Passive Logging While Levitating Assembly for Deviated Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, logging in complex wells faces challenges such as high drag and friction due to lock depth and biased sensor positions caused by the weight of tools and conveyance systems, particularly in deviated and horizontal wells, which complicates and increases the cost of operations.
Innovation Solution
A passive logging while levitating (PLWL) assembly is secured to a bottomhole assembly, featuring wings that adjust orientation based on wellbore deviation and fluid flow direction to levitate the logging assembly in the center of the wellbore, reducing friction and drag forces by using wellbore fluids to assist in movement and minimize external thrust forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tethered or untethered conveyance methods are used in deviated and horizontal wells, then logging tools can be deployed, but high drag and friction forces occur due to lock depth, and sensor positions become biased due to the weight of tools and conveyance systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using buoyant force from expanded foam material to counteract the gravitational weight of the logging tools and conveyance system. The foam expands around the logging tools to provide upward buoyant force, eliminating the downward pull that causes drag and friction in deviated and horizontal wells, thereby enabling the tools to levitate without mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical conveyance systems (wires, rods, or cables that physically pull or push logging tools) with a fluid-based levitation system. Instead of using mechanical forces to overcome friction and drag, the system uses expanded foam to provide buoyant support, allowing the logging tools to float through the wellbore without mechanical contact, thus eliminating drag and friction forces.
2Measurement precision
If traditional conveyance systems are used in complex wells, then logging operations can be performed, but the weight of tools and conveyance systems causes biased sensor positions
Solution Approach 1:
The expanded foam provides buoyant force that counteracts the weight of the logging tools and conveyance system, eliminating the downward gravitational pull that causes sensor bias. By balancing the weight with upward buoyant force, the sensors can maintain accurate positioning without being pulled off-center by the system's own weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam expansion system is self-regulating, automatically adjusting to provide the necessary buoyant force to support the logging tools. The foam expands to fill the annular space around the tools, and its buoyant properties naturally counterbalance the system weight without requiring external control mechanisms, ensuring consistent sensor positioning throughout the logging operation.
3Length of moving object
If conventional logging methods are used in deviated and horizontal wells, then logging tools can reach target depths, but operation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical conveyance systems with a simpler foam-based levitation system. Instead of using heavy-duty wires, rods, or complex deployment mechanisms designed to handle high forces in deviated and horizontal wells, the system uses expanded foam to provide gentle buoyant support, allowing logging tools to reach target depths through flotation rather than mechanical pulling or pushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic properties of wellbore fluids and the pneumatic expansion of foam material to achieve levitation. The foam expands using gas or fluid pressure to provide buoyant force, leveraging fluid mechanics principles to simplify the conveyance system while enabling logging operations in complex well geometries.
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 allows for efficient and safe deployment and retrieval of logging tools, reduces wear on equipment, and extends reach depth beyond standard methods, optimizing sensor positioning for improved data quality while minimizing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wings disposed on the tool body... orienting a plurality of wings disposed on the PLWL assembly to a neutral position... detecting a fluid flow direction around the logging assembly... activating the PLWL assembly based, at least in part, on the deviation in the wellbore and the fluid flow direction, and levitating the logging assembly
Implementation Method 2
reduces friction and drag forces by using wellbore fluids to assist in movement... detecting a fluid flow direction around the logging assembly... minimizing external thrust forces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for logging in a well is disclosed. The method includes securing a passive logging while levitating (PLWL) assembly to a bottomhole assembly (BHA) to form a logging assembly and running the logging assembly into a wellbore of the well. The method further includes detecting a deviation in the wellbore, detecting a fluid flow direction around the logging assembly in the wellbore, activating the PLWL assembly based, at least in part, on the deviation in the wellbore and the fluid flow direction, and levitating the logging assembly in a center of the wellbore. The method also includes determining whether the logging assembly has reached a target depth and performing logging in the well while the logging assembly is levitating in the center of the wellbore.