Untethered Downhole Logging Using Buoyancy and Drag Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethered logging tools for measuring downhole properties in subterranean wells are bulky, require specialized equipment and crews, and often necessitate shutting down well operations, making them costly and logistically challenging.
Innovation Solution
An untethered, buoyancy-controlled and/or drag-controlled device that uses fluid forces to navigate along the wellbore, allowing for measurement of physical, chemical, and structural properties without the need for cables or wires, deployable by a single technician and operable during ongoing well production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tethered logging tools are used to measure downhole properties, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and operational cost increase due to required cables, specialized equipment, and crews
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tether (cable) from the logging tool, extracting the constraint that caused complexity. The untethered device is deployed into the wellbore, performs measurements, and returns to surface autonomously, eliminating the need for cable management equipment and reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The logging device is designed to be self-sufficient, carrying its own power source and navigation capabilities. It autonomously navigates the wellbore using buoyancy control and drag adjustment, performs measurements, and returns to surface without external assistance, eliminating the need for specialized crews and equipment
2Reliability
If tethered logging tools are deployed, then downhole measurements can be obtained, but well operations must be shut down, causing loss of time and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The untethered logging device enables continuous well operations by being deployed during normal production. The device rides on the flowing fluids or is injected through the production stream, allowing measurements to be taken without shutting down the well, thus maintaining continuous productive action
Solution Approach 2:
The logging device uses the wellbore fluid flow itself as a mediator for deployment and navigation. By riding on or being carried by the flowing hydrocarbons, the device leverages the existing production stream rather than requiring separate intervention operations that would interrupt production
3Reliability
If conventional tethered logging tools are used, then measurements are obtained, but deployment requires specialized vehicles and equipment, increasing cost and logistical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tether and associated deployment infrastructure (winches, cranes, specialized vehicles). The untethered device can be deployed through simple injection into the wellbore or by dropping into the flowing stream, eliminating the need for complex surface equipment and specialized vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The device carries its own propulsion and navigation systems, using buoyancy control and drag adjustment to autonomously navigate the wellbore. This self-sufficiency eliminates the need for external mechanical assistance during deployment and retrieval, simplifying operations to basic injection or release procedures
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and logistically simpler measurement of downhole properties with reduced operational delays, as the device can be deployed and retrieved without shutting down wells, and can carry a variety of sensors to measure a range of properties.
Implementation Method 1
a controller to control a buoyancy of the untethered device for controlling a position of the untethered device along the subterranean well
Implementation Method 2
a controller to control a drag of the untethered device for controlling a position of the untethered device along the subterranean well
Implementation Method 3
An untethered, buoyancy-controlled and/or drag-controlled device that uses fluid forces to navigate along the wellbore
Implementation Method 4
An untethered, buoyancy-controlled and/or drag-controlled device that uses fluid forces to navigate along the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
An untethered apparatus for measuring properties along a subterranean well includes a housing, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The data includes one or more physical, chemical, geological or structural properties in the subterranean well. The untethered apparatus further includes a processor configured to control the one or more sensors measuring the data and to store the measured data, and a transmitter configured to transmit the measured data to a receiver arranged external to the subterranean well. Further, the untethered apparatus includes a controller configured to control the buoyancy or the drag of the untethered apparatus to control a position of the untethered apparatus in the subterranean well. The processor includes instructions defining measurement parameters for the one or more sensors of the untethered apparatus within the subterranean well.