Smart eLine OD Meter Ring Prevents Armor Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing breakage of armors in armored cables during eLine logging operations in oil and gas fields leads to tool stuck situations, requiring time-consuming and risky procedures to retrieve the cable and tool string from the wellbore.

Innovation Solution

A method and device involving an outer diameter (OD) meter ring with spring-loaded sensors are used to monitor the OD of the wireline in real-time, generating a fail-safe signal if the OD exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby stopping the spooling drum and preventing further damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time OD monitoring with spring-loaded sensors is implemented, then armor breakage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of armor breakageVSAvoidcomplexity of OD meter ring with sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded sensors are pre-positioned on the OD meter ring to contact the wireline armor before any breakage can occur. This preliminary positioning allows the system to detect OD changes at the earliest stage, preventing armor breakage before it happens rather than responding after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded sensors continuously measure the outer diameter of the wireline and provide real-time feedback to the control system. When the OD exceeds a predetermined threshold, the feedback mechanism triggers an immediate stop signal to the spooling drum, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents armor breakage through continuous monitoring and responsive action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automated OD monitoring and stop mechanism are implemented, then operational risks are reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of operational risksVSAvoidsimplicity of wireline deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The OD meter ring with spring-loaded sensors performs self-monitoring of the wireline condition during deployment. The system automatically detects when the OD exceeds the threshold and triggers the stop mechanism without requiring continuous manual inspection or intervention by operators, allowing the system to monitor and protect itself during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual monitoring and decision-making process is replaced by an automated electronic system. The spring-loaded sensors convert mechanical OD changes into electrical signals that are processed by a control system, which then automatically actuates the stop mechanism. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with an automated electromechanical system reduces operational risks while requiring minimal operator input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If continuous wireline release is allowed, then productivity is maintained, but armor breakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireline deployment speedVSAvoidarmor integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded sensors are pre-positioned to contact the wireline armor before any breakage can occur. This preliminary positioning allows the system to detect OD changes at the earliest stage, preventing armor breakage before it happens rather than responding after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents armor breakage and tool stuck situations by automatically stopping the wireline release when a predetermined OD threshold is exceeded, reducing well downtime and operational risks.

Implementation Method 1

A smart eLine outer diameter meter ring includes a circular band comprising a first circumference, a second circumference, and an opening, and a plurality of spring-loaded sensors disposed on an inner surface of the circular band facing the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring-loaded contact: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12281568B2Smart eLine outer diameter meter ring

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A wireline operation method is disclosed. The method includes disposing an outer diameter (OD) meter ring on a wireline, the OD meter ring having spring-loaded sensors, releasing, from a spooling drum into the wellbore, the wireline via a wireline passage having a tight spot, a released portion of the wireline progressively passing through an opening of the OD meter ring, generating, using the spring-loaded sensors, a real time OD measurement of a current location of the wireline passing through the opening of the OD meter ring at the time of measurement, generating, in response to the real time OD measurement of a particular location of the wireline exceeding a pre-determined threshold, a fail-safe signal, and stopping, in response to the fail-safe signal, the spooling drum from continuing to release the wireline before the particular location of the wireline reaches the tight spot of the wireline passage.