Robotic Pigging Platform for Casing Debris Removal and Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrosion and debris accumulation in well casing and tubing pose significant challenges for oil and gas well maintenance, leading to structural integrity issues and contamination risks, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A moveable platform system with a drive arrangement, scraping and debris catching mechanisms, and a coating arrangement is deployed within the wellbore to remove debris, collect corrosion products, and apply protective coatings, utilizing wheels, brushes, magnetic components, and electromagnetic devices for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic platform with scraping and debris catching mechanisms is deployed in the wellbore, then debris and corrosion products are effectively removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic platform is divided into distinct functional modules: a drive arrangement with wheels for movement, a scraping arrangement with blades and brushes for debris removal, a debris catching arrangement with magnetic components for collection, and a coating arrangement for protective coating application. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to address multiple maintenance tasks while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If a coating arrangement is added to apply protective coatings, then corrosion protection is improved, but the device complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple maintenance functions into a single integrated robotic platform that can perform scraping, debris collection, and protective coating application in one deployment. The drive arrangement moves the platform along the casing interior wall, while the scraping arrangement removes debris, the debris catching arrangement collects corrosion products, and the coating arrangement applies protective coatings, all within a single operational sequence.
3Productivity
If magnetic debris catching components are used, then debris collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely mechanical debris collection methods with electromagnetic components. The debris catching arrangement utilizes magnetic fields to attract and collect ferrous debris and corrosion products from the scraping process, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sorting or manual collection mechanisms while significantly improving collection efficiency.
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 effectively removes debris and corrosion products, prevents contamination, and enhances the structural integrity of well casing and tubing by applying protective coatings, thereby improving the operational efficiency and safety of oil and gas wells.
Implementation Method 1
The debris catching arrangement is at least partially magnetic
Implementation Method 2
The debris catching arrangement includes an electromagnetic device
Data Source
Figure 1~2D
AI summary
A system including a moveable platform (100) having an uphole end and a downhole end. The platform (100) includes a drive arrangement (110) for moving the platform in one or more directions along an interior wall (11) of a casing string in a wellbore. The platform includes scraping arrangement (120) for removing debris from the interior wall (11) of the casing string. The platform includes a debris catching arrangement (130) downhole of the scraping arrangement (120) for collecting some or all of the debris removed. The platform may include a coating arrangement (140) to deliver and apply a substance to at least a part of the wall of the casing string. The coating arrangement may include a reservoir holding one or more liquid substances and a valve to regulate flow of the one or more liquid substances. The liquid substance may include epoxy resin.