Well Platform for Separating Cable from Production Tubing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for scanning production tubing with a secured cable in oil and gas operations are inefficient, as the cable interferes with scanning equipment, requiring separate removal and scanning operations, which complicates the process.

Innovation Solution

A platform apparatus is positioned near the surface element of a well to allow operators to access production tubing and cables, enabling the cable to be separated from the tubing during withdrawal, allowing for efficient scanning using electronic devices as the tubing is removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cable is secured to the production tubing during well operations, then the cable is supported and movement is limited, but the cable interferes with electronic scanning equipment when the tubing is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable support and movement limitationVSAvoidinterference with scanning equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable and production tubing are separated into distinct components during the removal operation. The cable is detached from the tubing at a separation point, allowing the tubing to be scanned independently without cable interference, while the cable is routed separately beneath the platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A platform structure serves as an intermediary element that facilitates both the support of the cable during operation and the separation of the cable from the tubing during removal. The platform provides a pathway for the cable to be directed beneath it, acting as a mediator between the cable and scanning equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If separate operations are used for removing the cable and scanning the production tubing, then the scanning functionality is maintained, but the operational complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning functionalityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable removal and tubing scanning operations are merged into a single integrated operation. As the tubing is being pulled from the well, the cable is simultaneously separated and routed beneath the platform, and the tubing is scanned in real-time, eliminating the need for separate operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning action continues uninterrupted during the tubing removal process. The tubing is scanned as it is being pulled from the well, maintaining continuous inspection without stopping the removal operation or requiring separate scanning phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the cable is secured to the production tubing, then the cable is supported, but the scanning efficiency decreases due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable supportVSAvoidscanning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a combined cable-tubing configuration to separated components during removal. The cable is detached and routed separately, allowing the tubing to be scanned at full efficiency without cable interference, while the cable maintains its support function independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is redirected into a different spatial dimension by routing it beneath the platform structure. This dimensional change separates the cable's path from the tubing's scanning path, eliminating interference while maintaining cable support through the platform's structural configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11053777B2Apparatus and method for more efficiently scanning production tubing that incorporates a cable secured thereto

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 BROWN JEFFREY J

AI summary

A platform apparatus positionable close to a surface element to allow an operator to access production tubing being withdrawn from the surface element. The platform apparatus can be positioned in close proximity to a surface element of a well to permit an operator access to production tubing and cable secured to the production tubing. The cable can be separated from the production tubing and directed beneath a primary oil rig platform. The production tubing can be scanned with an electronic scanning device after the cable has been separated from the production tubing as the production tubing is being removed from the well. The platform apparatus can be positioned in close proximity to a surface element of a well being serviced by a pole unit to permit an operator access to production tubing. The production tubing can be scanned with an electronic scanning device as the production tubing is being removed from the well.