Wellhead Launcher System for Autonomous Drone Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying and retrieving downhole tools in wellbores are inefficient, time-consuming, and hazardous, requiring direct human interaction and multiple equipment steps, which increases costs and risks due to the need for manual handling of wirelines and tools in a pressurized environment.
Innovation Solution
A drone deployment system using a wellhead launcher and receiver that allows untethered drones to be autonomously or semi-autonomously inserted and retrieved from wellbores, reducing the need for wirelines and minimizing human presence in hazardous areas by using a hollow casing with a drone compartment and launch mechanism to push drones into the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireline and lubricator methods are used to deploy downhole tools, then tools can be inserted and retrieved from wellbores, but the process becomes time-consuming, hazardous, and requires multiple equipment steps with direct human interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tool deployment function from the complex wireline-lubricator system and transfers it to an autonomous drone. The drone is inserted into the wellbore without requiring wirelines, lubricators, or direct human interaction, thereby eliminating the time-consuming and hazardous manual handling steps while maintaining reliable tool deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drone operates autonomously once inserted into the wellbore, performing tool deployment tasks without requiring continuous human control or wireline connection. This self-service capability reduces deployment time and eliminates the need for hazardous human interaction in the red zone, while ensuring reliable operation through automated navigation and tool release mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If direct human interaction is required for tool handling in the red zone, then tools can be manually deployed, but costs and risks increase due to safety hazards and manual handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drone serves as an intermediary between the operator and the downhole tools. It is inserted into the wellbore and autonomously handles tool deployment, eliminating the need for direct human interaction in the hazardous red zone. This intermediary approach maintains ease of operation through remote or autonomous control while eliminating safety risks associated with manual handling in pressurized environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline-lubricator system with an autonomous drone that uses its own propulsion and navigation systems. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical handling equipment and direct human manipulation required in traditional systems, reducing safety risks while maintaining ease of tool deployment through automated mechanisms
3Productivity
If multiple equipment steps and wirelines are used for tool deployment, then tools can be inserted into wellbores, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential tool deployment function from the complex multi-step wireline and lubricator process. By using an autonomous drone that is simply inserted into the wellbore and releases tools independently, the system eliminates multiple equipment steps and wireline handling procedures, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining high deployment speed through streamlined autonomous operation
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 significantly reduces the time and cost of well completion processes, enhances safety by minimizing human interaction in the 'red zone,' and allows for faster deployment and retrieval of downhole tools, thereby accelerating oil or gas production.
Implementation Method 1
A drone launch mechanism is disposed inside the wellhead receiver hollow casing adjacent the drone compartment and is configured to exert a launch force on the drone thereby pushing the drone out of the drone compartment and toward the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone to be inserted into the wellbore includes adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore. The preparation may be performed using fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.