Stripline Energy Transmission in Wellbore Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for delivering power to downhole electrical devices in subterranean wellbores are costly and prone to damage, leading to operational inefficiencies and delays in oil and gas production.
Innovation Solution
A stripline energy transmission system that uses a casing string with a stripline cable disposed on its outer surface to transmit energy, employing directional traveling wave coupling to generate and deliver power to remote electrical devices, reducing frequency sensitivity and enhancing operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical cable is used to deliver power to downhole electrical devices, then power transmission can be achieved, but the cable becomes difficult and expensive to install and maintain, and is prone to erosion and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from traditional cables by using the conductive casing string itself as the transmission medium. The stripline configuration uses the casing as one conductor and a separate conductor as the other, eliminating the need for separate power cables that are difficult to install and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing string serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the wellbore and simultaneously functions as an electrical conductor for power transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated power cables, reducing installation complexity and maintenance requirements.
2Productivity
If traditional electrical cable is used for power transmission, then power can be delivered to downhole devices, but cable damage requires costly workovers and delays production
Solution Approach 1:
The casing string serves as both the structural wellbore support and the electrical power transmission medium. Since the casing is already installed as part of the well structure, using it for power transmission eliminates separate cable installations that could fail and cause production delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive casing structure provides its own protective function while simultaneously serving as the power transmission medium. The casing's inherent structural integrity protects the power transmission function, eliminating the need for separate protective cable jackets and reducing failure points.
3Loss of energy
If stripline cable is disposed toward outer surface of casing string, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing string serves as both the structural wellbore component and the electrical conductor for the stripline system. By using the existing casing as one of the stripline conductors, the system achieves efficient energy transmission without adding significant complexity, as the casing is already present and conductive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the casing string with the stripline power transmission system by using the casing as one of the conductors. This integration combines the structural support function with the electrical transmission function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission 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 provides efficient, reliable, and cost-effective energy transmission to downhole devices, reducing maintenance costs and improving operational efficiency in subterranean wellbores.
Implementation Method 1
a first stripline cable disposed toward an outer surface of the casing string within the wellbore, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source
Implementation Method 2
The first energy transmitted through the first stripline cable passively reciprocates a second energy in the second stripline cable, where the second energy is used to operate the first remote electrical device
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.