Wellbore Telemetry Controller Priority Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore data communication methods, such as mud flow modulation and electromagnetic telemetry, face limitations in data transmission rate and efficiency, especially in highly conductive subsurface formations and when using wireline conveyance is impractical due to friction and lateral displacement issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allocate signals from wellbore instruments to buffers based on priority, using a telemetry controller to manage communication through a wellbore telemetry channel, optimizing the use of available communication channels by prioritizing signal transmission according to the importance and timing requirements of the data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mud flow modulation telemetry is used to communicate data from wellbore instruments, then data can be transmitted through the drill string, but the transmission rate is limited to several bits per second
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into different priority levels (first priority control data, second priority logging data, third priority engineering data) and transmits them through separate buffered channels. This segmentation allows simultaneous transmission of multiple data types at optimized rates,突破ing the single-channel bitrate limitation of conventional mud flow modulation telemetry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to data transmission by implementing a scheduled transmission system where different priority data are transmitted at different times and frequencies. The controller allocates transmission slots based on priority, effectively adding a time-based dimension to the communication channel that increases overall data throughput beyond the basic bitrate limit.
2Speed
If electromagnetic telemetry is used for data communication in wellbore instruments, then data transmission speed is increased, but the system becomes ineffective in highly electrically conductive subsurface formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electromagnetic signals to pressure-modulated mud flow signals. This parameter change allows the system to operate reliably in highly conductive formations where electromagnetic telemetry fails, while maintaining acceptable data transmission speeds through optimized priority-based scheduling and buffered transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data stream into priority-based channels that can be transmitted through the mud flow modulation system. By segmenting data and transmitting critical information first through the reliable pressure-based channel, the system achieves both reliability in conductive formations and improved effective transmission speed for critical data.
3Ease of operation
If wireline conveyance is used to move instruments into the wellbore, then instruments can be deployed, but friction between instruments and wellbore wall prevents effective conveyance in high inclination wellbores with substantial lateral displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline conveyance system with a drilling fluid-based delivery system. Instruments are conveyed through the drill string using pumped drilling fluid instead of being pulled by a wireline. This substitution eliminates the friction problem entirely, as instruments travel through the internal bore of the drill string where there is minimal contact resistance, enabling deployment in high inclination wellbores with substantial lateral displacement.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple data communication systems are used simultaneously, then more data can be transmitted, but optimized use of available communication channels is still desirable due to the volume of data generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission priorities and characteristics to different data types. Control data receives highest priority with guaranteed transmission slots, logging data receives medium priority with scheduled transmission, and engineering data receives lowest priority with available-bandwidth transmission. This local differentiation of transmission quality optimizes channel utilization by matching transmission resources to data importance and timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic channel allocation where the controller continuously monitors buffer status and adjusts transmission priorities in real-time. The system dynamically switches between transmission modes based on data volume, channel availability, and priority requirements, maximizing communication channel utilization efficiency while handling the large volume of data generated by multiple simultaneous communication systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating signals between an instrument in a wellbore and a device at the Earth's surface using a wired drill pipe telemetry channel includes allocating signals generated by at least one instrument in the wellbore to a plurality of buffers. Each buffer represents data having a respective communication priority. Signals from each buffer are communicated to the wired drill pipe telemetry channel according to a predetermined priority procedure. The procedure allocates telemetry channel priority related to the communication priority.