Wireline Sensor Wheel Guide for Deviated Wellbore Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireline logging tools face challenges in deviated wells due to increased friction, sticking issues, and difficulties in navigating through drilling cuttings, leading to delays and increased costs, with existing solutions being complex, heavy, and requiring active operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A sensor transportation apparatus with a pair of wheels rotating perpendicular to the sensor assembly and an orientation structure that maintains a stable position with the center of mass below the wheels' axis of rotation, reducing friction and allowing the tool to navigate deviated wellbores without active manipulation, and includes a lubrication system to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireline logging tools are lowered by cable under gravity alone, then the operation is simple and low-cost, but the tools can become stuck on ledges and experience delays
Solution Approach 1:
A guide device with nose section is introduced as an intermediary between the logging tool and the wellbore obstacles. The nose section rolls over ledges and irregularities, mediating the interaction between the tool string and wellbore features, thereby preventing the tool from becoming stuck while maintaining the simplicity of gravity-based descent
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device is attached to the leading end of the tool string before deployment. This preliminary positioning allows the nose section to encounter and roll over obstacles first, preventing the main tool string from becoming stuck on ledges before the problem can affect the logging operation
2Ease of operation
If the logging tool traverses the low side of the wellbore in deviated wells, then it follows the natural gravity path, but it encounters obstructions and drilling cuttings on the wellbore wall
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device with upwardly angled nose section acts as an intermediary that redirects the tool string away from the low side obstructions. The angled geometry mediates between gravity's natural path and the need to avoid cuttings and irregularities, allowing the tool to traverse deviated wells smoothly
3Reliability
If existing guide devices are used to prevent tool from getting stuck, then sticking issues are reduced, but the devices are complex, heavy, and require active operator intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is designed to function autonomously without active operator intervention. The nose section automatically rolls over obstacles and the guide device self-adjusts to wellbore irregularities, eliminating the need for complex control systems and reducing operational complexity while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed to prevent sticking - a simple nose section that rolls over obstacles - and attaches it to the leading end of the tool string. This removes unnecessary complexity from existing guide devices while retaining the core reliability function
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 apparatus effectively reduces friction and maintains stable orientation, enabling efficient descent of wireline logging tools in deviated wells, reducing the risk of sticking and cuttings interference, while being lightweight and easy to maintain, thus minimizing operational delays and costs.
Implementation Method 1
reducing friction and allowing the tool to navigate deviated wellbores
Implementation Method 2
a lubrication system to prevent contamination
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sensor transportation apparatus to convey an elongate sensor assembly through a wellbore. The sensor transportation apparatus comprises at least one engagement structure to connect the sensor transportation apparatus to the sensor assembly, and a pair of wheels arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly when the transportation apparatus is connected to the sensor assembly, and an orientation structure comprising at least one orientation projection, in a transverse outline of the sensor transportation apparatus a said orientation projection extending between the pair of wheels so that the shortest distance between a centre of mass of the elongate sensor assembly and the wellbore wall is when the pair of wheels are in contact with the wellbore wall.