Proppant String Position Tracking via Electromagnetic Pulser
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, accurately positioning and aligning tool strings relative to seal bores, ports, and valves is challenging, especially in deep and highly deviated wells, leading to issues like tool erosion and pack-off, which can result in lost or damaged equipment and additional operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of feedback indicators and a pulser system that communicates with the surface to provide proximity information, allowing for controlled operations and ensuring proper positioning of the tool string relative to the indicator collar, which prevents undesirable flow diversion and tool damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional weight-based positioning is used in deep and highly deviated wells, then the tool string can be deployed, but accurate position determination becomes difficult due to pipe stretch and buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weight-based positioning with an electromagnetic tracking system. A pulser device generates electromagnetic signals that are detected by a tracking system, eliminating reliance on mechanical weight measurements that are affected by pipe stretch and buckling in deep and highly deviated wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the tool string and the surface tracking system. The pulser device acts as a mediator that converts mechanical position information into electromagnetic signals, which can be accurately tracked without being affected by mechanical deformations of the wellbore.
2Reliability
If proper positioning of tool string is not achieved, then flow diversion occurs, but implementing precise positioning requires complex feedback systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the surface tracking system continuously monitors the position of the tool string and provides real-time position information. This feedback allows operators to adjust the tool string position to achieve proper alignment with seal bores, ports, and valves, preventing undesirable flow diversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and alignment mechanisms with an electromagnetic tracking and control system. The pulser device and surface tracking system provide precise position information, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment devices and procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A well system can include a completion string adjacent to a target formation and a service tool extending within the completion string. When the service tool is in an aligned position with respect to the completion string, the service tool can prevent fluid communication between the target formation and a return conduit to facilitate fluid slurry injection. In such an alignment, a reader of the service tool is positioned within a threshold distance of a tag of the completion string to receive an indicator from the tag. From the tag, the reader receives confirmation that the service tool and the completion string are properly aligned. A pulser of the service tool transmits a signal to a surface location to convey the confirmation. A user may then pump the fluid slurry through an internal fluid flow passage of the service tool to the target formation.