Wellhead Wireless Sensor Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring and communicating well conditions, especially during emergency situations in deepwater oil and gas wells, face limitations such as low data transmission capacity, interference, and potential damage or destruction of equipment, making it difficult to access critical information during blowouts or other catastrophic failures.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system comprising sensors connected to transmitters and a communication box with a receiver and memory device, designed to transmit and store data, with redundancy features to ensure data retrieval even in failure scenarios, and a robust shock-resistant design to withstand explosions, allowing for the storage and retrieval of critical well parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless transmitters and communication boxes are installed at the wellhead to enable data transmission during emergencies, then the ability to retrieve downhole data during blowouts is improved, but the risk of equipment damage or destruction in catastrophic failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication box is separated from the wellhead apparatus and placed in a safe location away from the well. Data is transmitted wirelessly from the wellhead sensors to the remote communication box, extracting the data collection function from the hazardous wellhead environment while maintaining reliable data retrieval capability during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the sensors at the wellhead and the communication box in the safe location. This intermediary transmission method enables data retrieval without requiring physical access to the hazardous wellhead area during catastrophic failures.
2Device complexity
If data is stored only at the communication box location, then the system is simpler, but data loss occurs if the communication box is damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
Data is preliminarily stored in memory devices at the wellhead location before any potential catastrophic failure occurs. This preliminary data storage ensures that critical downhole information is preserved locally even if the remote communication box is damaged or inaccessible, preventing total data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locations in the system have different data storage functions: the wellhead location stores data locally in memory devices for immediate preservation, while the remote communication box provides centralized data access. This local quality distribution ensures data availability while managing system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional communication systems like mud sirens or wireline logs are used, then data transmission is possible, but data transmission capacity is very low or the process is expensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical data transmission systems (mud sirens, wireline logs) with electronic wireless communication. Sensors connected to transmitters continuously transmit downhole data electronically to the communication box, providing high-capacity data transmission without the time delays and limitations of mechanical systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A well comprising a borehole and wellhead apparatus, and a communication box at or proximate to the wellhead apparatus, the well comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to wireless transmitters which are adapted to transmit information from the sensors to the communication box; the sensors comprising at least one pressure sensor;and the well comprising a first memory device spaced apart from the communication box, the first memory device configured to store information from the sensors, wherein the communication box comprises a receiver adapted to receive signals from the transmitters, and at least one of a transmission device and a second memory device to transmit and/or store data received from the transmitters. The communication box is typically highly shock resistant (above 50Gs for at least 5ms, all axes) and so provides, together with other optional features, a system to monitor a well, especially before, during or after an emergency situation.