Well Assist System for Deviated Well Telemetry Through Conductive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive layers in subterranean formations prevent effective electromagnetic communication between telemetry sensors and well production systems, leading to incomplete data transmission and costly cable deployment issues in deviated wells.
Innovation Solution
A well assist system, including an assist ship or assist well, is used to enhance telemetry range and signal-to-noise levels by deploying sensors below conductive layers to receive and relay electromagnetic field data, eliminating the need for cables and reducing signal attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnetic telemetry is used for wireless communication in deviated wells, then cable deployment complexity is reduced and production flow is maintained, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to conductive layers blocking electromagnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
An assist well is introduced as an intermediary system to receive electromagnetic signals from the production well through the conductive layer and re-transmit them to the surface. This mediator bypasses the blocking effect of the conductive layer, enabling reliable communication without cables in the production well.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from direct vertical signal transmission in the production well to a multi-dimensional approach where signals are transmitted from the production well, received by the assist well at a different spatial location, and then relayed to the surface, effectively using spatial dimensionality to overcome the conductive layer barrier.
2Reliability
If cables are deployed from sensors to the well production system in deviated wells, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but operational complexity increases and production flow is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cable system is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based wireless telemetry system. Although electromagnetic signals are blocked by conductive layers, the assist well infrastructure provides the necessary mechanical support and signal reception capability, combining wireless advantages with reliable signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The assist well acts as an intermediary that receives electromagnetic signals from the production well and relays them to the surface, eliminating the need for cables in the production well while maintaining signal transmission reliability.
3Productivity
If telemetry sensors communicate wirelessly through conductive layers, then production flow is maintained and operational simplicity is improved, but information completeness deteriorates due to signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The assist well serves as an intermediary signal reception point positioned to receive electromagnetic fields before they are completely attenuated by the conductive layer, thereby preserving more information content in the transmitted signals while maintaining production flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assist well is positioned and configured in advance to optimally receive electromagnetic signals from the production well, ensuring that signal strength and information content are maximized before the signals pass through the conductive layer, thereby reducing information loss.
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 enables reliable wireless communication of wellbore parameters and reservoir information, maintaining production flow and reducing the risk and cost associated with cable failures and complex installations.
Implementation Method 1
conductive layers within a formation may prevent electromagnetic fields, emitted by telemetry sensors within the production well for communication with the well production system
Implementation Method 2
A well assist system, including an assist ship or assist well, is used to enhance telemetry range and signal-to-noise levels by deploying sensors below conductive layers to receive and relay electromagnetic field data
Data Source
AI summary
A telemetry and communication system and method for communication between a well production system and a well assist system. The system may comprise a well production system, which may comprise a telemetry sensor disposed in a production well below a highly conductive layer and a transmitter. The system may further comprise a well assist system comprising a sensor which is operable to receive information from the transmitter. A method for providing telemetry and communication may comprise determining a location of a well assist system for a well production system, deploying the well assist system to the location, disposing a sensor from the well assist system below a highly conductive layer, and receiving information with the sensor, the information being transmitted from a transmitter of the well production system disposed below the highly conductive layer.