Optical Magnetometer Electric Field Sensor for Downhole Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric field sensors are insufficiently sensitive to detect water floods and hydrocarbons in downhole environments, leading to financial losses and opportunity costs due to contamination and missed extraction opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A high-sensitivity electric field sensor comprising a conductive coil wound around an optical magnetometer housed within a sealed magnetic shield, with electrodes outside the shield to measure electric fields by inducing a magnetic field and using a high-sensitivity optical magnetometer to calculate the electric field strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing electric field sensors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient to detect water floods and hydrocarbons at threshold distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the conductive coil inside the magnetic shield, and the optical magnetometer inside the coil assembly. This nested configuration allows the sensor to achieve high measurement precision through multiple functional layers while managing complexity through integrated design. The magnetic shield contains the coil, which contains the magnetometer, creating a compact nested structure that enhances sensitivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic shield as an intermediary component between the external environment and the sensitive optical magnetometer. This magnetic shield mediates by blocking external magnetic interference while allowing the sensor to detect electric field-induced magnetic fields. The conductive coil acts as another intermediary, converting electric field signals into magnetic field signals that the optical magnetometer can detect, thereby enhancing measurement precision through signal transduction.
2Productivity
If existing electric field sensors are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the productivity is reduced due to missed hydrocarbon extraction opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling detection of water floods and hydrocarbons at threshold distances before they reach the producing well. The high-sensitivity sensor detects electric field anomalies caused by approaching water floods or hydrocarbon accumulations, allowing operators to take preventive or preparatory actions. This early detection prevents contamination before it occurs and identifies extraction opportunities before they are lost, thereby maximizing hydrocarbon yield and extraction efficiency.
3Reliability
If existing electric field sensors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient to detect water floods at threshold distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic field sensing mechanisms with an optical measurement system. The optical magnetometer uses optical techniques to detect magnetic field changes induced by electric fields, providing more reliable detection with higher sensitivity and immunity to electromagnetic interference. This substitution of measurement methodology enhances reliability for detecting water floods at threshold distances while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated optical-magnetic-electric coupling.
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 sensor provides enhanced sensitivity to detect water floods and hydrocarbons, reducing contamination and increasing extraction efficiency, thereby minimizing financial losses and maximizing hydrocarbon yield.
Implementation Method 1
the coil and optical magnetometer are housed within a sealed magnetic shield... that are disposed outside of the magnetic shield and within the electric field to be measured
Implementation Method 2
The strength of this magnetic field is measured using the optical magnetometer and, because the magnetic field is generated using the electric field to be measured, the strength of the magnetic field is directly related to the strength of the electric field
Implementation Method 3
The coil and optical magnetometer are housed within a sealed magnetic shield, thereby creating alternate flow paths for magnetic fields external to the magnetic shield and effectively isolating the coil and magnetometer assembly from any such external fields
Data Source
AI summary
An electric field sensing system comprises a magnetic shield, an optical magnetometer shielded from external magnetic fields by the magnetic shield, a conductive coil proximate to the optical magnetometer, and first and second electrodes coupled to opposite ends of the coil. The electrodes are disposed outside of the magnetic shield. The conductive coil generates a magnetic field within the optical magnetometer when electrical current passes through the conductive coil.