Untethered Downhole Measurement Using Buoyancy and Drag Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethered logging tools for measuring downhole properties in subterranean wells are bulky, require specialized equipment and crews, and often necessitate stopping well operations, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An untethered, buoyancy-controlled and/or drag-controlled device that uses forces exerted by downhole fluids to navigate along the well, allowing for deployment and retrieval by a single technician without the need for specialized equipment or crews, and can measure a wide range of physical, chemical, and structural properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tethered logging tools are used to measure downhole properties, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and logistical requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tether cable from the logging tool, extracting the constraint that causes complexity. The untethered tool is deployed into the wellbore and returns data wirelessly, eliminating the need for cable management, specialized deployment equipment, and associated logistical complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tether cable system with wireless communication technology. Data is transmitted from the downhole tool to the surface via wireless signals, eliminating the mechanical connection and reducing device complexity while preserving measurement functionality
2Reliability
If conventional tethered logging tools are deployed, then downhole measurements can be obtained, but well operations must be stopped causing time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The untethered logging tool is designed to be self-contained with internal power supply and wireless communication capabilities, allowing it to deploy independently without requiring well shutdown or specialized support equipment. A single technician can deploy the tool while well operations continue, eliminating operational delays
3Reliability
If conventional tethered logging tools are used, then measurements are obtained, but specialized equipment and crews are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable/tether component from the system, eliminating the need for specialized deployment equipment such as cable winches, lubricators, and blowout preventers. The simplified untethered tool can be deployed by a single technician using basic well access equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wireless communication to replicate the data transmission function previously performed by the physical cable. Wireless signals carry measurement data from the downhole tool to the surface, replacing the mechanical cable system with an electromagnetic equivalent that is simpler to deploy
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 cost-effective measurement of downhole properties with reduced logistical and operational delays, as the device can operate during well production and does not require installation of blow-out preventers or lubricator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a controller to control a buoyancy of the untethered device for controlling a position of the untethered device in the subterranean well
Implementation Method 2
An untethered, buoyancy-controlled and/or drag-controlled device that uses forces exerted by downhole fluids to navigate along the well
Data Source
AI summary
An untethered apparatus for measuring properties along a subterranean well. According to at least one embodiment, the untethered apparatus includes a housing, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The data includes one or more physical, chemical, geological or structural properties in the subterranean well. The untethered apparatus further includes a processor configured to control the one or more sensors measuring the data and to store the measured data, and a transmitter configured to transmit the measured data to a receiver arranged external to the subterranean well. Further, the untethered apparatus includes a controller configured to control the buoyancy or the drag of the untethered apparatus to control a position of the untethered apparatus in the subterranean well. The processor includes instructions defining measurement parameters for the one or more sensors of the untethered apparatus within the subterranean well.