Unpowered Sensor for Well Condition Detection Below Suspension Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of information about well conditions below a suspension tool in oil and gas production, leading to safety risks when resuming production, as existing methods rely on expensive equipment that is not economically feasible for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a simple, unpowered sensor in the suspension tool that is powered by a shifting tool connected to a digital slickline, allowing for measurement and communication of well conditions such as pressure and temperature, enabling safe removal or unsealing of the suspension tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If expensive control or monitoring equipment is installed in the well at the design stage, then information on well conditions below the plug becomes available, but the cost becomes prohibitively high for widespread use across hundreds of wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, unpowered sensor that can be easily manufactured and deployed temporarily. The sensor is designed to be used once for measuring well conditions before the plug is removed, after which it becomes waste. This disposable approach eliminates the need for expensive, permanent monitoring equipment while still providing the necessary information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic monitoring systems with a simple mechanical/spring-based unpowered sensor. The sensor uses a spring mechanism to physically contact the plug and measure conditions without requiring power, electronics, or complex processing, thereby dramatically reducing cost and complexity.
2Device complexity
If no monitoring equipment is installed, then the cost remains low, but safety risks increase due to unknown pressure conditions that can damage uphole equipment or cause loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the measurement action before the plug removal operation. The unpowered sensor is deployed with the plug, measures the pressure conditions while the plug is still in place, and provides this information before the decision to remove the plug is made. This preliminary measurement allows operators to prepare appropriate safety measures before proceeding with plug removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The unpowered sensor acts as an intermediary between the well conditions and the operators. It physically contacts the plug and the well environment to gather pressure information, then transmits this information through the drilling line to the surface, serving as a bridge that provides safety information without requiring complex monitoring systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple unpowered sensor is used instead of expensive equipment, then cost is reduced and ease of deployment is improved, but the ability to provide continuous monitoring is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by deploying the simple unpowered sensor temporarily for the specific purpose of measuring conditions before plug removal. The sensor provides its measurement function during this critical pre-removal period, then is discarded. This periodic, task-specific deployment is more cost-effective than continuous monitoring while still providing the necessary safety information.
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
This approach reduces safety risks associated with pressure surges and hydrostatic fluid loss by providing accurate well condition data without the need for expensive equipment, allowing operators to determine safe procedures for resuming production.
Implementation Method 1
The shifting tool may be connected to a digital slickline which has electrical conductors that allow power to be transmitted from a power source at the surface of the well to the shifting tool
Implementation Method 2
The suspension tool has one or more sensors configured to measure one or more well conditions in the lower portion of the well
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining well conditions below a suspension tool installed in a well so that it can be determined whether the suspension tool can safely be removed or unsealed. The suspension tool has a simple sensor which is normally unpowered, but receives power when engaged by a shifting tool to enable the sensor to measure well conditions below the suspension tool and to communicate this information back to the shifting tool, which is coupled to equipment at the surface of the well by a digital slickline or similar means. The information provided by the sensor enables the operators of the well to determine whether it is safe to proceed with a procedure to remove or unseal the suspension tool.