Retrievable Temperature Sensor for Subsea Well Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature sensors in subsea oil and gas extraction environments have a shorter operational life due to vulnerability to the subsea environment and high temperatures, requiring frequent replacement, which is costly and hazardous, and challenging due to remote locations and potential fluid discharge during replacement.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor system with a fixture portion installed in the subsea installation and a retrievable portion that measures pressure changes in a constant volume of temperature-responsive fluid, allowing temperature measurement without electronic components, enabling easy replacement and minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature sensors are installed at remote downhole locations to monitor fluid temperature, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but replacement becomes difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoidsensor replacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor system is divided into two separate segments: a fixture portion that remains permanently installed at the remote downhole location and a retrievable portion containing the electronics that can be easily replaced. This segmentation allows the measurement function to remain at the difficult-to-reach location while the replaceable portion can be accessed and swapped without suspending well operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If temperature sensors are replaced frequently due to short operational life, then measurement reliability is maintained, but operational disruption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidoperational disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the sensor into a permanent fixture portion and a replaceable retrievable portion, the system enables quick replacement of the electronics without requiring suspension of well operations. The fixture portion remains in place maintaining the measurement function, while only the retrievable portion needs to be swapped, significantly reducing operational disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture portion is pre-installed and prepared at the remote location before the retrievable portion is attached. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid replacement operations where the new retrievable portion can be quickly coupled to the existing fixture, minimizing downtime and maintaining continuous measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If valves are used to suspend fluid flow for sensor replacement, then sensor replacement is enabled, but valve failure risk and fluid discharge risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor replacement capabilityVSAvoidfluid discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of the sensor into fixture and retrievable portions eliminates the need to suspend fluid flow through valves during replacement. The retrievable portion can be changed while the well remains operational, avoiding the harmful effects of valve operation and potential fluid discharge associated with traditional replacement methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system allows for reliable and cost-effective temperature monitoring with reduced risk of equipment failure and environmental damage, as the retrievable portion can be replaced without suspending operations, and the fixture portion remains durable and free from electronic vulnerabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The fixture portion includes a constant volume of a fluid disposed at a measurement point within the subsea installation. The retrievable portion includes a pressure sensing element operable to measure a pressure associated with the constant volume such that the temperature at the measurement point is determinable.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The retrievable portion includes a pressure sensing element operable to measure a pressure associated with the constant volume such that the temperature at the measurement point is determinable.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3221676B1Constant volume temperature to pressure transducer for use with retrievable pressure sensor assemblies

Publication Date: 2020.02.19 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature within a subsea installation includes a fixture portion coupled to the subsea installation and a retrievable portion that is selectively operable to couple to the fixture portion. The fixture portion includes a constant volume of a fluid disposed at a measurement point within the subsea installation. The retrievable portion includes a pressure sensing element operable to measure a pressure associated with the constant volume of fluid such that a temperature at the measurement point is determinable.