Replenishable Tracer Receptacle for Continuous Wellbore Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring production in high-rate subsea gas wells using production logging and tagging/tracer technologies are limited by measurement inaccuracies, increased complexity and rig-time, reduced well reliability, and the short lifespan of tracer materials, which hinder reliable long-term well monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A replenishable tracer material system is introduced, comprising a receptacle that releases tracer material into the wellbore fluid based on flow rate and can be refilled when depleted, allowing for continuous monitoring by installing and refilling the tracer material via wireline or light intervention vessels, enabling accurate zone-by-zone production quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If production logging tools are used to monitor high-rate subsea gas wells, then production monitoring is performed, but the maximum measurement rate is much less than normal well flow rates, rendering data questionable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical production logging tools with a chemical tagging system using tracer materials. Tracer gas is injected into the wellbore and carried by the flowing fluid to surface detectors, substituting direct mechanical measurement with a chemical transport and detection method that can handle high flow rates without measurement limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tracer material as an intermediary substance between the wellbore fluid and the detection system. The tracer acts as a mediator that is easily detectable at surface while being carried by the high-rate flow, enabling indirect measurement that overcomes the limitations of direct mechanical measurement tools.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent down-hole flow measurement instrumentation is installed, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but rig-time and completion complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from permanent down-hole instrumentation and relocates it to surface-based detection systems. The tracer injection system is temporarily installed via wireline or coiled tubing, performs monitoring functions, and can be removed, eliminating the need for permanent complex down-hole instrumentation while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-injecting tracer materials into the wellbore before production occurs. The tracer is introduced in advance and carried naturally by the production flow to surface detectors, enabling monitoring without requiring complex permanent instrumentation installation during production operations.
3Reliability
If permanent down-hole flow measurement instrumentation is used, then monitoring is provided, but well reliability and integrity are reduced due to controls lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes controls lines from the wellbore system by relocating all control and measurement functions to surface equipment. Tracer injection is controlled from surface via wireline or coiled tubing without requiring permanent controls lines in the wellbore, and all detection occurs at surface, eliminating the reliability issues associated with down-hole controls lines.
4Productivity
If permanent down-hole flow measurement instrumentation is installed, then flow measurement is achieved, but production inner diameter is reduced, impeding overall production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all measurement instrumentation from the production tubing interior and relocates it to surface equipment. The tracer injection system uses minimal space in the wellbore annulus or tubing, and surface detectors measure tracer concentration without occupying production tubing volume, thereby maintaining full production inner diameter and avoiding impeded production rates.
5Reliability
If existing tagging and tracer technology is used, then production monitoring is performed, but the lifetime is limited to one to two years, cannot operating for entire well life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable receptacle system that can be retrieved, refilled with fresh tracer material, and reinstalled in the wellbore. This allows the monitoring system to be maintained indefinitely by periodically recovering the receptacle, refilling it, and returning it to service, overcoming the limited lifetime of disposable tracer materials while maintaining continuous monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from single-use tracer materials to a reusable receptacle system with multiple refill cycles. By enabling the receptacle to be recovered, refilled, and reinstalled, the system transforms the monitoring duration from limited (1-2 years) to potentially unlimited, matching the entire well life while maintaining monitoring reliability through periodic maintenance.
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 system provides accurate and continuous monitoring of well production by ensuring reliable tracer material availability, reducing measurement inaccuracies and operational complexities, and extending the lifespan of monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The tracer material includes a distinctive element or chemical configured to facilitate determining information associated with presence and/or movement of fluid in the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems and methods associated with a replenishable receptacle for tagger and/or tracer material in a wellbore. The system may include a receptacle configured to contain tracer material and release tracer material into fluid flowing in a wellbore responsive to the fluid flowing adjacent to the receptacle. The tracer material includes a distinctive element or chemical configured to facilitate determining information associated with movement of fluid in the wellbore. A rate of the release of the tracer material may be related to a rate of flow of the fluid in the wellbore. The receptacle may be further configured to be refilled with tracer material responsive to the tracer material contained by the receptacle being depleted. Refilling the receptacle may be performed via one or more of a wireline, a coiled tubing, a tractor, a robot, a work-string and/or tubing from a light intervention vessel, and/or other approaches.