Recoverable Sensor System for Horizontal Well Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deploying data acquisition devices in horizontal wells is difficult and expensive due to issues with existing systems, which hinder successful deployment.

Innovation Solution

A recoverable data acquisition system with sensors positioned within a tubular of a completion system, featuring a retainer that moves to eject the sensor from a cavity for retrieval, allowing for data collection and protection from environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are deployed via wireline or slickline in horizontal wells, then data acquisition is enabled, but deployment difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccessful deploymentVSAvoiddeployment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within a tubular completion system, allowing it to be deployed through the tubular in a protected state. The retainer mechanism nested within the tubular provides additional protection and control during deployment and retrieval operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the sensor deployment process into distinct phases: protected deployment within the tubular, controlled ejection from the tubular, and independent sensor operation. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If sensors are permanently attached to tubular or casing, then data monitoring is continuous, but retrieval and recovery become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoidsensor recovery

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer mechanism transitions from a static attached state to a dynamic movable state, enabling the sensor to be securely held during deployment and then easily ejected for recovery when needed. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between continuous monitoring and sensor retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables temporary attachment of the sensor to the tubular for the duration of the monitoring operation, followed by easy recovery of the sensor. The retainer mechanism facilitates this attach-hold-release cycle, allowing sensor recovery after data acquisition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If sensors are exposed to harsh subterranean environments, then data collection is direct, but sensor protection and longevity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within the tubular completion system during deployment, providing physical protection from harsh environmental factors. The tubular acts as a protective enclosure that shields the sensor while allowing it to function in the subterranean environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular and retainer mechanism serve as intermediary structures between the sensor and the harsh subterranean environment. They provide mechanical protection and controlled access, allowing the sensor to collect data while being protected from direct environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If multiple sensor operations are performed in separate runs, then each operation is thorough, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation completenessVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple sensor operations into a single deployment run. The tubular-based delivery system allows sensors to be deployed, positioned, and retrieved all through one operation, eliminating the need for separate runs and reducing overall time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular completion system with retainer mechanism serves multiple functions: it protects the sensor during deployment, positions the sensor in the borehole, and enables sensor retrieval. This multi-functionality allows multiple operations to be accomplished in a single run.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9359887B2Recoverable data acquisition system and method of sensing at least one parameter of a subterranean bore

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A recoverable data acquisition system includes at least a portion of at least one sensor be positionable within a tubular of a completion system, the at least a portion being recoverable therefrom and a retainer movably disposed at the tubular between at least a first position and a second position, a cavity being defined between the tubular and the retainer when the retainer is in the first position, the at least a portion of the at least one sensor being removable from the cavity in response to movement of the retainer from the first position to the second position.