Wellsite Tracker Integration for Equipment Location Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reliable techniques to collect and confirm wellsite information during operations, ensuring proper equipment placement and timely operations.
Innovation Solution
A wellsite monitoring system comprising a wellsite tracker with a tracker housing, communication unit, and location unit, which includes a three-axis location sensor to collect spatial location and time data, and a wellsite monitor to generate outputs based on this data, confirming wellsite operations by comparing tracking data with predetermined specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wellsite operations are monitored manually without automated tracking systems, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of wellsite information collection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wellsite tracker integrates multiple functions into a single device: location tracking via GPS receiver, time stamping via clock, data processing via processor, and wireless communication via transmitter. This multi-functional integration achieves precise location monitoring while consolidating device complexity into one unified system rather than multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracker operates autonomously by automatically collecting location data from GPS satellites, timestamping it with precise time, processing the information internally, and transmitting it without human intervention. This self-service operation maintains high measurement precision while reducing the need for complex manual monitoring systems.
2Reliability
If automated tracking systems with multiple components are implemented, then reliability of wellsite information collection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the GPS receiver, clock, processor, and transmitter into a single integrated tracker unit. This merging of components improves reliability by ensuring all functions work together as a unified system while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple separate devices. The integrated design ensures consistent data flow from location collection to transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by comparing actual wellsite operations against scheduled operations using the collected location and time data. The processor analyzes whether equipment has arrived at designated locations and whether operations are proceeding according to schedule, providing reliable confirmation of operational status without requiring complex external verification systems.
3Productivity
If precise location and time tracking is implemented, then productivity of wellsite operations is improved, but use of energy by the tracking device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS receiver collects location data at periodic intervals rather than continuously, and the transmitter sends data at scheduled times. This periodic operation maintains productivity by capturing essential location and time information for equipment tracking while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring and transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the Earth's magnetic field and satellite signals as natural references for location and time, rather than carrying heavy batteries or complex power generation systems. This approach leverages external environmental resources to maintain accurate tracking with minimal energy input from the tracker itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellsite tracker includes a tracker housing, location antenna, location unit, and tracker communicator. The location antenna is coupled to satellites to receive location data. The location unit includes a clock and a location processor to infer tracking data based on the location data and the time. The tracker communicator includes a communication unit and a communication antenna. The communication antenna is coupled to the location unit by the communication unit to receive the tracking data and to transmit the tracking data about the wellsite. Wellsite monitoring involves using the wellsite tracker to receive location data from satellites as the wellsite equipment moves about the wellsite, to inferring tracking data for the wellsite equipment based on the location data over time, and to confirm wellsite operations by comparing the tracking data for the wellsite equipment with predetermined specifications.