Underground GPS Plug Tracking via VLF Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking the release and movement of plugs, balls, or darts in oil or gas well tube systems lack accuracy, often relying on pressure spikes that cannot distinguish between successful landing and obstruction, leading to uncertainty in operations like cementing and tool actuation.
Innovation Solution
A system where the releasable object carries a signal transmitter, such as an RFID chip or electromagnetic emitter, communicating with signal receivers deployed along the wellbore, allowing real-time tracking and location determination using VLF signals or GPS, ensuring precise monitoring of the object's movement and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure spike methods are used to track plug movement, then the tracking system is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient and cannot distinguish between successful landing and obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure-based tracking with electromagnetic signaling systems. Transmitters embedded in plugs/balls/darts send signals to surface receivers, eliminating the need to interpret pressure spikes and providing direct, unambiguous location data. This substitution of mechanical detection with electromagnetic communication resolves the contradiction by providing high-precision tracking without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal transmitters as intermediaries between the downhole objects and surface detection systems. These transmitters carry information about object location and status, acting as mediators that translate physical position into detectable electromagnetic signals. This intermediary layer enables precise tracking while keeping the overall system architecture manageable through standardized communication protocols.
2Measurement precision
If signal transmitters are embedded in releasable objects, then the measurement precision and tracking accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs signal transmitters with universal functionality that serves multiple purposes: location tracking, release confirmation, and operational status monitoring. By making the transmitter multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable objects carry their own signal transmitters, making them self-sufficient for tracking purposes. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external tracking infrastructure downhole, as each object independently provides its own location and status information to surface receivers, thereby managing complexity through distribution rather than centralization.
3Reliability
If traditional pressure-based tracking is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of operation confirmation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements direct feedback loops where signal transmitters continuously report object location and status to surface receivers. This real-time feedback provides unambiguous confirmation of plug ball, or dart release and movement, eliminating the uncertainty inherent in pressure-based interpretation. The feedback mechanism maintains operational simplicity by providing clear, actionable information without requiring complex analysis.
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 system provides accurate tracking and confirmation of the object's release and movement, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and ensuring successful well operations by clearly differentiating between successful placement and potential obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a signal from the releasable object... transmitting a very low frequency signal through the earth between the releasable object and the first very low frequency signal system
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric element carried by the body, the piezoelectric element generating a signal in response to pressure applied from the service fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking an object in oil and gas wellbore operations wherein a releasable object carrying a first signal system is released into tube system associated with a wellbore. The first signal system communicates with one or more second signal systems positioned along the travel path of the object; along the surface of the formation; and/or throughout the wellbore. First signal system and the second signal system may communicate by RF signals. First signal system and any second signal systems positioned on the surface communicate by through-the-earth or very low frequency signals. A global positioning system may be utilized in conjunction with any second signal systems on the surface to identify the absolute location of the object in the underground wellbore. The first signal system carried by the object may be a piezoelectric system disposed to transmit a signal when the object experiences a predetermined pressure.