Pantographic Dual-Arm Sensor Deployment for Well Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current production logging tools face challenges in accurately monitoring multiphase fluid mixtures in complex hydrocarbon wells due to harsh downhole conditions, tool deployment difficulties, and measurement errors caused by sensor misalignment in deviated or horizontal wells.
Innovation Solution
A production logging tool with an articulated dual arms deploying arrangement and a pantographic mechanism that maintains sensor axes parallel to the well axis, allowing for precise sensor positioning and alignment within the multiphase fluid flow, even in varying well diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are deployed in deviated or horizontal wells using conventional methods, then the tool can reach the well section, but sensor alignment becomes inaccurate causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The deploying arms are made movable and adjustable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to different well deviations and maintain sensor alignment with the flow direction. The arms can be extended, retracted, and positioned at various angles to compensate for well geometry changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation and position parameters of the deploying arms and sensors dynamically to maintain optimal alignment with the fluid flow regardless of well deviation angle. This allows the sensors to remain perpendicular to the flow direction in deviated and horizontal wells.
2Productivity
If the production logging tool is made long and heavy to cover more well sections, then measurement coverage improves, but tool deployment becomes difficult and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The production logging tool is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled in different configurations. The deploying arms and sensor arrays are segmented and can be extended only when needed, allowing the tool to maintain a compact form for easy deployment while providing extended measurement capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The deploying arms and sensor arrays are nested within the tool body when not in use, similar to a telescoping structure. This allows the tool to have a small deployment diameter for easy insertion into the well while providing extended measurement coverage when the arms are deployed to their full length.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensor arrays are used in horizontal wells, then the structure is simple, but spatial resolution is insufficient for accurate phase identification
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is arranged in a three-dimensional configuration along the deploying arms rather than a simple linear or planar array. This 3D spatial distribution of sensors provides superior spatial resolution for identifying fluid phases and flow patterns in horizontal wells while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A production logging tool (1) comprising an elongated cylindrical body (10) of longitudinal axis (XX′), the body (10) carrying an articulated dual arms deploying arrangement (12), at least one arm carrying at least one sensor (16, 16A, 16B) to analyze at least one property of a multiphase fluid mixture (MF) flowing in a hydrocarbon well (2), said sensor (16, 16A, 16B) extending along a sensor axis (SS′), the articulated dual arms deploying arrangement (12) comprising two deploying arms (13A, 13B) and a sliding sleeve (19), the deploying arms (13A, 13B) being operable from a retracted configuration into a vertically extended configuration, the deploying arms (13A, 13B) being coupled together through an outermost end hinge (17) at outermost ends of said deploying arms (13A, 13B), one arm (13A) being coupled to a first end part of the body through a first hinge (23A) at another deploying arm end, and the other arm (13B) being coupled to a second end part of the body through a sliding sleeve hinge (26) at the sliding sleeve (19) at another deploying arm end, wherein the articulated dual arms deploying arrangement (12) further comprises a pantographic mechanism (14) arranged such that the sensor axis (SS′) stays substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (XX′) for any opening of the deploying arms (13A, 13B) from the retracted configuration to the vertically extended configuration.