Through-Bore Spool Layout for Simultaneous Borehole Cable Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for deploying elongate media, such as optical fibers and electrical conductors, in boreholes are inefficient and costly, particularly for permanent installations, which can be prone to longevity issues and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A through-bore spool apparatus with multiple spools that allow simultaneous deployment of multiple spoolable media along a bore, where the spools are designed to be de-spoolable during movement, facilitating efficient deployment and minimizing the apparatus's outer dimensions for use in smaller bore diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple elongate media are deployed separately in boreholes, then each medium can be installed individually, but the installation time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spools (first spool with optical fibre, second spool with electrical conductor) into a single deployable apparatus. Both spools are mounted on the same housing and deployed simultaneously through the borehole in one operation, eliminating the need for separate deployment operations and significantly reducing installation time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If spools are mounted on a common apparatus for simultaneous deployment, then deployment efficiency improves, but the apparatus dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous deployment capabilityVSAvoidapparatus outer dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the second spool inside the first spool structure. The second spool is mounted within the housing that contains the first spool, allowing both spools to be deployed through the borehole in a nested configuration. This minimizes the overall outer diameter of the apparatus while maintaining the capability to deploy multiple media simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If permanently installed optical fibre systems are used, then communication and sensing functions are provided, but the cost and longevity concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem longevityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the optical fibre to be deployed independently through the borehole using the spool apparatus, rather than being permanently installed as part of a completion string. The fibre can be deployed, retrieved, and replaced independently, allowing for maintenance and replacement without costly intervention operations, thus improving longevity while reducing installation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3737827B1Apparatus and method for deploying cable in a borehole

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 WELL SENSE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

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AI summary

A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises first, second and third spools (15, 17, 19) with a spoolable medium (20, 22, 24) wound on each spool. The spoolable media are de-spoolable through exit (28) simultaneously from the spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along the bore.