3Measurement precision
If active sensors and electrical systems are used for measurement, then measurement precision is achieved, but safety risks increase due to equipment failure and operator exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-optic cable serves as a passive, inherently safe measurement element that does not require power supplies, batteries, or complex electronics downhole. Its simple optical structure eliminates failure modes associated with electronic components in harsh environments, providing a reliably safe measurement solution throughout its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces electrical and electronic measurement systems with a passive optical fiber system that relies on physical deformation transmission rather than active electronic sensing. This substitution eliminates electrical hazards, equipment failure risks, and operator exposure to faulty electronic systems while maintaining measurement precision.
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
The solution significantly reduces drilling downtime and costs by providing fast, reliable, and precise measurements, enhancing safety by eliminating the need for complex electronics and reducing the risk of equipment failure.
Implementation Method 1
A maintenance device for determining the position of a blockage point of a tubular member, preferably in a borehole is described. The device comprises a fiber-optic cable and a plurality of holding guides, each holding guide being attached to the fiber-optic cable and comprising means for attaching to the tubular member, in particular to an inner wall of the tubular member.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a maintenance device (1) for determining the position of a blockage point (2) of a tubular member (3), characterized in that it includes a fiber-optic cable (40) and a plurality of holding guides (20), each holding guide (20) being attached to the fiber-optic cable (40) and including a means (21) for attaching to the tubular member (3).The invention also relates to a method and a system for determining the position of a blockage point of a tubular member.