Wellbore Flow Meter with Segmented Cylindrical Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore flow meters only capture a portion of the fluid flow, making it difficult to accurately determine the production contribution from a single zone in a wellbore, as they divert a portion of the fluid through the device while the remainder flows around it, necessitating estimation of total fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter device with first and second cylindrical portions of different diameters, equipped with pressure sensors to measure pressures on the exterior, allowing for the determination of fluid flow by positioning the device adjacent to a zone in the wellbore and using Bernoulli's principle to calculate the volumetric flow rate, ensuring that substantially all fluid flow is measured around the exterior of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow meters divert a portion of fluid flow through the device to measure flow, then the measurement function is achieved, but the measurement precision deteriorates because only a portion of fluid is captured requiring estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is divided into multiple cylindrical portions with different outer diameters arranged along the fluid flow path. This segmentation creates multiple measurement zones that collectively capture the entire fluid flow, eliminating the need to estimate total flow from a partial sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point measurement approach to a multi-dimensional measurement system by using cylindrical portions of varying diameters arranged spatially along the flow path. This dimensional arrangement enables comprehensive capture of fluid flow across different cross-sectional areas.
2Measurement precision
If conventional flow meters use a single measurement point, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient to accurately determine zone production contribution
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple pressure sensors positioned at different locations around the flow meter. Each sensor measures pressure at a specific zone, and the combined data from all sensors enables accurate determination of total fluid flow and zone production contribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter serves multiple functions: it measures fluid flow velocity, determines total fluid flow, and calculates zone production contribution. The same multi-sensor apparatus performs all these functions, making the added complexity justified by the comprehensive measurement capabilities.
3Reliability
If the flow meter captures only a portion of fluid flow, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability of production determination deteriorates due to estimation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter structure is segmented into multiple cylindrical portions with different diameters, each contributing to capturing a specific portion of fluid flow. The sum of these portions equals the total fluid flow, providing reliable measurement without requiring complex external estimation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter itself generates all necessary measurement data through its multi-sensor configuration. The device self-determines total fluid flow and zone production contribution using only the pressure measurements from its integrated sensors, eliminating dependency on external estimation methods.
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 accurate measurement of fluid flow and production contribution from a zone in a wellbore by capturing the entire flow around the device, providing precise data on hydrocarbon production without relying on estimations.
Implementation Method 1
using Bernoulli's principle to calculate the volumetric flow rate
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device to measure production contribution from a zone of a wellbore. The flow device include a first cylindrical portion having a first outer diameter and a second cylindrical portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. The flow device includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure a first pressure at an exterior of the first portion and a second pressure sensor configured to measure a second pressure at an exterior of the second portion. The flow device is positioned adjacent a zone of a wellbore and the first and second pressures are measured. The fluid flow in the wellbore adjacent to the zone may be determined from the first and second pressures. The flow device diverts substantially all fluid flow in the wellbore around an exterior of the device. The device may include a sensor to measure the conductivity of wellbore fluid.