Wireless EM Through-Casing Sensors for Reliable Reservoir Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying sensors and monitoring systems downhole in wellbores is challenging due to extreme conditions and the risk of damaging wires exposed outside the casing, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electromagnetic (EM) sensors and transmitters on the outside of the wellbore casing that communicate and receive power wirelessly through the casing, using inductive, capacitive, or acoustic coupling, eliminating the need for external wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are used to provide power and communication to downhole sensors, then power and data transfer can be achieved, but the wires are damaged by harsh downhole conditions including extreme temperatures, extreme pressures, and complex mixtures of different elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-based power and communication system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless system. The transmitting coil generates electromagnetic fields that penetrate the wellbore casing to induce currents in the receiving coil, thereby transferring power and data without physical wire connections, eliminating exposure to harsh downhole conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power and communication signals through the wellbore casing. The transmitting coil converts electrical signals to electromagnetic fields, which then penetrate the casing and are converted back to electrical signals by the receiving coil, serving as a non-contact intermediary that avoids direct wire exposure to harmful environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If wires are extended outside the wellbore casing for power and communication, then connectivity is achieved, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable wire extension component from the system by implementing wireless power and communication through the casing. By removing the need for wires to extend outside the wellbore casing, the system eliminates the complex deployment procedures associated with wire management while maintaining full connectivity functionality.
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
Enhances the reliability and reduces the complexity of data collection by protecting wires from damage while providing continuous monitoring of reservoir conditions, enabling accurate 3D imaging of injected substances like CO2 and steam.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitting coil disposed inside of the wellbore casing generates an electromagnetic field for penetration through the wellbore casing. A receiving coil disposed outside of the wellbore casing receives the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitting coil.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and techniques for monitoring substances that are injected into an Earth formation whether that be CO2 from a carbon capture and storage (CCS) process, or water or steam injected for an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. Components located on an outside of a wellbore casing may be electrically isolated from components located on the inside of the wellbore casing. Data and/or power may be transferred through the wellbore casing wirelessly in order to increase the reliability of a data collection system because the need for wires to be placed on the outside surface of a wellbore casing is eliminated. The components located on the outside of the casing may receive electromagnetic (EM) or transmit EM fields as part of a system that collects data about substances that are injected into Earth formations during a CCS or EOR process.