Wireless Power Transfer in Wellbore Lubricators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intervention operations in wellbores are challenging due to remote locations, environmental sensitivity, and the need for frequent and costly manual interventions to address issues like paraffin wax buildup, which disrupts production and poses environmental risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered downhole tool system that includes a lubricator with a transmitter for wireless power transfer, allowing the downhole tool to be powered autonomously without removal from the lubricator, thereby reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention operations are performed frequently to address paraffin wax buildup and other issues, then production can be maintained at optimal levels, but production downtime and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole tool is equipped with an autonomous power system comprising a battery, receiver for wireless power transfer, and control circuitry that enables it to perform intervention operations independently without requiring frequent manual retrieval and redeployment. The tool can autonomously navigate the wellbore, execute cleaning operations against paraffin wax buildup, and return to the lubricator for recharging, thereby maintaining production continuously and reducing downtime.
2Loss of time
If battery-powered downhole tools are deployed for autonomous operations, then production downtime is reduced, but the tool requires complex power management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system operates periodically through a cyclic process: the downhole tool deploys autonomously using battery power to perform intervention operations, then returns to the lubricator where the receiver captures wireless electrical power transfers to recharge the battery. This periodic deployment-recharge cycle enables sustained autonomous operation without requiring overly complex continuous power management, balancing autonomy with manageable system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the downhole tool remains in the lubricator for charging, then environmental impact is reduced and operational efficiency improves, but the tool cannot perform intervention operations
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole tool dynamically transitions between two operational states: when charged, it deploys from the lubricator to perform intervention operations in the wellbore; when power is depleted, it autonomously returns to the lubricator for recharging via wireless power transfer. This dynamic state transition enables the system to alternate between environmental protection mode (stored in lubricator) and intervention mode (deployed in wellbore), resolving the contradiction between minimizing environmental impact and maintaining intervention 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
The system enables autonomous and efficient intervention operations, reducing production downtime, environmental impact, and operational costs by allowing repetitive tasks like paraffin wax removal to be performed autonomously and safely.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricator with a transmitter for wireless power transfer, allowing the downhole tool to be powered autonomously without removal from the lubricator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for fitting to a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a battery-powered downhole tool for deployment within the wellbore. The downhole tool includes a battery for providing electrical power to one or more components of the downhole tool. The apparatus further includes a lubricator for fitting to a wellhead of the wellbore via a valve system providing communication between the lubricator and the wellbore, and for housing the downhole tool when in a stowed position. The lubricator includes a transmitter for receiving electrical power from a remote power source, and for transferring received electrical power to a receiver. The downhole tool includes a receiver for providing electrical power to the battery, and for receiving electrical power from the transmitter. A method of transferring power from a transmitter of a lubricator to a receiver of a downhole tool is also provided.