Tubing-Casing Annulus Pressure for Well Integrity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring well integrity in hydrocarbon production wells are inefficient in detecting and categorizing issues such as tubing leaks, casing leaks, and packer failures, and do not provide timely remedial actions.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous network system that integrates remote terminal units to monitor wellbore integrity by comparing wellhead and tubing-casing annulus pressures, using machine learning to identify issues, and performing remedial actions such as shutting in the well or scheduling maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used for well integrity, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function into multiple independent components: pressure sensors positioned at specific locations (wellhead, tubing-casing annulus), remote terminal units for data collection, and centralized processing systems. This segmentation enables precise localized measurements while distributing system complexity across modular components rather than requiring a single complex monitoring device.
2Productivity
If autonomous monitoring with automated remedial actions is implemented, then productivity is improved through timely detection, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs remedial actions to be automatically executed when specific pressure differential thresholds are exceeded. The remote terminal units and control systems are configured in advance with decision logic and remedial protocols, enabling autonomous response without requiring real-time human intervention. This preliminary configuration maintains operational simplicity while achieving rapid automated responses to well integrity issues.
3Reliability
If continuous pressure monitoring is performed, then reliability of well integrity detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pressure differential monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The remote terminal units collect pressure data from sensors at predetermined locations and transmit this data periodically to the centralized processing system. This periodic sampling approach maintains reliable detection of well integrity issues while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for autonomously detecting and categorizing well integrity issues in hydrocarbon production wells (e.g., gas and oil wells), water injection wells, and water disposal wells. A method involves obtaining a wellhead pressure and a tubing-casing annulus (TCA) pressure of a wellbore; calculating a difference between the wellhead pressure and the TCA pressure; determining whether the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and determining, based on whether the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, whether at least one wellbore integrity issue has occurred.