Seismic Tool Eccentric Mounting for Downhole Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying and maintaining seismic detectors in downhole locations face challenges such as interference with production activities, mechanical failure, and high costs, particularly when trying to maintain long-term monitoring of seismic and micro-seismic events in deep well holes.
Innovation Solution
A tubing system with eccentric bearing members is used to bow the tubing during placement, ensuring the seismic tool makes firm contact with the well casing through a diametrical interference fit, utilizing a seismic tool mounted on a third eccentric member with a different azimuthal orientation, allowing for reliable and cost-effective deployment and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a wireline tool is used to monitor seismic signals for a short period of time, then deployment is simpler, but monitoring duration is limited to a few days or weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a permanent seismic tool that can be deployed once and left in place for extended periods (years), eliminating the need for repeated wireline deployments. The tool is designed to be left in the well permanently, converting a temporary monitoring solution into a permanent one, thereby extending monitoring duration while managing complexity through standardized deployment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The seismic tool is deployed and installed in advance during the initial well completion or intervention operations. By performing the deployment action beforehand and leaving the tool in place, the system achieves long-term monitoring without requiring repeated complex deployment operations, thus extending monitoring duration while the initial deployment complexity is amortized over the entire monitoring period
2Duration of action of moving object
If a seismic tool is deployed on tubing into a deep cased hole for long-term monitoring, then monitoring duration is extended to years, but maintaining solid coupling contact becomes difficult due to tubing weight counteracting bow spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterweight mechanism that compensates for the downward force of the tubing column. By applying an upward force through the counterweight system, the bow springs maintain sufficient compression force against the casing wall to ensure reliable coupling contact, thereby resolving the reliability issue while preserving long-term monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the bow spring compression force by modifying the counterweight magnitude or spring pre-compression parameters. This parameter adjustment ensures that the coupling force between the seismic tool and casing wall remains adequate despite variations in tubing weight, temperature, and depth, thereby maintaining reliable contact for long-term monitoring
3Ease of operation
If a seismic tool is mounted on the periphery of a mandrel and designed to extend laterally into solid contact with casing side wall, then deployment flexibility is improved, but design complexity increases and failure risk during release operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a tool that extends outward from the mandrel periphery, the patent inverts the approach by having the seismic tool mounted on the mandrel in a retracted position and using the bow springs to push the tool against the casing wall. This inversion simplifies the mechanical design by eliminating complex extension and retraction mechanisms, reducing design complexity while maintaining deployment flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lateral extension function from the seismic tool mounting mechanism. By separating the tool mounting (on the mandrel) from the contact function (via bow springs pushing against casing), the design eliminates the need for complex extension mechanisms, thereby reducing design complexity and failure risk while preserving the ability to achieve solid contact with the casing wall
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 solution enables continuous, reliable monitoring of seismic activity over the production life of a well, optimizing oil or gas extraction by ensuring consistent contact and reducing mechanical failure and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A tubing system operable to be bowed during placement into a well casing
Implementation Method 2
A first eccentric bearing member mounted upon a tubing to be run into a bore hole, cased or open hole. A second eccentric bearing member mounted on the tubing in an axially spaced relationship with respect to the first eccentric member
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for deploying seismic detectors and monitoring seismic activity associated with a production well from a down hole location within a well.