Wireless Data Receiver Tool for Downhole Gauge Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data acquisition methods in wellbores face challenges such as complex cable deployment, data loss when cables are cut, and the need for specialized equipment to retrieve semi-permanent gauges, which can lead to equipment loss or failure to exit the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A wireless data receiver tool that travels independently through the wellbore to retrieve data from permanently or semi-permanently deployed gauges without using electric lines or slick lines, equipped with wireless receivers, positioners, and sensors, allowing for wireless communication and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable deployment is used to transmit data from downhole gauges to surface, then real-time data transmission is achieved, but device complexity and risk of data loss increase due to cable cutting or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable from the data transmission system and replaces it with wireless communication capabilities. The downhole gauge now transmits data wirelessly to surface receivers, eliminating the physical cable connection while maintaining data transmission functionality. This resolves the contradiction by removing the reliability risk associated with cable cutting while avoiding the complexity of cable deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based transmission system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The downhole gauge incorporates wireless transmitters that send data through electromagnetic signals, substituting the mechanical connection with a field-based transmission method. This eliminates cable-related reliability issues while simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If semi-permanent gauges are deployed in side pocket mandrels, then gauge installation is simplified, but equipment loss risk increases during retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the downhole gauge to serve itself by incorporating self-contained wireless transmission capabilities. The gauge independently transmits its own data to the surface without requiring external retrieval equipment or specialized fishing tools. This eliminates the retrieval safety risks while maintaining the simplified installation approach of side pocket mandrel deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gauge from the traditional retrieval system that requires specialized equipment and manual intervention. By enabling wireless data transmission, the gauge remains permanently installed in the side pocket mandrel while data is retrieved wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical retrieval operations and associated equipment loss risks.
3Loss of information
If electric line or slick line is used to retrieve data from downhole gauges, then data retrieval is possible, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-based data retrieval system (electric line or slick line) with wireless electromagnetic communication. The downhole gauge transmits data through the wellbore environment using electromagnetic signals that penetrate the surrounding medium, eliminating the need for physical wire deployment and significantly simplifying the retrieval operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium for data transmission through the wellbore environment. Instead of requiring direct physical contact via wires, the wireless system uses electromagnetic fields to carry data signals through the complex wellbore environment, simplifying operation while maintaining data retrieval capability.
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 efficient and reliable data retrieval from downhole gauges without the need for complex cable deployment, reducing the risk of data loss and equipment failure, and facilitating easier retrieval of data from wellbores.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless data receiver tool that travels independently through the wellbore to retrieve data from permanently or semi-permanently deployed gauges without using electric lines or slick lines, equipped with wireless receivers
Data Source
AI summary
Data may be collected from a wellbore by retrievably deploying a data receiver tool to a location proximate a gauge located in the wellbore, where the gauge comprises a sensor used to collect data from the well and where the location is at a distance sufficient to allow wireless data communication between a first wireless data transceiver and a gauge wireless data transceiver; securing the data receiver tool at that location; transmitting data from the gauge memory to the data receiver tool; and storing the transmitted data in the data receiver tool writeable memory.