Soluble Bridge Plug Data Logging for Real-Time Downhole Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing petroleum exploration technologies lack real-time monitoring and data acquisition capabilities for bridge plugs, making it difficult to effectively evaluate plugging effectiveness and downhole environment conditions.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition system comprising a bridge plug made of a soluble material with integrated data loggers, including pressure and temperature transducers, that monitors and stores data in real time, and floats to the wellhead for retrieval after dissolution, allowing for post-expansion data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bridge plugs are used for petroleum exploration channel plugging, then plugging effectiveness is improved, but real-time monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bridge plug structure with data logger functionality into an integrated unit. The data loggers are mounted directly on the bridge plug, merging the plugging function with the monitoring function into a single composite device that performs both tasks simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plug is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a plugging device and as a data collection platform. The integrated system provides both mechanical plugging capability and environmental monitoring capability (temperature, pressure, acoustic signals) through the same device deployment.
2Loss of information
If data loggers are mounted on bridge plugs, then data acquisition capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent data loggers that can be distributed across different locations on the bridge plug. Each data logger independently monitors and records data, allowing the system to handle complex monitoring requirements through modular, manageable units rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The data loggers are designed as self-contained units with integrated power, sensing, and data storage capabilities. They autonomously monitor temperature, pressure, and acoustic signals and store data locally, eliminating the need for complex external control systems or continuous power supply infrastructure.
3Reliability
If soluble bridge plugs are used, then evaluation of plugging effect is improved, but data retrieval capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Data loggers are pre-loaded with sufficient power and data storage capacity before deployment. They are designed to autonomously collect and store monitoring data throughout the entire lifecycle of the bridge plug, from insertion to complete dissolution, ensuring data is captured and preserved even as the bridge plug material degrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The data logger housing serves as an intermediary protective structure that shields the electronic components during the bridge plug's operational life. The housing is designed to maintain structural integrity long enough to allow data collection, then gradually dissolves or becomes retrievable, mediating between the soluble bridge plug material and the need for data preservation.
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
Enables real-time monitoring and post-expansion data analysis of temperature and pressure changes, facilitating intuitive observation of oil seepage in petroleum exploration channels.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, a data memory and a controller placed in a closed space of the housing; the pressure transducer and the temperature transducer monitor temperature and pressure in the area with cracks in the petroleum exploration channel in real time
Implementation Method 2
a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, a data memory and a controller placed in a closed space of the housing; the pressure transducer and the temperature transducer monitor temperature and pressure
Implementation Method 3
after the bridge plug is dissolved in the fracturing fluid, allowing the at least one data logger to float to a mouth portion of the petroleum exploration channel
Implementation Method 4
allowing the at least one data logger to float to a mouth portion of the petroleum exploration channel under the buoyancy of the fracturing fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A data acquisition system and method applied to petroleum exploration engineering comprises a bridge plug and at least one data logger, where the bridge plug is made of a soluble material, the bridge plug with the data logger is placed in a petroleum exploration channel and gradually displaced to an area with cracks, so that the data logger can monitor temperature and pressure in real time, and then the data logger is retrieved to read and analyze data.